العطلة (al-ʿutla) is a feminine noun meaning 'holiday' or 'vacation,' referring to a period of time off from work, school, or regular duties. It encompasses both official holidays and personal time off, and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts across Arabic-speaking regions.
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Example Sentences
سأذهب في عطلة إلى البحر الأسبوع القادم.
Sa-aḏhab fī ʿutla ilā al-baḥr al-usbūʿ al-qādim.
I will go on vacation to the sea next week.
العطلة الصيفية تبدأ في يونيو.
Al-ʿutla al-ṣayfiyya tabdaʾ fī yūnyū.
The summer holiday begins in June.
لا يوجد عطلة في يوم الجمعة هذا الأسبوع.
Lā yūjad ʿutla fī yawm al-jumʿa hāḏā al-usbūʿ.
There is no holiday on Friday this week.
أخذت عطلة مرضية لمدة ثلاثة أيام.
Akhaḏt ʿutla marḍiyya li-muddat thalātha ayyām.
I took sick leave for three days.
نتطلع إلى عطلة نهاية الأسبوع.
Nataṭallaʿ ilā ʿutla nihāyat al-usbūʿ.
We look forward to the weekend holiday.
Synonyms
إجازة(vacation, leave, break)وقت فراغ(free time, spare time)يوم عطلة(day off, holiday)
Antonyms
عمل(work)دوام(working hours, business hours)مشغول(busy, occupied)
Related Words
عطل(to stop work, to make a break)مرتاح(relaxed, rested)السفر(travel, journey)الراحة(rest, relaxation)اجازة رسمية(official leave, public holiday)
Cultural Notes
In Arab culture, holidays are significant occasions for family gatherings and social celebrations. Religious holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are major holidays observed across all Islamic countries, while secular holidays vary by country. Many Arab families use vacation time to visit relatives or travel, making this a culturally important concept for maintaining family bonds.
Usage Tips
Remember that العطلة is feminine (al-ʿutla), so adjectives and verbs must agree with this gender. Use 'في عطلة' (in vacation) or 'أخذ عطلة' (to take a holiday) in common expressions. Distinguish between العطلة (single or specific holiday) and الإجازة (more general leave or break), though they can often be used interchangeably.
## Understanding العطلة (Al-ʿUtla) - Holiday
### Definition and Basic Meaning
العطلة (al-ʿutla) is a feminine Arabic noun that translates to 'holiday' or 'vacation' in English. It refers to a designated period of time when someone is relieved from their regular work, school, or other duties. This word is widely used throughout the Arab world and appears frequently in both formal and informal communication.
### Grammatical Features
As a feminine noun in Arabic, العطلة requires feminine agreement in gender with adjectives and verbs. For example, when you want to say 'a long holiday,' you would say 'عطلة طويلة' (ʿutla ṭawīla), where the adjective 'طويلة' agrees with the feminine noun. In sentences, this agreement pattern is essential for correct Arabic expression.
### Types of Holidays
There are several categories of holidays expressed using the word عطلة:
**Official Holidays (عطلات رسمية)**: These are government-recognized holidays such as national independence days or religious holidays.
**Summer Holidays (العطلة الصيفية)**: The extended break during summer months, particularly important for students.
**Sick Leave (عطلة مرضية)**: Time off granted due to illness.
**Seasonal Holidays**: Holidays tied to specific times of year, including religious occasions like Eid.
### Common Usage Patterns
The word العطلة appears in several common expressions:
- **في عطلة** (fī ʿutla) - meaning 'on vacation' or 'on holiday'
- **أخذ عطلة** (akhaḏ ʿutla) - meaning 'to take a holiday'
- **عطلة طويلة** (ʿutla ṭawīla) - meaning 'a long holiday'
- **نهاية عطلة** (nihāya ʿutla) - meaning 'end of holiday'
### Distinction from Similar Words
While العطلة and الإجازة (al-ijāza) are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences. الإجازة tends to be more commonly used in administrative or formal contexts for 'leave' or 'permission,' while العطلة is slightly more common for general holidays and vacation periods. Both are understood and used correctly by native speakers in most situations.
### Cultural Significance
In Arab society, holidays represent important occasions for family bonding and social activities. Religious holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are major celebrations where families gather to share meals and spend quality time together. Summer holidays are particularly important for students and families who often travel to visit relatives in their home countries or vacation destinations. The concept of عطلة extends beyond simple time off—it represents cultural and religious values integral to Arab life.
### Practical Learning Tips
When learning to use العطلة, pay attention to gender agreement in your sentences. Practice using it with different adjectives and in various time contexts. Remember that this word appears frequently in everyday conversation, especially among students and professionals discussing their schedules. Listen to native speakers using this word in context to develop natural pronunciation and understanding of its usage nuances.