Meaning
To dispatch a letter or package.
Cultural Background
The 'Barid' is often used as a metaphor for distance and longing in classical poetry. Sending a letter was a significant event. Egypt has one of the oldest postal systems in the world (established 1865). The 'Posta' is a common term used alongside 'Barid'. In Lebanon and Syria, the word 'Ba'at' is much more common than 'Arsala' in daily speech, though 'Barid' remains the noun for the system. The 'Barid' system was so efficient that it was used to transport fresh fruit packed in ice from the mountains to the Caliph's palace in the desert.
Email Shortcut
In modern Arabic, you can just say 'أرسل لي إيميل' (Arsil li email) and everyone will understand you.
The Hamza Matters
Make sure to pronounce the 'A' in 'Arsala'. Without it, it sounds like a different verb root.
Meaning
To dispatch a letter or package.
Email Shortcut
In modern Arabic, you can just say 'أرسل لي إيميل' (Arsil li email) and everyone will understand you.
The Hamza Matters
Make sure to pronounce the 'A' in 'Arsala'. Without it, it sounds like a different verb root.
Formal Writing
In formal letters, use 'نحيطكم علماً بأننا أرسلنا البريد' (We inform you that we sent the mail) for a professional touch.
Dialect Swap
If you are in Egypt, use 'Ba'at' (بعت) to sound more like a local.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'Arsala' in the past tense (I sent).
أنا ____ بريداً إلى أخي أمس.
The past tense for 'I' (Ana) is 'Arsaltu'.
Which word means 'Post Office'?
أذهب إلى ____ لأرسل بريداً.
'Maktab al-Barid' is the specific term for Post Office.
Match the Arabic phrase to its English meaning.
1. بريد إلكتروني, 2. بريد سريع, 3. ساعي البريد
These are common collocations using the word 'Barid'.
Complete the dialogue.
أحمد: هل أرسلت البريد؟ خالد: لا، ____ غداً.
Since the answer mentions 'tomorrow' (ghadan), the future tense 'sa-ursiluhu' is correct.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesأنا ____ بريداً إلى أخي أمس.
The past tense for 'I' (Ana) is 'Arsaltu'.
أذهب إلى ____ لأرسل بريداً.
'Maktab al-Barid' is the specific term for Post Office.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are common collocations using the word 'Barid'.
أحمد: هل أرسلت البريد؟ خالد: لا، ____ غداً.
Since the answer mentions 'tomorrow' (ghadan), the future tense 'sa-ursiluhu' is correct.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, you can 'Arsala' a messenger or a person to a place, but 'Barid' is specifically for objects/messages.
It is a collective noun. To specify one letter, use 'Risala'.
It is called 'البريد المرسل' (Al-Barid al-Mursal).
'Arsala' is more common for physical things; 'Ba'atha' is often used for sending prophets or sending someone on a mission.
In formal writing, yes. In speaking, you can just say 'Barid'.
It is 'أجرة البريد' (Ujrat al-barid).
Yes, though 'Tarid' is more specific for a parcel.
It's a poetic way to say 'the wind carrying messages'.
Yes, if you use the definite article: 'Arsala al-Barid'.
أنا أنتظر البريد (Ana antadhir al-barid).
Related Phrases
استلم بريداً
contrastTo receive mail
ساعي البريد
builds onMailman
صندوق البريد
builds onMailbox
طابع بريدي
similarPostage stamp
بريد مزعج
specialized formSpam mail
