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العربية
أوَّلاً — meaning in English: First
awwalā · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.
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first of all
قَصَّرَ
أوَّلاً
awwalā
دَوْليّ
dawliy
اِختِصاص
بِشِدّة
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neutral
common
Usage
Native Arabic speakers commonly use أوَّلاً (awwālā) in both spoken and written contexts to indicate the first point or item in a series. For instance, in a business meeting, one might say, 'أوَّلاً، يجب أن نناقش الميزانية' (First, we need to discuss the budget) to structure their arguments clearly.
Synonyms & nuances
A synonym for أوَّلاً is 'الأول' (al-awwal), which means 'the first' but is used more as a descriptor rather than as a transitional phrase. You would choose أوَّلاً when you want to introduce the first point in a discussion, whereas الأوّل might be used to label something as the first item in a list.
Culture
The word أوَّلاً comes from the root word 'أول' (awwal), which historically signifies priority or precedence in Arabic culture. It reflects the significance of order and planning, often seen in traditional storytelling where events unfold in a structured manner, emphasizing the importance of beginnings.
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