Calling the Locksmith
When the doorknob (مقبض) breaks, you will likely need a locksmith (قفال).
To express "to seek help from" someone, Arabic uses the verb استعان followed by the preposition ب.
| The doorknob broke, so we sought help from a locksmith. | انكسر مقبض الباب فاستعنا بقفال.inkasara miqbadu l-bâbi fasta'annâ biqaffâlin |
Diagnosing the Problem
When explaining the issue, you may need to identify specific parts of the door, such as the latch (مزلاج) or a hinge (مفصلة).
Common hardware problems include a mechanism being stuck (عالق) or rusty (صدئ). Remember that adjectives must agree with the noun they modify in gender (e.g., adding ة for feminine nouns to make صدئة). To fix these issues, the locksmith might need to apply grease (شحم) or clean off the rust (صدأ).
| I cannot open the door because the latch is stuck. | لا أستطيع فتح الباب لأن المزلاج عالق.lâ astatî'u fatha al-bâbi li'anna al-mizlâja 'âliq |
| This hinge is very rusty and needs grease. | هذه المفصلة صدئة جدا وتحتاج إلى شحم.hâdhihi almifsalatu sadi'atun jiddan wa-tahtâju ilâ shahmin |
| This rusty key is stuck. | هذا المفتاح الصدئ عالق.hâdhâ al-miftâhu as-sadi'u 'âliq. |
Duplicating Keys
Once the lock is repaired, you might want to create a spare key. The verb for "to duplicate" or "to copy" is استنسخ. This verb belongs to a pattern frequently used for seeking out or producing something.
| The doorknob is new, but I want to duplicate the key. | المقبض جديد، ولكن أريد أن أستنسخ المفتاح.al-miqbadu jadeedun, walâkin ureedu an astansikha al-miftâha. |
| The girls who duplicated the key returned to the apartment. | الفتيات اللواتي استنسخن المفتاح رجعن إلى الشقة.al-fatayâtu allawâtî istansakhna al-miftâha rajana ilâ ash-shuqqati. |