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طاوِلَة

A1 noun #3,800 most common 10 min read

طاوِلَة

taawila Top 3,800

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips طاوِلَة in 30 Seconds

Explanation طاوِلَة in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'Tāwila' (طاوِلَة) is one of the first nouns you will learn. It means 'table'. You should focus on identifying it as a piece of furniture in the house. You will use it in very simple sentences like 'This is a table' (Hādhihi tāwila) or 'The book is on the table' (Al-kitāb 'ala al-tāwila). At this stage, the most important thing is to remember that the word is feminine because it ends with 'ة' (Ta Marbuta). This means you must use 'hādhihi' (this - feminine) instead of 'hādha' (this - masculine). You will encounter this word when talking about your room, your house, or when you are in a restaurant ordering food. It is a basic building block for describing your environment. You should also learn the word for chair (kursī) at the same time, as they often go together. Practice saying 'The table and the chair' (Al-tāwila wa al-kursī). You might also learn colors at this level, so you can say 'The white table' (Al-tāwila al-baydā'). Don't worry about complex grammar yet; just focus on the noun and its gender.

At the A2 level, you begin to describe the 'Tāwila' in more detail. You will use more adjectives and talk about the table's location using more prepositions. You might say 'The big wooden table is in the kitchen' (Al-tāwila al-khashabiyya al-kabīra fī al-matbakh). You will also start using the plural form 'Tāwilāt' (طاوِلات). For example, 'There are four tables in the room' (Hunāka arba' tāwilāt fī al-ghurfa). At this level, you should be able to follow simple instructions involving a table, such as 'Put the keys on the table' or 'Clean the table'. You will also use the word in the context of shopping, asking for the price of a table or describing what kind of table you want to buy. You might learn the distinction between different types of tables, like a dining table (tāwilat al-ta'ām) or a coffee table (tāwilat al-qahwa). Your understanding of gender agreement should be more solid now, ensuring that adjectives like 'new' (jadīda) or 'beautiful' (jamīla) always match the feminine noun 'Tāwila'.

At the B1 level, you can use 'Tāwila' in more complex sentence structures and narrative contexts. You might describe a scene where people are sitting around a table having a deep conversation. You will use the 'Idafa' construction more frequently, such as 'tāwilat al-mu'allim' (the teacher's table) or 'tāwilat al-bashā' (the Pasha's table). You will also start to see the word in more professional or academic settings. For example, 'The documents are on the meeting table' (Al-wathā'iq 'ala tāwilat al-ijtimā'āt). At this stage, you should be comfortable using the word with various verbs like 'to arrange' (rattaba), 'to move' (naqala), or 'to repair' (aslaha). You might also encounter the word in simple idioms or cultural expressions. Your vocabulary will expand to include synonyms like 'Mā'ida' for dining contexts. You should be able to write a short paragraph describing the furniture in a room, including the size, material, and position of the table relative to other objects like windows and doors.

At the B2 level, 'Tāwila' begins to appear in more abstract and metaphorical contexts. You will hear it in news reports about 'the negotiation table' (tāwilat al-mufāwadāt) or 'bringing a topic to the table' (tarh al-mawdū' 'ala al-tāwila). You should understand how the word is used to represent discussion, compromise, and diplomatic effort. Your grasp of Arabic grammar will allow you to use 'Tāwila' in complex conditional sentences or passive voice constructions. For instance, 'If the parties don't return to the table, the war will continue'. You will also be aware of regional dialect variations, knowing that while you write 'Tāwila' in an essay, someone in Cairo might say 'Tarabeza'. You can discuss the cultural importance of the table in modern Arab society versus traditional floor-seating customs. Your reading level will allow you to understand descriptions in literature where a table might be used to symbolize a family's status or a character's state of mind (e.g., a dusty, neglected table representing loneliness).

At the C1 level, you have a nuanced understanding of 'Tāwila' and its place in the Arabic language. You can appreciate the subtle difference between 'Tāwila', 'Mā'ida', and 'Khūwān' in classical and modern literature. You might analyze how a writer uses the image of a 'Tāwila' to ground a scene in reality or to create a specific atmosphere. You are comfortable using the word in technical or specialized fields, such as 'Tāwilat al-kiyādah' in a military or industrial context. You can engage in high-level discussions about social changes in the Arab world, using the transition to the 'Tāwila' as a point of reference for Westernization or modernization. Your use of the word is flawless, including correct case endings (I'rab) in formal speech. You can use the word in sophisticated rhetorical devices, such as metaphors or metonymy, where the 'table' stands in for the people sitting around it or the decisions made there. You are also familiar with historical etymologies, perhaps knowing how the word entered Arabic and its relationship to similar words in other Mediterranean languages.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'Tāwila' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can use the word in all its registers, from the most mundane domestic context to the most elevated poetic or philosophical discourse. You might use the concept of the 'Tāwila' in an academic paper on sociology or linguistics. You can play with the word's sounds and meanings in creative writing or poetry. You understand the deepest cultural resonances of the word, including its role in hospitality (Karam) and the specific etiquette of the Arab 'Mā'ida'. You can effortlessly switch between MSA and various dialects, choosing the appropriate word ('Tāwila', 'Tarabeza', 'Meza') based on the social context and the desired effect. You have a comprehensive knowledge of idioms, proverbs, and historical references involving tables. For you, 'Tāwila' is not just a word for a piece of furniture, but a versatile tool in a vast linguistic toolkit, used to navigate the complexities of human interaction and cultural expression in the Arabic-speaking world.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

طاوِلَة in 30 Seconds

A table (furniture).
Feminine noun (طاوِلَة).
Plural: Tāwilāt (طاوِلات).
Essential for A1 learners.

The Arabic word طاوِلَة (Tāwila) is the standard term for a table, a fundamental piece of furniture in any household, office, or public space. In the context of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), it refers specifically to the physical structure consisting of a flat horizontal surface supported by legs. While the concept of a table is universal, the word 'Tāwila' carries specific linguistic and cultural weight in the Arab world, bridging the gap between traditional floor-based living and modern elevated furniture.

Functional Utility: The Tāwila serves as the primary site for communal activities. Whether it is a dining table (Tāwilat al-ta'ām) or a coffee table (Tāwilat al-qahwa), it acts as a focal point for social interaction. In modern Arabic homes, the transition from the traditional 'Sufra' (a cloth or mat spread on the floor) to the 'Tāwila' marks a significant shift in domestic architecture and social etiquette over the last century.

نَحْنُ نَجْلِسُ حَوْلَ الـطاوِلَة لِتَنَاوُلِ الغَدَاء.
We sit around the table to eat lunch.

Physical Variations: A Tāwila can be made of various materials, most commonly wood (khashab), glass (zujāj), or metal (ma'dan). In academic settings, the word is often used to describe desks, although 'Maktab' is more specific. In technical contexts, 'Tāwila' can also refer to a workbench or a specialized surface used in laboratories or workshops.

هَذِهِ الـطاوِلَة مَصْنُوعَةٌ مِنْ خَشَبِ البَلُّوط.
This table is made of oak wood.

The word is also used metaphorically in politics and business. To be 'on the table' (ala al-tawila) means a topic is open for discussion or negotiation. This usage mirrors the English idiom, showcasing how modern Arabic has integrated international diplomatic terminology. The Tāwila is thus not just a piece of wood; it is a platform for decision-making, family bonding, and intellectual exchange. From the classroom to the boardroom, the Tāwila is an indispensable noun in the Arabic learner's vocabulary.

Social Etiquette: In Arab culture, the arrangement of people around a Tāwila often follows a hierarchy. The head of the family or the guest of honor usually sits at the most prominent position. Understanding the social 'geography' of the Tāwila is as important as knowing the word itself.

وَضَعْتُ المَزْهَرِيَّةَ فِي مُنْتَصَفِ الـطاوِلَة.
I placed the vase in the middle of the table.

هَلْ يُمْكِنُنِي حَجْزُ طاوِلَة لِأَرْبَعَةِ أَشْخَاصٍ؟
Can I reserve a table for four people?

الـطاوِلَة مُغَطَّاةٌ بِمِفْرَشٍ أَبْيَض.
The table is covered with a white tablecloth.

Using 'Tāwila' correctly involves understanding its gender and how it interacts with adjectives and prepositions. As a feminine noun (ending in Ta Marbuta 'ة'), any adjective describing it must also be feminine. For example, 'a big table' is 'Tāwila kabira' (طاوِلَة كَبِيرَة). This grammatical agreement is crucial for A1 and A2 learners to master early on.

Subject and Object Roles: When 'Tāwila' is the subject of a sentence, it often takes the definite article 'al-' (الـ). For example: 'Al-tāwila thaqīla' (The table is heavy). When it is the object, such as 'I bought a table', it appears as 'Ishtaraytu tāwila'. In formal Arabic, the case endings (Dhamma for subject, Fatha for object) would be applied: 'Al-tāwilatu' vs 'Tāwilatan'.

اشْتَرَيْتُ طاوِلَة جَدِيدَةً لِغُرْفَةِ المَعِيشَة.
I bought a new table for the living room.

Prepositional Phrases: The most common preposition used with Tāwila is 'ala' (on). 'The book is on the table' (Al-kitāb 'ala al-tāwila). Other common prepositions include 'hawla' (around) as in 'sitting around the table', and 'tahta' (under) as in 'the cat is under the table'. Mastering these spatial relationships is a key part of building basic conversational skills.

القِطَّةُ تَنَامُ تَحْتَ الـطاوِلَة.
The cat is sleeping under the table.

In more advanced usage, 'Tāwila' can be part of compound nouns. 'Tāwilat al-kiyādah' (Command table/console) or 'Tāwilat al-muqāwadāt' (Negotiation table). These terms are frequently found in news broadcasts and formal literature. For a learner, moving from 'the table is small' to 'the issue is on the negotiation table' represents a significant jump in CEFR levels from A1 to B2.

Descriptive Adjectives: Common adjectives to pair with Tāwila include: mustadīra (round), murabba'a (square), mustatīla (rectangular), khashabiyya (wooden), and qadīma (old). Using these helps build descriptive power in Arabic.

لَدَيْنَا طاوِلَة مُسْتَدِيرَة فِي المَطْبَخ.
We have a round table in the kitchen.

نَظِّفِ الـطاوِلَة بَعْدَ الأَكْلِ، مِنْ فَضْلِك.
Clean the table after eating, please.

هَذِهِ الـطاوِلَة مَكْسُورَة وَتَحْتَاجُ إِلَى إِصْلَاح.
This table is broken and needs repair.

The word 'Tāwila' is ubiquitous throughout the Arabic-speaking world, though its frequency varies between formal and colloquial settings. In Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), which is used in news, literature, and formal education, 'Tāwila' is the absolute standard. You will hear it in news reports concerning diplomatic meetings, where 'Tāwilat al-mufāwadāt' (the negotiation table) is a common phrase.

In the Home and Restaurant: In everyday life, you will hear this word most frequently when dining out. When entering a restaurant in Dubai, Cairo, or Rabat, you might say: 'Urīdu tāwila li-shakhsayn' (I want a table for two). Waiters will use it when directing you to your seat or when clearing the dishes. In the home, parents tell children to come to the table for dinner or to clear their books from the table.

هَلْ هَذِهِ الـطاوِلَة مَحْجُوزَة؟
Is this table reserved?

In Schools and Offices: In an educational setting, teachers might instruct students to 'keep your hands on the table' or 'put your pens on the table'. In an office, 'Tāwilat al-ijtimā'āt' (the meeting table) is where important decisions are made. While 'Maktab' (desk) is common for individual work, 'Tāwila' is used for collective surfaces.

اجْتَمَعَ المُدِيرُونَ حَوْلَ طاوِلَة الِاجْتِمَاعَات.
The managers gathered around the meeting table.

Furthermore, in the context of interior design and furniture shopping, 'Tāwila' is the term you will see on price tags and in catalogs. Whether you are at IKEA in Saudi Arabia or a local carpenter in Jordan, 'Tāwila' is the word that will get you what you need. It's a word that bridges the gap between the mundane and the significant, from a simple place to put a cup of tea to the site of international treaties.

Regional Variations: While 'Tāwila' is standard, hearing 'Tarabeza' in Egypt or 'Meza' in some North African contexts is common. However, 'Tāwila' is the 'prestige' word and is understood by every Arabic speaker regardless of their local dialect.

نَحْتَاجُ إِلَى طاوِلَة إِضَافِيَّة لِلضُّيُوف.
We need an extra table for the guests.

الـطاوِلَة فِي المَكْتَبَة مَلِيئَة بِالكُتُب.
The table in the library is full of books.

سَأَضَعُ القَهْوَةَ عَلَى الـطاوِلَة الصَّغِيرَة.
I will put the coffee on the small table.

Learning Arabic involves navigating gender and agreement, and 'Tāwila' is a classic example of where learners often stumble. Because 'table' is masculine in some languages (like 'le table' is not, but 'el mesa' is feminine in Spanish, yet 'der Tisch' is masculine in German), English speakers often forget that 'Tāwila' is strictly feminine in Arabic.

Gender Agreement Errors: The most common mistake is using a masculine adjective with 'Tāwila'. Learners might say 'Tāwila kabīr' instead of 'Tāwila kabīra'. In Arabic, the adjective must match the noun in gender. Always look for that 'Ta Marbuta' (ة) at the end of the noun to remind you to add a 'ة' to the adjective.

خَطَأ: طاوِلَة جَدِيد. صَحِيح: طاوِلَة جَدِيدَة.
Wrong: New table (masc). Right: New table (fem).

Confusing Tāwila and Maktab: English speakers often use 'table' and 'desk' interchangeably, but in Arabic, 'Maktab' (مكتب) is specifically a desk for writing or office work, while 'Tāwila' is a general table. Using 'Tāwila' when you mean an office desk can sound slightly imprecise, though not entirely wrong.

خَطَأ: أَدْرُسُ عَلَى الـطاوِلَة. صَحِيح: أَدْرُسُ عَلَى المَكْتَب.
Wrong: I study on the table (general). Better: I study on the desk.

Prepositional errors are also frequent. Learners sometimes use 'fī' (in) when they mean 'ala' (on). 'The food is in the table' (Al-ta'ām fī al-tāwila) would imply the food is inside the wood or a drawer, rather than on the surface. Precision with 'ala' (on) and 'fawqa' (above/on top of) is vital for clear communication.

Idafa Construction Mistakes: When creating a possessive phrase like 'the kitchen table', learners often put 'al-' on both words: 'al-tāwila al-matbakh'. The correct way (Idafa) is 'tāwilat al-matbakh' (the table of the kitchen). Notice how the first word loses its 'al-' and the 'ta marbuta' is pronounced.

خَطَأ: الـطاوِلَة المَطْبَخ. صَحِيح: طاوِلَة المَطْبَخ.
Wrong: The the table kitchen. Right: The kitchen table.

خَطَأ: الكِتَاب فِي الـطاوِلَة. صَحِيح: الكِتَاب عَلَى الـطاوِلَة.
Wrong: Book in the table. Right: Book on the table.

خَطَأ: هَذِهِ طاوِلَة جَمِيل. صَحِيح: هَذِهِ طاوِلَة جَمِيلَة.
Wrong: This is a beautiful (masc) table. Right: This is a beautiful (fem) table.

While 'Tāwila' is the most common word for a table, Arabic is a rich language with several synonyms and related terms that carry different nuances. Understanding these can help you sound more natural and precise in different situations.

Tāwila vs. Mā'ida: 'Tāwila' refers to the furniture piece itself. 'Mā'ida' (مائدة), however, refers to a table specifically when it is set with food. In the Quran, there is a chapter called 'Al-Mā'ida'. You wouldn't call a desk a 'Mā'ida'. If you are inviting someone to a feast, you invite them to your 'Mā'ida'.

تَحَلَّقَ الضُّيُوفُ حَوْلَ المَائِدَةِ العَامِرَة.
The guests gathered around the bountiful dining table.

Tāwila vs. Maktab: As mentioned, 'Maktab' (مكتب) is a desk or an office. While a 'Maktab' is a type of table, its purpose is specific to work, writing, or administration. 'Tāwila' is more general and can be used for dining, display, or games.

أَضَعُ حَاسُوبِي عَلَى المَكْتَبِ، وَلَيْسَ عَلَى طاوِلَة الطَّعَام.
I put my computer on the desk, not on the dining table.

Other related words include 'Khūwān' (خوان), an archaic or very formal word for a dining table or tray, and 'Sufra' (سفرة), which can mean the dining room, the dining table, or the traditional floor mat used for meals. In modern usage, 'Sufra' often refers to the entire dining set-up.

Comparison Table

Tāwila: General furniture piece (MSA).
Mā'ida: Table with food/Dining context.
Maktab: Desk for work/study.
Tarabeza: Colloquial/Dialectal table.
Sufra: Dining area or traditional floor setting.

غُرْفَةُ السُّفْرَةِ وَاسِعَةٌ جِدّاً.
The dining room is very spacious.

اشْتَرَيْنَا طاوِلَة قَهْوَة صَغِيرَة.
We bought a small coffee table.

هَذِهِ الـطاوِلَة تُشْبِهُ المَكْتَب.
This table resembles a desk.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The same root gives us 'Tāwla', the popular Middle Eastern game of backgammon, because it is played on a wooden board or 'table'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tˤɑː.wi.la/

US /tˤɑː.wi.lə/

The stress is on the first syllable: TĀ-wi-la.

Rhymes With

Qāfila (caravan) Hāfila (bus) Ma'ila (inclined) Zāmila (colleague - fem) Qātila (killer - fem) 'Āmila (worker - fem) Fādila (virtuous - fem) Nāzila (descending - fem)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'T' as a soft English 't' instead of the emphatic Arabic 'Tā'.
Pronouncing the 'w' as a 'v'.
Missing the long vowel 'ā' after the 'T'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Easy to read, standard letters, no complex shadda or hamza rules.

Writing 2/5

Learners must remember the Ta Marbuta and the long Alif.

Speaking 2/5

Requires correct pronunciation of the emphatic 'Tā'.

Listening 1/5

Very distinct sound, easy to recognize in speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

بَيْت (House) كُرْسِي (Chair) كِتَاب (Book) عَلَى (On) كَبِير (Big)

Learn Next

مَطْبَخ (Kitchen) طَعَام (Food) مَكْتَب (Desk) غُرْفَة (Room) مِفْرَش (Tablecloth)

Advanced

مُفَاوَضَات (Negotiations) أَثَاث (Furniture) نَجَّار (Carpenter) مُسْتَدِير (Round) خَشَب (Wood)

Grammar to Know

Feminine Noun Agreement

الطاوِلَة الجَمِيلَة (The beautiful table) - both end in Ta Marbuta.

Idafa (Possessive)

طاوِلَة المَطْبَخ (Kitchen table) - first word has no 'Al', second word is definite.

Sound Feminine Plural

طاوِلَة -> طاوِلَات (Table -> Tables).

Prepositional Case

عَلَى الطَّاوِلَةِ (On the table) - the noun ends in a Kasra in formal MSA.

Demonstrative Pronouns

هَذِهِ طاوِلَة (This is a table) - use 'hādhihi' for feminine nouns.

Examples by Level

هَذِهِ طاوِلَة.

This is a table.

Uses feminine 'hādhihi' because 'tāwila' is feminine.

الكِتَابُ عَلَى الطَّاوِلَة.

The book is on the table.

'Ala' is the preposition for 'on'.

الطَّاوِلَةُ صَغِيرَة.

The table is small.

Adjective 'saghīra' matches the feminine noun.

أَنَا عِنْدِي طاوِلَة.

I have a table.

Simple possessive structure.

طاوِلَة وَكُرْسِي.

A table and a chair.

Basic conjunction 'wa'.

الطَّاوِلَةُ بَيْضَاء.

The table is white.

Feminine color 'baydā' used.

أَيْنَ الطَّاوِلَة؟

Where is the table?

Basic question word 'ayna'.

الطَّاوِلَةُ فِي المَطْبَخ.

The table is in the kitchen.

'Fī' indicates location inside a room.

اشْتَرَيْتُ طاوِلَةً جَدِيدَةً.

I bought a new table.

Object 'tāwilatan' takes fatha tanween in formal MSA.

نَحْنُ نَأْكُلُ عَلَى طاوِلَةِ الطَّعَام.

We eat on the dining table.

Idafa construction: 'tāwilat al-ta'ām'.

هَلْ تُرِيدُ طاوِلَةً كَبِيرَة؟

Do you want a big table?

Question structure with 'hal'.

ضَعِ الأَقْلَامَ عَلَى الطَّاوِلَة.

Put the pens on the table.

Imperative verb 'da'' (put).

الطَّاوِلَةُ مَصْنُوعَةٌ مِنَ الخَشَب.

The table is made of wood.

'Masnū'a' (made) matches feminine 'tāwila'.

يُوجَدُ أَرْبَعُ طاوِلات فِي المَطْعَم.

There are four tables in the restaurant.

Plural form 'tāwilāt'.

نَظِّفِ الطَّاوِلَةَ بَعْدَ الغَدَاء.

Clean the table after lunch.

Direct object with definite article.

هَذِهِ الطَّاوِلَةُ قَدِيمَةٌ جِدّاً.

This table is very old.

Use of 'jiddan' (very) to modify the adjective.

تَجَمَّعَتِ العَائِلَةُ حَوْلَ الطَّاوِلَةِ لِلنِّقَاش.

The family gathered around the table for discussion.

'Hawla' (around) followed by genitive case.

نَسِيتُ مَفَاتِيحِي عَلَى طاوِلَةِ المَكْتَب.

I forgot my keys on the office table/desk.

Complex Idafa: 'tāwilat al-maktab'.

يُمْكِنُكَ تَعْدِيلُ ارْتِفَاعِ هَذِهِ الطَّاوِلَة.

You can adjust the height of this table.

Verbal noun 'ta'dīl' (adjusting).

الطَّاوِلَةُ مُغَطَّاةٌ بِمِفْرَشٍ جَمِيل.

The table is covered with a beautiful tablecloth.

Passive participle 'mughattāh'.

كُلُّ طاوِلَةٍ لَدَيْهَا سِتَّةُ كَرَاسِي.

Each table has six chairs.

Use of 'kull' (each/every).

هَلْ يُمْكِنُنَا حَجزُ طاوِلَةٍ بِجَانِبِ النَّافِذَة؟

Can we reserve a table by the window?

'Bi-jānib' (beside).

الطَّاوِلَةُ تَهْتَزُّ، هِيَ غَيْرُ مُسْتَقِرَّة.

The table is shaking; it is unstable.

Use of 'ghayr' for negation of adjectives.

أُحِبُّ الجُلُوسَ إِلَى هَذِهِ الطَّاوِلَةِ لِلْكِتَابَة.

I love sitting at this table to write.

'Al-julūs' (sitting) as a gerund.

يَجِبُ وَضْعُ جَمِيعِ الخِيَارَاتِ عَلَى الطَّاوِلَة.

All options must be put on the table.

Metaphorical use of 'on the table'.

فَشِلَتِ الأَطْرَافُ فِي العَوْدَةِ إِلَى طاوِلَةِ المُفَاوَضَات.

The parties failed to return to the negotiation table.

Diplomatic terminology.

تُعْتَبَرُ الطَّاوِلَةُ المُسْتَدِيرَةُ رَمْزاً لِلْمُسَاوَاة.

The round table is considered a symbol of equality.

Passive verb 'tu'tabar' (is considered).

كَانَتِ الطَّاوِلَةُ مَلِيئَةً بِأَوْرَاقِ العَمَلِ المُبَعْثَرَة.

The table was full of scattered work papers.

Compound adjective 'mub'athara' (scattered).

لَا بُدَّ مِنْ حَسْمِ هَذَا الأَمْرِ عَلَى طاوِلَةِ الحِوَار.

This matter must be settled at the dialogue table.

'Lā budda' (it is necessary).

تَصْمِيمُ الطَّاوِلَةِ يَعْكِسُ الذَّوْقَ العَصْرِي.

The design of the table reflects modern taste.

Verb 'ya'kis' (reflects).

نَحْتَاجُ إِلَى طاوِلَةٍ تَتَّسِعُ لِعَشَرَةِ أَشْخَاص.

We need a table that accommodates ten people.

Relative clause starting with 'tattasi''.

بَقِيَتِ الطَّاوِلَةُ صَامِدَةً رَغْمَ مُرُورِ السَّنَوَات.

The table remained sturdy despite the passing years.

'Raghm' (despite).

تُشَكِّلُ الطَّاوِلَةُ مِحْوَراً لِلْحَيَاةِ الِاجْتِمَاعِيَّةِ فِي المَنْزِل.

The table forms an axis for social life in the home.

Advanced vocabulary: 'mihwar' (axis/hub).

اسْتَفَاضَ الكَاتِبُ فِي وَصْفِ الطَّاوِلَةِ لِيُبْرِزَ تَهَالُكَ المَكَان.

The writer elaborated on describing the table to highlight the decay of the place.

Literary analysis context.

إِنَّ الجُلُوسَ إِلَى طاوِلَةِ القِمَّةِ يَتَطَلَّبُ تَنَازُلَاتٍ صَعْبَة.

Sitting at the summit table requires difficult concessions.

'Tawilat al-qimmah' (summit table).

تَمَّ اقْتِرَاحُ مَشْرُوعِ القَانُونِ وَوَضْعُهُ عَلَى الطَّاوِلَةِ لِلنِّقَاشِ العَام.

The draft law was proposed and placed on the table for public discussion.

Passive 'tumma iqtirah' construction.

تَعْكِسُ هَذِهِ الطَّاوِلَةُ الأَثَرِيَّةُ فَنَّ النَّجَارَةِ فِي العُصُورِ الوُسْطَى.

This antique table reflects the art of carpentry in the Middle Ages.

Historical/Artistic context.

لَا يُمْكِنُ تَجَاهُلُ الدَّوْرِ الَّذِي تَلْعَبُهُ طاوِلَةُ المُفَاوَضَاتِ فِي صُنْعِ السَّلَام.

The role played by the negotiation table in making peace cannot be ignored.

Complex negative structure.

تَبْرُزُ الطَّاوِلَةُ فِي اللَّوْحَةِ كَعُنْصُرٍ مَرْكَزِيٍّ يُهَيْمِنُ عَلَى المَشْهَد.

The table stands out in the painting as a central element dominating the scene.

Art criticism vocabulary.

أَدَّى غِيَابُ التَّوَافُقِ إِلَى قَلْبِ الطَّاوِلَةِ عَلَى الجَمِيع.

The lack of consensus led to 'turning the table' on everyone.

Idiomatic use of 'qalb al-tawila'.

يَتَجَلَّى الصِّرَاعُ الطَّبَقِيُّ أَحْيَاناً فِي نَوْعِيَّةِ الطَّاوِلَةِ وَمَا يُوضَعُ عَلَيْهَا.

Class struggle is sometimes manifested in the quality of the table and what is placed upon it.

Sociological discourse.

تُعَدُّ الطَّاوِلَةُ فِي الفَلْسَفَةِ المَادِّيَّةِ كِيَاناً يُثْبِتُ وُجُودَ العَالَمِ الخَارِجِي.

In materialist philosophy, the table is considered an entity that proves the existence of the external world.

Philosophical terminology.

إِنَّ الِانْزِيَاحَ الدَّلَالِيَّ لِكَلِمَةِ 'طاوِلَة' عَبْرَ العُصُورِ يَسْتَحِقُّ الدِّرَاسَة.

The semantic shift of the word 'Tāwila' through the ages deserves study.

Linguistic analysis.

لَمْ تَعُدِ الطَّاوِلَةُ مُجَرَّدَ جَمَادٍ، بَلْ صَارَتْ مَسْرَحاً لِلتَّفَاعُلَاتِ البَشَرِيَّةِ الأَكْثَرِ تَعْقِيداً.

The table is no longer just an inanimate object, but has become a stage for the most complex human interactions.

High-level rhetorical structure.

تَقْبَعُ الطَّاوِلَةُ فِي زَاوِيَةِ الذَّاكِرَةِ كَرَمْزٍ لِلِاجْتِمَاعَاتِ العَائِلِيَّةِ الدَّافِئَة.

The table resides in the corner of memory as a symbol of warm family gatherings.

Poetic/Literary personification.

يُشِيرُ هَيْدِغِر إِلَى 'شَيْئِيَّةِ' الطَّاوِلَةِ فِي سِيَاقِ حَدِيثِهِ عَنِ الوُجُود.

Heidegger refers to the 'thingness' of the table in the context of his talk about being.

Specialized philosophical vocabulary.

إِنَّ بَرَاعَةَ الصَّانِعِ تَتَبَدَّى فِي التَّفَاصِيلِ الدَّقِيقَةِ لِقَوَائِمِ الطَّاوِلَةِ المَنْحُوتَة.

The craftsman's skill is revealed in the intricate details of the carved table legs.

Descriptive excellence.

تَظَلُّ الطَّاوِلَةُ شَاهِداً صَامِتاً عَلَى التَّحَوُّلَاتِ السِّيَاسِيَّةِ الكُبْرَى.

The table remains a silent witness to major political transformations.

Personification/Metaphor.

Synonyms

مِنْضَدة مَكْتَب

Antonyms

كُرْسِي

Common Collocations

طاوِلَة الطَّعَام

طاوِلَة الِاجْتِمَاعَات

طاوِلَة القَهْوَة

طاوِلَة المُفَاوَضَات

طاوِلَة مُسْتَدِيرَة

طاوِلَة خَشَبِيَّة

طاوِلَة زُجَاجِيَّة

طاوِلَة مَحْجُوزَة

رَأْس الطَّاوِلَة

تَحْت الطَّاوِلَة

Common Phrases

عَلَى الطَّاوِلَة

— Literally 'on the table' or metaphorically 'under consideration'.

كل الاقتراحات على الطاولة.

حَوْلَ الطَّاوِلَة

— Gathered around the table for a meal or talk.

اجتمعنا حول الطاولة.

حَجْز طاوِلَة

— To reserve a table at a restaurant.

أريد حجز طاولة لشخصين.

تَنْظِيف الطَّاوِلَة

— To clear or wipe the table.

ساعدني في تنظيف الطاولة.

طاوِلَة لِلْعَمَل

— A table specifically for working.

أحتاج إلى طاولة للعمل في غرفتي.

طاوِلَة الزِّينَة

— A dressing table or vanity.

تضع العطور على طاولة الزينة.

بِجَانِب الطَّاوِلَة

— Next to the table.

الكرسي بجانب الطاولة.

طاوِلَة بَلِيَارْدُو

— A billiard/pool table.

نلعب على طاولة البلياردو.

طاوِلَة الزَّهْر

— The board for backgammon.

يحب جدي لعب طاولة الزهر.

طاوِلَة المَطْبَخ

— The kitchen table.

نفطر على طاولة المطبخ.

Often Confused With

طاوِلَة vs طويلة (Tawīla)

Means 'long' (feminine). The long vowel is after the 'w', whereas in 'Tāwila' (table), it's after the 'T'.

طاوِلَة vs مكتب (Maktab)

Means 'desk' or 'office'. Used for work, while 'Tāwila' is general.

طاوِلَة vs مائدة (Mā'ida)

Means a 'dining table with food'. 'Tāwila' is the furniture piece.

Idioms & Expressions

"قَلَبَ الطَّاوِلَة"

— To turn the tables; to reverse a situation completely.

قلب الفريق النتيجة وقلب الطاولة على خصمه.

General

"تَحْتَ الطَّاوِلَة"

— Under the table; secretly or illegally (e.g., a bribe).

تم دفع المال تحت الطاولة.

Informal/Business

"عَلَى طاوِلَةِ المُفَاوَضَات"

— Engaged in formal discussion to reach an agreement.

وصل الجانبان إلى طاولة المفاوضات.

Formal/Political

"وَضَعَ أَوْرَاقَهُ عَلَى الطَّاوِلَة"

— To be open and honest about one's intentions.

قرر المدير وضع أوراقه على الطاولة.

Formal

"بَعِيدٌ عَنِ الطَّاوِلَة"

— Excluded from the discussion or decision-making.

كانت مقترحاته بعيدة عن الطاولة.

Neutral

"طاوِلَة مُسْتَدِيرَة"

— A meeting where everyone has equal status.

شاركنا في طاولة مستديرة حول التعليم.

Academic

"مِنْ تَحْتِ لِتَحْت (طاوِلَة)"

— Doing things sneakily (related to 'under the table').

يعمل من تحت لتحت.

Slang

"طاوِلَة عَمَلِيَّات"

— Operating table (context of surgery or a plan).

المريض على طاولة العمليات.

Medical/Metaphorical

"كُلُّ شَيْءٍ مَطْرُوحٌ عَلَى الطَّاوِلَة"

— Everything is open for discussion.

في هذا الاجتماع، كل شيء مطروح على الطاولة.

Neutral

"رَأْسُ الطَّاوِلَة"

— The position of authority.

من يجلس على رأس الطاولة يقود الحوار.

Social

Easily Confused

طاوِلَة vs طويلة

Similar spelling and sound.

Tawīla is an adjective meaning 'long'. Tāwila is a noun meaning 'table'.

هذه الطاولة طويلة. (This table is long.)

طاوِلَة vs مكتب

Both are flat surfaces for use.

Maktab is specifically for study/work. Tāwila is general/dining.

أضع كتبي على المكتب.

طاوِلَة vs مائدة

Both refer to tables.

Mā'ida is a dining table, often implying food is present. Tāwila is the object itself.

تحلقنا حول المائدة.

طاوِلَة vs خوان

Both mean table.

Khūwān is archaic/classical. Tāwila is modern/standard.

وضع الخوان أمام الضيوف.

طاوِلَة vs سطح

Both can mean a flat surface.

Sath is 'surface' or 'roof'. Tāwila is the specific furniture.

سطح الطاولة ناعم.

Sentence Patterns

هَذِهِ [Adjective] طاوِلَة

هَذِهِ طاوِلَة كَبِيرَة.

[Noun] عَلَى الطَّاوِلَة

القَلَم عَلَى الطَّاوِلَة.

أُرِيدُ طاوِلَة لِـ [Number]

أُرِيدُ طاوِلَة لِأَرْبَعَة.

الطَّاوِلَة فِي [Room]

الطَّاوِلَة فِي غُرْفَة النَّوْم.

نَحْنُ نَجْلِسُ حَوْلَ [Idafa]

نَحْنُ نَجْلِسُ حَوْلَ طاوِلَة العَشَاء.

الطَّاوِلَة مَصْنُوعَة مِنْ [Material]

الطَّاوِلَة مَصْنُوعَة مِنَ الزُّجَاج.

يَجِبُ أَنْ نَضَعَ [Issue] عَلَى الطَّاوِلَة

يَجِبُ أَنْ نَضَعَ المَشَاكِلَ عَلَى الطَّاوِلَة.

تُعْتَبَرُ الطَّاوِلَة [Metaphor] لِـ...

تُعْتَبَرُ الطَّاوِلَة رَمْزاً لِلِاجْتِمَاع.

Word Family

Nouns

طاوِلَة (table)

طاوِلَات (tables)

طاوِلَة الزَّهْر (backgammon)

Verbs

طاول (to extend/reach - related root)

تطاول (to be arrogant/extend oneself)

Adjectives

طويل (long - related root)

طاولة (as a descriptor in some contexts)

مائدة (dining table)

مكتب (desk)

كرسي (chair)

مفرش (tablecloth)

قائمة (leg of a table)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely Common

Common Mistakes

Using 'hādha' (masculine) with Tāwila. → هَذِهِ طاوِلَة (Hādhihi tāwila)
Tāwila is feminine, so it must use the feminine demonstrative pronoun.
Saying 'Tāwila kabīr' (masculine adjective). → طاوِلَة كَبِيرَة (Tāwila kabīra)
Adjectives must match the gender of the noun.
Using 'fī' (in) instead of 'ala' (on). → الكِتَاب عَلَى الطَّاوِلَة
Things sit 'on' the surface of a table, not 'in' it.
Confusing 'Tāwila' with 'Tawīla'. → الطاوِلَة طَوِيلَة (The table is long)
Tāwila (noun) has the long vowel at the start; Tawīla (adjective) has it in the middle.
Incorrect plural 'Tawāwil'. → طاوِلَات (Tāwilāt)
Tāwila uses the sound feminine plural, not a broken plural.

Tips

Gender Check

Always look for the 'ة' at the end of 'Tāwila'. This tells you to use 'hādhihi' and feminine adjectives like 'jadīda'.

Table vs Desk

Use 'Maktab' for your computer desk and 'Tāwila' for your dining table to sound more like a native speaker.

Emphatic T

Practice the 'Ta' (ط) sound. It's the difference between 'Tāwila' (table) and a mispronounced word.

Hospitality

When someone invites you to their 'Mā'ida', they are being very hospitable. 'Tāwila' is the furniture; 'Mā'ida' is the feast.

Compound Nouns

Learn 'tāwilat al-ta'ām' (dining table) as a single unit. It's very common.

Egypt/Levant

If you travel to Cairo, don't be surprised to hear 'Tarabeza'. It's the same thing as 'Tāwila'.

Plural Pattern

'Tāwilāt' is easy to remember because it follows the standard '-āt' ending for feminine nouns.

Context Clues

If you hear 'Tāwila' in a café, check if people are playing backgammon or looking for a place to sit.

Tall Table

Associate 'Tāwila' with 'Tall' to remember the starting sound and the object.

On vs In

Always use 'ala' (on) for things on a table. Using 'fī' (in) is a common beginner mistake.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'TALL' table. 'Tāwila' sounds a bit like 'Tall', and tables are taller than the floor!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant 'T' (for Tāwila) acting as the legs of a big wooden table.

Word Web

Furniture Kitchen Wood Dining Legs Surface Chair Desk

Challenge

Try to name five things currently on your 'Tāwila' in Arabic.

Word Origin

The word 'Tāwila' is thought to be a loanword into Arabic, likely from the Latin 'tabula' via Ottoman Turkish 'tavla' or directly from Romance languages.

Original meaning: A plank, board, or flat surface.

Semitic (Arabic) with Indo-European roots.

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that in very traditional homes, people might still prefer floor seating.

In English, 'the table' is often a place for work or eating. In Arabic, the 'Tāwila' has similar roles but is more strictly distinguished from a 'desk' (Maktab).

Surat Al-Ma'ida in the Quran (referring to the Table spread with food). The popular game 'Tawla' (Backgammon) played in cafes from Cairo to Beirut.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Restaurant

طاوِلَة لِشَخْصَيْن
هَذِهِ الطَّاوِلَة مَحْجُوزَة
تَنْظِيف الطَّاوِلَة
بِجَانِب النَّافِذَة

Home

طاوِلَة الطَّعَام
تَحْت الطَّاوِلَة
رَتِّب الطَّاوِلَة
طاوِلَة القَهْوَة

Office

طاوِلَة الِاجْتِمَاعَات
عَلَى الطَّاوِلَة
مَكْتَب العَمَل
مَلَفَّات عَلَى الطَّاوِلَة

School

اجْلِس عِنْد الطَّاوِلَة
طاوِلَة المُعَلِّم
كُتُب عَلَى الطَّاوِلَة
طاوِلَة لِلرَّسْم

Politics

طاوِلَة المُفَاوَضَات
طاوِلَة الحِوَار
عَلَى الطَّاوِلَة
قَلْب الطَّاوِلَة

Conversation Starters

"هَلْ يُمْكِنُنَا الحُصُولُ عَلَى طاوِلَةٍ بِجَانِبِ النَّافِذَة؟ (Can we get a table by the window?)"

"مَا رَأْيُكَ فِي هَذِهِ الطَّاوِلَةِ الخَشَبِيَّة؟ (What do you think of this wooden table?)"

"أَيْنَ نَضَعُ الطَّاوِلَةَ الجَدِيدَةَ فِي الغُرْفَة؟ (Where should we put the new table in the room?)"

"هَلْ هَذِهِ الطَّاوِلَةُ نَظِيفَةٌ أَمْ نَحْتَاجُ لِمَسْحِهَا؟ (Is this table clean or do we need to wipe it?)"

"كَمْ شَخْصاً يُمْكِنُ أَنْ يَجْلِسَ حَوْلَ هَذِهِ الطَّاوِلَة؟ (How many people can sit around this table?)"

Journal Prompts

صِفِ الطَّاوِلَةَ الَّتِي تَجْلِسُ عَلَيْهَا الآن. مَا لَوْنُهَا وَمِمَّ صُنِعَتْ؟ (Describe the table you are sitting at now. What color is it and what is it made of?)

تَخَيَّلْ طاوِلَةً سِحْرِيَّةً، مَاذَا تُقَدِّمُ لَكَ مِنَ الطَّعام؟ (Imagine a magic table, what food does it serve you?)

اُكْتُبْ عَنْ ذِكْرَى جَمِيلَةٍ حَدَثَتْ حَوْلَ طاوِلَةِ الطَّعَامِ مَعَ عَائِلَتِكَ. (Write about a beautiful memory that happened around the dining table with your family.)

مَا هِيَ الأَشْيَاءُ الَّتِي تَضَعُهَا دَائِماً عَلَى طاوِلَةِ مَكْتَبِكَ؟ (What things do you always put on your office table?)

هَلْ تُفَضِّلُ الطَّاوِلَةَ المُسْتَدِيرَةَ أَمِ المُسْتَطِيلَة؟ وَلِمَاذَا؟ (Do you prefer a round or rectangular table? And why?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is feminine because it ends with the Ta Marbuta (ة). You must use feminine adjectives and pronouns with it. For example, 'hādhihi tāwila' (this is a table).

You say 'ala al-tāwila' (عَلَى الطَّاوِلَة). 'Ala' is the preposition for 'on'.

The plural is 'Tāwilāt' (طاوِلَات). It is a regular feminine plural.

You can, but 'Maktab' (مكتب) is more accurate and common for a desk used for work or study.

'Tāwila' is the piece of furniture. 'Mā'ida' is specifically a dining table, usually when it has food on it.

It is a common loanword used in dialects (like Egyptian), but it is not considered Modern Standard Arabic. In formal writing, use 'Tāwila'.

It is an emphatic 'T' (ط), pronounced by placing the tongue against the roof of the mouth, making a deeper sound than the English 't'.

Literally, it is 'tahta al-tāwila'. Metaphorically, it means doing something secretly or illegally, like a bribe, just like in English.

You say 'tāwilat al-qahwa' (طاوِلَة القَهْوَة).

Yes, the game of backgammon is commonly called 'Tāwla' or 'Tāwila' in the Middle East.