Meaning
A very difficult, challenging, or daunting barrier or impediment.
Cultural Background
The phrase is a staple of 'Al-Jazeera' style journalism, representing the gravity of Middle Eastern geopolitical struggles. The term 'Aqaba' has a moral dimension, referring to the 'difficult path' of righteousness and charity. Authors like Naguib Mahfouz use it to describe the social barriers of class and poverty in 20th-century Egypt. In Arab universities, this phrase is often used in thesis introductions to describe the 'research gap' or 'methodological hurdles'.
Use in Writing
This phrase is a 'score-booster' in Arabic proficiency exams like the ALTA or DLPT.
Gender Match
Always keep it feminine. 'Aqaba' is your anchor.
Meaning
A very difficult, challenging, or daunting barrier or impediment.
Use in Writing
This phrase is a 'score-booster' in Arabic proficiency exams like the ALTA or DLPT.
Gender Match
Always keep it feminine. 'Aqaba' is your anchor.
Quranic Resonance
Using this phrase subtly signals that you are well-read in classical texts.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase.
لا تزال قضية اللاجئين تشكل _______ في طريق المفاوضات.
The singular feminine form is required to match the context of 'a single issue'.
Which context is most appropriate for using 'عقبة كأداء'?
أي جملة هي الأنسب لاستخدام التعبير؟
This phrase is reserved for serious, systemic issues like corruption and development.
Match the problem to the description.
صل بين المشكلة ووصفها:
International armed conflict is a monumental challenge suitable for this phrase.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesلا تزال قضية اللاجئين تشكل _______ في طريق المفاوضات.
The singular feminine form is required to match the context of 'a single issue'.
أي جملة هي الأنسب لاستخدام التعبير؟
This phrase is reserved for serious, systemic issues like corruption and development.
صل بين المشكلة ووصفها:
International armed conflict is a monumental challenge suitable for this phrase.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsNo, it's for situations or abstract barriers. You wouldn't call a difficult person an 'Aqaba Ka'da'.
Rarely. It's almost exclusively Modern Standard Arabic (MSA).
عقبات كأداء (Aqabat Ka'da).
Related Phrases
حجر عثرة
similarStumbling block
سد منيع
similarImpregnable barrier
طريق مسدود
relatedDead end
تحدٍ صارخ
relatedBlatant challenge
