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A2 noun #4,000 más común 8 min de lectura

شُرْفَة

shurfah
Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos شُرْفَة en 30 segundos
Explicación شُرْفَة in your Level:
At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'shurfah' means 'balcony'. It is a place in a house, like a kitchen or a bedroom. You can use it in very simple sentences like 'The balcony is small' or 'I am on the balcony'. You should remember it is a feminine word, so use 'hadihi' (this) and not 'hada'. It is a useful word for describing where you live. Think of it as an outdoor 'room' where you can see the street.
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At the A2 level, you should be able to describe what you do on a balcony. You can say things like 'I drink tea on the balcony' or 'The balcony has a nice view'. You should also know the plural form 'shurufāt'. You will start to see this word in basic stories or when looking for a place to stay on vacation. It's important to use the correct feminine adjectives with it, like 'shurfah jamila' (a beautiful balcony). You can also use the verb 'tutilly' (overlooks) to describe what you see from the balcony.
By B1, you can use 'shurfah' in more complex narratives. You might describe a scene where someone is waiting on a balcony or talking to a neighbor. You should understand the difference between 'shurfah' and 'sath' (roof) or 'riwaq' (porch). You can use it to talk about architectural features of a house and express preferences, such as 'I prefer apartments with large balconies for gardening'. You will also encounter the word in more formal contexts like news or simple literature.
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At the B2 level, you can discuss the cultural significance of the 'shurfah' in Arab cities. You can explain how it serves as a social space and how urban design affects social life. You should be comfortable with using the word in various grammatical constructions, including passive forms or complex relative clauses. You might read articles about urban planning where 'shurufāt' are mentioned as part of building regulations or environmental design for cooling homes.
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At the C1 level, 'shurfah' appears in sophisticated literature and academic texts. You might analyze how a balcony is used as a literary device to represent a character's isolation or their perspective on society. You should be familiar with related terms like 'mashrabiya' and their historical context. You can use the word in nuanced ways, perhaps metaphorically to describe a 'balcony of thought' or a vantage point from which one observes life. Your vocabulary should include synonyms and regional variations fluently.
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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of the word 'shurfah' and its entire lexical field. You can discuss the etymology of the root 'sh-r-f' and how it connects 'balcony' to 'honor' and 'nobility'. You can read and appreciate classical poetry where the balcony is a central motif. You understand the subtle differences in meaning between 'shurfah', 'shuraf', and 'mashrabiya' in historical architectural treatises. You can use the word in any register, from the most technical architectural description to the most evocative poetic prose.
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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

شُرْفَة en 30 segundos

  • Shurfah means balcony in Arabic and is a feminine noun.
  • It is commonly used to describe an outdoor space attached to a room.
  • The word is derived from the root sh-r-f, meaning elevation or honor.
  • In daily life, it's a place for tea, plants, and watching the street.

The Arabic word شُرْفَة (shurfah) refers to a balcony, terrace, or an elevated platform attached to a building. In the architectural landscape of the Arab world, the shurfah is far more than just an outdoor extension; it is a vital threshold between the private sanctity of the home and the public life of the street. Historically, balconies have served as essential ventilation points in hot climates, allowing cool evening air to circulate through the house. When you use the word shurfah, you are describing that specific space where one might enjoy a morning coffee, hang laundry to dry in the Mediterranean sun, or watch the bustling activity of a city like Cairo or Amman from a safe, elevated distance.

Architectural Context
In modern apartment living, the شُرْفَة is often the only connection residents have to the outdoors. It is where plants are kept, and where social interactions with neighbors often occur across the gap between buildings.

أُحِبُّ الجُلُوسَ فِي الـشُرْفَةِ فِي المَسَاءِ. (I love sitting on the balcony in the evening.)

The word is derived from the root ش-ر-ف (sh-r-f), which relates to height, nobility, and honor. This linguistic connection suggests that a balcony is a place of 'elevation' both physically and metaphorically. In classical literature, the shurfah was often the setting for romantic longing or poetic observation. Today, whether it is a small French balcony in Beirut or a large terrace in a Gulf villa, the term remains universally understood across all Arabic dialects, though some regions might use the loanword 'balkōn' in casual speech.

Linguistic Nuance
While شُرْفَة is the standard Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) term, you will find it in newspapers, real estate listings, and novels. It carries a more formal and elegant tone than the colloquial alternatives.

تَطُلُّ الـشُرْفَةُ عَلَى البَحْرِ. (The balcony overlooks the sea.)

When describing a house to a potential buyer or a friend, mentioning the shurfah is crucial. A house without a balcony is often seen as lacking 'nafas' (breath) or a connection to the world. In the heat of a summer night, the balcony becomes the living room of the house, where families gather to escape the stuffiness of indoor air. Its importance in daily life cannot be overstated, making it a high-frequency word for any student of Arabic reaching the A2 level.

Using شُرْفَة in a sentence requires an understanding of basic Arabic prepositions and verb agreements. Because it is a feminine noun (ending in Ta-Marbuta), any adjectives modifying it must also be feminine. For example, 'a wide balcony' is shurfah wasi'ah. The most common preposition used with it is عَلَى (on) when you are physically located there, or مِنْ (from) when you are looking out from it.

Spatial Prepositions
Use 'فِي' (in/on) or 'عَلَى' (on) to denote location. Example: 'أَنَا عَلَى الشُّرْفَةِ' (I am on the balcony).

وَقَفَتْ مَرْيَمُ فِي الـشُرْفَةِ لِتَسْتَنْشِقَ الهَوَاءَ. (Maryam stood on the balcony to breathe the air.)

In grammatical terms, when shurfah is the subject of a sentence, the verb often relates to 'overlooking' or 'viewing'. The verb تُطِلُّ (tutilly - to overlook/view) is the most frequent partner for this noun. You might say, 'The balcony overlooks the garden' (al-shurfatu tutilly 'ala al-hadiqah). Notice how the verb is in the feminine form to match the noun.

هَذِهِ الـشُّرْفَةُ صَغِيرَةٌ جِدًّا. (This balcony is very small.)

When describing the action of going out to the balcony, use the verb خَرَجَ (kharaja). For example, 'I went out to the balcony' is kharajtu ila al-shurfah. If you are inviting someone, you might say, 'Let's sit on the balcony' (hayya najlis 'ala al-shurfah). These simple sentence structures allow you to incorporate the word into daily conversation effectively.

You will encounter the word شُرْفَة in a variety of real-world contexts. In literature, it is a staple of romantic and dramatic scenes. Think of the Arabic equivalent of the Romeo and Juliet balcony scene; the word shurfah is used to create a sense of distance and longing. In modern novels, it often symbolizes the character's internal state—looking out at a world they feel disconnected from or observing a changing city.

Real Estate & Travel
If you are looking for an apartment in Dubai, Riyadh, or Cairo, you will see 'شُرْفَة' listed as a primary feature. Hotels will advertise 'غُرْفَة مَعَ شُرْفَة' (a room with a balcony).

الفُنْدُقُ يُوَفِّرُ غُرَفاً بِـشُرُفَاتٍ وَاسِعَةٍ. (The hotel provides rooms with spacious balconies.)

In news reports, especially during festivals or political events, reporters might describe crowds gathered on balconies to watch a parade. In weather reports, you might hear advice about not leaving lightweight items on the shurfah during a sandstorm or heavy winds. It is a word that bridges the gap between high-level literature and the most mundane aspects of urban survival.

شَاهَدْنَا الأَلْعَابَ النَّارِيَّةَ مِنَ الـشُرْفَةِ. (We watched the fireworks from the balcony.)

Furthermore, in architectural discussions or history documentaries, you will hear about the 'mashrabiya', which is a traditional carved wood latticework balcony found in Islamic architecture. While 'mashrabiya' is a specific term, it is often described as a type of shurfah that provides privacy while allowing air and light to enter. This deep cultural and historical rooting makes the word indispensable.

One of the most common mistakes learners make with شُرْفَة is confusing it with other parts of the house, specifically the 'roof' or 'window'. While a roof (سَطْح - sath) is at the very top of the building, a shurfah is attached to a specific room. Similarly, a window (نَافِذَة - nafidha) is just an opening, whereas a balcony is a space you can actually step into.

Shurfah vs. Sath
Don't say you are on the 'shurfah' if you are on the top of the whole building; that is the 'sath'. The 'shurfah' is specific to your floor.

خَطَأ: نَحْنُ نَسْكُنُ فِي الـشُرْفَةِ. (Wrong: We live in the balcony.) صَح: نَحْنُ نَجْلِسُ فِي الـشُرْفَةِ. (Correct: We sit on the balcony.)

Another error involves gender agreement. Because shurfah ends in a 'ta marbuta', it is feminine. Beginners often forget this and use masculine adjectives. Remember to say 'shurfah jamila' (beautiful balcony) and not 'shurfah jamil'. Additionally, learners sometimes use the English word 'balcony' with Arabic pronunciation ('balkōn'), which is fine in slang but will be marked wrong in formal writing or exams.

خَطَأ: هَذَا شُرْفَة كَبِير. (Wrong: This is a big balcony - masculine.) صَح: هَذِهِ شُرْفَةٌ كَبِيرَةٌ. (Correct: This is a big balcony - feminine.)

Finally, watch out for the plural form. While shurufāt is the standard plural, some dialects or older texts might use shuraf. For a learner at the A2 level, stick to shurufāt as it is more predictable and follows the rules you have already learned for feminine nouns. Avoid mixing up the plural with 'shurafā' (nobles), which comes from the same root but refers to people!

While شُرْفَة is the primary word for balcony, Arabic offers several alternatives depending on the size, style, and region. Understanding these synonyms will help you navigate different dialects and more descriptive literature. The most common colloquial alternative is بَلْكُون (balkōn), which is a direct borrowing from European languages and is used daily in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan.

Comparison: Shurfah vs. Terrace
تِرَاس (Terrace) is often used for larger, open-air platforms, while شُرْفَة is typically smaller and attached to a single room.

بَعْضُ النَّاسِ يُفَضِّلُونَ الـتِرَاسَ لِأَنَّهُ أَكْبَرُ مِنَ الـشُرْفَةِ. (Some people prefer the terrace because it is larger than the balcony.)

Another related word is رِوَاق (riwaq), which refers to a gallery, porch, or portico. While a shurfah is usually on an upper floor, a riwaq might be on the ground level. For a traditional enclosed wooden balcony, as mentioned before, the word is مَشْرَبِيَّة (mashrabiya). This term is specifically used in the context of Islamic architecture and historical preservation.

لَدَيْنَا مَشْرَبِيَّةٌ قَدِيمَةٌ فِي بَيْتِ جَدِّي. (We have an old mashrabiya in my grandfather's house.)

In some contexts, مَطَلّ (matall) can be used to describe a lookout point or a place with a view, though it is more abstract than the physical structure of a shurfah. Finally, فَرَنْدَة (veranda) is also heard in some regions, particularly Egypt, to describe a covered balcony or porch. Knowing these variations allows you to understand the rich diversity of the Arabic language across different geographical areas.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The root of 'shurfah' is the same as the word 'Sharif' (noble), because nobility was historically associated with being 'elevated' above others.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /ˈʃʊərfə/
US /ˈʃʊrfə/
The stress is on the first syllable: SHUR-fah.
Rima con
غُرْفَة (ghurfah - room) تُحْفَة (tuhfah - masterpiece) صُحْفَة (suhfah - plate) وِقْفَة (wiqfah - stance) خِفَّة (khiffah - lightness) صِفَة (sifah - adjective/characteristic) لَهْفَة (lahfah - yearning) حِرْفَة (hirfah - craft)
Errores comunes
  • Pronouncing the 'u' like 'oo' in 'food' (it should be shorter).
  • Failing to roll the 'r' (ر).
  • Pronouncing the final 'h' too strongly (it is a light 'a' sound in speech).
  • Confusing the 'sh' (ش) with 's' (س).
  • Stress on the second syllable.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize with the Ta-Marbuta ending.

Escritura 3/5

Requires remembering the 'sh' and 'r' sequence.

Expresión oral 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward for most learners.

Escucha 2/5

Common enough to be easily identified in speech.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

بَيْت (house) غُرْفَة (room) نَافِذَة (window) بَاب (door) كَبِير (big)

Aprende después

سَطْح (roof) مَطْبَخ (kitchen) حَدِيقَة (garden) عِمَارَة (building) مَنْظَر (view)

Avanzado

مَشْرَبِيَّة رِوَاق إِطْلالَة تَهْوِيَة مِعْمَار

Gramática que debes saber

Feminine Noun Agreement

الشُّرْفَةُ كَبِيرَةٌ (The balcony is big).

Definite Article 'Al-'

الشُّرْفَة (The balcony) - 'sh' is a sun letter, so 'l' is assimilated.

Sound Feminine Plural

شُرُفَات (balconies).

Prepositional Usage

فِي الشُّرْفَةِ (On the balcony).

Verb Gender Matching

تُطِلُّ الشُّرْفَةُ (The balcony overlooks).

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Ejemplos por nivel

1

هَذِهِ شُرْفَةٌ.

This is a balcony.

Uses the feminine 'hadihi' because 'shurfah' is feminine.

2

الشُّرْفَةُ صَغِيرَةٌ.

The balcony is small.

Adjective 'saghirah' is feminine to match the noun.

3

أَنَا فِي الشُّرْفَةِ.

I am on the balcony.

Uses the preposition 'fi' meaning 'in' or 'on' in this context.

4

عِنْدِي شُرْفَةٌ.

I have a balcony.

'Indi' means 'I have'.

5

الشُّرْفَةُ جَمِيلَةٌ.

The balcony is beautiful.

Feminine agreement between noun and adjective.

6

أَيْنَ الشُّرْفَةُ؟

Where is the balcony?

Basic question structure.

7

الشُّرْفَةُ بَيْضَاءُ.

The balcony is white.

Color adjective 'bayda' is the feminine form of 'abyad'.

8

هُنَاكَ شُرْفَةٌ.

There is a balcony.

'Hunaka' means 'there is'.

1

أَشْرَبُ القَهْوَةَ فِي الشُّرْفَةِ.

I drink coffee on the balcony.

Present tense verb 'ashrabu'.

2

الشُّرْفَةُ تُطِلُّ عَلَى الشَّارِعِ.

The balcony overlooks the street.

The verb 'tutilly' requires the preposition 'ala'.

3

هَلْ لَدَيْكَ شُرْفَةٌ فِي بَيْتِكَ؟

Do you have a balcony in your house?

'Ladayka' is a more formal way to say 'you have'.

4

نَضَعُ الأَزْهَارَ فِي الشُّرْفَةِ.

We put flowers on the balcony.

Plural verb 'nada'u' (we put).

5

الشُّرْفَةُ كَبِيرَةٌ وَوَاسِعَةٌ.

The balcony is big and spacious.

Two feminine adjectives modifying one noun.

6

نَجْلِسُ فِي الشُّرْفَةِ كُلَّ مَسَاءٍ.

We sit on the balcony every evening.

'Kulla masa'in' means 'every evening'.

7

أُحِبُّ الهَوَاءَ فِي الشُّرْفَةِ.

I love the air on the balcony.

'Al-hawa' means 'the air'.

8

البَيْتُ فِيهِ شُرْفَتَانِ.

The house has two balconies.

Dual form 'shurfatan' ending in '-an'.

1

كَانَتْ مَرْيَمُ تَقْرَأُ كِتَاباً فِي الشُّرْفَةِ عِنْدَمَا نَادَيْتُهَا.

Maryam was reading a book on the balcony when I called her.

Past continuous construction using 'kanat' + present verb.

2

يُفَضِّلُ بَعْضُ النَّاسِ الشُّرْفَةَ لِتَجْفِيفِ المَلابِسِ.

Some people prefer the balcony for drying clothes.

Use of 'li-' for purpose (to dry).

3

لَمْ أَجِدْ مِفْتَاحَ الشُّرْفَةِ فِي مَكَانِهِ.

I didn't find the balcony key in its place.

Negative past tense using 'lam' + jussive verb.

4

الشُّرْفَةُ تُوَفِّرُ مَنْظَراً رَائِعاً لِلْمَدِينَةِ.

The balcony provides a wonderful view of the city.

'Tuwaffiru' means 'provides' or 'offers'.

5

إِذَا كَانَ الجَوُّ حَارّاً، نَنَامُ فِي الشُّرْفَةِ.

If the weather is hot, we sleep on the balcony.

Conditional sentence using 'idha'.

6

قَامَ الجِيرَانُ بِتَزْيِينِ شُرُفَاتِهِمْ لِلْعِيدِ.

The neighbors decorated their balconies for the Eid.

Plural 'shurufāt' with possessive suffix '-ihim'.

7

تَعْتَبِرُ الشُّرْفَةُ جُزْءاً أَسَاسِيّاً مِنَ العِمَارَةِ العَرَبِيَّةِ.

The balcony is considered an essential part of Arabic architecture.

Passive-like construction 'tu'tabaru' (is considered).

8

سَمِعْتُ صَوْتَ الطُّيُورِ مِنَ الشُّرْفَةِ هَذَا الصَّبَاحِ.

I heard the sound of birds from the balcony this morning.

Verb 'sami'tu' (I heard) in the past tense.

1

يَتَسَاءَلُ المُهَنْدِسُونَ عَنْ أَفْضَلِ طَرِيقَةٍ لِتَصْمِيمِ الشُّرُفَاتِ المُسْتَدَامَةِ.

Engineers wonder about the best way to design sustainable balconies.

Use of 'al-mustadamah' (sustainable).

2

رَغْمَ ضِيقِ المَسَاحَةِ، حَوَّلَتْ لَيْلَى شُرْفَتَهَا إِلَى حَدِيقَةٍ صَغِيرَةٍ.

Despite the limited space, Layla turned her balcony into a small garden.

'Raghma' (despite) followed by a noun phrase.

3

تُعَدُّ الشُّرْفَةُ مَكَاناً لِلتَّفَاعُلِ الاِجْتِمَاعِيِّ فِي الأَحْيَاءِ الشَّعْبِيَّةِ.

The balcony is a place for social interaction in popular neighborhoods.

'Al-tafa'ul al-ijtima'i' means 'social interaction'.

4

يُمْكِنُكَ رُؤْيَةُ المَنَارَةِ بِوُضُوحٍ مِنَ الشُّرْفَةِ العُلْوِيَّةِ.

You can see the lighthouse clearly from the upper balcony.

'Al-ulwiyah' means 'upper' or 'top'.

5

أَصْبَحَتِ الشُّرُفَاتُ المَغْلَقَةُ ظَاهِرَةً شَائِعَةً فِي المُدُنِ الكُبْرَى.

Enclosed balconies have become a common phenomenon in major cities.

'Dhahirah sha'i'ah' means 'common phenomenon'.

6

يَجِبُ التَّأَكُّدُ مِنْ سَلامَةِ حَواجِزِ الشُّرْفَةِ لِحِمَايَةِ الأَطْفَالِ.

The safety of the balcony railings must be ensured to protect children.

'Hawajiz' is the plural of 'hajiz' (barrier/railing).

7

تَجَمَّعَ النَّاسُ فِي الشُّرُفَاتِ لِمُشَاهَدَةِ المَوْكِبِ المَلَكِيِّ.

People gathered on the balconies to watch the royal procession.

'Al-mawkib al-malaki' means 'royal procession'.

8

تُسَاعِدُ الشُّرْفَةُ عَلَى تَقْلِيلِ اسْتِهْلاكِ الطَّاقَةِ عَبْرَ التَّهْوِيَةِ الطَّبِيعِيَّةِ.

The balcony helps reduce energy consumption through natural ventilation.

'Al-tahwiyah al-tabi'iyyah' means 'natural ventilation'.

1

تُمَثِّلُ الشُّرْفَةُ فِي رِوَايَاتِ نَجِيب مَحْفُوظ فَضَاءً لِلرَّصْدِ وَالتَّأَمُّلِ.

In Naguib Mahfouz's novels, the balcony represents a space for observation and contemplation.

Literary analysis vocabulary.

2

انْبَثَقَتْ فِكْرَةُ المَشْرَبِيَّةِ كَتَطَوُّرٍ لِلشُّرْفَةِ لِتَلْبِيَةِ احْتِيَاجَاتِ الخُصُوصِيَّةِ.

The idea of the mashrabiya emerged as an evolution of the balcony to meet privacy needs.

'Inbathaqat' (emerged) and 'talbiyah' (meeting/fulfilling).

3

كَانَ يَقِفُ عَلَى شُرْفَةِ النِّسْيَانِ، يَنْظُرُ إِلَى مَاضِيهِ بِحَسْرَةٍ.

He stood on the balcony of oblivion, looking at his past with regret.

Metaphorical use of 'shurfah'.

4

تَتَجَلَّى جَمَالِيَّاتُ الشُّرْفَةِ فِي زَخَارِفِهَا الحَدِيدِيَّةِ المُعَقَّدَةِ.

The aesthetics of the balcony are manifested in its complex iron decorations.

'Tatajalla' means 'is manifested' or 'becomes apparent'.

5

تُعْتَبَرُ الشُّرْفَةُ عُنْصُراً حَاسِماً فِي التَّصْمِيمِ المِعْمَارِيِّ المُنَاخِيِّ.

The balcony is considered a crucial element in bioclimatic architectural design.

Technical architectural terminology.

6

لَقَدْ أَصْبَحَتِ الشُّرْفَةُ رَمْزاً لِلْحُرِّيَّةِ خِلالَ فَتَرَاتِ الحَجْرِ الصِّحِّيِّ.

The balcony became a symbol of freedom during periods of quarantine.

Sociopolitical context.

7

تُطِلُّ الشُّرْفَةُ عَلَى مَشْهَدٍ بَانُورَامِيٍّ يَمْتَدُّ حَتَّى الأُفُقِ.

The balcony overlooks a panoramic scene that extends to the horizon.

Descriptive academic style.

8

يَنْبَغِي إِعَادَةُ النَّظَرِ فِي دَوْرِ الشُّرْفَةِ كَمَسَاحَةٍ وَسِيطَةٍ بَيْنَ العَامِّ وَالخَاصِّ.

The role of the balcony as an intermediate space between the public and private should be reconsidered.

Formal argumentative structure.

1

فِي شِعْرِهِ، تَبْدُو الشُّرْفَةُ كَبَرْزَخٍ بَيْنَ عَالَمِ الشُّعُورِ وَعَالَمِ المَادَّةِ.

In his poetry, the balcony appears as an isthmus between the world of feeling and the world of matter.

Use of 'barzakh' (isthmus/liminal space).

2

تَمَازَجَتْ خُطُوطُ الشُّرْفَةِ مَعَ ظِلالِ الغُرُوبِ لِتَرْسُمَ لَوْحَةً كَئِيبَةً.

The lines of the balcony blended with the sunset shadows to paint a melancholy picture.

High-level descriptive prose.

3

إِنَّ الشُّرُفَاتِ فِي هَذِهِ المَدِينَةِ تَحْكِي قِصَصَ الأَجْيَالِ الَّتِي تَعَاقَبَتْ عَلَيْهَا.

The balconies in this city tell the stories of the generations that have succeeded one another upon them.

Personification of 'shurufāt'.

4

تَجَسَّدَتِ الحَدَاثَةُ فِي تَخَلِّي المُهَنْدِسِينَ عَنِ الشُّرْفَةِ التَّقْلِيدِيَّةِ لِصَالِحِ الواجِهَاتِ الزُّجَاجِيَّةِ.

Modernity was embodied in engineers' abandonment of the traditional balcony in favor of glass facades.

Complex noun-heavy sentence structure.

5

تَظَلُّ الشُّرْفَةُ مَلاذاً لِلرُّوحِ البَاحِثَةِ عَنِ السَّكِينَةِ وَسَطَ ضَجِيجِ الحَيَاةِ.

The balcony remains a sanctuary for the soul seeking tranquility amidst the noise of life.

Philosophical register.

6

اسْتَغَلَّ الخَطِيبُ الشُّرْفَةَ لِيُلْقِيَ كَلِمَتَهُ المُؤَثِّرَةَ عَلَى الجَمَاهِيرِ المَحْشُودَةِ.

The orator utilized the balcony to deliver his moving speech to the assembled crowds.

Historical/Political register.

7

يُعِيدُ الفَلْسَفِيُّونَ قِرَاءَةَ الشُّرْفَةِ كَمَوْقِعٍ لِلْقُوَّةِ وَالمُرَاقَبَةِ.

Philosophers re-read the balcony as a site of power and surveillance.

Academic/Critical theory register.

8

لَوْلا تِلْكَ الشُّرْفَةِ، لَمَا اسْتَطَاعَ الرَّاوِي أَنْ يَنْفُذَ إِلَى عُمْقِ المَدِينَةِ.

Were it not for that balcony, the narrator would not have been able to penetrate the depths of the city.

Counterfactual conditional using 'lawla'.

Sinónimos

بَلْكُونَة مُطَلّ رِوَاق

Colocaciones comunes

شُرْفَة وَاسِعَة
تُطِلُّ عَلَى
شُرْفَة خَشَبِيَّة
جَلَسَ فِي الشُّرْفَةِ
بَاب الشُّرْفَةِ
شُرْفَة صَغِيرَة
مَنْظَر الشُّرْفَةِ
تَزْيِين الشُّرْفَةِ
شُرْفَة الفُنْدُقِ
سُور الشُّرْفَةِ

Frases Comunes

مِنَ الشُّرْفَةِ

— From the balcony. Used to describe a viewpoint.

أَرَى الغَابَةَ مِنَ الشُّرْفَةِ.

إِلَى الشُّرْفَةِ

— To the balcony. Used for movement.

اخْرُجْ إِلَى الشُّرْفَةِ لِتَرَى القَمَرَ.

تَحْتَ الشُّرْفَةِ

— Under the balcony. Often used in stories.

وَقَفَ الكَلْبُ تَحْتَ الشُّرْفَةِ.

شُرْفَة مُشْمِسَة

— A sunny balcony. Common in real estate.

أُرِيدُ شُقَّةً بِشُرْفَةٍ مُشْمِسَةٍ.

شُرْفَة خَاصَّة

— Private balcony. Used in hotel descriptions.

لِكُلِّ غُرْفَةٍ شُرْفَةٌ خَاصَّةٌ.

أَغْلِقِ الشُّرْفَةَ

— Close the balcony (door). A daily command.

الجَوُّ بَارِدٌ، أَغْلِقِ الشُّرْفَةَ.

شُرْفَة القَصْرِ

— The palace balcony. Used in history/fantasy.

ظَهَرَ المَلِكُ عَلَى شُرْفَةِ القَصْرِ.

حَدِيقَة الشُّرْفَةِ

— Balcony garden. Modern hobby term.

حَدِيقَةُ الشُّرْفَةِ عِنْدِي مَلِيئَةٌ بِالنَّعْنَاعِ.

إِطْلالَةُ الشُّرْفَةِ

— The balcony view. Used in travel.

إِطْلالَةُ الشُّرْفَةِ عَلَى الجَبَلِ.

شُرْفَة رَئِيسِيَّة

— Main balcony. Used in house descriptions.

الشُّرْفَةُ الرَّئِيسِيَّةُ فِي غُرْفَةِ المَعِيشَةِ.

Se confunde a menudo con

شُرْفَة vs سَطْح

Sath is the roof of the building, Shurfah is attached to a room.

شُرْفَة vs نَافِذَة

Nafidha is just a window; you cannot walk onto it like a Shurfah.

شُرْفَة vs مَشْرَبِيَّة

A specific traditional type of balcony, not a general one.

Modismos y expresiones

"عَلَى شُرْفَةِ النَّصْرِ"

— On the verge of victory. Metaphorical use of 'balcony' as a threshold.

الجَيْشُ الآنَ عَلَى شُرْفَةِ النَّصْرِ.

Literary/Political
"شُرْفَةُ الأَمَلِ"

— The balcony of hope. Looking out towards a better future.

نَنْظُرُ إِلَى الغَدِ مِنْ شُرْفَةِ الأَمَلِ.

Poetic
"وَقَفَ عَلَى شُرْفَةِ التَّارِيخِ"

— To stand at a pivotal moment in history.

الثَّوْرَةُ تَقِفُ عَلَى شُرْفَةِ التَّارِيخِ.

Formal
"شُرْفَةُ القَلْبِ"

— The balcony of the heart. Referring to one's inner feelings or outlook.

أَنْتِ تَسْكُنِينَ فِي شُرْفَةِ قَلْبِي.

Romantic
"مِنْ شُرْفَةِ عَيْنَيْهِ"

— From the perspective of his eyes. A poetic way of saying 'as he sees it'.

رَأَى العَالَمَ جَمِيلاً مِنْ شُرْفَةِ عَيْنَيْهِ.

Poetic
"عَلَى شُرْفَةِ الهَاوِيَةِ"

— On the brink of the abyss. Meaning in great danger.

الاِقْتِصَادُ يَقِفُ عَلَى شُرْفَةِ الهَاوِيَةِ.

Journalistic
"شُرْفَةُ الذِّكْرَيَاتِ"

— The balcony of memories. Looking back at the past.

يَجْلِسُ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ عَلَى شُرْفَةِ الذِّكْرَيَاتِ.

Literary
"شُرْفَةُ العَقْلِ"

— The balcony of the mind. A place of intellectual observation.

الفَيْلَسُوفُ يُرَاقِبُ النَّاسَ مِنْ شُرْفَةِ عَقْلِهِ.

Academic
"فَتَحَ شُرْفَةً لِلْحِوَارِ"

— To open a window/balcony for dialogue. Meaning to start communicating.

يَجِبُ أَنْ نَفْتَحَ شُرْفَةً لِلْحِوَارِ بَيْنَ الطَّرَفَيْنِ.

Diplomatic
"شُرْفَةُ الخَيَالِ"

— The balcony of imagination.

يُسَافِرُ بَعِيداً عَلَى شُرْفَةِ خَيَالِهِ.

Literary

Fácil de confundir

شُرْفَة vs شَرَف

Same root (sh-r-f).

Sharaf means honor (abstract), while Shurfah is a balcony (physical).

الدِّفَاعُ عَنِ الوَطَنِ شَرَفٌ كَبِيرٌ.

شُرْفَة vs مُشْرِف

Same root (sh-r-f).

Mushrif means a supervisor or someone who overlooks a project.

المُشْرِفُ عَلَى العَمَلِ نَشِيطٌ.

شُرْفَة vs شَرِيف

Same root (sh-r-f).

Sharif is an adjective meaning noble or honest.

هُوَ رَجُلٌ شَرِيفٌ.

شُرْفَة vs شُرُف

Looks like the plural of balcony.

Shuruf can be an archaic plural or refer to battlements specifically.

شُرُفُ القَلْعَةِ عَالِيَةٌ.

شُرْفَة vs شُرَفَاء

Sounds like 'shurufāt'.

Shurafā' is the plural of Sharif (noble people).

نَحْنُ نَحْتَرِمُ الشُّرَفَاءَ.

Patrones de oraciones

A1

[Noun] [Adjective]

الشُّرْفَةُ جَمِيلَةٌ.

A2

[Verb] [Preposition] [Noun]

أَجْلِسُ فِي الشُّرْفَةِ.

B1

[Noun] [Verb] [Preposition] [Noun]

الشُّرْفَةُ تُطِلُّ عَلَى الحَدِيقَةِ.

B2

رَغْمَ [Noun], [Sentence]

رَغْمَ صِغَرِ الشُّرْفَةِ، هِيَ مُرِيحَةٌ.

C1

تُعْتَبَرُ [Noun] [Noun Phrase]

تُعْتَبَرُ الشُّرْفَةُ رَمْزاً لِلْحُرِّيَّةِ.

C2

لَوْلا [Noun], لَمَا [Verb]

لَوْلا الشُّرْفَةُ، لَمَا رَأَيْتُ العَالَمَ.

A2

عِنْدِي [Noun]

عِنْدِي شُرْفَةٌ كَبِيرَةٌ.

B1

يُوجَدُ [Noun] فِي [Noun]

يُوجَدُ كُرْسِيٌّ فِي الشُّرْفَةِ.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

شَرَف (sharaf - honor)
تَشْرِيف (tashrif - honoring/protocol)
مُشْرِف (mushrif - supervisor)
شَرِيف (sharif - noble person)

Verbos

شَرَّفَ (sharrafa - to honor)
أَشْرَفَ (ashrafa - to supervise/overlook)
تَشَرَّفَ (tasharrafa - to be honored)

Adjetivos

شَرِيف (sharif - noble)
مُشَرِّف (musharrif - honorable)
مُشْرِف (mushrif - overseeing)

Relacionado

بَيْت (house)
نَافِذَة (window)
سَطْح (roof)
جِدَار (wall)
مَنْظَر (view)
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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Very high in housing and daily lifestyle contexts.

Errores comunes
  • هذا شرفة → هذه شرفة

    Using the masculine demonstrative instead of the feminine.

  • شرفة كبير → شرفة كبيرة

    Forgetting to make the adjective feminine.

  • نحن نسكن في الشرفة → نحن نجلس في الشرفة

    Using 'live in' instead of 'sit in'. You live in an apartment, not a balcony.

  • الشرفة يطل على البحر → الشرفة تطل على البحر

    Using the masculine verb form 'yutillu' instead of the feminine 'tutilly'.

  • Confusing 'shurfah' with 'sharaf' → Use 'shurfah' for the place.

    One is a physical balcony, the other is the abstract concept of honor.

Consejos

Feminine Agreement

Always check your adjectives! A 'big balcony' is 'shurfah kabirah', not 'shurfah kabir'.

Root Connection

Connect 'shurfah' (balcony) to 'sharaf' (honor) to remember it's a 'high' or 'noble' place.

Social Space

Remember that in Arab culture, the balcony is a place to talk to neighbors and street vendors.

Rolling the R

The 'r' in shurfah should be a quick tap of the tongue, not a long English 'r'.

Ta-Marbuta

Don't forget the two dots on the final ة. If you leave them off, it becomes a 'h' sound.

Overlooking

Use the verb 'tutilly' (overlooks) whenever you describe a balcony's location.

Sun Letter

The 'Sh' in Shurfah is a sun letter, so 'Al-Shurfah' is pronounced 'Ash-shurfah'.

Visualizing

Visualize a 'Sheriff' standing on a 'Shurfah'. They both come from the idea of being high up.

Casual vs Formal

Use 'balkōn' with friends but 'shurfah' in your Arabic class or writing.

Next Step

Now that you know 'shurfah', learn 'sath' (roof) to complete your house vocabulary.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'SHURE' (sure) way to see the 'FA'r (far) distance: stand on a SHUR-FAH.

Asociación visual

Imagine a tall person with high 'honor' (sharaf) standing on a high balcony (shurfah) looking down at the city.

Word Web

Home View Air Height Railing Plants Tea Street

Desafío

Try to describe three things you can see from your shurfah (or a window if you don't have one) using Arabic adjectives.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Arabic tri-consonantal root ش-ر-ف (sh-r-f). This root essentially means 'to be high', 'to be eminent', or 'to overlook'. In ancient times, it referred to high places or battlements on a wall.

Significado original: A high place or an elevated part of a building from which one can overlook the surrounding area.

Semitic (Arabic).

Contexto cultural

Be aware that in some conservative areas, looking directly into a neighbor's balcony is considered a breach of privacy.

In the West, balconies are often private and quiet. In the Arab world, they are much more active and social.

The 'shurfah' scenes in the novels of Naguib Mahfouz (The Cairo Trilogy). Fairuz's songs often mention the balcony as a place of waiting and love. Traditional Mashrabiya balconies in Old Jeddah and Islamic Cairo.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Real Estate

  • شُقَّة بِشُرْفَة
  • شُرْفَة كَبِيرَة
  • مَنْظَر مِنَ الشُّرْفَة
  • سِعْر الشُّرْفَة

Daily Life

  • اشْرَبْ شَاي فِي الشُّرْفَة
  • انْشُرِ المَلابِسَ فِي الشُّرْفَة
  • نَظِّفِ الشُّرْفَة
  • افْتَحِ الشُّرْفَة

Travel

  • غُرْفَة مَعَ شُرْفَة
  • شُرْفَة تُطِلُّ عَلَى البَحْر
  • فُطُور فِي الشُّرْفَة
  • صُورَة مِنَ الشُّرْفَة

Weather

  • الهَوَاءُ بَارِدٌ فِي الشُّرْفَة
  • المَطَرُ يَدْخُلُ مِنَ الشُّرْفَة
  • الشَّمْسُ قَوِيَّةٌ فِي الشُّرْفَة
  • الرِّيَاحُ فِي الشُّرْفَة

Socializing

  • نَتَحَدَّثُ فِي الشُّرْفَة
  • جِيرَان الشُّرْفَة
  • دَعْوَة إِلَى الشُّرْفَة
  • سَهْرَة فِي الشُّرْفَة

Inicios de conversación

"هَلْ تُحِبُّ الجُلُوسَ فِي الشُّرْفَةِ أَمْ فِي حَدِيقَةِ البَيْتِ؟"

"مَاذَا تَرَى مِنْ شُرْفَةِ غُرْفَتِكَ؟"

"هَلْ لَدَيْكَ أَزْهَارٌ فِي شُرْفَتِكَ؟"

"كَيْفَ تُزَيِّنُ الشُّرْفَةَ فِي فَصْلِ الصَّيْفِ؟"

"هَلْ تُفَضِّلُ الشُّرْفَةَ المَفْتُوحَةَ أَمِ المَغْلَقَةَ بِالزُّجَاجِ؟"

Temas para diario

صِفْ شُرْفَةَ أَحلامِكَ. مَاذَا تُطِلُّ عَلَيْهِ وَمَاذَا يُوجَدُ فِيهَا؟

اكْتُبْ عَنْ ذِكْرَى جَمِيلَةٍ لَكَ حَدَثَتْ فِي شُرْفَةِ مَنْزِلِكَ.

لِمَاذَا تَعْتَبِرُ الشُّرْفَةُ مُهِمَّةً فِي المَنَازِلِ العَرَبِيَّةِ؟

تَخَيَّلْ أَنَّكَ تَعِيشُ فِي بَيْتٍ بِدُونِ شُرْفَةٍ، كَيْفَ سَتَشْعُرُ؟

اكْتُبْ حِوَاراً بَيْنَ شَخْصَيْنِ يَتَحَدَّثَانِ مِنْ شُرْفَتَيْنِ مُتَقَابِلَتَيْنِ.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

It is feminine because it ends with a Ta-Marbuta (ة). This means you must use feminine demonstratives like 'hadihi' and feminine adjectives like 'jamila'.

The most common plural is 'shurufāt' (شُرُفَات). In some classical contexts, you might see 'shuraf' (شُرَف).

Yes, in daily conversation 'balkōn' is very common. However, 'shurfah' is the correct word for exams, formal writing, and literature.

You say 'Al-shurfatu tutilly 'ala al-bahr' (الشُّرْفَةُ تُطِلُّ عَلَى البَحْرِ).

Yes, 'shurfah' is usually a balcony attached to a room, while 'tiras' (terrace) or 'sath' (roof terrace) is usually larger and more open.

In some technical contexts, it can mean a battlement or a ledge, but 'balcony' is the primary modern meaning.

It comes from the root sh-r-f (ش-ر-ف), which is associated with height and honor.

Yes, it is understood everywhere, though local variations like 'balkōn' or 'veranda' might be more frequent in speech.

It is pronounced shu-ru-faat, with a slight emphasis on the 'faat' at the end.

A mashrabiya is a traditional, enclosed wooden balcony with lattice work, common in old Arabic architecture.

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Ponte a prueba 180 preguntas

writing

Write a sentence in Arabic saying 'The balcony is beautiful'.

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writing

Translate to Arabic: 'I have a large balcony'.

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writing

Write a sentence using the word 'شُرْفَة' and the verb 'تُطِلُّ'.

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writing

Translate to English: 'نَحْنُ نَجْلِسُ فِي الشُّرْفَةِ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ'.

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writing

Describe your balcony in three Arabic words.

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writing

Write the plural of 'هَذِهِ شُرْفَةٌ'.

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writing

Translate: 'The balcony door is open'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Use 'مِنَ الشُّرْفَةِ' in a sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Translate: 'We put flowers on the balcony'.

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¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Write a short paragraph (3 sentences) about what you do on a balcony.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Translate: 'Despite the small balcony, it is comfortable'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Write an idiom using 'شُرْفَة'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Translate: 'The hotel provides rooms with balconies'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Describe a sunset from a balcony in Arabic.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Translate: 'I am looking for an apartment with a balcony'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Translate: 'The kids are playing on the balcony'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Write: 'The balcony view is wonderful'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Translate: 'Don't throw anything from the balcony'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Translate: 'The balcony has a metal railing'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Translate: 'I heard a noise from the balcony'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'I am on the balcony' in Arabic.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'The balcony is big' in Arabic.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Ask 'Where is the balcony?' in Arabic.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'I drink tea on the balcony' in Arabic.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'The balcony overlooks the garden' in Arabic.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'This is a beautiful balcony' in Arabic.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'I have two balconies' in Arabic.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'Open the balcony door' in Arabic.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'The weather is nice on the balcony' in Arabic.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'I see the street from the balcony' in Arabic.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'We sit on the balcony every day' in Arabic.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'The balcony is small but clean' in Arabic.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'I put my plants on the balcony' in Arabic.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'The balcony view is great' in Arabic.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'I love the balcony' in Arabic.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'Don't go to the balcony' in Arabic.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'The balcony is sunny' in Arabic.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'The balcony has a table' in Arabic.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'I am looking for a room with a balcony' in Arabic.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'I sat on the balcony for an hour' in Arabic.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to the word: 'shur-fah'. What does it mean?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to: 'Al-shurfatu tutilly 'ala al-bahr'. What is the view?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to: 'Indi shurufāt kabirah'. How many balconies are implied?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to: 'Ighliq bab al-shurfah'. What should you do?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to: 'Hadihi shurfah jamila'. Is the balcony ugly or beautiful?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to: 'Al-hawa' fi al-shurfah barid'. How is the air?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to: 'Ana fi al-shurfah'. Where is the person?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to: 'Shurfah saghira'. Is it big or small?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to: 'Tutilly 'ala al-shari''. What does it overlook?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to: 'Shurufāt al-bait'. Whose balconies are they?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to: 'Kharajtu ila al-shurfah'. Did the person go in or out?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to: 'Al-shurfah mushmisa'. Is it sunny?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to: 'Sur al-shurfah'. What part is mentioned?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to: 'Najlis fi al-shurfah'. What are we doing?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to: 'Hadihi shurfah qadima'. Is it new or old?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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