The gravity of waqaa is a force that pulls down more than mere mass.
Like its English counterpart, the Arabic word for fall can signify a loss of power, stature, health and grace. It can also be used in reference to a heavy burden or responsibility. Or even something alluring that catches your eye.
But first, the basics.
If an object falls out of your hand, you could say waqaat min eedi. Someone loses their step and falls? Waqaa or waqaat, depending on whether the person is male or female. If you’re the person who's falling? The verb becomes waqaatu.
Falling to the ground? Waqaa/waqaat/waqaatu ala el ard. In the shower? Fil hammam. In a trap? Fil fakh. In love? Fil hob.
If a person you thought highly of does something that doesn’t meet your expectations of them, you could say waqaa/waqaat min eini, which literally translated to “he/she fell from my eye”.
If it’s your eye falling on someone or something, you could say waqaat eini aleih/aleiha, which, like in English, means they caught your attention.
A person who falls sick and is bedridden: waqaa/waqaat/waqaatu fil sareer. Someone burdened by responsibility? Waqaa taht hamlen thaqeel. Falling into debt? Waqaa tahta al diyoon.
For a person who lands the right job, you could say waqaa fi mowqe munaseb, or, on the contrary, ma waqaa fi mowqe munaseb.
If a person dies in war then waqa’a fil harb. For a city overtaken by military force, you could say waqa’at el madine athnaa el harb.
A guilty person punished for their crimes? Waqaa el ukube ala el muznib. A difficult experience? Waqaa fi tajribe saaba. Arrested by the police? Waqaa fi qabdat al shurta. Tragedy befalls you? Waqaat musiba.
Curious to see how someone received a bit of news? Kaif waqaa il khabar aleih/aleiha?
And finally, we conclude with a maxim: la tahfor hufratan li akheek taqa feehi, or don’t dig a hole for your brother — you’ll fall in.
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
The five pillars of Islam
The five pillars of Islam
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The Light of the Moon
Director: Jessica M Thompson
Starring: Stephanie Beatriz, Michael Stahl-David
Three stars
Ain Issa camp:
- Established in 2016
- Houses 13,309 people, 2,092 families, 62 per cent children
- Of the adult population, 49 per cent men, 51 per cent women (not including foreigners annexe)
- Most from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa
- 950 foreigners linked to ISIS and their families
- NGO Blumont runs camp management for the UN
- One of the nine official (UN recognised) camps in the region
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%3Cp%3EEncourage%20innovation%20in%20the%20metaverse%20field%20and%20boost%20economic%20contribution%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20outstanding%20talents%20through%20education%20and%20training%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20applications%20and%20the%20way%20they%20are%20used%20in%20Dubai's%20government%20institutions%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAdopt%2C%20expand%20and%20promote%20secure%20platforms%20globally%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20the%20infrastructure%20and%20regulations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Number of tracks: 11
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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The specs
BMW M8 Competition Coupe
Engine 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8
Power 625hp at 6,000rpm
Torque 750Nm from 1,800-5,800rpm
Gearbox Eight-speed paddleshift auto
Acceleration 0-100kph in 3.2 sec
Top speed 305kph
Fuel economy, combined 10.6L / 100km
Price from Dh700,000 (estimate)
On sale Jan/Feb 2020
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Details
Through Her Lens: The stories behind the photography of Eva Sereny
Forewords by Jacqueline Bisset and Charlotte Rampling, ACC Art Books
