Written by:
Mar 12, 2024

10 Words You Need to Know to Celebrate Ramadan

Ramadan is a special time for millions of Muslims around the world. It's a time of prayer, fasting, and community that encourages self-discipline, empathy for others, and spiritual reflection. Whether you're Muslim or simply interested in learning about new cultures, understanding the vocabulary related to Ramadan can help you appreciate this meaningful holiday even more. With Language Drops, you can learn key words and phrases related to Ramadan in a fun and engaging way. From more basic terms like "sunrise" and "mosque" to phrases like "I pray”, expanding your vocabulary can help you connect with the experiences of those who celebrate Ramadan.

If you’re ready to explore some key vocabulary related to this special holiday, let’s start learning the meaning of some of the key terms.

Building Your Ramadan Vocabulary with Language Drops - Enrich your understanding of the holiday with these 5 words:

  1. Sunrise (شروق shurūq) - During Ramadan, Muslims wake up early in the morning before the sunrise to eat a meal called “سحور suḥūr”. This meal is taken to sustain energy throughout the day while fasting. The beginning of fasting is signaled by the first light of dawn, which is called "فجر‎ fajr" in Arabic.

  1. Sunset (غروب ghurūb)- The time when the sun disappears below the horizon in the evening. In Muslim countries, the call to prayer is often made at sunset, signaling the end of the fast during Ramadan and the start of the evening prayer.

  1. I pray (أنا أصلّي anā uṣallī)- Prayer is the act of communicating with God through various forms of worship and supplication and a central aspect of Islam. The phrase "أنا أصلّي anā uṣallī" is a commonly used one by Muslims during Ramadan. It refers to the act of performing the five daily prayers, known as "Salah", which is a fundamental part of Islam.

  1. Mosque (مسجد masjid) - A place of worship for Muslims, where they gather for prayer, community events, and religious education. The mosque is the place of worship for Muslims. During Ramadan, mosques are particularly busy with extra prayers, but Muslims gather in the mosque for community events, religious education and to recite the Quran.

  1. Crescent Moon (الهلال al-hilāl) - The waning crescent is the last phase of the lunar cycle before the new moon, which signals the start of a new month in the Islamic calendar and therefore a symbol of Ramadan. Muslims look for the waning crescent to determine the beginning of Ramadan and the end of Ramadan, known as Eid al-Fitr.

Beyond Language Drops - 5 more essential phrases that can help you expand your Ramadan vocabulary:

  1. Ramadan Kareem ( رمضان كريم Ramaḍān karīm) - It’s a commonly used greeting by Muslims during the month of Ramadan. It translates to "Have a Generous Ramadan" and is a way of expressing goodwill towards others during this special time of the year. The greeting reflects the spirit of kindness and is also and encouragement to be kind to each other.

  1. Ramadan Mubarak ( رمضان مبارك Ramaḍān mubārak) - It’s another greeting that can be translated as “Blessed Ramadan”, as is often used to invoke blessings upon ones’ spiritual journey. It also reflects the idea that Ramadan is a time of spiritual renewal and an opportunity for Muslims to strengthen their faith.

  1. Suhoor (سحور suḥūr) - As mentioned earlier, Suhoor (also called Sahūr, Suhūr, Sahari, Sahrī, or Sehri) is the pre-dawn meal that Muslims eat before starting their fast during Ramadan. It is typically eaten before sunrise and includes foods that provide sustained energy throughout the day.

  1. Iftar (إفطار ifṭār) - Iftar is the evening meal that Muslims have after breaking their fast at sunset during Ramadan, and as such, an important part of the daily routine during the month of Ramadan. It’s a joyous occasion where Muslims gather to share food, stories, and blessings with family and community, and it’s also an opportunity to appreciate the blessings of Allah and practice gratitude.

  1. Eid al-Fitr (عيد الفطر‎ ʻĪd al-Fiṭr) - Eid al-Fitr is the festival that marks the end of Ramadan. It is a time of joy and celebration, and Muslims gather with family and friends to exchange gifts and enjoy delicious traditional foods. This festival is also an opportunity to give to charity and help the ones in need.

We hope this introduction to key phrases around Ramadan has given you an enjoyable insight into this holy celebration and the traditions associated with it. We encourage you to use your newfound skills to connect with and support others in your community and beyond.

Remember, with Language Drops you not only can expand your vocabulary and improve your language skills in a fun and interactive way, but our language courses in Arabic and other 48 languages can help you deepen your understanding of other cultures and communities as well. So don't hesitate to give Language Drops a try and discover all that we have to offer.

Zita Palik is a Hungary based Language Content Coordinator and a 80's music maniac.

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