هل أنت مثلي؟
hal anta mithlī?
The English phrase "are you gay?" is translated into Arabic as هل أنت مثلي؟ (hal anta mithlī?).
This phrase is used to ask a man if he is romantically or sexually attracted to other men.
Which one should you use?
The phrase أَنْتَ شَاذّ؟ is used in an informal way.
How do you pronounce it?
hal anta mithlī?
Did you know?
- The term شاذ is not just a social slur but is also used in Arabic grammar to describe a 'shadh' word, which is an irregular form that deviates from the standard rules.
- In some Arabic speaking regions, the phrase is often replaced by the word مخنث (mukhannath), which historically referred to men who adopted feminine mannerisms regardless of their sexual orientation.
- The word مثلي (mithlī) literally translates to 'my like' or 'similar to me', deriving from the root meaning 'same' or 'alike'.
Examples in context
- هل أنت مثلي؟hal anta mithliyy?Are you gay?
- سألني صديقي، هل أنت مثلي؟sa'alani sadiqi, hal anta mithliyy?My friend asked me, are you gay?
- أريد أن أعرف، هل أنت مثلي؟uridu an a'rif, hal anta mithliyy?I want to know, are you gay?
Example conversation
Layla is asking Yusef about his personal life.
- يوسف Youssefيوسف، هل أنت مثلي؟Yusef, hal anta mithli?Yusef, are you gay?
- ليلى Laylaنعم، أنا مثلي.Na'am, ana mithli.Yes, I am gay.
- يوسف Youssefشكراً لأنك أخبرتني.Shukran li'annaka akhbartani.Thank you for telling me.
- ليلى Laylaلا شكر على واجب، ليلى.La shukra 'ala wajib, Layla.You are welcome, Layla.
