sura
LowFormal, Religious
Definition
Meaning
A chapter of the Quran.
A division of the Quran, of which there are 114, each with a distinct title and varying in length. In broader Islamic contexts, it may refer to a unit of sacred text.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is specific to Islamic scripture. It is not used metaphorically or in secular contexts. Each sura is composed of verses (ayahs).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Carries identical religious and academic connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, appearing primarily in religious, academic, or journalistic contexts discussing Islam.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The sura [verb: is titled, contains, discusses]...He recited [sura: the opening sura].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “-”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, and Middle Eastern studies to refer to chapters of the Quran.
Everyday
Rarely used outside of Muslim communities or general discussions about Islam.
Technical
Used in Islamic scholarship with precise referencing (e.g., Sura Al-Baqarah, 2:256).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- -
American English
- -
adverb
British English
- -
American English
- -
adjective
British English
- -
American English
- -
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The first sura in the Quran is very short.
- We read a sura in class today.
- Each sura has a unique Arabic name.
- Muslims often recite a sura during their prayers.
- The longest sura, Al-Baqarah, contains detailed laws and narratives.
- Scholars classify suras as either Meccan or Medinan based on their revelation period.
- The thematic coherence within a single sura is a major focus of modern Quranic exegesis.
- The rhetorical devices employed in the Meccan suras differ markedly from those in the Medinan ones.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SURe, A chapter of the Quran is called a sura.'
Conceptual Metaphor
CHAPTER IS A CONTAINER (for divine revelation).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'шура' (Shura, a diminutive name).
- The English term is a direct transliteration of Arabic 'سورة'; it is not translated as 'глава' in religious contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'surah' (common alternate transliteration, not a mistake per se).
- Using it as a general term for any religious text chapter (e.g., a sura of the Bible).
- Incorrect plural: 'suras' is standard, though 'suwar' is the Arabic plural.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'sura'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is specific to the Quran. For other books, use 'chapter'.
A sura is a chapter. An ayah (plural: ayat) is a verse within a sura.
It is pronounced /ˈsʊərə/ in British English and /ˈsʊrə/ in American English. The 'u' is like the 'u' in 'put'.
Yes, 'surah' is a common alternate transliteration from Arabic and is widely accepted, especially in more popular contexts.