'Waraq': Arabic word for paper can be orderly or duplicitous

Meaning paper or leaf, waraq is used in contexts that range from the natural world to finance, diplomacy and even card games

Waraq, the Arabic word of the week, means 'paper' in English.

Meaning paper or leaf, waraq, our Arabic word of the week, is used in contexts that range from the natural world to the commercial, from a typing centre to a tarneeb table.

Waraq naqdi is cash. Waraq carbon is carbon paper. Waraq damgha is a stamp, and waraq illiib is a playing card.

Hibr ala waraq is an idiom that literally translates to ink on paper, and which implies that even if a decision has been made on paper, it is only ink and means nothing until action is taken.

Awraq is waraq in its plural form. Awraq al kitab are the pages of a book. Awraq al shajar, the leaves on a tree. Awraq al daftar, pages of a notebook. Awraq al wared, petals of a rose.

Awraq can also mean documents. Awraq al masrifiye are bank documents. Awraq tijariya refer to trade papers or licences. Awraq itimad are credentials. Awraq al jarida are the pages of a newspaper.

Kashafa awraqahu/awraqahu can be said of a person who reveals his true intentions.

Aada tarteeb awraqahu/awraqaha can be said of a person who sets their financial or career plans in order.

Alwaraqa al akhira refers to a person’s last play in a card game and can be used as a wider metaphor for someone’s last stand.

Waraqat altalaa are divorce papers. Waraqa baidaa is an empty page, which can also be used to describe a pure-hearted, if somewhat naive, person.

As a verb, warraqa animates the word waraq. Warraqet alshajarah means a tree has grown leaves. Warraqet alajeeneh means the dough has been rendered into fine layers.