POST 5: Noura, the Astronomer

How Do You Say “Astronomer” in Arabic?

Quick answer: The Arabic word for astronomer is فلكي (falakī) for a man and فلكية (falakiyya) for a woman, pronounced fa-la-KEE-ya. It comes from falak (فلك), the orbit or celestial sphere.

Meet Noura, the Astronomer from Northern Saudi Arabia

Noura watches the desert sky as one of the [Northern Shabby Little Fellas → Hub link].

How Do You Pronounce Falakiyya?

Say fa-la-KEE-ya, with the stress on the third syllable.

Where Does the Word Falakī Come From?

It comes from falak, the word for the orbit or celestial sphere that the stars move through. Astronomy is ʿilm al-falak (علم الفلك), “the science of the celestial sphere.” Many English star names come from Arabic, including Altair and Aldebaran.

How Do You Say “Noura Is an Astronomer” in Arabic?

نورة فلكية (Nūra falakiyya).

FAQ

• What is the Arabic word for star? نجم (najm), plural نجوم (nujūm).
• What’s the difference between an astronomer and an astrologer in Arabic? An astronomer is falakī. An astrologer is منجّم (munajjim), from najm (star).
• What is astronomy in Arabic? علم الفلك (ʿilm al-falak).

Take Noura home: [Keychain] Next: [Meet Talib the Archaeologist →]