The Arabic word for spring, rabe'a, is also the name of two of the months from the Islamic calendar. The National
The Arabic word for spring, rabe'a, is also the name of two of the months from the Islamic calendar. The National
The Arabic word for spring, rabe'a, is also the name of two of the months from the Islamic calendar. The National
The Arabic word for spring, rabe'a, is also the name of two of the months from the Islamic calendar. The National

Culture

Art & Design

'Rabe'a': The Arabic word for spring has power and significance in the region

The concept has an interesting linguistic and cultural history in the region

Maan Jalal
Maan Jalal

May 10, 2024

  • English
  • Arabic

In his seminal novel Anna Karenina, Russian author Leo Tolstoy wrote: "Spring is the time of plans and projects."

The sentiment that spring is connected to beginnings and renewal is a universal one. Across cultures and languages, in literature and art, spring is a symbol of hope and transformation as seen through nature after the cold and darkness of winter.

This week’s Arabic word of the week, rabe'a, is no exception. It is a word with interesting linguistic and cultural history and relevance.

Rabe'a is a noun, used across Arab dialects to refer to the spring season.

Rabe'a also forms part of the names of two of the 12 months of the Islamic calendar. The third month is called rabe'a al awaal, which translates to "the first spring" and the following fourth month, rabe'a al akhir, which translates to "the last spring".

In classical Arabic, rabe'a can also mean a stream, similar to English in how spring can refer to the season or a small body of flowing water.

Rabe'a can also reference the green areas of a plant. In fact, there are a number of flowers and plants named after the season, such as zahrat al rabe'a, which translates to "rose of spring" and is also known in English as primrose.

The Hoopoes bird, native to many regions including the Middle East, is also referred to colloquially as hudhud or abu rabe'a, which translates to "father of spring". Rabe'a al oumour is a phrase that translates to "spring of youth" and references a time in a person’s life where their youth, health and beauty is at its peak.

Rabe'a is also a masculine name used mostly in the Levant.

Hob is the Arabic word for love, but can be used in many contexts
Hob is the Arabic word for love, but can be used in many contexts
The Arabic word helu translates, in English, to sweet
The Arabic word helu translates, in English, to sweet
Nashef is the Arabic word for dry, but has many connotations, depending on the context in which you use it
Nashef is the Arabic word for dry, but has many connotations, depending on the context in which you use it
The Arabic word hurriyeh translates to freedom in English
The Arabic word hurriyeh translates to freedom in English
The Arabic word tayeb can mean delicious or good, depending on the context
The Arabic word tayeb can mean delicious or good, depending on the context
The Arabic word mustaqbal is best expressed as future in English
The Arabic word mustaqbal is best expressed as future in English
Waqaa, the Arabic word for fall, can signify a loss of power, stature, health or grace
Waqaa, the Arabic word for fall, can signify a loss of power, stature, health or grace
Hudood means borders in English
Hudood means borders in English
The Arabic word rooh translates to spirit or soul in English
The Arabic word rooh translates to spirit or soul in English
The Arabic word ain means eye in English
The Arabic word ain means eye in English
Waraq, the Arabic word of the week means paper in English
Waraq, the Arabic word of the week means paper in English
Bahr, the Arabic for sea, has a poetic lilt
Bahr, the Arabic for sea, has a poetic lilt
Kareem means generous in English
Kareem means generous in English
Bab means door in English
Bab means door in English
Eid means holiday or festival
Eid means holiday or festival
Najm means star for the night sky and cosmos, but also has plenty of other meanings, including ambition or fame
Najm means star for the night sky and cosmos, but also has plenty of other meanings, including ambition or fame
Alwan, the Arabic word for colours, has many shades of meaning
Alwan, the Arabic word for colours, has many shades of meaning
Akel can refer to home-cooked meals, embezzlement, fire and rust
Akel can refer to home-cooked meals, embezzlement, fire and rust
Jamal is the Arabic word for beauty, be it literal or figurative
Jamal is the Arabic word for beauty, be it literal or figurative
Herfe translates to profession or craft
Herfe translates to profession or craft
Tabiaa translates to nature and can frame landscapes and portraits
Tabiaa translates to nature and can frame landscapes and portraits
Sehha is the Arabic word for health
Sehha is the Arabic word for health
Ijaza is Arabic for holiday and shines in summer but is not stress-free
Ijaza is Arabic for holiday and shines in summer but is not stress-free
Aamal is the Arabic word for work
Aamal is the Arabic word for work
Al dahr translates to time
Al dahr translates to time
Qalb is a word for heart, with poetic roots
Qalb is a word for heart, with poetic roots
Lugha in Arabic translates to language in English
Lugha in Arabic translates to language in English
Insaan means human being
Insaan means human being
Na'eeman is an idiomatic expression used when someone has had a shower or bath, a haircut or had their beard trimmed
Na'eeman is an idiomatic expression used when someone has had a shower or bath, a haircut or had their beard trimmed
The Arabic word for life touches on eternity, death and accomplishment
The Arabic word for life touches on eternity, death and accomplishment
Qamar is the Arabic for moon
Qamar is the Arabic for moon
The Arabic word for strength or power is quwwa
The Arabic word for strength or power is quwwa
Burj is Arabic for tower
Burj is Arabic for tower
The Arabic word for sun is shams
The Arabic word for sun is shams
Sabr in English can translate to patience
Sabr in English can translate to patience
Hayba is the Arabic word for prestige
Hayba is the Arabic word for prestige
The Arabic term al shay'e translates as 'the thing' in English
The Arabic term al shay'e translates as 'the thing' in English
The Arabic word for road is tareeq
The Arabic word for road is tareeq
The Arabic word for read has mystical and scholarly connotations
The Arabic word for read has mystical and scholarly connotations
Istikan is the Arabic word for a type of tea cup
Istikan is the Arabic word for a type of tea cup
The Arabic word hanan means affection in English
The Arabic word hanan means affection in English
The Arabic word atlal means ruins in English
The Arabic word atlal means ruins in English
Kura is the Arabic word for ball, in all its forms
Kura is the Arabic word for ball, in all its forms
Janaah in Arabic means wing in English
Janaah in Arabic means wing in English
The Arabic word sana translates to year in English
The Arabic word sana translates to year in English
Qasida is the Arabic for poem, not poetry
Qasida is the Arabic for poem, not poetry
Ameer, the Arabic word for prince, which influenced another English title
Ameer, the Arabic word for prince, which influenced another English title
Nakhla translates to palm tree in English
Nakhla translates to palm tree in English
Al samt is the Arabic for silence
Al samt is the Arabic for silence
Kalimaat translates to words in English
Kalimaat translates to words in English
Markaz is Arabic for centre
Markaz is Arabic for centre
Beshara is the Arabic word for good news
Beshara is the Arabic word for good news
Bayt is the Arabic for house or home
Bayt is the Arabic for house or home
Fann is the Arabic word for art, and can be either a verb or an adjective
Fann is the Arabic word for art, and can be either a verb or an adjective
Isim, which means name, is made up of three letters, alif, seen and meem
Isim, which means name, is made up of three letters, alif, seen and meem
Dunya is the Arabic word for world
Dunya is the Arabic word for world
Nazaafah translates to cleanliness in English
Nazaafah translates to cleanliness in English
Many traditions revolve around drinking coffee, including weddings, funerals and business meetings
Many traditions revolve around drinking coffee, including weddings, funerals and business meetings
Fajr is the Arabic word for dawn
Fajr is the Arabic word for dawn
Maghrib is the Arabic word for sunset
Maghrib is the Arabic word for sunset
The Arabic language is filled with idioms, quotes and colloquial quips involving the mirror
The Arabic language is filled with idioms, quotes and colloquial quips involving the mirror
Raei is the Arabic word for opinion
Raei is the Arabic word for opinion
Wa'ed is a multifaceted word for 'promise', as well as a female name
Wa'ed is a multifaceted word for 'promise', as well as a female name
Qussa is the Arabic word for story
Qussa is the Arabic word for story
Sadaaka is the Arabic word for friendship
Sadaaka is the Arabic word for friendship
Akhbaar is the Arabic word for news
Akhbaar is the Arabic word for news
Rasem is made up of the three Arabic letters Rah, Seen and Meem. While it can simply mean a drawing or a sketch it’s also a malleable word whose definition can change depending on context and dialect – particularly between colloquial and classical Arabic.
Rasem is made up of the three Arabic letters Rah, Seen and Meem. While it can simply mean a drawing or a sketch it’s also a malleable word whose definition can change depending on context and dialect – particularly between colloquial and classical Arabic.
As well as finishing a task, khatem denotes a deeper sense of finality
As well as finishing a task, khatem denotes a deeper sense of finality
Commonly translated to blessed, mubarak is used as a popular greeting on auspicious days
Commonly translated to blessed, mubarak is used as a popular greeting on auspicious days
The Arabic word for lighthouse is also a term that has become closely associated with Islam
The Arabic word for lighthouse is also a term that has become closely associated with Islam
Siyaam, the Arabic word for fasting is also connected to silence
Siyaam, the Arabic word for fasting is also connected to silence
Tawbah, the Arabic word for repentance, is also connected to Ramadan
Tawbah, the Arabic word for repentance, is also connected to Ramadan
Safar, the Arabic Word for travel can also refer to sunny days, a brighter-blazing fire or exile. The National
Safar, the Arabic Word for travel can also refer to sunny days, a brighter-blazing fire or exile. The National

Rabe'a is also used as a measurement of a quarter. This particular meaning stems from the source word of rabe'a.

The origin of rabe'a is the verb raba’a, derived from the three Arabic letters Rah, Bah and Aain. It’s a word that has several meanings depending on the context in which it is used.

Its first and most common meaning in classical Arabic is something that happened or entered or has settled in somewhere. However, used in a different way, it can mean to separate or push something away. When used in the context that one feels raba’a, it refers to having sympathy and empathy for someone or a given situation.

Raba’a is also closely connected to the number four.

First, it is a marker for the measurement of four. For example, it can mean four times the power of something or marking four hours, four days or weeks, etc. The word roubou’u, which refers to quarters, is derived from raba’a, as is the word for the number four, araba’a.

Th symbolic significance of rabe'a is also a strong and multifaceted one in the Arab world. While it symbolises transformation, new beginnings and growth in nature, it does so culturally.

The protests, demonstrations, revolutions and uprisings that took place across the Arab world starting in December 2010 were named in both English and Arabic as the Arab Spring.

Al Rabe’a Al Arabi as it was referred to in Arabic, uses the idea of spring to symbolise a new political awakening, change and transformation. However, the term was deemed problematic for many.

It was seen as a phrase coined by western media in a way that frames the protests inaccurately, homogenising the region and oversimplifying the issues and the context of each individual Arab country.

Regardless, rabe’a as a word and concept is one that holds profound significance in Arab culture whether in nature, society or politics.

While you're here
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Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

  • An arms embargo
  • A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
  • A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
  • A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
  • Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
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252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome

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550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome

724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses

Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa

Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site

The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants

Al Wasl means connection in Arabic

World’s largest 360-degree projection surface

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Directed by: Joe and Anthony Russo

Starring: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo

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Profile of VoucherSkout

Date of launch: November 2016

Founder: David Tobias

Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers

Sector: Technology

Size: 18 employees

Stage: Embarking on a Series A round to raise $5 million in the first quarter of 2019 with a 20 per cent stake

Investors: Seed round was self-funded with “millions of dollars” 

How the bonus system works

The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.

The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.

There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).

All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League, last-16 second leg
Paris Saint-Germain (1) v Borussia Dortmund (2)
Kick-off: Midnight, Thursday, March 12
Stadium: Parc des Princes
Live: On beIN Sports HD

The drill

Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.

Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”

Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”

Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.” 

Where to apply

Applicants should send their completed applications - CV, covering letter, sample(s) of your work, letter of recommendation - to Nick March, Assistant Editor in Chief at The National and UAE programme administrator for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, by 5pm on April 30, 2020. 

Please send applications to nmarch@thenational.ae and please mark the subject line as “Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism (UAE programme application)”.

The local advisory board will consider all applications and will interview a short list of candidates in Abu Dhabi in June 2020. Successful candidates will be informed before July 30, 2020. 

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Price, base: Dh228,000 / Dh232,000 (est)
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Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
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Torque: 552Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.5L / 100km

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EJuly%205%2C%201994%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jeff%20Bezos%20founds%20Cadabra%20Inc%2C%20which%20would%20later%20be%20renamed%20to%20Amazon.com%2C%20because%20his%20lawyer%20misheard%20the%20name%20as%20'cadaver'.%20In%20its%20earliest%20days%2C%20the%20bookstore%20operated%20out%20of%20a%20rented%20garage%20in%20Bellevue%2C%20Washington%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EJuly%2016%2C%201995%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon%20formally%20opens%20as%20an%20online%20bookseller.%20%3Cem%3EFluid%20Concepts%20and%20Creative%20Analogies%3A%20Computer%20Models%20of%20the%20Fundamental%20Mechanisms%20of%20Thought%3C%2Fem%3E%20becomes%20the%20first%20item%20sold%20on%20Amazon%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E1997%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon%20goes%20public%20at%20%2418%20a%20share%2C%20which%20has%20grown%20about%201%2C000%20per%20cent%20at%20present.%20Its%20highest%20closing%20price%20was%20%24197.85%20on%20June%2027%2C%202024%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E1998%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon%20acquires%20IMDb%2C%20its%20first%20major%20acquisition.%20It%20also%20starts%20selling%20CDs%20and%20DVDs%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2000%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon%20Marketplace%20opens%2C%20allowing%20people%20to%20sell%20items%20on%20the%20website%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2002%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon%20forms%20what%20would%20become%20Amazon%20Web%20Services%2C%20opening%20the%20Amazon.com%20platform%20to%20all%20developers.%20The%20cloud%20unit%20would%20follow%20in%202006%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2003%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon%20turns%20in%20an%20annual%20profit%20of%20%2475%20million%2C%20the%20first%20time%20it%20ended%20a%20year%20in%20the%20black%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2005%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon%20Prime%20is%20introduced%2C%20its%20first-ever%20subscription%20service%20that%20offered%20US%20customers%20free%20two-day%20shipping%20for%20%2479%20a%20year%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2006%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon%20Unbox%20is%20unveiled%2C%20the%20company's%20video%20service%20that%20would%20later%20morph%20into%20Amazon%20Instant%20Video%20and%2C%20ultimately%2C%20Amazon%20Video%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2007%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon's%20first%20hardware%20product%2C%20the%20Kindle%20e-reader%2C%20is%20introduced%3B%20the%20Fire%20TV%20and%20Fire%20Phone%20would%20come%20in%202014.%20Grocery%20service%20Amazon%20Fresh%20is%20also%20started%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2009%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon%20introduces%20Amazon%20Basics%2C%20its%20in-house%20label%20for%20a%20variety%20of%20products%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2010%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20The%20foundations%20for%20Amazon%20Studios%20were%20laid.%20Its%20first%20original%20streaming%20content%20debuted%20in%202013%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2011%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20The%20Amazon%20Appstore%20for%20Google's%20Android%20is%20launched.%20It%20is%20still%20unavailable%20on%20Apple's%20iOS%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2014%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20The%20Amazon%20Echo%20is%20launched%2C%20a%20speaker%20that%20acts%20as%20a%20personal%20digital%20assistant%20powered%20by%20Alexa%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2017%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon%20acquires%20Whole%20Foods%20for%20%2413.7%20billion%2C%20its%20biggest%20acquisition%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2018%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amazon's%20market%20cap%20briefly%20crosses%20the%20%241%20trillion%20mark%2C%20making%20it%2C%20at%20the%20time%2C%20only%20the%20third%20company%20to%20achieve%20that%20milestone%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans

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Company Fact Box

Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019

Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO

Based: Amman, Jordan

Sector: Education Technology

Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed

Stage: early-stage startup 

Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.

War 2

Director: Ayan Mukerji

Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana

Rating: 2/5

Updated: May 10, 2024, 6:02 PM`
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