مُتَكَبِّر
mutakabbir
The English word 'arrogant' can be translated into Arabic as مُتَكَبِّر (mutakabbir). If unsure, use مُتَكَبِّر. Wiktionary also lists مَغْرُور (maḡrūr).
Meaning: having excessive pride (adj)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| مُتَكَبِّر | mutakabbir |
| مَغْرُور | maḡrūr |
The term is used to describe someone who is having excessive pride.
What does it mean word for word?
The word مُتَكَبِّر is an active participle derived from the root k-b-r (to be big/great), literally meaning 'one who seeks to be great' or 'one who acts as if great'.
Which one should you use?
While both terms describe pride, مُتَكَبِّر often implies a sense of superiority or looking down on others. In contrast, مَغْرُور implies being conceited, full of oneself or being deluded by one's own perceived importance.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine plural form is مُتَكَبِّرُونَ.
How do you pronounce it?
mutakabbir
Did you know?
- In a religious context, المُتَكَبِّر is one of the ninety-nine names of God in Islam, representing His absolute greatness. However, when applied to a human, it becomes a heavy insult.
- The root k-b-r in مُتَكَبِّر also gives us the word أكبر (Akbar), which means 'greatest'. This is the word used in the famous phrase 'Allahu Akbar'.
- The word مَغْرُور comes from the root 'g-r-r', which is related to the concept of a 'decoy' or something that 'misleads' the senses. To be مَغْرُور is to be literally deluded or tricked by one's own ego.
Examples in context
- لا يحبون التعاون فهم متكبرونThey don't like to cooperate, they are arrogant.
- فلتتعامل معه بحذر، فهو شخص مغرورHandle him with caution, as he is an arrogant person.
- هُوَ شَخْصٌ مُتَكَبِّرٌ جِدًّا.huwa shakhsun mutakabbirun jiddan.He is a very arrogant person.
- لَا تَكُنْ مُتَكَبِّرًا مَعَ النَّاسِ.lā takun mutakabbiran ma'a an-nās.Do not be arrogant with people.
- هَذَا الْمُدِيرُ مُتَكَبِّرٌ.hādhā al-mudīru mutakabbir.This manager is arrogant.
Example conversation
Layla and Omar are discussing a new coworker at the office.
- ليلى Laylaهَلْ رَأَيْتَ الْمُوَظَّفَ الْجَدِيدَ؟hal ra'ayta al-muwadh-dhafa al-jadīd?Did you see the new employee?
- عمر Omarنَعَمْ، هُوَ مُتَكَبِّرٌ لِلْغَايَةِ.na'am, huwa mutakabbirun lil-ghāyah.Yes, he is extremely arrogant.
- ليلى Laylaلَقَدْ كَانَ مُتَكَبِّرًا مَعِي أَيْضًا.laqad kāna mutakabbiran ma'ī ay-dan.He was arrogant with me too.
- عمر Omarيَجِبُ أَنْ نَتَجَنَّبَهُ.yajibu an natajannabahu.We should avoid him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “arrogant” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
