The universe is a mystery.
Whether described as existing inside the mouth of the child Krishna in Hinduism, or as a backdrop for the great space epic Star Wars, a metaphor for the unpredictable nature of life in Douglas Adams’s novel The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy or a thing of infinite possibilities, bending time and space in Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar – the universe is many things at the same time.
This week’s Arabic Word of the Week is kawn, which, in the simplest terms, means the universe.
Specifically, from a scientific perspective, kawn refers to the stars, planets and the whole universe. Outside of this context it can also be used to reference other parallel universes. This is when the plural for kawn, akwan, can be used.
Kawn is a noun derived from the word kan, a verb made up of the three Arabic letters, kaf, alif, noon.
The word kan has a strong presence in the culture of storytelling in the Arab world. Most folk tales and stories in Arabic begin with the phrase, “Kan ya ma kan, fe qadeem al zaman,” which loosely translates to, “Once upon a time.”
While kan means something that has happened or something found, it also means a thing that once existed.
This makes sense as kawn can also refer to all things of existence. Another definition is the continuous existence of a living or non-living thing.
When used as a verb, kawn refers to something that came from or was created from nothing. Kawwana, which translates to created, and yukawwin, which translates to creating, are specifically used in this instance.
There are other words derived from kawn whose definitions follow a similar ethos to these ideas.
For example, from an Islamic perspective koun, which translates to be or exist, is an order in the Quran, highlighting God’s power and command over all things. In Islam, Al Kawn Al Aala, which translates to the higher creator, is one of many ways to refer to God.
Ka’ain can refer to any existing living or non-living creature – this can be a human, animal, bacteria or an object.
Takween refers to the physical process of anything being created while kawan means to make, create or design. From example, when someone creates a new idea, when someone designs the composition for a painting, or when someone makes or puts together a team for a sport.
Renowned Egyptian singer and composer Riad El Sunbati’s most classic song is entitled Ilah Al Kawn (Creator of the Universe), released in 1970. El Sunbati composed the music and wrote the lyrics in which he is seeking forgiveness and guidance from God.
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Hob is the Arabic word for love, but can be used in many contexts -
The Arabic word helu translates, in English, to sweet -
Nashef is the Arabic word for dry, but has many connotations, depending on the context in which you use it -
The Arabic word hurriyeh translates to freedom in English -
The Arabic word tayeb can mean delicious or good, depending on the context -
The Arabic word mustaqbal is best expressed as future in English -
Waqaa, the Arabic word for fall, can signify a loss of power, stature, health or grace -
Hudood means borders in English -
The Arabic word rooh translates to spirit or soul in English -
The Arabic word ain means eye in English -
Waraq, the Arabic word of the week means paper in English -
Bahr, the Arabic for sea, has a poetic lilt -
Kareem means generous in English -
Bab means door in English -
Eid means holiday or festival -
Najm means star for the night sky and cosmos, but also has plenty of other meanings, including ambition or fame -
Alwan, the Arabic word for colours, has many shades of meaning -
Akel can refer to home-cooked meals, embezzlement, fire and rust -
Jamal is the Arabic word for beauty, be it literal or figurative -
Herfe translates to profession or craft -
Tabiaa translates to nature and can frame landscapes and portraits -
Sehha is the Arabic word for health -
Ijaza is Arabic for holiday and shines in summer but is not stress-free -
Aamal is the Arabic word for work -
Al dahr translates to time -
Qalb is a word for heart, with poetic roots -
Lugha in Arabic translates to language in English -
Insaan means human being -
Na'eeman is an idiomatic expression used when someone has had a shower or bath, a haircut or had their beard trimmed -
The Arabic word for life touches on eternity, death and accomplishment -
Qamar is the Arabic for moon -
The Arabic word for strength or power is quwwa -
Burj is Arabic for tower -
The Arabic word for sun is shams -
Sabr in English can translate to patience -
Hayba is the Arabic word for prestige -
The Arabic term al shay'e translates as 'the thing' in English -
The Arabic word for road is tareeq -
The Arabic word for read has mystical and scholarly connotations -
Istikan is the Arabic word for a type of tea cup -
The Arabic word hanan means affection in English -
The Arabic word atlal means ruins in English -
Kura is the Arabic word for ball, in all its forms -
Janaah in Arabic means wing in English -
The Arabic word sana translates to year in English -
Qasida is the Arabic for poem, not poetry -
Ameer, the Arabic word for prince, which influenced another English title -
Nakhla translates to palm tree in English -
Al samt is the Arabic for silence -
Kalimaat translates to words in English -
Markaz is Arabic for centre -
Beshara is the Arabic word for good news -
Bayt is the Arabic for house or home -
Fann is the Arabic word for art, and can be either a verb or an adjective -
Isim, which means name, is made up of three letters, alif, seen and meem -
Dunya is the Arabic word for world -
Nazaafah translates to cleanliness in English -
Many traditions revolve around drinking coffee, including weddings, funerals and business meetings -
Fajr is the Arabic word for dawn -
Maghrib is the Arabic word for sunset -
The Arabic language is filled with idioms, quotes and colloquial quips involving the mirror -
Raei is the Arabic word for opinion -
Wa'ed is a multifaceted word for 'promise', as well as a female name -
Qussa is the Arabic word for story -
Sadaaka is the Arabic word for friendship -
Akhbaar is the Arabic word for news -
Rasem is made up of the three Arabic letters Rah, Seen and Meem. While it can simply mean a drawing or a sketch it’s also a malleable word whose definition can change depending on context and dialect – particularly between colloquial and classical Arabic. -
As well as finishing a task, khatem denotes a deeper sense of finality -
Commonly translated to blessed, mubarak is used as a popular greeting on auspicious days -
The Arabic word for lighthouse is also a term that has become closely associated with Islam -
Siyaam, the Arabic word for fasting is also connected to silence -
Tawbah, the Arabic word for repentance, is also connected to Ramadan -
Safar, the Arabic Word for travel can also refer to sunny days, a brighter-blazing fire or exile. The National
