The Arabic term al shay'e translates as 'the thing' in English.
The Arabic term al shay'e translates as 'the thing' in English.
The Arabic term al shay'e translates as 'the thing' in English.
The Arabic term al shay'e translates as 'the thing' in English.

Weekend

'Al shay'e': Arabic term meaning 'the thing' has a fascinating history

The global influence of the word is part of contemporary popular culture

Maan Jalal
Maan Jalal

October 28, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Some Arabic words can have several meanings, depending on their context. Some are difficult to translate because they refer to something not clearly identified in other languages.

And some Arabic words are very straightforward with no hidden or multi-faceted meaning, like our Arabic word of the week, al shay'e, which means "the thing".

But what makes some words interesting isn’t their meaning but their history. In the case of al shay'e, it’s extraordinary to see how the word was used throughout history and how it has influenced the world.

Colloquially, al shay'e literally means the thing and is used to reference any topic or physical object. However, Arab mathematicians used al shay'e to mean “the thing that is unknown” in the context of mathematical formulas. Specifically, al shay'e was used to represent a number being used in an equation or defined within a formula or rule.

The Arab world's contribution to the world of mathematics is vast. This includes the concept of zero, which was originally introduced in Mesopotamia some time before 1600BC, or the work of the ninth-century mathematician and astronomer Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, who we have to thank for the word algorithm (which was derived from his name) and the theories within, and the word, algebra.

A lot of this knowledge and its accompanying texts, especially the one that pertains to mathematical knowledge, were brought to Spain in the 11th and 12th centuries with the intention to translate them into Spanish.

However, as many linguists will testify, language is a living thing, prone to changes, especially when translated.

The sound "sh" does not exist in Spanish and there was no character that could represent the sound or the word al shay'e. So translators and transcribers decided to use the "k" sound from classical Greek with its letter kai. As this knowledge spread through Europe and was translated into what was then the common European tongue, Latin, the Greek letter kai was replaced with the Latin X ― since the two looked fairly similar.

Given the accessibility of Latin at the time and its influence, all the mathematical material translated into Latin formed the basis of mathematical teaching and books until this day, which is why X is used to represent a value or variable that is yet unknown.

This has infiltrated the global lexicon, from phrases such as “X marks the spot” or having an “X factor” and "X-ray" or even in pop culture content such as The X Files or X-Men. And yet the reason we use X in maths to mean the unknown, is because al shay'e in Arabic means the thing or the thing that is unknown.

Scroll through the gallery below to see The National's other picks of Arabic word of the week

  • Hob is the Arabic word for love, but can be used in many contexts
    Hob is the Arabic word for love, but can be used in many contexts
  • The Arabic word helu translates, in English, to sweet
    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
    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 hurriyeh translates to freedom in English
  • The Arabic word tayeb can mean delicious or good, depending on the context
    The Arabic word tayeb can mean delicious or good, depending on the context
  • The Arabic word mustaqbal is best expressed as future in English
    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
    Waqaa, the Arabic word for fall, can signify a loss of power, stature, health or grace
  • Hudood means borders in English
    Hudood means borders in English
  • The Arabic word rooh translates to spirit or soul in English
    The Arabic word rooh translates to spirit or soul in English
  • The Arabic word ain means eye in English
    The Arabic word ain means eye in English
  • Waraq, the Arabic word of the week means paper in English
    Waraq, the Arabic word of the week means paper in English
  • Bahr, the Arabic for sea, has a poetic lilt
    Bahr, the Arabic for sea, has a poetic lilt
  • Kareem means generous in English
    Kareem means generous in English
  • Bab means door in English
    Bab means door in English
  • Eid means holiday or festival
    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
    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
    Alwan, the Arabic word for colours, has many shades of meaning
  • Akel can refer to home-cooked meals, embezzlement, fire and rust
    Akel can refer to home-cooked meals, embezzlement, fire and rust
  • Jamal is the Arabic word for beauty, be it literal or figurative
    Jamal is the Arabic word for beauty, be it literal or figurative
  • Herfe translates to profession or craft
    Herfe translates to profession or craft
  • Tabiaa translates to nature and can frame landscapes and portraits
    Tabiaa translates to nature and can frame landscapes and portraits
  • Sehha is the Arabic word for health
    Sehha is the Arabic word for health
  • Ijaza is Arabic for holiday and shines in summer but is not stress-free
    Ijaza is Arabic for holiday and shines in summer but is not stress-free
  • Aamal is the Arabic word for work
    Aamal is the Arabic word for work
  • Al dahr translates to time
    Al dahr translates to time
  • Qalb is a word for heart, with poetic roots
    Qalb is a word for heart, with poetic roots
  • Lugha in Arabic translates to language in English
    Lugha in Arabic translates to language in English
  • Insaan means human being
    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
    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
    The Arabic word for life touches on eternity, death and accomplishment
  • Qamar is the Arabic for moon
    Qamar is the Arabic for moon
  • The Arabic word for strength or power is quwwa
    The Arabic word for strength or power is quwwa
  • Burj is Arabic for tower
    Burj is Arabic for tower
  • The Arabic word for sun is shams
    The Arabic word for sun is shams
  • Sabr in English can translate to patience
    Sabr in English can translate to patience
  • Hayba is the Arabic word for prestige
    Hayba is the Arabic word for prestige
  • The Arabic term al shay'e translates as 'the thing' in English
    The Arabic term al shay'e translates as 'the thing' in English
  • The Arabic word for road is tareeq
    The Arabic word for road is tareeq
  • The Arabic word for read has mystical and scholarly connotations
    The Arabic word for read has mystical and scholarly connotations
  • Istikan is the Arabic word for a type of tea cup
    Istikan is the Arabic word for a type of tea cup
  • The Arabic word hanan means affection in English
    The Arabic word hanan means affection in English
  • The Arabic word atlal means ruins in English
    The Arabic word atlal means ruins in English
  • Kura is the Arabic word for ball, in all its forms
    Kura is the Arabic word for ball, in all its forms
  • Janaah in Arabic means wing in English
    Janaah in Arabic means wing in English
  • The Arabic word sana translates to year in English
    The Arabic word sana translates to year in English
  • Qasida is the Arabic for poem, not poetry
    Qasida is the Arabic for poem, not poetry
  • Ameer, the Arabic word for prince, which influenced another English title
    Ameer, the Arabic word for prince, which influenced another English title
  • Nakhla translates to palm tree in English
    Nakhla translates to palm tree in English
  • Al samt is the Arabic for silence
    Al samt is the Arabic for silence
  • Kalimaat translates to words in English
    Kalimaat translates to words in English
  • Markaz is Arabic for centre
    Markaz is Arabic for centre
  • Beshara is the Arabic word for good news
    Beshara is the Arabic word for good news
  • Bayt is the Arabic for house or home
    Bayt is the Arabic for house or home
  • Fann is the Arabic word for art, and can be either a verb or an adjective
    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
    Isim, which means name, is made up of three letters, alif, seen and meem
  • Dunya is the Arabic word for world
    Dunya is the Arabic word for world
  • Nazaafah translates to cleanliness in English
    Nazaafah translates to cleanliness in English
  • Many traditions revolve around drinking coffee, including weddings, funerals and business meetings
    Many traditions revolve around drinking coffee, including weddings, funerals and business meetings
  • Fajr is the Arabic word for dawn
    Fajr is the Arabic word for dawn
  • Maghrib is the Arabic word for sunset
    Maghrib is the Arabic word for sunset
  • The Arabic language is filled with idioms, quotes and colloquial quips involving the mirror
    The Arabic language is filled with idioms, quotes and colloquial quips involving the mirror
  • Raei is the Arabic word for opinion
    Raei is the Arabic word for opinion
  • Wa'ed is a multifaceted word for 'promise', as well as a female name
    Wa'ed is a multifaceted word for 'promise', as well as a female name
  • Qussa is the Arabic word for story
    Qussa is the Arabic word for story
  • Sadaaka is the Arabic word for friendship
    Sadaaka is the Arabic word for friendship
  • Akhbaar is the Arabic word for news
    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.
    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
    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
    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
    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
    Siyaam, the Arabic word for fasting is also connected to silence
  • Tawbah, the Arabic word for repentance, is also connected to Ramadan
    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
    Safar, the Arabic Word for travel can also refer to sunny days, a brighter-blazing fire or exile. The National

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

Director: Scott Cooper

Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong

Rating: 4/5

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

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Company name: baraka
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Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
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Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
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Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.

Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."

Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.

In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love". 

There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.

While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."

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Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg

Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).

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Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm

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Belgian authorities joined French police in banning the threatened blockade. A similar lorry cavalcade was planned for Friday in Vienna but cancelled after authorities prohibited it.

the pledge

I pledge to uphold the duty of tolerance

I pledge to take a first stand against hate and injustice

I pledge to respect and accept people whose abilities, beliefs and culture are different from my own

I pledge to wish for others what I wish for myself

I pledge to live in harmony with my community

I pledge to always be open to dialogue and forgiveness

I pledge to do my part to create peace for all

I pledge to exercise benevolence and choose kindness in all my dealings with my community

I pledge to always stand up for these values: Zayed's values for tolerance and human fraternity

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Keep it fun and engaging

Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.

“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.

His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.

He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.

The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Transmission: ten-speed

Power: 420bhp

Torque: 624Nm

Price: Dh325,125

On sale: Now

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Updated: October 29, 2022, 9:02 AM
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