بَالِغ
bāliḡmasculine
The English word 'adult' can be translated into Arabic as بَالِغ (bāliḡ). Wiktionary also lists رَاشِد (rāšid).
Meaning: fully grown human (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| بَالِغ | bāliḡ | masculine |
| رَاشِد | rāšid | masculine |
In Arabic, the term used for an adult depends on whether you are referring to physical maturity or legal and mental maturity. You can also use the phrase سن البلوغ to mean 'the age of adulthood.'
What does it mean word for word?
The word بَالِغ is a participle meaning 'one who reaches' (a certain stage or age).
Which one should you use?
بَالِغ is used to describe someone who has reached physical or biological maturity. In contrast, رَاشِد is used to describe someone who has reached the age of legal responsibility or mental maturity.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form is بَالِغ. To refer to an adult woman, use the feminine form بَالِغَة. For a group of adult men or a mixed group, use the masculine plural بَالِغُون.
How do you pronounce it?
bāliḡ
Did you know?
- The root of رَاشِد is also used to describe the 'Rightly Guided Caliphs' (الخلفاء الراشدون), linking the concept of adulthood to the highest form of political and spiritual leadership.
- The word رَاشِد is also a common male given name. When used as a name, it carries the connotation of being 'rightly guided' or 'mature'.
- In some Arabic legal contexts, the transition to being رَاشِد can be determined by a judge's assessment of a person's maturity, regardless of whether they have reached the official legal age.
Examples in context
- يحق للكبار التصويت في الانتخابات.Adults have the right to vote in the elections.
- أنا بدأت أشعر وكأنني شخص كبير بعد التخرج من الجامعة.I began to feel like an adult after graduating from university.
- واحد من الشباب قرر يسافر للعمل في دولة خليجية بعد التخرج.One of the young adults decided to travel for work in a Gulf country after graduation.
- هُوَ شَخْصٌ بَالِغٌ.Huwa shakhsun bāligh.He is an adult.
- الْكِتَابُ لِلْبَالِغِينَ فَقَطْ.Al-kitābu lil-bālighīna faqaṭ.The book is for adults only.
- هَلْ أَنْتَ بَالِغٌ؟Hal anta bāligh?Are you an adult?
Example conversation
Omar and Nour are discussing a ticket price at a museum.
- عمر Omarكم سعر تذكرة الـ بَالِغ؟Kam si'r tidhkrat al-baligh?How much is the adult ticket?
- نور Nourسعرها عشرون ريالاً يا عمر.Si'ruha 'ishrun riyalan ya Omar.It is twenty riyals, Omar.
- عمر Omarوهل هناك خصم للأطفال؟Wa hal hunaka khasm lil-atfal?And is there a discount for children?
- نور Nourنعم، التذكرة أرخص من تذكرة الـ بَالِغ.Na'am, al-tidhkara arkhas min tidhkrat al-baligh.Yes, the ticket is cheaper than the adult ticket.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “adult” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
