Kura is the Arabic word for ball, in all its forms
Kura is the Arabic word for ball, in all its forms
Kura is the Arabic word for ball, in all its forms
Kura is the Arabic word for ball, in all its forms

Weekend

'Kura': Arabic word for ball rolls through life, love and everything else

After 28 days of World Cup excitement, we’re not quite ready to say goodbye to football

Razmig Bedirian
Razmig Bedirian

December 23, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Because of all the suspense and spice surrounding the Fifa World Cup, or despite it, there’s a melancholy that strikes when an event this big comes to an end. Even in its steady, four-year build up, the event is riveting and unifies the globe with all its dramatic and generally positive overtones. No matter what you think of football, it was hard to escape the excitement in the Arab world as Morocco led Mena’s entry into the final four, or when Saudi Arabia, against all expectations, defeated the would-be winners Argentina in their opening game.

It has been a thrilling 28 days and we’re not quite ready to say goodbye to football yet, so for this week's Arabic word we’ll be looking at one that embodies the sport, the world it animates and the globe.

Kura is Arabic for ball. Al kura al ardiya is Planet Earth or a globe representing it. Kurat al qadam is football. When the kura fi al marma, it means it’s in the goal; outside would be kharej al marma. When the "ball is in your court", you can say al kura al aan fi malaabak/malaabik.

Alfredo Foni, left, of Italy tries in vain to reach a cross during the 1938 World Cup final against Hungary in Paris, France. Italy won the match and trophy 4-2. Getty
Alfredo Foni, left, of Italy tries in vain to reach a cross during the 1938 World Cup final against Hungary in Paris, France. Italy won the match and trophy 4-2. Getty
Uruguay’s Alcides Ghiggia, centre, scores the match-winner to silence Brazil in the World Cup final at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on July 16, 1950.
Uruguay’s Alcides Ghiggia, centre, scores the match-winner to silence Brazil in the World Cup final at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on July 16, 1950.
German 1954 world champion Horst Eckel, left. AFP
German 1954 world champion Horst Eckel, left. AFP
Brazilian Djalma Santos, centre, tackles French goalkeeper Claude Abbes during the 1958 World Cup semi-final in Stockholm. Brazil beat France 5-2 to advance to the final. AFP
Brazilian Djalma Santos, centre, tackles French goalkeeper Claude Abbes during the 1958 World Cup semi-final in Stockholm. Brazil beat France 5-2 to advance to the final. AFP
English referee Ken Aston sends off Mario David during the 1962 World Cup match between Italy and Chile in Santiago. The match was remarkably violent with two Italians being sent off and another having his nose broken by a punch from a Chilean player. Italy won the match 2-0. Getty
English referee Ken Aston sends off Mario David during the 1962 World Cup match between Italy and Chile in Santiago. The match was remarkably violent with two Italians being sent off and another having his nose broken by a punch from a Chilean player. Italy won the match 2-0. Getty
England's Jimmy Greaves dribbles through a set of poles ahead of the 1966 World Cup squad. PA
England's Jimmy Greaves dribbles through a set of poles ahead of the 1966 World Cup squad. PA
England take on West German during their 1970 World Cup quarter-final at Estadio Guanajuato. Action Images
England take on West German during their 1970 World Cup quarter-final at Estadio Guanajuato. Action Images
Gerd Mueller, centre, fights for the ball with Wim Rijsbergen at the Olympic Stadium in Munich during the 1974 World Cup final between Germany and the Netherlands. EPA
Gerd Mueller, centre, fights for the ball with Wim Rijsbergen at the Olympic Stadium in Munich during the 1974 World Cup final between Germany and the Netherlands. EPA
Zico of Brazil rides a challenge during the 1978 World Cup group match against Spain in Mar Del Plata, Argentina. Getty
Zico of Brazil rides a challenge during the 1978 World Cup group match against Spain in Mar Del Plata, Argentina. Getty
Socrates in typically elegant stride during one of arguably the World Cup's greatest matches: Brazil v Italy in 1982. Italy won 3-2.
Socrates in typically elegant stride during one of arguably the World Cup's greatest matches: Brazil v Italy in 1982. Italy won 3-2.
England captain and midfiedler Bryan Robson is fouled by Moroccan Mostafa El Biaz during the World Cup first round match on June 6, 1986 in Monterrey. AFP
England captain and midfiedler Bryan Robson is fouled by Moroccan Mostafa El Biaz during the World Cup first round match on June 6, 1986 in Monterrey. AFP
UAE forward Adnan Al Talyani during the World Cup first round match against Yugoslavia on June 19, 1990 at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy. AFP
UAE forward Adnan Al Talyani during the World Cup first round match against Yugoslavia on June 19, 1990 at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy. AFP
Jurgen Klinsmann of Germany and Gustavo Quinteros of Bolivia in action during their World Cup match on June 17, 1994 in Chicago, US. Getty
Jurgen Klinsmann of Germany and Gustavo Quinteros of Bolivia in action during their World Cup match on June 17, 1994 in Chicago, US. Getty
Colombia's Anthony de Avila dribbles past England's Sol Campbell during their 1998 World Cup first round match on June 27, 1998. AFP
Colombia's Anthony de Avila dribbles past England's Sol Campbell during their 1998 World Cup first round match on June 27, 1998. AFP
China's Chen Yang kicks the ball in front of Costa Rica's Harold Wallace during their 2022 World Cup match in Kwangju.
China's Chen Yang kicks the ball in front of Costa Rica's Harold Wallace during their 2022 World Cup match in Kwangju.
French midfielder Zinedine Zidane during the World Cup 2006 semi-final against Portugal at Munich Stadium. AFP
French midfielder Zinedine Zidane during the World Cup 2006 semi-final against Portugal at Munich Stadium. AFP
Siphiwe Tshabalala of South Africa scores during the 2010 World Cup match against Mexico.
Siphiwe Tshabalala of South Africa scores during the 2010 World Cup match against Mexico.
Yacine Brahimi of Algeria scores his team's fourth goal in their match against South Korea at the 2014 World Cup. Getty
Yacine Brahimi of Algeria scores his team's fourth goal in their match against South Korea at the 2014 World Cup. Getty
Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio saves a header from Younes Belhanda at the 2018 World Cup. Reuters
Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio saves a header from Younes Belhanda at the 2018 World Cup. Reuters

Kurat al saleh is basketball. Kurat al yad, hand ball. Tennis is kurat al madreb. Kurat al billiard are billiard balls. Handasa kurawiya is spherical geometry. Blood cells are also known as kurat al dam. Kura al nariya is the mushroom cloud seen after a nuclear blast.

Here are a few quotes by famous footballers, but in Arabic. First by Lionel Messi:

“Fi kurat al qadam kama fi sinaa’t al sa’at, al mowheba wal anaqa la ya’niyan aia shai bidoon al diqqa wal sarama.”

“In football as in watchmaking, talent and elegance mean nothing without rigour and precision.”

Read more

'Burj': the Arabic word for tower looks beyond skyscrapers for answers in the stars

Neymar on playing not to win prizes, such as the golden ball, but to be happy:

“Ana la ala’b li fowz bi jaizet al kura al dhahabiye, ala’ab kurat al qadam li akoon saeedan ― because I love playing it and want to play it.”

For Christian Ronaldo, life is meaningless without football:

“Bidoon kurat al qadam, al hayat la yisawi sheiyaan.”

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

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FA Cup semi-finals

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The 12 breakaway clubs

England

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur

Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus

Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid

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Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea
RESULTS

Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.

Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.

Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.

Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.

Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.

Catchweight 80kg​​​​​​​
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.

Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.

Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.

Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.

Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.

Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.

Updated: June 08, 2023, 5:33 AM`
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