بَرّاد
بَرّاد en 30 secondes
- Barrād is the Arabic word for refrigerator, mainly used in Levantine and Gulf dialects.
- It comes from the root B-R-D, which means 'cold' or 'to cool'.
- It is a masculine noun with the regular feminine plural 'Barrādāt'.
- While 'Thallāja' is more formal, 'Barrād' is extremely common in daily speech.
The Arabic word بَرّاد (Barrād) is a fundamental noun in the Arabic language, specifically used to describe a refrigerator or any appliance designed to keep food and drinks cold. Derived from the tri-consonantal root B-R-D (ب-ر-د), which relates to coldness, the word literally translates to 'the thing that cools' or 'the cooler.' In many Arabic-speaking regions, particularly in the Levant (Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine) and parts of the Gulf, بَرّاد is the primary term used in daily life, whereas ثلاجة (Thallāja) is more common in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Understanding this word is essential for anyone navigating a household, a grocery store, or a restaurant in the Arab world.
- Morphological Pattern
- The word follows the 'Fa''āl' (فعّال) pattern, which in Arabic morphology often denotes a profession or an intensive tool that performs an action repeatedly. Just as Khabbāz is a baker, Barrād is a 'cooler' that works continuously.
- Regional Usage
- While Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) recognizes both Barrād and Thallāja, you will find that Barrād is heavily favored in colloquial Levantine Arabic. In some contexts, it can also refer to a large industrial cooling unit or even a water dispenser (specifically in the Gulf).
الحليب موجود في الـ بَرّاد، لا تنسى إغلاق الباب جيدا.
(The milk is in the refrigerator; don't forget to close the door well.)
Historically, before modern electricity, people used various methods to keep items cool, such as the Zir (clay pot). When modern refrigeration arrived, the language adapted the root for 'cold' to create this noun. It is a masculine noun, and its plural form is Barrādāt (بَرّادات). When you are at a friend's house and you want to ask for water, you might hear 'The water is in the Barrād.' It represents the heart of the modern kitchen, a symbol of preservation and comfort.
اشترينا بَرّاداً جديداً للمطبخ الجديد.
(We bought a new refrigerator for the new kitchen.)
- Cultural Nuance
- In some Gulf dialects, Barrād specifically refers to the electric water cooler found in public spaces or mosques, providing free cold water to passersby, which is a significant charitable tradition known as Sabil.
In a technical sense, the Barrād is distinct from the Thallāja (freezer) in some specific dialects, where the Thallāja is the part that makes ice, and the Barrād is the part that just keeps things cool. However, for most A2 learners, using them interchangeably for the whole appliance is perfectly acceptable. The word is also used in industrial contexts, such as refrigerated trucks carrying perishable goods across borders, which are often called Shāhinat Barrād.
هل يمكنك وضع الفاكهة في الـ بَرّاد؟
(Can you put the fruit in the refrigerator?)
To truly master this word, one must also recognize its relation to other words in the family: Bārid (cold), Barad (hail), and Yubarrid (to cool). When you see a word with B-R-D, your mind should immediately go to temperature reduction. In the modern household, the Barrād is often the largest appliance, and knowing how to talk about it—whether it's broken, needs cleaning, or is full of delicious food—is a key step in Arabic fluency.
Using the word بَرّاد (Barrād) in sentences requires an understanding of basic Arabic syntax and common kitchen-related verbs. Since it is a masculine noun, any adjectives modifying it must also be masculine. For example, 'a big refrigerator' is Barrād Kabīr (بَرّاد كبير). If you are referring to a specific refrigerator, you add the definite article: al-Barrād (البرّاد).
- Common Verbs with Barrād
- Verbs such as Wada'a (to put), Fataha (to open), Aghlaqa (to close), and Nazzafa (to clean) are the most frequent companions to this noun. You might say 'I put the juice in the refrigerator' (Wada'tu al-'asīr fī al-barrād).
لا تترك باب الـ بَرّاد مفتوحاً لفترة طويلة.
(Do not leave the refrigerator door open for a long time.)
In a conversational setting, the preposition fī (in) is almost always used with Barrād. You are describing the location of food. 'Is there water?' 'Yes, in the Barrād.' Notice how the word changes slightly when it is the object of a preposition: fī al-barrādi (with a kasra ending in formal MSA). However, in spoken dialects, the ending is usually dropped, and you just hear fil-barrād.
When discussing household chores, you might use the verb 'to clean.' 'My mother cleans the Barrād every Saturday.' (Tunazzifu ummī al-barrād kulla sabt). If the appliance breaks down, you use the verb Ta'attala (to break down/fail). 'The Barrād broke down yesterday, and the food spoiled.' This is a common scenario that requires the word to be the subject of the sentence.
هذا الـ بَرّاد قديم جداً ويستهلك الكثير من الكهرباء.
(This refrigerator is very old and consumes a lot of electricity.)
For learners at the A2 level, practicing the possessive forms is also useful. 'My refrigerator' is Barrādī (بَرّادي), 'your refrigerator' is Barrāduka (بَرّادُكَ), and 'their refrigerator' is Barrāduhum (بَرّادُهُمْ). These suffixes are attached directly to the end of the word. In a shopping context, you might ask, 'How much is this Barrād?' (Bikam hādhā al-barrād?).
- Negation
- To say there is no refrigerator, you use 'Laysa hunāka' or 'Mā fī' (dialect). 'Mā fī barrād fil-ghurfa' (There is no refrigerator in the room).
Finally, the word can be used in the plural. 'The store sells different types of refrigerators' (Yabī'u al-mahallu anwā'an mukhtalifa min al-barrādāt). Note that the plural Barrādāt is a sound feminine plural (ending in -āt) even though the singular is masculine. This is a common feature for many non-human masculine nouns in Arabic.
If you travel to Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, or Palestine, بَرّاد (Barrād) is the word you will hear 90% of the time in a kitchen context. In these regions, it is the standard colloquial term. Walk into any home in Beirut and ask for a cold drink, and they will point to the Barrād. You will also hear it in appliance stores (معارض الأدوات المنزلية) where salesmen will tout the features of the latest 'Barrād'—its size, cooling speed, and energy efficiency.
- In the Supermarket
- Supermarket employees use this word to refer to the refrigerated sections. You might ask, 'Where is the cheese?' and they will reply, 'In the Barrād at the back.' It covers both the home appliance and the commercial display cases.
سمعتُ صوتاً غريباً قادماً من الـ بَرّاد في منتصف الليل.
(I heard a strange sound coming from the refrigerator in the middle of the night.)
In the Gulf countries, such as Kuwait or the UAE, Barrād is frequently heard in the context of the 'Water Cooler.' Because of the intense heat, many public buildings and even private villas have large electric water dispensers connected to the main line. These are called Barrādāt. If you are thirsty in a public park, look for the 'Barrād'. This specific usage is a life-saver in the desert climate.
On the radio or television in the Levant, advertisements for kitchen appliances will use 'Barrād' to sound more relatable to the local audience, even if the formal subtitles might use 'Thallāja'. You will also hear it in 'fix-it' videos on YouTube or social media. If your fridge isn't cooling, you'd search for 'Tashlih al-barrād' (Repairing the refrigerator). It is a word that bridges the gap between the domestic sphere and the technical world.
الـ بَرّاد في الفندق صغير جداً ولا يتسع لكل شيء.
(The refrigerator in the hotel is very small and doesn't fit everything.)
In literature or news reports from these regions, 'Barrād' might appear when discussing logistics. For example, 'A convoy of Barrādāt (refrigerated trucks) crossed the border carrying fruit.' This highlights the word's versatility—from a small mini-bar in a hotel to a massive 18-wheeler transporting goods across the Middle East. It is a word of utility, necessity, and modern life.
One of the most common mistakes for English speakers learning Arabic is confusing بَرّاد (Barrād) with other words from the same root. Specifically, the word Barīd (بَريد), which means 'mail' or 'post.' While they sound similar to the untrained ear, the long 'ā' in Barrād and the long 'ī' in Barīd make a world of difference. You don't want to tell someone you put the milk in the 'mail'!
- Pronunciation Error
- Mistaking 'Barrād' (refrigerator) for 'Bārid' (cold). Bārid is an adjective. You say 'The water is bārid,' but you put it in the barrād. Beginners often mix the noun and adjective forms.
خطأ: الماء في الـ بادر.
صح: الماء في الـ بَرّاد.
(Common mistake: Water in the 'badir' [nonsensical]. Correct: Water in the refrigerator.)
Another mistake is the gender of the word. Since Barrād does not end in a 'Ta Marbuta' (ة), it is masculine. English speakers often assume household items might be feminine. If you say 'al-barrād al-kabīra' (feminine adjective), it is grammatically incorrect. It must be 'al-barrād al-kabīr' (masculine). This affects verbs too: you say 'al-barrād ya'mal' (the fridge works), not 'ta'mal'.
Learners also struggle with the plural form. Many try to make a 'broken plural' (like Barārid), but the correct plural is the regular feminine plural Barrādāt. This is a common pattern for modern technical inventions in Arabic. Using the wrong plural won't usually stop you from being understood, but it will sound 'off' to a native speaker.
انتبه: لا تخلط بين بَرّاد (ثلاجة) وبين بَرّاد (إبريق الشاي في بعض المناطق).
(Note: Don't confuse 'Barrād' [fridge] with 'Barrād' [teapot] in certain Maghreb dialects.)
In some North African dialects (like Morocco), Barrād actually refers to a teapot! This is a classic 'false friend' between Arabic dialects. If you are in Marrakesh and ask for a Barrād, you might get a pot of mint tea instead of a refrigerator. In those regions, the fridge is usually called Thallāja or Nivīra (from French). Always be aware of your geographical context.
The most significant alternative to بَرّاد (Barrād) is ثلاجة (Thallāja). While Barrād comes from the root 'to cool' (BRD), Thallāja comes from the root 'ice' (TH-L-J). In many regions, Thallāja is considered more 'Standard' or 'Formal,' but in practice, they are used interchangeably to mean refrigerator. In some households, people use Thallāja specifically for the freezer compartment and Barrād for the main cooling area.
- Barrād vs. Thallāja
- In Egypt: Thallāja is 100% the standard. In Lebanon: Barrād is the daily word. In MSA: Both are perfectly valid, but Thallāja appears more in textbooks.
- Mujammid (مُجَمِّد)
- This word means 'Freezer.' If you want to talk specifically about the part that freezes food solid, Mujammid (from the root J-M-D 'to freeze') is the precise term.
هل نضع اللحم في الـ بَرّاد أم في الـ مُجَمِّد؟
(Do we put the meat in the refrigerator or in the freezer?)
Another related word is Mubarrid (مُبَرِّد). While Barrād is the appliance, Mubarrid is a more general term for a 'cooler' or 'coolant.' You might hear 'Mubarrid al-hawā'' for an air cooler or swamp cooler. In a car, the radiator is sometimes called a Mubarrid. For a student, sticking to Barrād for the kitchen fridge is the safest bet.
In some technical catalogs, you might see Khizāna Mubarrada (refrigerated cabinet). This is very formal and rarely used in speech. In the Maghreb, as mentioned, Nivīra is used, and in some very old texts, you might even see Barshakh (though this is archaic). The beauty of Arabic is its root system; once you know B-R-D, all these words start to make sense as a family of cooling concepts.
كلمة ثلاجة أكثر شيوعاً في الكتب الدراسية من كلمة بَرّاد.
(The word 'Thallāja' is more common in textbooks than the word 'Barrād'.)
To summarize, while Barrād is your primary word for refrigerator in many dialects, keep Thallāja in your back pocket for formal situations or when traveling to Egypt. Recognize Mujammid as the specific term for freezer, and always remember that the root B-R-D is your anchor for anything related to staying cool in the Middle Eastern heat.
How Formal Is It?
"يرجى وضع العينات في البرّاد المخصص."
"البرّاد في المطبخ."
"شو في بالبرّاد؟"
"لا تفتح البرّاد كثير يا حبيبي."
"قلبه برّاد."
Le savais-tu ?
The root B-R-D is also the source of the word 'Barīd' (mail), because in the early Islamic period, postal couriers used 'cold' (fresh) horses at relay stations.
Guide de prononciation
- Pronouncing it as 'Barad' (hail) without the double 'r'.
- Confusing it with 'Barīd' (mail).
- Making the 'r' sound like an English 'r' instead of a trill.
- Shortening the long 'ā' sound.
- Adding an 'e' sound at the end.
Niveau de difficulté
Easy to read once you know the B-R-D root and the pattern.
Requires memory of the shadda on the 'r'.
Simple pronunciation, but needs the trilled 'r'.
Can be confused with 'Barīd' or 'Barad' in fast speech.
Quoi apprendre ensuite
Prérequis
Apprends ensuite
Avancé
Grammaire à connaître
Noun-Adjective Agreement
برّادٌ كبيرٌ (The adjective follows the noun and matches in gender/case).
Definite Article (Al-)
البرّاد (Adding 'al' makes it 'the refrigerator').
Sound Feminine Plural
برّادات (Non-human masculine nouns often take -āt in plural).
Preposition 'Fī'
في البرّاد (Changes the ending to kasra in formal Arabic).
Possessive Suffixes
برّادي (My fridge), برّادك (Your fridge).
Exemples par niveau
الماء في البرّاد.
The water is in the refrigerator.
Simple prepositional phrase 'fī al-barrād'.
هذا برّاد كبير.
This is a big refrigerator.
Noun-adjective agreement (masculine).
أين البرّاد؟
Where is the refrigerator?
Interrogative sentence.
البرّاد في المطبخ.
The refrigerator is in the kitchen.
Subject-predicate structure.
عندي برّاد جديد.
I have a new refrigerator.
Use of 'indi' for possession.
البرّاد بارد.
The refrigerator is cold.
Note the shared root B-R-D.
افتح البرّاد.
Open the refrigerator.
Imperative verb (masculine singular).
لا يوجد برّاد هنا.
There is no refrigerator here.
Negation using 'lā yūjad'.
اشتريت برّاداً صغيراً لغرفتي.
I bought a small refrigerator for my room.
Accusative case 'barrādan' (object of verb).
هل يمكنك تنظيف البرّاد اليوم؟
Can you clean the refrigerator today?
Modal phrase 'hal yumkinuka'.
البرّاد لا يعمل جيداً.
The refrigerator is not working well.
Negation of present tense verb.
ضع الحليب في البرّاد من فضلك.
Put the milk in the refrigerator, please.
Imperative 'da'' (put).
باب البرّاد مفتوح.
The refrigerator door is open.
Idafa construct (bab al-barrād).
هذا البرّاد غالي الثمن.
This refrigerator is expensive.
Compound adjective 'ghālī al-thaman'.
عندنا برّادان في البيت.
We have two refrigerators in the house.
Dual form 'barrādan'.
أغلق البرّاد بسرعة.
Close the refrigerator quickly.
Adverbial use of 'bi-sur'a'.
إذا انقطعت الكهرباء، سيفسد الطعام في البرّاد.
If the electricity is cut, the food in the fridge will spoil.
Conditional sentence with 'idhā'.
أبحث عن برّاد يستهلك القليل من الطاقة.
I am looking for a refrigerator that consumes little energy.
Relative clause without 'alladhī'.
يجب علينا إصلاح البرّاد قبل الصيف.
We must repair the refrigerator before summer.
Modal 'yajibu 'alaynā'.
البرّاد ممتلئ بالفواكه والخضروات.
The refrigerator is full of fruits and vegetables.
Passive participle 'mumtali''.
هل هذا البرّاد أصلي أم تقليد؟
Is this refrigerator original or a knock-off?
Alternative question 'am'.
تأكد من درجة حرارة البرّاد.
Check the temperature of the refrigerator.
Imperative 'ta'akkad'.
البرّاد يصدر ضجيجاً مزعجاً.
The refrigerator is making an annoying noise.
Present tense verb with active participle.
وضعنا البرّاد في زاوية المطبخ.
We placed the refrigerator in the corner of the kitchen.
Past tense verb (we).
تعتبر البرّادات من الأجهزة الأساسية في كل منزل.
Refrigerators are considered essential appliances in every home.
Passive verb 'tu'tabar'.
يتميز هذا البرّاد بنظام تبريد متطور.
This refrigerator features an advanced cooling system.
Verb 'yatamayyazu' (features/is characterized by).
زادت مبيعات البرّادات خلال شهر رمضان.
Refrigerator sales increased during the month of Ramadan.
Past tense feminine verb for plural subject.
هناك عروض خاصة على البرّادات هذا الأسبوع.
There are special offers on refrigerators this week.
Plural noun with preposition.
البرّاد الصناعي يستخدم لحفظ الأدوية.
The industrial refrigerator is used for storing medicines.
Adjective 'sinā'ī' (industrial).
يجب عدم وضع الأطعمة الساخنة مباشرة في البرّاد.
Hot foods should not be placed directly in the refrigerator.
Gerund 'wada'' with negation.
سعة هذا البرّاد تصل إلى خمسمئة لتر.
The capacity of this refrigerator reaches five hundred liters.
Number agreement with 'litr'.
البرّاد يحافظ على نضارة الطعام لفترة أطول.
The refrigerator maintains the freshness of food for a longer period.
Verb 'yuhāfidhu' with 'alā'.
أدى العطل في البرّاد إلى خسارة كميات كبيرة من اللحوم.
The malfunction in the refrigerator led to the loss of large quantities of meat.
Causal structure 'adda ilā'.
تتوفر البرّادات بأحجام وتصاميم تتناسب مع كافة الأذواق.
Refrigerators are available in sizes and designs that suit all tastes.
Verb 'tatawaffaru' (are available).
تقوم الشركة بتطوير برّادات صديقة للبيئة.
The company is developing eco-friendly refrigerators.
Compound adjective 'sadīqa lil-bi'a'.
تعتمد كفاءة البرّاد على جودة العزل الحراري.
The efficiency of the refrigerator depends on the quality of the thermal insulation.
Verb 'ta'tamidu' with 'alā'.
يتم فحص البرّادات بدقة قبل طرحها في الأسواق.
Refrigerators are inspected strictly before being released into the markets.
Passive structure 'yattamu fahsu'.
ساهم اختراع البرّاد في تغيير نمط الاستهلاك البشري.
The invention of the refrigerator contributed to changing the pattern of human consumption.
Verb 'sāhama' with 'fī'.
البرّاد ليس مجرد آلة بل هو ضرورة حيوية.
The refrigerator is not just a machine, but a vital necessity.
Negation 'laysa' with 'bal' (but rather).
تأثرت أسعار البرّادات بارتفاع تكاليف الشحن الدولي.
Refrigerator prices were affected by the rise in international shipping costs.
Passive verb 'ta'aththarat'.
إن تقنيات التبريد الحديثة في البرّادات تتجاوز مجرد الحفظ إلى الذكاء الاصطناعي.
Modern cooling technologies in refrigerators go beyond mere preservation to artificial intelligence.
Emphatic 'inna' and complex predicate.
يُعد البرّاد من أبرز الشواهد على التحول التكنولوجي في القرن العشرين.
The refrigerator is considered one of the most prominent witnesses to the technological transformation in the twentieth century.
Superlative 'min abrazi'.
تتجلى أهمية البرّاد في المناطق الحارة كأداة لا غنى عنها للبقاء.
The importance of the refrigerator is manifested in hot regions as an indispensable tool for survival.
Verb 'tatajallā' (is manifested).
تخضع البرّادات لمعايير صارمة فيما يتعلق بانبعاثات الغازات الضارة.
Refrigerators are subject to strict standards regarding harmful gas emissions.
Verb 'takhda'u' (subject to).
أصبح البرّاد الذكي جزءاً من منظومة 'إنترنت الأشياء' في المنازل المعاصرة.
The smart refrigerator has become part of the 'Internet of Things' ecosystem in contemporary homes.
Verb 'asbaha' (became) with Genitive Idafa.
لا يمكن إغفال الدور الاقتصادي الذي تلعبه صناعة البرّادات عالمياً.
The economic role played by the refrigerator industry globally cannot be overlooked.
Passive 'lā yumkinu ighfāl'.
رغم بساطة فكرته، إلا أن البرّاد يمثل تعقيداً هندسياً كبيراً.
Despite the simplicity of its idea, the refrigerator represents a great engineering complexity.
Concessive 'raghma... illā anna'.
تتطلب صيانة البرّادات الضخمة خبرة فنية متخصصة.
Maintenance of huge refrigerators requires specialized technical expertise.
Verb 'tatatallabu' (requires).
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
— Put it in the fridge. Used very commonly in Levant dialect.
إذا خلصت الأكل، حطّه بالبرّاد.
— The fridge is empty. A common complaint when there is no food.
لازم نروح نتسوق، البرّاد فاضي.
— The fridge is broken. Used in dialect to report a malfunction.
الأكل خرب لأن البرّاد خربان.
Souvent confondu avec
Means 'mail'. Only one vowel is different.
Means 'hail' or 'cold weather'. No shadda on the 'r'.
An adjective meaning 'cold'. Barrād is the object.
Expressions idiomatiques
— His heart is like a fridge. Used to describe someone who is very calm or cold-hearted.
هو لا يغضب أبداً، قلبه مثل البرّاد.
Informal— His nerves are in the fridge. Means someone is extremely patient and cool-headed.
في الأزمات، تكون أعصابه في البرّاد.
Informal— Put the matter in the fridge. Means to delay or postpone a decision or topic.
الآن لسنا مستعدين، حط الموضوع في البرّاد.
Informal— His words are cold. Related to the root, meaning someone's talk is boring or insensitive.
لا أحب الجلوس معه، كلامه بارد.
Informal— Cold-blooded. Describes someone who is indifferent or lacks empathy.
كيف يمكنه فعل ذلك؟ دمه بارد جداً.
General— To cool my heart. Used when someone gets justice or feels relieved.
نجاحي برد قلبي بعد التعب.
Informal— On the cold. Means doing something easily or without effort.
أخذ الجائزة على البارد.
Slang— Like ice in the fridge. Used to describe something very cold.
الماء هنا مثل الثلج في البرّاد.
InformalFacile à confondre
They mean the same thing.
Regional preference and root (Ice vs. Cold). Barrād is more common in the Levant.
في مصر يقولون ثلاجة، وفي لبنان يقولون برّاد.
Both relate to cooling.
Mubarrid is a general term (cooler/radiator), Barrād is specifically the fridge.
المبرد في السيارة، والبرّاد في المطبخ.
In Morocco, Barrād means teapot.
Geographical location. Everywhere else, Barrād is a fridge.
في المغرب، البرّاد للشاي.
Both relate to cold.
Thalj is the substance (ice/snow), Barrād is the appliance.
نضع الثلج في البرّاد.
Both are in the kitchen.
Mujammid is the freezer (keeps things frozen), Barrād is the fridge (keeps things cold).
اللحم في المجمد والخضار في البرّاد.
Structures de phrases
الـ [اسم] في البرّاد.
الحليب في البرّاد.
هذا برّاد [صفة].
هذا برّاد جديد.
أريد أن أشتري برّاداً [صفة].
أريد أن أشتري برّاداً كبيراً.
هل [فعل] البرّاد؟
هل نظفت البرّاد؟
البرّاد [صفة] جداً لدرجة أن [جملة].
البرّاد قديم جداً لدرجة أنه لا يبرد.
بسبب [اسم]، تعطل البرّاد.
بسبب الحرارة، تعطل البرّاد.
يعتبر البرّاد من [اسم جمع].
يعتبر البرّاد من الأجهزة الضرورية.
كلما كان البرّاد [صفة]، كان [صفة].
كلما كان البرّاد حديثاً، كان أغلى.
Famille de mots
Noms
Verbes
Adjectifs
Apparenté
Comment l'utiliser
Extremely High in daily household contexts.
-
Using 'Barrād' in Morocco for a fridge.
→
Use 'Thallāja' or 'Nivīra'.
In Morocco, 'Barrād' usually means a teapot.
-
Saying 'Al-barrād al-kabīra'.
→
Al-barrād al-kabīr.
Barrād is masculine, so the adjective must be masculine.
-
Confusing 'Barrād' with 'Barīd'.
→
Check the long vowel (ā vs ī).
Barīd means mail, Barrād means fridge.
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Forgetting the Shadda on the 'r'.
→
بَرّاد
Without the shadda, it sounds like 'Barad' (hail).
-
Using 'Barrād' for a stove.
→
Use 'Furn'.
Barrād is for cooling only.
Astuces
Regional Choice
If you are talking to someone from Syria or Lebanon, use 'Barrād'. If you are talking to someone from Egypt, 'Thallāja' is better. Both are correct.
Check the Gender
Don't let the 'āt' plural fool you; the singular 'Barrād' is masculine. 'Hādhā barrād' not 'Hādhihi barrād'.
Hospitality
In Arab culture, offering a cold drink is a basic sign of welcome. Knowing 'Barrād' helps you participate in this.
Root Power
Learning the B-R-D root will help you understand dozens of other words related to coldness and temperature.
The Shadda
Make sure to emphasize the 'r' sound. Without the shadda, the word changes meaning entirely.
Spelling
The word is spelled B-R-A-D. Don't forget the Alif in the middle.
Context
If you hear 'Barrād' in a mosque, it's a water cooler. If you hear it in a kitchen, it's a fridge.
Brrr-ad
Think of the sound 'Brrr' when you are cold. Add 'ad' at the end to get 'Barrād'.
Daily Labels
Label items in your kitchen in Arabic to reinforce the vocabulary.
Compound Terms
Learn 'Barrād mīyāh' and 'Shāhinat Barrād' to sound more like a native speaker.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of a 'Bar' that is 'Rad' (cool). A 'Bar-Rad' is the coolest thing in the kitchen.
Association visuelle
Imagine a giant ice cube inside a box in your kitchen with the letters B-R-D written on it.
Word Web
Défi
Go to your kitchen and label your refrigerator with a sticky note that says 'بَرّاد'. Every time you open it, say the word out loud.
Origine du mot
Derived from the Arabic root B-R-D (ب ر د), which has existed since ancient times to denote coldness, hail, and the act of cooling. It is a native Semitic root.
Sens originel : A device or person that cools something down.
Afroasiatic -> Semitic -> Central Semitic -> Arabic.Contexte culturel
No specific sensitivities, but be aware of regional dialect preferences to avoid looking like a confused tourist.
In English, we often say 'fridge' (informal) or 'refrigerator' (formal). Arabic 'Barrād' covers both but has regional rivals like 'Thallāja'.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
In the Kitchen
- أين البرّاد؟
- نظّف البرّاد
- افتح الباب
- البرّاد ممتلئ
At the Appliance Store
- بكم هذا البرّاد؟
- هل يوجد ضمان؟
- أريد برّاداً كبيراً
- ما هي الصناعة؟
At a Hotel
- هل يوجد برّاد في الغرفة؟
- البرّاد لا يبرد
- أحتاج برّاداً صغيراً
- البرّاد يصدر صوتاً
In the Street (Gulf)
- وين برّاد الماي؟
- الماي بارد
- سبيل ماء
- اشرب من البرّاد
At Work
- حط غداك بالبرّاد
- البرّاد مشترك
- من نظّف البرّاد؟
- لا تترك أكلك بالبرّاد
Amorces de conversation
"هل البرّاد في بيتك كبير أم صغير؟"
"ماذا تضع عادة في البرّاد؟"
"متى كانت آخر مرة نظفت فيها البرّاد؟"
"هل تفضل ماركة معينة من البرّادات؟"
"ماذا تفعل إذا تعطل البرّاد في الصيف؟"
Sujets d'écriture
اكتب عن أهمية البرّاد في حياتك اليومية.
ما هي الأطعمة التي لا تضعها في البرّاد أبداً؟ ولماذا؟
تخيل يوماً بدون برّاد، كيف ستكون حياتك؟
صف البرّاد المثالي الذي تود شراءه في المستقبل.
هل تعتقد أن البرّادات الذكية مفيدة حقاً؟
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIn most contexts, they are synonyms for refrigerator. 'Barrād' is derived from the root for 'cold' and is common in the Levant. 'Thallāja' is derived from 'ice' and is the standard word in Egypt and MSA. You can use either, and you will be understood.
It is a masculine noun. You should use masculine adjectives with it, like 'Barrād kabīr' (big fridge).
You say 'fī al-barrād' (في البرّاد). In common speech, it often sounds like 'fil-barrād'.
Only in the Maghreb (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia). In the rest of the Arabic-speaking world, it means refrigerator or water cooler.
The plural is 'Barrādāt' (بَرّادات). It follows the regular feminine plural pattern.
You can say 'Al-barrād kharbān' (informal) or 'Al-barrād mu'attal' (formal).
Yes, especially in the Gulf, 'Barrād' or 'Barrād mīyāh' refers to those electric water dispensers.
The root is B-R-D (ب ر د), which is the same root for 'cold' (bārid) and 'mail' (barīd).
It is a geminated consonant, meaning you hold the trill slightly longer, like the 'rr' in the Spanish word 'perro'.
Yes, it is an A2 level word and is essential for daily conversation and household management.
Teste-toi 200 questions
Write a sentence using 'Barrād' and 'Kitchen'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using 'Barrād' and 'Milk'.
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How do you say 'The fridge is big' in Arabic?
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Write 'I bought a new fridge' in Arabic.
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Describe your fridge in three words.
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Write a command to someone to close the fridge.
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Write 'There is no water in the fridge'.
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Translate: 'The fridge is in the corner'.
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Write 'My fridge is broken'.
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Translate: 'I clean the fridge every month'.
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Write a question: 'Is the fridge open?'
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Write 'The fridge door is small'.
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Translate: 'Put the apples in the fridge'.
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Write 'We have two fridges'.
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Translate: 'The fridge makes a noise'.
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Write 'A refrigerated truck' in Arabic.
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Translate: 'The juice is very cold in the fridge'.
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Write 'Don't leave the fridge open'.
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Translate: 'The capacity of the fridge is large'.
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Write a sentence about a 'Water Cooler' in a mosque.
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Pronounce 'Barrād' correctly with the shadda.
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Say: 'The milk is in the fridge'.
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Say: 'I want a new fridge'.
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Say: 'Close the fridge door'.
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Ask: 'Where is the fridge?'
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Say: 'The fridge is broken'.
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Say: 'Clean the fridge please'.
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Say: 'The water is cold'.
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Say: 'The fridge is empty'.
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Ask: 'How much is this fridge?'
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Say: 'Put the juice in the fridge'.
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Say: 'This fridge is very big'.
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Say: 'I have two fridges'.
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Say: 'The fridge makes a noise'.
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Say: 'Don't leave the door open'.
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Say: 'Is there a fridge in the room?'
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Say: 'I need to repair the fridge'.
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Say: 'The fridge is full of food'.
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Say: 'The fridge is white'.
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Say: 'Open the fridge'.
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Listen and identify: 'البرّاد'
Listen and identify: 'بَريد'
Listen and identify: 'بارد'
Listen and identify: 'بَرَد'
Listen: 'الحليب في البرّاد'. Where is the milk?
Listen: 'اشتريت برّاداً جديداً'. What did I buy?
Listen: 'البرّاد خربان'. Is the fridge working?
Listen: 'نظّف البرّاد'. What is the command?
Listen: 'باب البرّاد مفتوح'. What is open?
Listen: 'البرّاد كبير'. Is the fridge small?
Listen: 'بكم البرّاد؟'. What is being asked?
Listen: 'البرّاد في المطبخ'. Where is the fridge?
Listen: 'عندي برّادان'. How many fridges?
Listen: 'لا يوجد برّاد'. Is there a fridge?
Listen: 'البرّاد أبيض'. What color is the fridge?
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'Barrād' (بَرّاد) is your essential tool for navigating any Arab kitchen in the Levant. Remember it by its root B-R-D (cold) and use it with masculine adjectives. Example: 'Al-barrād kabīr' (The fridge is big).
- Barrād is the Arabic word for refrigerator, mainly used in Levantine and Gulf dialects.
- It comes from the root B-R-D, which means 'cold' or 'to cool'.
- It is a masculine noun with the regular feminine plural 'Barrādāt'.
- While 'Thallāja' is more formal, 'Barrād' is extremely common in daily speech.
Regional Choice
If you are talking to someone from Syria or Lebanon, use 'Barrād'. If you are talking to someone from Egypt, 'Thallāja' is better. Both are correct.
Check the Gender
Don't let the 'āt' plural fool you; the singular 'Barrād' is masculine. 'Hādhā barrād' not 'Hādhihi barrād'.
Hospitality
In Arab culture, offering a cold drink is a basic sign of welcome. Knowing 'Barrād' helps you participate in this.
Root Power
Learning the B-R-D root will help you understand dozens of other words related to coldness and temperature.
Contenu associé
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علية
A2Grenier; un espace ou une pièce à l'intérieur du toit d'un bâtiment. 'Le grenier est plein de vieux souvenirs.'
إبريق
A2Un récipient muni d'une poignée et d'un bec verseur, utilisé pour contenir et verser des liquides.
إضاءة
A2L'éclairage est la disposition des lumières pour illuminer un espace.
أغسل
A1Je lave mes mains avant de manger. (I wash my hands before eating.)
أجهزة
B1Ce sont des outils ou des machines qui nous aident à faire des tâches spécifiques à la maison, comme un réfrigérateur ou une machine à laver.
أجرة
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البيت
A2La maison ; le foyer. C'est l'endroit où l'on habite.
أنظف
A1L'action de retirer la saleté pour rendre quelque chose propre et rangé.
أرضية
A1Le sol d'une pièce sur lequel on marche.