Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 noun #1,200 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

قَدَم

qadam Top 1,200

At the A1 level, learners should focus on 'Qadam' as a basic body part. You will use it to identify parts of the human body and in very simple sentences like 'This is my foot' (هذه قدمي). It is crucial to learn that it is feminine even though it doesn't end in 'Ta Marbuta'. You will also encounter it in the phrase 'Kurat al-Qadam' (football), which is essential for basic social introductions and hobbies. Focus on the singular form and the possessive 'my' (Qadami). You might also learn it in the context of 'walking' (al-mashi). The goal at this level is simply recognition and basic labeling in a physical or sports context. You should be able to point to your foot and say the word correctly with the 'Qaf' sound.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'Qadam' in more descriptive sentences. You will learn to use adjectives with it, remembering the feminine agreement (e.g., 'Qadam yusra' for left foot). You will also learn the broken plural 'Aqdām' and the dual 'Qadamān'. This allows you to talk about 'feet' in general or 'both feet'. You will use the word in health contexts, such as telling a doctor 'My foot hurts' or 'I have a pain in my feet'. You will also encounter the word as a unit of measurement (foot) in basic math or geography contexts. The focus here is on correct grammatical agreement and expanding the contexts from just 'sports' to 'health' and 'measurement'.

At the B1 level, you start to see 'Qadam' in common idioms and more complex grammatical structures. You will learn the phrase 'on foot' (mashyan 'ala al-aqdam) and use it to describe travel and daily routines. You will also encounter the word in religious or cultural texts, such as descriptions of 'Wudu' (ablution). You should be able to use the word in the dual form with possessive pronouns correctly, dropping the 'noon' (e.g., 'Qadamayka' for your two feet). You will also begin to see the metaphorical use of the root Q-D-M in words like 'Taqaddum' (progress) and 'Muqaddima' (introduction), helping you see the logical links in the Arabic root system.

At the B2 level, you will use 'Qadam' in professional and literary contexts. You will encounter idioms like 'on equal footing' or 'on a firm footing' (على قدم المساواة / على قدم ثابتة). You will be expected to use the word in discussions about sports professionally, including technical terms like 'footwork'. In literature, you will see 'Qadam' used to describe a person's status or historical legacy ('Lahu qadam sidq'). You should be able to distinguish between 'Qadam' and 'Rijl' in different registers of speech and writing, choosing the formal 'Qadam' for essays and reports. Your understanding of the word's role in the 'Q-D-M' root family should be comprehensive.

At the C1 level, you will explore the deep classical and poetic uses of 'Qadam'. You will read classical Arabic poetry where the 'foot' symbolizes journeying, hardship, or steadfastness in battle. You will understand the nuances of the word in Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) regarding physical requirements for prayer. You will be able to use the word in complex metaphors about time and precedence. Your use of the word will be indistinguishable from a native speaker, including the correct use of rare plural forms or specific anatomical terms related to the foot. You will also be able to analyze how the word's meaning has shifted slightly from Classical Arabic to Modern Standard Arabic.

At the C2 level, you possess a complete mastery of 'Qadam' and its entire semantic field. You can engage in academic discussions about the etymology of the root 'Q-D-M' and its evolution across Semitic languages. You can appreciate and use the word in the most sophisticated rhetorical devices (Balagha). You understand the cultural semiotics of the foot in Arab history—from the 'footprints' of the Prophet to the symbolic weight of the foot in modern political protests. You can switch effortlessly between the most formal 'Qadam' and various regional dialectal equivalents, understanding the socio-linguistic implications of each choice. The word is no longer just a noun to you, but a key to a vast network of cultural and historical meanings.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

قَدَم en 30 secondes

Qadam means 'foot' and is a feminine noun in Arabic.
It is used in the term for football: 'Kurat al-Qadam'.
The plural is 'Aqdām' and the dual is 'Qadamān'.
It can also mean a unit of measurement (foot).

The Arabic word قَدَم (Qadam) is a fundamental noun in the Arabic language, primarily referring to the 'foot' in an anatomical sense. However, its utility extends far beyond simple biology. In the CEFR A2 level, learners encounter this word most frequently in the context of sports, specifically كرة القدم (football/soccer), which is the most popular sport across the Arab world. Understanding قَدَم requires recognizing its grammatical gender; like most body parts that come in pairs, قَدَم is treated as a feminine noun in Arabic. This means adjectives and verbs associated with it must take the feminine form, such as saying قدمي مصابة (my foot is injured) rather than using the masculine form.

Anatomical Usage: Refers specifically to the part of the body below the ankle. While in some dialects 'Rijl' (رجل) is used for the entire leg and foot, 'Qadam' remains the precise term for the foot itself in Modern Standard Arabic.

أشعر بألم شديد في قَدَمي بعد المشي الطويل.

Translation: I feel a strong pain in my foot after the long walk.

Beyond anatomy, قَدَم serves as a unit of measurement, much like the English 'foot'. In historical and some modern contexts, it represents the length of a human foot used for measuring distance or height. Furthermore, the root of the word (Q-D-M) relates to 'preceding' or 'coming forward'. This linguistic connection is why the foot is seen as the tool of advancement and progress. In literature, having a 'firm foot' in a field implies expertise and long-standing experience. For a beginner, mastering the plural form أقدام (Aqdām) is essential, as it follows the broken plural pattern which is common for three-letter nouns.

Measurement: Used to denote the unit of length (approx. 30.48 cm). Example: 'الجبل يرتفع ألف قدم' (The mountain rises a thousand feet).

كرة الـقَدَم هي الرياضة الأكثر شعبية.

In daily conversation, you will hear this word at the doctor's office, at the shoe store (though 'measure' or 'size' might be more common there), and during sports broadcasts. It is also used metaphorically to describe someone's status. For instance, 'ثبات القدم' (steadfastness of the foot) refers to courage and remaining firm in one's beliefs or position during a crisis. This metaphorical depth makes 'Qadam' a versatile word that bridges the gap between physical reality and abstract concepts of time and status.

Metaphorical Standing: Refers to a person's rank or history. 'له قدم صدق' means he has a record of sincerity and merit.

وقف على قَدَميه مرة أخرى بعد الفشل.

المسافة كانت عشرة أقدام فقط.

Using قَدَم correctly involves understanding its dual nature as both a physical object and a grammatical entity. In simple sentences, it often acts as the subject or object of physical actions. For example, غسلت قدمي (I washed my foot) is a common sentence in the context of daily hygiene or religious ablution (Wudu). Notice how the possessive suffix '-i' (ي) is attached directly to the word. When describing the foot, remember to use feminine adjectives: قدم صغيرة (a small foot), not قدم صغير. This is a common pitfall for English speakers because 'foot' has no gender in English.

Possessive Forms: Qadami (My foot), Qadamuka (Your foot - masc), Qadamuki (Your foot - fem), Qadamuhu (His foot), Qadamuha (Her foot).

وضعت قَدَمي على العشب البارد.

Translation: I put my foot on the cold grass.

In more complex sentence structures, قَدَم often appears in the dual form قَدَمَان (two feet) or قَدَمَيْن (two feet - accusative/genitive). Since humans have two feet, this form is extremely common. For instance, يقف على قدميه (He stands on his [two] feet). Note that the 'n' (ن) at the end of the dual form is dropped when a possessive pronoun is added: قَدَمَاه (his two feet) instead of قَدَمَانُه. This grammatical rule is crucial for achieving fluency and sounding natural to native speakers.

Action Verbs: Common verbs used with Qadam include: 'Masha' (walked), 'Rakada' (ran), 'Dasa' (stepped on), 'Rakala' (kicked).

كان يركض بـأقدام حافية على الشاطئ.

When discussing sports, the word is used in fixed phrases. لاعب كرة قدم (a football player) is a compound noun. In this context, قَدَم is in the genitive case (Mudaf Ilayh). If you are describing an action in a match, you might say ركل الكرة بقدمه اليسرى (He kicked the ball with his left foot). Here, 'left' (اليسرى) is also feminine to match 'foot'. Using the correct gender for 'right' (اليمنى) and 'left' (اليسرى) is a hallmark of an intermediate learner moving beyond basic A1 Arabic.

Directional Adjectives: Al-Yumna (The right), Al-Yusra (The left). Example: 'القدم اليمنى' (The right foot).

لا تستطيع الوقوف على قَدَم واحدة لفترة طويلة.

أصاب اللاعب في قَدَمِه أثناء المباراة.

The word قَدَم is ubiquitous in the Arab world, echoing through stadiums, clinics, and mosques. If you turn on a television in any Arabic-speaking country, the most frequent place you will hear it is during a sports broadcast. Commentators shout كرة القدم (football) with passion. You will hear phrases like لمسة قدم (a touch of the foot) or إصابة في القدم (a foot injury). Because football is a cultural pillar, this word becomes one of the first nouns a child learns and one of the most frequently used in media.

Sports Commentary: Frequent in phrases like 'Rarklat qadam' (kick of the foot) or 'Mala'ib kurat al-qadam' (football stadiums).

نحن نشاهد نهائي كأس العالم لـكرة الـقَدَم.

Translation: We are watching the football World Cup final.

In a medical or health context, قَدَم is the standard term used by doctors and pharmacists. If you visit a clinic in Cairo or Riyadh, the doctor will ask أين الألم؟ في القدم أم في الساق؟ (Where is the pain? In the foot or the leg?). This distinction is important because, while colloquial Arabic often uses 'Rijl' for everything from the hip to the toes, professional and formal Arabic maintains the precision of 'Qadam'. You will also see it on signs in pharmacies for products like كريم القدم (foot cream) or مسحوق القدم (foot powder).

Religious Context: Used in instructions for prayer (Salah) and ablution (Wudu). 'Ghasl al-qadamayn' (washing the two feet) is a required step.

يجب غسل الـقَدَمين إلى الكعبين في الوضوء.

Another common place to hear the word is in literature and news reports when discussing 'steadfastness'. Political leaders might speak of ثبات أقدام الجنود (the steadfastness of the soldiers' feet), meaning their bravery and refusal to retreat. In news weather reports, if a flood is described, they might say the water reached مستوى القدم (foot level). Even in daily life, if someone steps on you in a crowded metro in Dubai, they will apologize saying آسف، قدمي صدمت قدمك (Sorry, my foot hit your foot). This range of usage—from the physical to the metaphorical—makes it a high-frequency word for any learner.

Daily Social Interaction: Apologies, directions ('on foot' - mashyan 'ala al-aqdam), and descriptions of clothing/shoes.

هل نذهب بالسيارة أم على الـأقدام؟

كانت الـقَدَم هي وحدة القياس القديمة.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using قَدَم is misidentifying its gender. In English, body parts are neuter. In Arabic, most paired body parts are feminine. Learners often say قدم كبير (large foot - masc) instead of the correct قدم كبيرة (large foot - fem). This mistake ripples through the sentence, affecting verbs and pronouns. For example, you should say قدمي تؤلمني (my foot hurts me - feminine verb) rather than قدمي يؤلمني (masculine verb). Paying attention to this 'hidden' gender is vital for accuracy.

Gender Agreement: Mistake: 'Qadam jamil'. Correct: 'Qadam jamila'. Always treat paired body parts as feminine.

الـقَدَم اليمنى (Correct) vs القدم الأيمن (Incorrect).

Note: Use 'Yumna' (fem) for right, not 'Ayman' (masc).

Another common confusion arises between قَدَم (Qadam) and رِجْل (Rijl). While they are often used interchangeably in casual conversation to mean 'leg' or 'foot', in formal Arabic, قَدَم is specifically the foot, while رِجْل can refer to the entire lower limb. If you tell a doctor your Rijl hurts, he might look at your thigh; if you say Qadam, he will look at your toes and ankle. Additionally, learners often struggle with the plural أقدام (Aqdām). It is a broken plural, meaning it doesn't follow the standard 'at' or 'un' endings. Memorizing it as a pair (Qadam - Aqdām) is the best strategy.

Pluralization Errors: Mistake: 'Qadamāt'. Correct: 'Aqdām'. Broken plurals must be memorized individually.

عندي ألم في أقدامي (My feet) - correct broken plural usage.

A subtle mistake involves the dual form. When saying 'my two feet', many learners say قَدَمَانِي (Qadamani-ya), but the correct form is قَدَمَيَّ (Qadamayya). The 'noon' of the dual is dropped when a possessive pronoun is attached. This is a higher-level grammar rule, but learning it early prevents bad habits. Lastly, avoid using قَدَم to mean 'leg' in a formal essay; use ساق (Sāq) for the shin/leg area to show a more sophisticated vocabulary.

Anatomical Precision: Qadam = Foot. Sāq = Leg/Shin. Rijl = Whole leg (casual). Use them precisely to avoid confusion.

كسرت ساقي وليس قدمي.

Translation: I broke my leg, not my foot.

المشي على أطراف الأقدام (Walking on tiptoes).

While قَدَم is the standard word for 'foot', Arabic offers several related terms that provide more specificity or fit different social registers. The most common alternative is رِجْل (Rijl). In many Arabic dialects (like Egyptian, Levantine, or Gulf), Rijl is the default word for both the foot and the leg. If you are speaking casually with friends, Rijl sounds more natural. However, in any written or formal context, قَدَم is preferred. Understanding when to switch between these two is key to sounding like a native speaker.

Qadam vs. Rijl: Qadam is formal and specific to the foot. Rijl is informal and often covers the whole leg.

في العامية نقول 'وجعني رِجلي'، وفي الفصحى 'تؤلمني قَدَمي'.

For other parts of the lower limb, you should use ساق (Sāq) for the leg or shin, and فَخِذ (Fakhidh) for the thigh. If you want to talk about the 'heel' specifically, the word is عَقِب (Aqib) or كَعْب (Ka'b). The word Ka'b is also used for 'ankle' in some contexts. Knowing these distinctions allows you to be much more descriptive. For example, in a shoe store, you might ask for a shoe that doesn't hurt your Ka'b (heel/ankle) specifically, rather than just saying it hurts your Qadam (foot).

Specific Anatomy: Sāq (Leg), Ka'b (Ankle/Heel), Isba' al-qadam (Toe - literally 'finger of the foot').

لبس الحذاء في قَدَمِه بسرعة.

In metaphorical contexts, if you want to say someone is 'old' or 'ancient', the word قَدِيم (Qadīm) comes from the same root. While not a synonym for 'foot', it's a 'cousin' word that helps you remember the root meaning of 'that which came before'. Another related word is مُقَدِّمَة (Muqaddima), meaning 'introduction' or 'front part'. Just as the foot is at the front when you walk, the Muqaddima is at the front of a book. Linking these words together in a 'word web' makes memorization much easier and more logical.

Root Cousins: Qadīm (Old), Muqaddima (Introduction), Taqaddum (Progress). All relate to the concept of 'front' or 'preceding'.

أحرز تقدماً كبيراً بـقَدَم ثابتة.

الـقَدَم هي أساس الحركة.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

"يجب الحفاظ على ثبات القدم في المواقف الصعبة."

Neutre

"أحتاج إلى حذاء جديد لقدمي."

Informel

"رجلي بتوجعني (Dialectal using Rijl)."

Child friendly

"انظر إلى قدم القطة الصغيرة!"

Argot

"حط رجلك (Put your foot/leg - meaning 'run fast' or 'hurry up')."

Le savais-tu ?

The root Q-D-M is the same root for 'Old' (Qadim) because the past is what 'preceded' us, and for 'Progress' (Taqaddum) because it involves moving 'forward'.

Guide de prononciation

UK /qa.dam/

US /kɑː.dæm/

The stress is on the first syllable: QA-dam.

Rime avec

Alam (Pain) Nadam (Regret) Haram (Pyramid) Adam (Non-existence) Karam (Generosity) Hakam (Referee) Qalam (Pen) Alam (Flag)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'Q' as 'K' (Kadam).
Pronouncing the 'a' too long (Qaadaam).
Confusing it with 'Qadim' (old).
Swapping the 'd' and 'm' sounds.
Not making the 'Q' deep enough.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to read, but don't confuse it with 'Qadim'.

Écriture 2/5

Simple three-letter root, easy to spell.

Expression orale 3/5

The 'Qaf' sound requires practice for non-natives.

Écoute 2/5

Clear sound, usually easy to distinguish in context.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

يد (Hand) رأس (Head) جسم (Body) كرة (Ball) ألم (Pain)

Apprends ensuite

ساق (Leg) ركبة (Knee) حذاء (Shoe) مشي (Walking) رياضة (Sports)

Avancé

ترسيخ (Consolidation) عَقِب (Heel) كاحل (Ankle) وثب (Leaping) عدو (Sprinting)

Grammaire à connaître

Feminine Body Parts

Body parts in pairs (eyes, hands, feet) are feminine. 'Hadhihi qadam' (This is a foot).

Broken Plurals

Qadam becomes Aqdām. There is no standard suffix.

Dual Form Suffix

Add '-ān' for nominative (Qadamān) and '-ayn' for others (Qadamayn).

Dropping the 'Noon'

In dual possessives, 'Qadamā-ka' (your two feet) instead of 'Qadamāni-ka'.

Adjective Agreement

Adjectives must be feminine: 'Qadam jamila' (Beautiful foot).

Exemples par niveau

هذه قدمي.

This is my foot.

Qadam is feminine, so we use 'hadhihi' (this - fem).

أنا أحب كرة القدم.

I love football.

Compound noun: Kurat (ball) + Al-Qadam (the foot).

عندي قدم صغيرة.

I have a small foot.

Adjective 'saghirah' is feminine to match 'qadam'.

أين القدم؟

Where is the foot?

Definite article 'al-' is added to make it 'the foot'.

القدم في الحذاء.

The foot is in the shoe.

Preposition 'fi' (in) followed by 'al-hiza' (the shoe).

هذه قدم يمنى.

This is a right foot.

Yumna is the feminine form of 'right'.

غسلت قدمي.

I washed my foot.

Verb 'ghasaltu' (I washed) + 'qadami' (my foot).

الكرة تحت القدم.

The ball is under the foot.

Preposition 'tahta' (under) + 'al-qadam'.

عندي ألم في قدمي اليمنى.

I have pain in my right foot.

Yumna (right) matches the feminine Qadam.

طول الطاولة ثلاثة أقدام.

The table's length is three feet.

Aqdām is the broken plural of Qadam.

نحن نمشي على الأقدام إلى المدرسة.

We walk on foot to school.

Phrase 'ala al-aqdam' means 'on foot'.

هل قدمك مكسورة؟

Is your foot broken?

Maksurah (broken) is feminine.

اشتريت حذاءً جديداً لقدمي.

I bought new shoes for my feet.

Preposition 'li-' (for) + 'qadamayya' (my two feet).

اللاعب ركل الكرة بقدمه.

The player kicked the ball with his foot.

Bi- (with) + qadami-hi (his foot).

البس الجوارب في قدميك.

Wear the socks on your feet.

Dual form 'qadamayka' (your two feet).

هذه الأقدام متعبة جداً.

These feet are very tired.

Plural 'aqdām' takes feminine singular adjective 'mut'abah'.

يجب غسل القدمين جيداً قبل الصلاة.

The two feet must be washed well before prayer.

Dual 'al-qadamayn' in the genitive/accusative case.

وقف الطفل على قدميه لأول مرة.

The child stood on his feet for the first time.

Dual 'qadamay-hi' (his two feet) - noon is dropped.

المشروع يسير على قدم وساق.

The project is in full swing.

Idiom: 'ala qadam wa saq' (literally: on a foot and a leg).

ترك بصمة قدم واضحة في الرمل.

He left a clear footprint in the sand.

Basmat qadam (footprint) is an Idāfa construction.

لا تضع قدماً فوق قدم أمام كبار السن.

Do not cross your legs (foot over foot) in front of elders.

Cultural etiquette regarding feet.

كان يرتجف من الرأس حتى القدم.

He was trembling from head to foot.

Expression: 'min al-ra's hatta al-qadam'.

هل يمكنك الوقوف على قدم واحدة؟

Can you stand on one foot?

Qadam wahida (one foot) - feminine agreement.

أصيب في مشط القدم أثناء التمرين.

He was injured in the metatarsus (arch) of the foot during training.

Misht al-qadam is a specific anatomical term.

البلدان يتعاونان على قدم المساواة.

The two countries cooperate on an equal footing.

Idiom: 'ala qadam al-musawah' (on equal footing).

له قدم راسخة في علم الفلك.

He has a firm footing (deep expertise) in astronomy.

Metaphorical use of 'qadam' for expertise.

تجنب وضع قدمك في أماكن الشبهات.

Avoid putting your foot (stepping) into suspicious places.

Metaphorical use for behavior and choices.

وضعت الحرب أوزارها وعاد الأمن على قدم وساق.

The war ended and security returned in full force.

Advanced idiom usage in a formal context.

كانت أقدامهم ثابتة في المعركة رغم الصعاب.

Their feet were firm in battle despite the hardships.

Thabat al-aqdam is a symbol of courage.

المسافة تقدر بآلاف الأقدام فوق سطح البحر.

The distance is estimated at thousands of feet above sea level.

Aqdām used as a standard unit of measurement.

زلت قدمه في الخطأ فاعتذر فوراً.

His foot slipped into error (he made a mistake) so he apologized immediately.

Zallat qadamuhu is a common idiom for making a mistake.

كل قدم في هذا المكان تحكي قصة تاريخية.

Every foot (step/inch) in this place tells a historical story.

Metonymy using 'foot' for space/ground.

في القرآن الكريم: 'وَبَشِّرِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنَّ لَهُمْ قَدَمَ صِدْقٍ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ'.

In the Quran: 'And give good news to those who believe that they have a footing of sincerity with their Lord'.

Classical usage: 'Qadam Sidq' means a high rank or reward.

لم يطأ قدمه تلك الأرض منذ عقود.

His foot has not trodden that land for decades.

Formal literary expression for visiting/entering.

كانت القصيدة تعبر عن ثبات القدم في مواجهة الدهر.

The poem expressed the steadfastness of the foot in facing fate.

Abstract literary metaphor.

الفقهاء اختلفوا في حكم مسح القدمين بدلاً من غسلهما.

Jurists differed on the ruling of wiping the feet instead of washing them.

Technical religious/legal context.

تسلل على أطراف أقدامه كي لا يوقظ أحداً.

He crept on his tiptoes so as not to wake anyone.

Atraf al-aqdam (ends of the feet/tiptoes).

لقد وضع قدمه على أول طريق النجاح.

He has set his foot on the beginning of the path to success.

Idiomatic expression for starting a career or goal.

كانت الأقدام تهرع نحو المسجد عند سماع الأذان.

The feet (people) were rushing toward the mosque upon hearing the call to prayer.

Synecdoche where 'feet' represents the whole person.

لا تزل قدم بعد ثبوتها.

Let not a foot slip after it has been firm.

Classical proverb about maintaining faith or principles.

إن فلسفة 'ثبات القدم' في التراث العربي تتجاوز المعنى المادي إلى اليقين الروحي.

The philosophy of 'steadfastness of the foot' in Arabic heritage transcends physical meaning to spiritual certainty.

Academic/Philosophical register.

تواترت الروايات حول مواضع أقدام الأنبياء في مكة.

Narrations have frequently mentioned the locations of the prophets' footprints in Mecca.

Historical/Theological register.

الشاعر الجاهلي وظف 'القدم' كرمز للرحلة الوجودية والكدح.

The Pre-Islamic poet utilized 'the foot' as a symbol of the existential journey and toil.

Literary criticism register.

يعد هذا البحث بمثابة وضع قدم السبق في هذا المجال العلمي المعقد.

This research is considered a pioneering step (putting the foot of precedence) in this complex scientific field.

Idiom: 'Qadam al-sabq' (pioneering/precedence).

تحركت الجماهير على قدم وساق للمطالبة بحقوقها.

The masses moved vigorously to demand their rights.

Political/Sociological register.

في علم التشريح المقارن، تختلف بنية القدم البشرية عن غيرها من الثدييات.

In comparative anatomy, the structure of the human foot differs from other mammals.

Scientific/Academic register.

كانت الأقدام حافية والقلوب عامرة بالإيمان.

The feet were bare and the hearts were full of faith.

Poetic/Evocative register.

استطاع الكاتب أن يرسخ قدمه في المشهد الثقافي العالمي.

The writer was able to establish his footing in the global cultural scene.

Metaphorical use for reputation and influence.

Collocations courantes

كرة القدم

على الأقدام

موطئ قدم

أصابع القدم

مشط القدم

باطن القدم

ثبات القدم

وحدة القدم

حافي القدمين

ضربة قدم

Phrases Courantes

على قدم وساق

على قدم المساواة

من الرأس إلى القدم

وضع قدمه على الطريق

زلت قدمه

موطئ قدم

قدم السبق

ثبتت قدمه

أطراف الأقدام

بين أقدامنا

Souvent confondu avec

قَدَم vs رِجْل

Rijl is often used for the whole leg in dialects, while Qadam is specifically the foot.

قَدَم vs قَدِيم

Qadīm means 'old'. They share the same root but have different meanings.

قَدَم vs ساق

Sāq means 'leg' or 'shin'. It is above the Qadam.

Expressions idiomatiques

"على قدم وساق"

Vigorously and intensely. It implies that everything is moving fast and efficiently.

العمل في المصنع يسير على قدم وساق.

Formal/Journalistic

"زلت قدمه"

He made a moral or professional mistake. It likens a mistake to a physical slip.

انتبه كي لا تزل قدمك في هذا العمل.

Literary/Formal

"له قدم صدق"

He has a record of sincerity and excellence. Often used in religious or moral praise.

المعلم له قدم صدق في تربية الأجيال.

Classical/Religious

"على قدم المساواة"

Treating two parties exactly the same without bias.

نحن نتفاوض على قدم المساواة.

Diplomatic/Formal

"وضع قدمه في القبر"

To be very old or near death. (Similar to 'one foot in the grave').

الرجل العجوز يشعر أنه وضع قدمه في القبر.

Informal/Idiomatic

"رفع قدماً وحط أخرى"

To be hesitant or undecided. Literally 'lifting a foot and putting down another'.

هو يرفع قدماً ويحط أخرى قبل السفر.

Literary

"تحت أقدام الأمهات"

Referring to the high status of mothers (Paradise is under the feet of mothers).

الجنة تحت أقدام الأمهات.

Religious/Cultural

"قدم السبق"

To be the first to do something great; to have the lead.

لهذه الجامعة قدم السبق في البحث العلمي.

Formal

"ثبات القدم"

Courage and lack of hesitation during danger.

أظهر الجندي ثبات القدم في المعركة.

Literary/Military

"موطئ قدم"

A starting point or a small base of operations.

حصلنا على موطئ قدم في المشروع الجديد.

Business/General

Facile à confondre

قَدَم vs قادِم

Similar sound and same root.

Qādim means 'coming' or 'next' (adjective/participle), while Qadam is 'foot' (noun).

الأسبوع القادم (Next week) vs قدمي (My foot).

قَدَم vs قَدَّمَ

Same letters, different vowels/shadda.

Qaddama is a verb meaning 'to present' or 'to offer'.

قدمت هدية (I presented a gift).

قَدَم vs قِدَم

Same letters, different vowels.

Qidam is a noun meaning 'antiquity' or 'ancientness'.

منذ قِدَم الزمان (Since ancient times).

قَدَم vs قُدوم

Same root.

Qudūm is a noun meaning 'arrival'.

عند قدوم الضيوف (Upon the arrival of guests).

قَدَم vs قُدُماً

Same letters.

Quduman is an adverb meaning 'forward'.

سرنا قدماً (We marched forward).

Structures de phrases

هذه [body part]ـي

هذه قدمي.

عندي ألم في [body part]

عندي ألم في قدمي.

نذهب إلى [place] على الأقدام

نذهب إلى السوق على الأقدام.

المشروع يسير على قدم و[another part]

المشروع يسير على قدم وساق.

لم يطأ [subject] قدمه [place]

لم يطأ المسافر قدمه تلك المدينة.

مقاس [body part] هو [number]

مقاس قدمي هو أربعون.

يقف على [dual body part]

يقف على قدميه.

أحب كرة الـ[noun]

أحب كرة القدم.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high, especially in sports and health contexts.

Erreurs courantes

Using 'Hadha' (masculine) with Qadam. → Using 'Hadhihi' (feminine).
Qadam is feminine because it is a paired body part. You must say 'Hadhihi qadam'.
Saying 'Qadamāt' for the plural. → Saying 'Aqdām'.
Qadam has a broken plural. 'Qadamāt' is grammatically incorrect.
Using 'Ayman' for right foot. → Using 'Yumna'.
Since Qadam is feminine, you must use the feminine form of 'right', which is 'Yumna'.
Pronouncing it as 'Kadam'. → Pronouncing it with a deep 'Qaf'.
The letter is Qaf (ق), not Kaf (ك). The meaning changes or becomes nonsense with a 'K'.
Saying 'Qadamani-ya' for 'my two feet'. → Saying 'Qadamayya'.
The 'noon' of the dual is dropped when adding a possessive pronoun.

Astuces

Gender Agreement

Always use feminine adjectives with Qadam. If your foot is small, say 'Qadam saghira', not 'Qadam saghir'. This is the most common mistake for beginners.

Sports Context

If you love sports, 'Kurat al-Qadam' is your best friend. It's the most common way you'll hear the word. Try watching a match in Arabic to hear it used naturally.

The Qaf Sound

The 'Q' in Qadam is a deep sound. Practice by saying 'K' but from much deeper in your throat. It shouldn't sound like 'Kadam' (which isn't a word).

Foot Etiquette

In Arab countries, don't point your feet at people. It's considered rude because the foot is the 'lowest' part of the body. Keep your feet on the ground.

Root Connection

Link 'Qadam' (foot) with 'Taqaddum' (progress). You use your feet to move forward and make progress. This helps you learn multiple words at once.

Dual Form

When writing 'two feet', use 'Qadamān' if it's the subject and 'Qadamayn' if it's the object. This is a key A2/B1 grammar skill.

Dialect Awareness

Be prepared to hear 'Rijl' instead of 'Qadam' in movies or street talk. Don't be confused; they usually mean the same thing in casual settings.

Measurement

If you see 'Qadam' in a math book or a news report about heights, it's likely referring to the unit of measurement (foot).

Full Swing

Learn 'ala qadam wa saq'. It makes you sound very advanced. Use it to describe a busy office or a party preparation.

Specific Parts

Learn 'Asābi' al-qadam' for toes. It literally means 'fingers of the foot'. This is a logical way to expand your vocabulary.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'Quantum' leap. A 'Qadam' is the foot you use to take that leap forward.

Association visuelle

Visualize a soccer ball (Kurat al-Qadam) hitting a foot. The 'Q' shape looks like a ball.

Word Web

Qadam (Foot) Kurat al-Qadam (Football) Aqdām (Feet) Qadīm (Old) Taqaddum (Progress) Muqaddima (Introduction) Qādim (Coming) Qadamayn (Two feet)

Défi

Try to use 'Qadam' in three different ways today: one for anatomy, one for sports, and one for measurement.

Origine du mot

From the Proto-Semitic root Q-D-M, which fundamentally means 'to be in front' or 'to precede'.

Sens originel : The part of the body that goes first or precedes the rest of the body during movement.

Semitic (Arabic, Hebrew, Aramaic).

Contexte culturel

Avoid showing the bottom of your feet in formal meetings or when sitting with elders in traditional Arab settings.

English speakers use 'foot' as a unit of measurement frequently; Arabic speakers do too, but mostly in formal or technical contexts influenced by Western standards.

Hadith: 'Paradise is under the feet of mothers'. Quranic Verse: 'Qadam Sidq' (Footing of Sincerity). Song: 'Hafi al-Qadamayn' (Barefooted) by Kadim Al Sahir.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Sports

مباراة كرة قدم
لاعب كرة قدم
ملعب كرة قدم
ركلة قدم

Medical

ألم في القدم
قدم مكسورة
جرح في القدم
فحص القدم

Shopping

مقاس القدم
حذاء مريح للقدم
شكل القدم
عرض القدم

Religion

غسل القدمين
مسح القدمين
ثبات الأقدام
تحت أقدام الأمهات

Measurement

كم قدم؟
عشرة أقدام
قياس بالقدم
مساحة بالقدم المربع

Amorces de conversation

"هل تحب مشاهدة كرة القدم؟ (Do you like watching football?)"

"هل تفضل المشي على الأقدام أم ركوب الحافلة؟ (Do you prefer walking on foot or taking the bus?)"

"كم قدم طول هذا الغرفة؟ (How many feet is the length of this room?)"

"هل قدمك تؤلمك بعد الجري؟ (Does your foot hurt after running?)"

"ما هو مقاس قدمك في الأحذية؟ (What is your foot size in shoes?)"

Sujets d'écriture

اكتب عن مباراة كرة قدم شاهدتها مؤخراً. (Write about a football match you watched recently.)

صف شعورك عندما تمشي حافي القدمين على العشب. (Describe your feeling when you walk barefoot on grass.)

هل تفضل الذهاب إلى العمل على الأقدام؟ لماذا؟ (Do you prefer going to work on foot? Why?)

اكتب عن أهمية 'ثبات القدم' في مواجهة المشاكل. (Write about the importance of 'steadfastness' in facing problems.)

صف إصابة تعرضت لها في قدمك وكيف تعالجت. (Describe an injury you had in your foot and how you recovered.)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Qadam is feminine. In Arabic, most body parts that come in pairs (like eyes, hands, and feet) are treated as feminine nouns. For example, you say 'Hadhihi qadam' (This is a foot) and 'Qadam kabira' (A big foot).

In Modern Standard Arabic, Qadam specifically means the 'foot' (from the ankle down), while Rijl can mean the 'leg' or the entire lower limb. However, in many dialects, Rijl is used for both foot and leg, and Qadam is rarely used except in formal contexts or for 'football'.

Football is 'Kurat al-Qadam' (كرة القدم). 'Kurat' means ball and 'al-Qadam' means the foot. In casual speech, people often just say 'al-Kurah'.

The plural is 'Aqdām' (أقدام). This is a broken plural, which is common in Arabic. For example, 'Aqdāmuhum' means 'their feet'.

You say 'mashyan 'ala al-aqdam' (مشياً على الأقدام) or simply 'ala al-aqdam'. For example: 'I went to school on foot' is 'Dhahabtu ila al-madrasa 'ala al-aqdam'.

Yes, 'Qadam' is used as a unit of measurement equivalent to the English 'foot'. For example, 'The wall is 5 feet high' would be 'Al-jidar yartafi' khamsat aqdām'.

In Arabic grammar, when a dual noun (which ends in -ān or -ayn) is followed by a possessive pronoun (Idāfa), the 'noon' (ن) at the end is dropped. So 'Qadamayn' + 'i' (my) becomes 'Qadamayya'.

Yes, the root Q-D-M has many verbs. 'Qadima' means to arrive, 'Qaddama' means to present, and 'Taqaddama' means to progress. They all relate to the idea of moving forward or being in front.

Right foot is 'al-qadam al-yumna' (القدم اليمنى) and left foot is 'al-qadam al-yusra' (القدم اليسرى). Note that 'Yumna' and 'Yusra' are feminine adjectives.

It is a famous idiom meaning 'in full swing' or 'vigorously'. It literally means 'on a foot and a leg', implying that everything is moving and working hard.