مقدار en 30 secondes
- Miqdar means 'amount' or 'quantity' in Arabic.
- It comes from the root Q-D-R, meaning to measure or determine.
- The plural 'Maqadeer' is the standard word for 'ingredients' in recipes.
- It is used for both physical things (salt) and abstract things (love).
The Arabic word مقدار (Miqdar) is a fundamental noun derived from the triliteral root ق-د-ر (Q-D-R), which fundamentally relates to measuring, determining, or having power over something. In its most basic sense, it refers to the amount, quantity, or measure of a physical or abstract entity. Whether you are following a recipe in a kitchen, calculating variables in a physics lab, or describing the depth of someone's feelings, this word serves as the linguistic bridge between the concept of existence and the concept of scale.
- Physical Quantity
- Refers to measurable items like weight, volume, or length.
- Abstract Extent
- Refers to non-physical things like respect, pain, or effort.
- Mathematical Value
- Used to denote a specific numerical value in equations.
أضف مقداراً قليلاً من الملح إلى الطعام.
— Add a small amount of salt to the food.
Understanding مقدار requires looking at its versatility. In daily life, it is the 'how much' of the world. It is not just a number; it is the essence of proportion. When an architect calculates the load-bearing capacity of a beam, they are looking for a مقدار. When a poet describes the vastness of their longing, they use مقدار to quantify the unquantifiable. It is a word that balances the precision of science with the nuance of human emotion.
لا يمكنني وصف مقدار سعادتي اليوم.
— I cannot describe the extent of my happiness today.
In the context of the Quran and classical literature, the word takes on a more deterministic tone. It relates to 'Qadar' (destiny), suggesting that everything in the universe exists in a specific, divinely ordained measure. This gives the word a layer of stability and order. If something has a مقدار, it is not chaotic; it has boundaries and a defined place in the grand scheme of things.
كل شيء في الكون له مقدار محدد.
— Everything in the universe has a specific measure.
- Synonym: كمية
- General quantity.
- Synonym: حجم
- Size or volume.
ما هو مقدار الزيادة في الراتب؟
— What is the amount of the salary increase?
نحتاج إلى مقدار كافٍ من الوقت لإنهاء المشروع.
— We need a sufficient amount of time to finish the project.
Using مقدار effectively involves understanding its role as a 'Muḍāf' (the first part of a possessive construction). It almost always precedes another noun that defines what is being measured. For example, you don't just say 'the amount'; you say 'the amount of water' (مقدار الماء) or 'the amount of love' (مقدار الحب).
Grammatical Positioning
As a noun, it can take any case ending (Marfu', Mansub, Majrur) depending on its position in the sentence. In a recipe, it often appears in the accusative (Mansub) as an object of the verb 'add' or 'put'. In descriptive sentences, it might be the subject. The plural form is مقادير (Maqadeer), which is the standard word for 'ingredients' in a culinary context.
اخلط المقادير جيداً قبل الخبز.
— Mix the ingredients well before baking.
When using it for abstract concepts, it functions as a way to quantify intensity. Instead of saying 'I am very tired,' you might say 'I feel a great amount of tiredness.' This adds a level of formal weight to your speech. It is particularly common in professional writing, academic reports, and legal documents where precision is paramount.
تم تحديد مقدار التعويض من قبل المحكمة.
— The amount of compensation was determined by the court.
In mathematical contexts, مقدار is used to describe the magnitude of a vector or the value of a variable. If you are studying physics in Arabic, you will encounter 'Miqdar al-Quwa' (magnitude of force). This technical usage highlights the word's inherent link to objective measurement.
The word مقدار is ubiquitous across the Arab world, appearing in various registers from the most formal to the everyday colloquial. However, its usage shifts slightly depending on the setting.
1. In the Kitchen (The Culinary World)
If you watch any Arabic cooking show (like Manal Al Alem), you will hear the plural المقادير constantly. It refers to the list of ingredients and their specific measurements. It is the 'recipe list' that every viewer waits for.
2. In News and Finance
Economic news frequently uses مقدار to discuss changes in currency value, inflation rates, or budget allocations. 'Miqdar al-ajz' (the amount of the deficit) is a common phrase in financial reporting.
3. In Science and Education
Teachers use it to ask students for values. 'What is the amount of pressure?' or 'Calculate the amount of energy released.' It is the standard term for 'magnitude' in STEM subjects taught in Arabic.
4. In Daily Social Interaction
While people might use 'shwayya' (a little) or 'kteer' (a lot) in casual dialects, they switch to مقدار when they want to be more specific or polite. For example, when offering someone more food, a guest might say 'bi-miqdar baseet' (just a small amount).
Even though مقدار is a common word, learners often confuse it with similar-sounding or similar-meaning words. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your Arabic sound more natural and precise.
1. Confusing 'Miqdar' with 'Qadr'
While both come from the same root, قدر (Qadr) often refers to 'value,' 'worth,' or 'destiny.' مقدار is more focused on the physical or quantifiable amount. You use 'Qadr' for someone's social status, but 'Miqdar' for the amount of sugar in their tea.
2. Using it without a Muḍāf Ilayh
Learners often say 'The amount is big' (المقدار كبير) without context. While grammatically correct, it is stylistically weak. It is better to specify: 'The amount of work is big' (مقدار العمل كبير).
3. Pluralization Errors
Some learners try to pluralize it as 'Miqdarat,' which is incorrect. The broken plural is مقادير (Maqadeer). Using the wrong plural is a clear sign of a beginner level.
4. Overuse in Dialect
In very casual Levantine or Egyptian Arabic, using مقدار can sometimes sound overly formal or 'bookish.' In these contexts, words like 'add' (قد) or 'kammiya' (كمية) might be more common for physical amounts, while 'Miqdar' remains the king of formal and technical contexts.
To truly master مقدار, you must see how it fits into the family of words related to measurement and quantity in Arabic.
- كمية (Kammiya)
- General 'quantity.' It is the most direct synonym but is often used for bulk items or uncountable masses where a specific 'measure' isn't the focus.
- حجم (Hajm)
- Specifically 'size' or 'volume.' You use this for the physical dimensions of an object (a big box) rather than the amount of stuff inside it.
- عدد (Adad)
- Specifically 'number.' Used for countable items (5 apples, 10 people). You would never use 'Miqdar' for people unless you were talking about their collective 'value' or 'extent' of influence.
- قدر (Qadr)
- Worth, value, or decree. It is more abstract and spiritual than Miqdar.
- مبلغ (Mablagh)
- Specifically an 'amount of money.' While you can say 'Miqdar al-mal,' 'Mablagh' is the dedicated financial term.
Choosing between these words depends on the level of precision and the nature of the object being described. مقدار sits comfortably in the middle—precise enough for a recipe, but flexible enough for an emotion.
How Formal Is It?
Niveau de difficulté
Grammaire à connaître
Idafa (Possessive Construction)
Noun-Adjective Agreement
Broken Plurals
Accusative of Specification (Tamyiz)
Masdar and its derivatives
Exemples par niveau
هذا مقدار قليل.
This is a small amount.
Simple demonstrative sentence.
أريد مقداراً من السكر.
I want an amount of sugar.
Object of the verb 'I want'.
ما هو المقدار؟
What is the amount?
Simple question with 'Ma'.
هذا مقدار كبير من الماء.
This is a large amount of water.
Adjective following the noun.
ضع مقداراً من الملح.
Put an amount of salt.
Imperative verb usage.
المقدار كافٍ.
The amount is sufficient.
Subject-predicate sentence.
ليس عندي مقدار كافٍ.
I don't have a sufficient amount.
Negation with 'Laysa'.
كم المقدار؟
How much is the amount?
Question with 'Kam'.
أضف مقدار ملعقة من الزيت.
Add an amount of one spoon of oil.
Idafa construction.
المقادير مكتوبة في الكتاب.
The ingredients are written in the book.
Plural form 'Maqadeer'.
نحتاج إلى مقدار من الوقت.
We need an amount of time.
Abstract use of the word.
هل هذا هو المقدار الصحيح؟
Is this the correct amount?
Interrogative with adjective.
اشترِ مقدار كيلوغرام من التفاح.
Buy an amount of one kilogram of apples.
Measurement phrase.
زاد مقدار المطر هذا العام.
The amount of rain increased this year.
Verbal sentence.
ما هو مقدار الربح؟
What is the amount of profit?
Financial context.
استخدم مقداراً بسيطاً من العطر.
Use a simple (small) amount of perfume.
Adjective agreement.
يجب تقدير مقدار الجهد المبذول.
The amount of effort exerted must be appreciated.
Passive context.
اختلف العلماء في مقدار المسافة.
Scientists differed on the amount of distance.
Scientific context.
حدد الطبيب مقدار الدواء المناسب.
The doctor determined the appropriate amount of medicine.
Medical context.
أشعر بمقدار كبير من المسؤولية.
I feel a great amount of responsibility.
Abstract emotional use.
هل تعرف مقدار السعرات الحرارية هنا؟
Do you know the amount of calories here?
Modern health context.
تغير مقدار الضغط الجوي فجأة.
The amount of atmospheric pressure changed suddenly.
Scientific terminology.
هناك مقدار من الغموض في القصة.
There is an amount of ambiguity in the story.
Literary analysis.
دفع مقداراً من المال كعربون.
He paid an amount of money as a deposit.
Commercial context.
يتم قياس مقدار الطاقة بوحدة الجول.
The amount of energy is measured in Joules.
Technical passive voice.
لا يمكن إنكار مقدار تأثيره على المجتمع.
The extent of his influence on society cannot be denied.
Complex negative structure.
تفاوتت الآراء حول مقدار الزيادة الضريبية.
Opinions varied about the amount of the tax increase.
Political/Economic context.
يجب أن يكون هناك مقدار من التوازن في حياتك.
There must be an amount of balance in your life.
Philosophical advice.
تم حساب مقدار القوة اللازمة لتحريك الجسم.
The amount of force needed to move the object was calculated.
Engineering context.
يعتمد النجاح على مقدار الإصرار.
Success depends on the amount of persistence.
Motivational context.
أظهرت الدراسة مقدار التلوث في النهر.
The study showed the amount of pollution in the river.
Environmental science.
بمقدار ما تعطي، تأخذ.
To the extent that you give, you receive.
Proverbial/Idiomatic structure.
إن مقدار الوعي الثقافي يحدد رقي الأمم.
The amount of cultural awareness determines the sophistication of nations.
Sociological discourse.
تتجلى عظمة الخالق في مقدار الدقة في الكون.
The Creator's greatness is evident in the amount of precision in the universe.
Theological/Philosophical.
ناقش الفلاسفة مقدار الحرية المتاحة للفرد.
Philosophers discussed the amount of freedom available to the individual.
Abstract philosophical debate.
يختلف مقدار التعويض تبعاً للضرر اللاحق.
The amount of compensation varies according to the damage incurred.
Legal terminology.
بمقدار ما اتسعت الرؤية ضاقت العبارة.
As the vision expands, the expression narrows (Sufi saying).
Classical rhetorical style.
يتم تحليل مقدار التباين في البيانات الإحصائية.
The amount of variance in statistical data is analyzed.
Advanced statistics.
لم يدرك مقدار الخطر الذي كان يحيق به.
He did not realize the extent of the danger that was surrounding him.
Narrative suspense.
إن مقدار المساهمة العلمية لهذا البحث هائل.
The amount of scientific contribution of this research is enormous.
Academic evaluation.
يستعصي على الوصف مقدار الفجيعة التي ألمت بهم.
The extent of the tragedy that befell them defies description.
High literary style.
إن مقدار التجريد في هذه اللوحة مذهل.
The amount of abstraction in this painting is amazing.
Art criticism.
يتناسب مقدار التسارع طردياً مع القوة المؤثرة.
The amount of acceleration is directly proportional to the acting force.
Formal physics law.
بمقدار ما تكون النفس كبيرة، تكون الهموم كبيرة.
To the extent that the soul is great, the worries are great.
Classical aphorism.
يجب ضبط مقدار المتغيرات في التجربة بدقة متناهية.
The amount of variables in the experiment must be adjusted with extreme precision.
Scientific methodology.
ما مقدار النفس في هذا الوجود إلا كقطرة في بحر.
The measure of the self in this existence is but a drop in the ocean.
Metaphorical/Mystical.
تجاوز مقدار الدين العام الحدود الآمنة.
The amount of public debt has exceeded safe limits.
Macroeconomic analysis.
إن مقدار التفاني في العمل هو معيار النجاح الأسمى.
The amount of dedication to work is the ultimate criterion of success.
Ethical/Professional discourse.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
Souvent confondu avec
Expressions idiomatiques
Facile à confondre
Structures de phrases
Comment l'utiliser
It is more formal than 'shwayya' or 'kteer'.
It works perfectly for both, making it a very high-frequency word.
- Using 'Miqdarat' as the plural instead of 'Maqadeer'.
- Confusing 'Miqdar' with 'Qadr' (value/destiny) in physical contexts.
- Using it for countable items like 'Miqdar of five books' (should be 'Adad').
- Forgetting the Idafa structure (the 'of' relationship).
- Mispronouncing the 'Qaf' as a 'Kaf'.
Astuces
Idafa Rule
Always remember that Miqdar is usually the first part of an Idafa. The second noun will be in the Majrur (genitive) case.
Plural Power
Learn 'Maqadeer' early. It's the key to understanding Arabic recipes and menus.
Abstract Use
Don't be afraid to use it for feelings. 'Miqdar al-hubb' (amount of love) is perfectly natural.
The Qaf
Make sure to pronounce the 'Q' deeply in your throat to distinguish it from 'Mikdar' (which isn't a word).
Formal Reports
In formal writing, use 'Miqdar' instead of 'shwayya' to sound more professional.
Hospitality
When a host asks if you want more, saying 'bi-miqdar baseet' is a polite way to accept a little more.
Magnitude
If you are a student of science, 'Miqdar' is your word for magnitude in physics and math.
Root Connection
Connect it to 'Qadar' (Destiny). Destiny is the 'measure' of one's life.
Cooking Shows
Watch Arabic cooking videos on YouTube to hear 'Maqadeer' used in context.
Precision
Use it when you want to be precise. 'Kam' (how much) often leads to an answer starting with 'Miqdar'.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of 'Miqdar' as a 'Meter' (Mi-dar) for quantity.
Origine du mot
Arabic root Q-D-R
Contexte culturel
Recipes are passed down more by 'Miqdar' (feel/amount) than by strict grams in traditional homes.
The Quran mentions that God created everything with a 'Qadar' (measure/Miqdar).
Generosity is often shown through large 'Maqadeer' of food.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Amorces de conversation
"ما هو مقدار السكر الذي تفضله في الشاي؟"
"هل تعرف مقدار الوقت اللازم للوصول؟"
"ما مقدار أهمية الرياضة في حياتك؟"
"كم هو مقدار المطر في بلدك عادة؟"
"هل يمكنك تخمين مقدار هذا الوزن؟"
Sujets d'écriture
اكتب عن مقدار السعادة التي شعرت بها اليوم.
صف مقدار الجهد الذي بذلته لتعلم اللغة العربية.
ما هو مقدار التغيير الذي تود رؤيته في العالم؟
تحدث عن مقدار حبك لعائلتك.
صف مقدار الطعام الذي تحتاجه في يوم مثالي.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsMiqdar often implies a specific measure or proportion, while Kammiya is a general term for quantity. In recipes, you use Maqadeer (plural of Miqdar).
Only in an abstract sense, like 'the amount of people' (مقدار الناس) in a crowd, but 'Adad' (number) is much more common for countable things like people.
It is a masculine noun.
The plural is Maqadeer (مقادير).
You say 'Miqdar qaleel' (مقدار قليل).
Yes, in some contexts it can refer to the value or worth of something, though 'Qadr' or 'Qima' are more specific for that.
Yes, it and its root words appear frequently to describe the divine measure of creation.
You would say 'Miqdar mil'aqat sukkar' (An amount of a spoon of sugar).
Yes, but it often sounds slightly more formal than local dialect alternatives.
The root is Q-D-R (ق-د-ر).
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Summary
The word 'Miqdar' is your essential tool for quantifying the world in Arabic, bridging the gap between simple numbers and the complex reality of physical and emotional measurements.
- Miqdar means 'amount' or 'quantity' in Arabic.
- It comes from the root Q-D-R, meaning to measure or determine.
- The plural 'Maqadeer' is the standard word for 'ingredients' in recipes.
- It is used for both physical things (salt) and abstract things (love).
Idafa Rule
Always remember that Miqdar is usually the first part of an Idafa. The second noun will be in the Majrur (genitive) case.
Plural Power
Learn 'Maqadeer' early. It's the key to understanding Arabic recipes and menus.
Abstract Use
Don't be afraid to use it for feelings. 'Miqdar al-hubb' (amount of love) is perfectly natural.
The Qaf
Make sure to pronounce the 'Q' deeply in your throat to distinguish it from 'Mikdar' (which isn't a word).
Contenu associé
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Plus de mots sur numbers
عدّ
A1Compter des objets ou des nombres de manière séquentielle.
عد
A1L'acte de compter ou d'énumérer des objets. Il est utilisé pour déterminer la quantité totale de quelque chose.
عددي
A1Numérique, exprimé en chiffres ou lié au comptage.
عشري
A1Décimal, relatif au système de numération à base dix.
إجمال
B1Le montant total ou la somme globale de quelque chose. Cela signifie également un résumé ou une vue d'ensemble d'un sujet sans entrer dans les détails.
أحصى
B1Compter de manière exhaustive ou énumérer.
احتسب
B2Calculer, compter. S'attendre à une récompense divine.
أخيرا
A1Enfin; à la fin. Utilisé pour exprimer le soulagement après une longue attente.
أكمل
A2Compléter, achever, terminer. Il a complété son travail avec succès. Veuillez compléter ce formulaire.
أولا
A1Premièrement; tout d'abord. Utilisé pour introduire le premier point d'une liste ou d'un argument.
