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ذخيرة

A1 noun #8,000 most common 8 min read

ذخيرة

dhakhira Top 8,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips ذخيرة in 30 Seconds

Explanation ذخيرة in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'ذخيرة' (Dhakhira) as a basic noun for 'bullets' or 'ammunition.' Even though it sounds like a complex word, it is very common in news and basic stories. Think of it as the 'food' for a gun. You can use it in simple sentences like 'I have ammunition' or 'Where is the ammunition?' At this stage, focus on the physical object. It is a feminine word, so you use 'hadihi' (this) with it. You might see it in a picture dictionary next to a box of bullets. Don't worry about the plural yet; just remember the singular form and its basic sound: Da-khee-ra. It is important for understanding safety signs or basic news headlines you might see on TV.

At the A2 level, you can begin to use 'ذخيرة' in more descriptive sentences. You should know that it is a feminine noun and requires feminine adjectives, like 'dhakhira kathira' (much ammunition). You might learn it alongside other military or security words like 'soldier' (jundi) or 'weapon' (silah). At this level, you should also be aware of the verb 'to need' (yahtaj) or 'to have' (ladayhi) in relation to ammunition. For example: 'The soldier needs ammunition.' You should also recognize it in the context of police or security guards. It's a good time to start noticing that the 'dh' sound is different from a 'z' sound, which will help your pronunciation sound more authentic.

At the B1 level, you are ready to understand the word 'ذخيرة' in more complex narratives and news reports. You should be able to follow a story about a battle or a shortage of supplies where this word is used frequently. You will also learn the plural form, 'ذخائر' (Dhakha'ir), which is used when talking about multiple types of ammunition or large stockpiles. At this stage, you should also be introduced to the metaphorical usage, such as 'linguistic ammunition' (ذخيرة لغوية), which refers to the words you know. You will understand phrases like 'running out of ammunition' (نفاد الذخيرة) and how to use the preposition 'min' (of/from) with it. This is also where you learn the difference between 'dhakhira' (the supply) and 'rasasa' (a single bullet).

At the B2 level, you should use 'ذخيرة' fluently in discussions about politics, history, and literature. You will understand its etymological connection to the root 'dhakhara' (to store). You can use it to describe a country's military capabilities or a writer's intellectual depth. You should be comfortable with technical terms like 'live ammunition' (ذخيرة حية) versus 'blank ammunition' (ذخيرة خلبية). At this level, you can appreciate the word's presence in classical Arabic literature, where it might refer to treasures or saved good deeds. Your ability to distinguish between 'dhakhira' and synonyms like 'عتاد' (equipment) or 'مؤونة' (provisions) should be sharp, allowing you to choose the most precise word for the context.

At the C1 level, you are exploring the nuances of 'ذخيرة' in high-level academic and poetic contexts. You will encounter the word in historical texts referring to 'Dhakha'ir al-Turath' (The Treasures of Heritage), where it signifies the most precious manuscripts and cultural artifacts of the Islamic world. You should be able to analyze how the word's meaning has shifted from general 'stored treasure' in the middle ages to its specific 'military ammunition' focus in the modern era. You can use the word in complex metaphors about psychological resilience or rhetorical strategy. Your mastery of the broken plural 'ذخائر' and its grammatical agreements in complex sentence structures should be near-native.

At the C2 level, 'ذخيرة' is a tool for precise and evocative expression. You understand its deepest etymological roots and can discuss its relationship with other words from the same root, like 'iddikhara' (to hoard/save) or 'madh-khar' (a place of storage). You can read classical poetry or modern philosophical essays where 'dhakhira' is used to represent the sum of human experience or the ultimate reserve of the soul. You are aware of its legal implications in international arms treaties and its symbolic weight in nationalist rhetoric. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a cultural anchor that connects modern technology with ancient linguistic traditions.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

ذخيرة in 30 Seconds

Dhakhira primarily means ammunition or munitions for firearms.
It originates from a root meaning 'to store for the future.'
It is used metaphorically for intellectual or cultural reserves.
The plural form is 'Dhakha'ir,' often used for treasures.

The Arabic word ذخيرة (Dhakhira) is a multifaceted noun primarily referring to ammunition, such as bullets, shells, or any projectiles used in firearms. However, its linguistic roots in the Arabic language delve much deeper into the concept of preservation and storage for future necessity. At its core, the word is derived from the root dh-kh-r, which pertains to the act of hoarding or saving something valuable. In a literal military context, it is the lifeblood of defense and offense, encompassing everything from small-arms rounds to heavy artillery shells. Beyond the battlefield, the term is frequently employed metaphorically to describe a person's 'repertoire' or 'stockpile' of skills, knowledge, or even vocabulary. When a writer speaks of their 'lexical ammunition,' they use this word to signify the linguistic tools they have stored to deploy in their work. Understanding this word requires recognizing both its physical weight in security contexts and its abstract value in intellectual and cultural discourse.

Literal Meaning: Physical ammunition used in weaponry, including bullets and explosives.
Metaphorical Meaning: A reserve of resources, knowledge, or arguments kept for a specific time of need.
Etymological Root: From the root 'dhak-kha-ra', meaning to store up or save for the future.

تحتاج القوات إلى المزيد من الـ ذخيرة لمواصلة المهمة.

Translation: The forces need more ammunition to continue the mission.

In daily conversation, while you might not discuss military hardware often, you will encounter this word in news broadcasts, historical documentaries, and literature. In a political debate, a moderator might mention that a candidate has 'ammunition' against their opponent, using the word to describe damaging information. This versatility makes it a high-frequency word in formal Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). It is also important to note the plural form, ذخائر (Dhakha'ir), which is often used when referring to large stockpiles or historical treasures kept in museums.

لدى الكاتب ذخيرة لغوية واسعة.

Translation: The writer has a vast linguistic repertoire (ammunition).

Historically, the word was used for anything stored, like grain or gold. In the modern era, its usage has narrowed primarily to military contexts but maintains its poetic and intellectual secondary meanings. When you hear it in a news report about a conflict, it is strictly technical. When you read it in a book about philosophy, it is purely metaphorical. This dual nature is a hallmark of classical Arabic roots adapting to modern technological and social shifts.

Using ذخيرة correctly requires attention to the context of the sentence. Because it functions as a collective noun in many instances, it often appears in the singular to represent 'ammunition' as a general concept. However, if you are referring to specific types or multiple caches, the plural ذخائر is preferred. In grammatical terms, it is a feminine noun, so any accompanying adjectives or verbs must reflect this gender. For example, 'heavy ammunition' is ذخيرة ثقيلة (dhakhira thaqila).

With Verbs of Supply: Commonly paired with 'provide' (زوّد), 'deplete' (نفد), or 'carry' (حمل).
In Metaphorical Phrases: Used as 'intellectual ammunition' (ذخيرة فكرية) or 'cultural heritage' (ذخائر ثقافية).

نفدت الـ ذخيرة من الجنود في وسط المعركة.

Translation: The soldiers ran out of ammunition in the middle of the battle.

One interesting way to use the word is in the context of 'saving' something for the afterlife in a religious sense. While less common in modern military speech, classical texts refer to good deeds as a person's dhakhira for the Day of Judgment. This highlights the 'reserve' aspect of the word. In modern legal or forensic contexts, you might see ذخيرة حية (dhakhira hayya), which means 'live ammunition,' as opposed to blanks.

تم العثور على ذخائر قديمة في الموقع الأثري.

Translation: Ancient treasures (or munitions) were found at the archaeological site.

When constructing sentences, pay attention to the preposition 'min' (from/of). To say 'a box of ammunition,' you say صندوق من الذخيرة. To describe a person 'armed with knowledge,' you might say متسلح بذخيرة من العلم. The flexibility of this word allows it to bridge the gap between the harsh reality of war and the elegance of high literature.

If you turn on an Arabic news channel like Al Jazeera or Al Arabiya, you are almost guaranteed to hear ذخيرة during any report involving regional conflicts or military exercises. News anchors use it to describe supply lines, international arms deals, and logistics. It is a staple of the 'News Arabic' register. Furthermore, in military movies or dubbed action films, characters will frequently shout about needing more ammunition or checking their reserves. In these high-intensity settings, the word is usually pronounced clearly and urgently.

News Media: Reporting on military stockpiles, depletion of resources, or international aid.
Literature & Poetry: Describing a person's inner strength or linguistic wealth.

أعلن المتحدث العسكري عن تدمير مستودع ذخيرة.

Translation: The military spokesperson announced the destruction of an ammunition depot.

In academic settings, particularly in the humanities, you will hear the plural ذخائر used to refer to 'literary treasures' or 'canonical works.' A professor might say, 'We are studying the treasures (ذخائر) of Arabic poetry.' This shifts the word from the realm of violence to the realm of cultural preservation. This distinction is crucial for advanced learners who want to sound sophisticated. Hearing the word in a museum context is also common, where descriptions of historical weaponry or royal treasuries use the term to denote items of great value that have been kept over centuries.

تعتبر هذه المخطوطات من ذخائر التراث العربي.

Translation: These manuscripts are considered among the treasures of Arabic heritage.

Finally, in sports or competitive gaming (E-sports), commentators might use the word when discussing a player's 'remaining moves' or 'items' in a game. Although 'ammunition' is the literal translation, the usage here leans towards 'resource management.' Whether in a gritty war documentary or a high-brow literary critique, ذخيرة is a word that signals preparation, power, and preservation.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using ذخيرة is confusing it with the word for 'gun' or 'weapon' itself. While ذخيرة is what goes inside the weapon, the weapon is سلاح (silah). Using them interchangeably can lead to confusion in technical descriptions. Another common mistake is mispronouncing the initial letter dhal (ذ) as a zay (ز) or dal (د). In many dialects, these sounds merge, but in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), the distinction is vital to preserve the meaning of the root.

Confusion with 'Silah': Remember: Silah is the tool; Dhakhira is the consumable supply.
Pluralization Errors: Using 'dhakhirat' (regular plural) instead of the correct broken plural 'dhakha'ir'.

خطأ: اشتريت ذخيرة جديدة (يقصد بندقية).

Translation: Error: I bought new ammunition (meaning a rifle).

Learners also struggle with the countability of the word. In English, 'ammunition' is often uncountable, but in Arabic, ذخيرة can be treated as a singular unit of supply. When you want to refer to a single bullet, you use the word رصاصة (rasasa), not 'one dhakhira.' Dhakhira is more akin to 'munitions' or 'stock.' Using dhakhira to mean a single round is a common beginner error that sounds unnatural to native speakers.

صح: أطلق الجندي رصاصة واحدة، لكن لديه الكثير من الـ ذخيرة.

Translation: Correct: The soldier fired one bullet, but he has a lot of ammunition.

Finally, beware of the 'false friend' trap. In some contexts, the root dh-kh-r might appear in verbs like iddakhara (to save money). While related, don't assume every word with these letters refers to bullets. Context is your best guide to whether the speaker is talking about a bank account or a battlefield.

Arabic is famous for its rich synonymy, and ذخيرة has several close relatives depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. If you are specifically talking about the hardware of war, عتاد ('atad) is a frequent alternative. However, عتاد usually includes the weapons themselves, the uniforms, and the vehicles—it is 'equipment' in the broadest sense. Dhakhira is specifically the expendable part of that equipment.

عتاد ('Atad): General military equipment, including weapons and gear.
رصاص (Rasas): Literally 'lead,' but used commonly to mean 'bullets.'
مؤونة (Ma'una): Provisions or supplies, usually referring to food and essentials.

الجيش مجهز بـ عتاد كامل و ذخيرة كافية.

Translation: The army is equipped with full gear and sufficient ammunition.

When talking about metaphorical 'supplies,' you might use رصيد (rasid), which means 'balance' or 'credit.' For instance, 'a balance of experience.' However, ذخيرة implies something more active—something you use to achieve a goal or defend a position. In the context of religious or spiritual 'savings,' the word ثواب (thawab) refers to the reward itself, whereas ذخيرة refers to the deeds kept in store.

نفد الرصاص من مسدسي.

Translation: My pistol ran out of bullets (Rasas).

Lastly, the word مخزن (makhzan) refers to the 'magazine' or 'storehouse' where the dhakhira is kept. In modern tech-speak, sometimes people use 'data' or 'resources' in ways that overlap with the metaphorical side of dhakhira, but the traditional Arabic word remains the most powerful way to describe a prepared reserve of any kind.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The same root gives us the word for 'saving money' (iddikhar). In the past, grain was a person's primary 'dhakhira' for winter.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ðæˈxiː.rə/

US /ðæˈxiː.rə/

Second syllable (khee).

Rhymes With

Khabira (expert) Safira (ambassador) Kabira (big) Jazira (island) Munira (bright) Bashira (bringer of news) Qasira (short) Wafira (abundant)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'dh' as 'z'.
Pronouncing 'kh' as 'k'.
Shortening the 'i' sound.
Confusing the 't' at the end with a hard 't' instead of a soft 'ah' (unless in idafa).
Misplacing the stress on the first syllable.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in news headlines once the root is known.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the 'dhal' and 'ta marbuta'.

Speaking 4/5

The 'dh' and 'kh' sounds are challenging for English speakers.

Listening 3/5

Clear in MSA, but can be slurred in dialects.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

سلاح حرب رصاص صندوق كثير

Learn Next

عتاد مؤونة خندق دفاع هجوم

Advanced

اندخار مذخر ترسانة قذيفة لوجستيات

Grammar to Know

Feminine Agreement

الذخيرةُ كبيرةٌ (The ammunition is big).

Idafa Construction

صندوقُ الذخيرةِ (The box of ammunition).

Broken Plural

هذه ذخائرُ ثمينةٌ (These are precious treasures).

Preposition 'Min'

قطعة من الذخيرة (A piece of ammunition).

Definite Article

الذخيرة (The ammunition).

Examples by Level

هذه ذخيرة.

This is ammunition.

Uses 'hadihi' because 'dhakhira' is feminine.

أين الذخيرة؟

Where is the ammunition?

Definite article 'al-' is added.

عندي ذخيرة.

I have ammunition.

Simple possession with 'indi'.

لا توجد ذخيرة.

There is no ammunition.

Negation with 'la tujad'.

الذخيرة في الصندوق.

The ammunition is in the box.

Preposition 'fi' used for location.

هذه ذخيرة جديدة.

This is new ammunition.

Adjective 'jadida' matches the feminine noun.

أريد ذخيرة.

I want ammunition.

Simple verb 'uridu'.

الذخيرة صغيرة.

The ammunition is small.

Predicate adjective 'saghiratun'.

الجندي يحمل ذخيرة كثيرة.

The soldier is carrying a lot of ammunition.

Verb 'yahmil' (carries) agrees with the soldier.

نحتاج إلى ذخيرة الآن.

We need ammunition now.

Verb 'nahtaj' followed by 'ila'.

هذه الذخيرة قديمة جداً.

This ammunition is very old.

Adverb 'jiddan' intensifies the adjective.

هل هذه ذخيرة حقيقية؟

Is this real ammunition?

Question particle 'hal' used.

الشرطة لديها ذخيرة.

The police have ammunition.

Possession with 'ladayha' for a feminine group/entity.

لا تلمس الذخيرة.

Do not touch the ammunition.

Prohibitive 'la' with jussive verb.

الذخيرة غالية الثمن.

Ammunition is expensive.

Compound adjective 'ghaliyat al-thaman'.

اشتريت ذخيرة للصيد.

I bought ammunition for hunting.

Past tense verb 'ishtaraytu'.

نفدت الذخيرة خلال المعركة الطويلة.

The ammunition ran out during the long battle.

Verb 'nafada' means to be depleted.

يجب تخزين الذخيرة في مكان بارد.

Ammunition must be stored in a cool place.

Passive-like construction with 'yajib'.

لدى الكاتب ذخيرة لغوية مبهرة.

The writer has an impressive linguistic repertoire.

Metaphorical use of 'dhakhira'.

تم العثور على مخبأ للذخيرة.

An ammunition cache was found.

Passive 'tumma al-uthur' (was found).

هذه الذخائر تعود للعصر العثماني.

These treasures/munitions date back to the Ottoman era.

Plural 'dhakha'ir' used here.

تستخدم هذه الطائرة ذخيرة موجهة.

This aircraft uses guided ammunition.

Adjective 'muwajjaha' (guided).

الذخيرة الحية ممنوعة في هذا التدريب.

Live ammunition is forbidden in this training.

Specific term 'dhakhira hayya'.

سأوفر هذه المعلومات كذخيرة للمستقبل.

I will save this information as ammunition for the future.

Metaphorical use with 'ka-' (as).

استخدم المحامي كل ذخيرة أدلته لإقناع القاضي.

The lawyer used all his ammunition of evidence to convince the judge.

Genitive construction 'dhakhira adillatihi'.

تعاني القوات من نقص حاد في الذخائر.

The forces are suffering from a severe shortage of munitions.

Plural 'dhakha'ir' for general supplies.

يتم فحص الذخيرة قبل توزيعها على الوحدات.

The ammunition is inspected before being distributed to units.

Passive verb 'yutamma fahs'.

تعتبر هذه القصائد ذخيرة للأجيال القادمة.

These poems are considered a treasure for future generations.

Poetic use signifying cultural wealth.

انفجر مستودع الذخيرة بسبب الإهمال.

The ammunition depot exploded due to negligence.

Compound noun 'mustawda' al-dhakhira'.

يحظر القانون الدولي استخدام أنواع معينة من الذخائر.

International law prohibits the use of certain types of munitions.

Formal legal context.

لا تستهلك ذخيرة صبرك في أمور تافهة.

Do not consume the ammunition of your patience on trivial matters.

Abstract metaphorical usage.

تم تزويد السفينة بالوقود والذخيرة.

The ship was supplied with fuel and ammunition.

Pairing with 'wa-al-dhakhira'.

يعد هذا المخطوط من أنفس ذخائر المكتبة الوطنية.

This manuscript is among the most precious treasures of the National Library.

Superlative 'anfas' with plural 'dhakha'ir'.

استنفد السياسي كل ذخيرة حججه في المناظرة.

The politician exhausted all his ammunition of arguments in the debate.

Verb 'istanfada' (exhausted).

تتطلب هذه العملية ذخيرة دقيقة التصويب.

This operation requires precision-aimed ammunition.

Complex adjectival phrase.

تعتبر الثقافة الذخيرة الحقيقية للشعوب في وقت الأزمات.

Culture is considered the true reserve of nations in times of crisis.

Sociological metaphorical use.

يجب علينا استرجاع ذخائرنا الثقافية المنهوبة.

We must recover our looted cultural treasures.

Possessive suffix '-na' (our).

الذخيرة الفكرية هي ما يميز الفيلسوف عن غيره.

Intellectual ammunition is what distinguishes a philosopher from others.

Abstract concept definition.

تم تطوير نوع جديد من الذخيرة الصديقة للبيئة.

A new type of eco-friendly ammunition has been developed.

Modern technical context.

إن ذخيرة الإيمان تعين المؤمن على نوائب الدهر.

The reserve of faith helps the believer through the calamities of time.

Spiritual/Classical register.

تجلت عبقرية القائد في كيفية إدارة ذخائره المحدودة.

The leader's genius was evident in how he managed his limited resources.

Nuanced use of 'dhakha'ir' for strategic resources.

ينطوي الكتاب على ذخائر من الحكمة العميقة.

The book contains treasures of deep wisdom.

Elevated literary style.

أضحت الذخيرة السيبرانية جزءاً لا يتجزأ من حروب العصر.

Cyber ammunition has become an integral part of modern warfare.

Neologism 'dhakhira saybiraniya'.

لا بد من صيانة هذه الذخائر اللغوية من الاندثار.

These linguistic treasures must be preserved from extinction.

Passive-obligation structure.

إن ما ندخره من عمل صالح هو خير ذخيرة لنا.

What we save of good deeds is the best reserve for us.

Wordplay between verb 'nadkharu' and noun 'dhakhira'.

تتنوع الذخائر باختلاف المهام الموكلة للوحدات القتالية.

Munitions vary according to the tasks assigned to combat units.

Formal military-technical analysis.

أفرغ المحاضر ما في جعبته من ذخيرة معرفية.

The lecturer emptied the knowledge reserve he had in his quiver.

Idiomatic pairing with 'ju'ba' (quiver).

تعتبر هذه المخطوطات الذخيرة الحية لتاريخنا.

These manuscripts are the living ammunition (evidence) of our history.

Metaphorical blend of 'live ammunition' and 'history'.

Common Collocations

ذخيرة حية

مستودع ذخيرة

نقص في الذخيرة

ذخيرة لغوية

صندوق ذخيرة

تزويد بالذخيرة

ذخيرة خلبية

ذخائر التراث

إطلاق الذخيرة

جمع الذخيرة

Common Phrases

نفدت الذخيرة

— To run out of ammunition.

للأسف، نفدت الذخيرة.

بكامل عتاده وذخيرته

— With full gear and ammunition.

جاء الجندي بكامل عتاده وذخيرته.

ذخيرة فكرية

— Intellectual ammunition/resources.

القراءة هي ذخيرتك الفكرية.

مخزن الذخيرة

— Ammunition magazine or store.

المخزن ممتلئ بالذخيرة.

خطوط إمداد الذخيرة

— Ammunition supply lines.

قطعنا خطوط إمداد الذخيرة.

ذخيرة مدفونة

— Buried ammunition/treasure.

وجدوا ذخيرة مدفونة من الحرب.

خير ذخيرة

— The best thing saved/reserve.

العلم هو خير ذخيرة.

ذخيرة حربية

— War munitions.

تم شحن الذخيرة الحربية.

ذخيرة نادرة

— Rare ammunition or treasures.

هذه ذخيرة نادرة جداً.

بدون ذخيرة

— Without ammunition.

بقينا بدون ذخيرة.

Often Confused With

ذخيرة vs ذخيرة vs سلاح

Weapon vs Ammunition. You fire the weapon using the ammunition.

ذخيرة vs ذخيرة vs رصاص

Ammunition (general/formal) vs Bullets (specific/common).

ذخيرة vs ذخيرة vs مؤونة

Military supplies vs Food supplies.

Idioms & Expressions

"أفرغ ما في جعبته"

— To use up all one's arguments or resources.

أفرغ المحامي ما في جعبته من ذخيرة.

Formal

"ذخيرة للمستقبل"

— Something saved for a rainy day.

هذا المال ذخيرة للمستقبل.

Neutral

"لا يملك ذخيرة"

— To be defenseless or without arguments.

هو لا يملك ذخيرة للرد.

Metaphorical

"ذخائر الأرض"

— Natural resources or hidden treasures.

النفط من ذخائر الأرض.

Poetic

"سلاح بلا ذخيرة"

— Useless power or empty threats.

تهديده سلاح بلا ذخيرة.

Informal

"ادخر جهده"

— To save one's effort (related root).

ادخر جهده للنهاية.

General

"ذخيرة لا تنضب"

— An inexhaustible supply.

علمه ذخيرة لا تنضب.

Academic

"بين فكي الذخيرة"

— In the line of fire (rare).

وقع بين فكي الذخيرة.

Literary

"ذخيرة الإيمان"

— The strength derived from faith.

تمسك بذخيرة الإيمان.

Religious

"صندوق الذخائر"

— A collection of valuable items.

المتحف هو صندوق الذخائر.

Cultural

Easily Confused

ذخيرة vs ذرة

Similar looking.

Dharra means 'atom' or 'corn'. It has a 'Ra' instead of 'Kha'.

هذه ذرة.

ذخيرة vs دائرة

Similar sound to some learners.

Da'ira means 'circle'. It starts with 'Dal' and has no 'Kh'.

رسمت دائرة.

ذخيرة vs ذاكرة

Very close spelling.

Dhakira means 'memory'. It has an 'Alif' after the 'Dhal'.

ذاكرتي قوية.

ذخيرة vs ذخيرة vs ذكيرة

Spelling of 'Kh' vs 'K'.

Dhakira (with K) is not a common word, but easy to mistype.

N/A

ذخيرة vs زخيرة

Dialect pronunciation.

Starting with 'Z' is incorrect in MSA.

N/A

Sentence Patterns

هذه [noun].

هذه ذخيرة.

[noun] [adjective].

ذخيرة كثيرة.

نفدت [noun] من [person].

نفدت الذخيرة من الجندي.

تم [verb] الـ [noun].

تم تدمير الذخيرة.

يعتبر الـ [noun] من أهم [plural].

يعتبر الكتاب من أهم الذخائر.

لدى [person] [noun] من الـ [abstract].

لدى الطالب ذخيرة من العلم.

ما [verb] هو خير [noun].

ما تعلمته هو خير ذخيرة.

تتجلى الـ [noun] في [context].

تتجلى الذخائر في المتحف.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High in news and literature.

Common Mistakes

Using 'Hadha' instead of 'Hadihi'. → هذه ذخيرة.
The word is feminine.
Saying 'Dhakhira' for a single bullet. → رصاصة.
Dhakhira is the supply, Rasasa is the unit.
Pronouncing it 'Zakira'. → Dhakhira.
Zakira means 'memory', a different word.
Using 'Dhakhira' for food in a common way. → مؤونة.
While linguistically possible, 'Ma'una' is the standard for food.
Forgetting the broken plural. → ذخائر.
Regular feminine plural 'Dhakhirat' is rarely used.

Tips

The Dhal Sound

Ensure your tongue is between your teeth for 'Dh'. If you say 'Z', it might sound like another word.

Metaphor Power

Use 'Dhakhira' when writing essays to describe your sources or knowledge to sound more academic.

Adjective Matching

Always make adjectives feminine. Say 'Dhakhira thaqila' not 'thaqil'.

News Watching

Watch 10 minutes of Arabic news; you will likely hear this word if there is a conflict report.

The Dot on Kh

Don't forget the dot on the 'Kha'. Without it, it becomes 'H' which changes the word.

Storage Root

Associate 'Dh-Kh-R' with 'The Store'. This root always implies keeping something for later.

Plural Recognition

When you see 'Dhakha'ir', think of a chest full of gold or a room full of bullets.

Idafa Sound

In the phrase 'Dhakhirat al-jaysh', notice how the 'Ta Marbuta' sounds like a 'T'.

Treasure Context

In a museum, 'Dhakha'ir' means 'precious artifacts'. Don't be alarmed; there are no bullets!

Hunting vs War

For hunting, people often say 'Rasas'. For war and news, they say 'Dhakhira'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'The-Key-Ra'. Ammunition is 'The Key' to winning a 'Ra'ce (battle).

Visual Association

Imagine a soldier tucking (dhakhara) bullets into a secret pocket for later.

Word Web

Ammunition Supply Treasure Bullets Reserve Storage Stockpile Resource

Challenge

Try to use 'Dhakhira' to describe your favorite book collection or your vocabulary bank.

Word Origin

From the Arabic root 'dh-kh-r' (ذ-خ-ر), which historically relates to the act of setting aside or hoarding something valuable for a time of need.

Original meaning: Something stored up or hidden away for future use.

Semitic / Afro-Asiatic.

Cultural Context

Be mindful of using the word in sensitive political or conflict-related discussions, as it is a heavy military term.

English speakers often only think of 'ammunition' as bullets, but in Arabic, the word carries a more positive 'treasure' connotation in literary contexts.

Dhakha'ir al-Mawruth (Inherited Treasures - book series) Military news reports from regional conflicts Classical poetry by Al-Mutanabbi

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Military News

مستودع ذخيرة
نقص في الذخيرة
ذخيرة حية
إمدادات

Academic Writing

ذخيرة لغوية
ذخائر التراث
رصيد معرفي
مرجع

Hunting

علبة ذخيرة
رصاص صيد
بندقية
متجر

Political Debate

ذخيرة من الحجج
أدلة قوية
رد مفحم
موقف

History

ذخائر قديمة
سيوف
دروع
متحف

Conversation Starters

"هل تعتقد أن الذخيرة اللغوية أهم من القواعد؟"

"ماذا تفعل القوات إذا نفدت ذخيرتها؟"

"هل سبق لك أن رأيت ذخيرة حقيقية؟"

"كيف نجمع ذخيرة من العلم للمستقبل؟"

"هل تحب قراءة ذخائر الأدب العربي القديم؟"

Journal Prompts

اكتب عن موقف شعرت فيه أنك لا تملك 'ذخيرة' من الكلمات للرد.

تخيل أنك في رحلة صيد ونفدت منك الذخيرة، ماذا ستفعل؟

ما هي 'الذخائر' الثقافية التي تفتخر بها في بلدك؟

كيف يمكن للإنسان أن يدخر أعمالاً صالحة لتكون ذخيرته؟

صف مستودعاً قديماً للذخيرة وجدته في الغابة.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it covers bullets, shells, rockets, and metaphorically, any stockpile of resources like knowledge or arguments.

Use 'Rasasa' (رصاصة). 'Dhakhira' is more of a collective noun for the supply.

It is feminine because it ends in Ta Marbuta (ة).

The plural is 'Dhakha'ir' (ذخائر).

While the root is the same as 'savings' (iddikhar), 'Dhakhira' is rarely used for money today, except in poetic 'treasure' contexts.

Dhakhira hayya (ذخيرة حية).

Dhakhira khalbiyya (ذخيرة خلبية).

The root is used, but the specific word 'Dhakhira' in a military sense is more common in later Arabic.

Yes, exactly like the German 'ch' or Scottish 'loch'.

Because books are seen as 'stored treasures' of knowledge for the future.