سيئات
sayyi'at
The English phrase "bad deeds" is translated to Arabic as سيئات (sayyi'at).
سيئات is most commonly used in a theological or moral context to describe sins or actions that diminish one's spiritual standing.
What does it mean word for word?
The word سيئات is the broken plural of a noun meaning a bad deed or a sin.
Which one should you use?
In a religious context, سيئات is the direct antonym of حسنات, which means "good deeds" or "virtues".
How do you pronounce it?
sayyi'at
Did you know?
- The root of سيئات is shared with words describing physical ugliness or things that are 'unsightly'. This suggests that in the Arabic linguistic mindset, a 'bad deed' is not just morally wrong, but is conceptually viewed as something aesthetically or spiritually 'ugly'.
- In Arabic culture, the conceptual pair of حسنات and سيئات is often visualized as a literal balance scale used by God to weigh a person's soul on Judgment Day.
- While an English speaker might use 'bad deeds' to describe a mundane crime or a social faux pas, using سيئات in casual conversation can sound unexpectedly heavy or archaic. It carries a weight of spiritual gravity that makes it feel out of place in daily non-religious chatter.
Examples in context
- يجب أن ندين كل فعل سيء في المجتمع.We should condemn any bad deed in society.
- لا يجوز القيام بأي عمل شرير تجاه الآخرين.It is not permissible to engage in any bad deed towards others.
- يجب أن نحافظ على الأخلاق ونتجنب القيام بأي عمل فاحش.We should uphold morals and refrain from engaging in any immoral act.
- إذا قام بالغش في الامتحان، فهذا عمل رديء.If he cheats in the exam, it's a bad deed.
- لا ينبغي التسامح مع الأفعال السيئة.Bad deeds should not be tolerated.
Example conversation
Nour and Ahmed are talking about self-improvement.
- نور Nourأريد أن أبدأ صفحة جديدة في حياتي.Uridu an abda' safhatan jadidatan fi hayati.I want to start a new page in my life.
- أحمد Ahmedهذا قرار جيد يا نور، كيف ستفعلين ذلك؟Hadha qararun jayyid ya Nour, kayfa sataf'alina dhalik?That is a good decision, Nour. How will you do that?
- نور Nourسأحاول تكفير سيئات الماضي بالعمل الصالح.Sa-uhawilu takfira sayyi'at al-madi bil-'amal al-salih.I will try to make up for the bad deeds of the past with good work.
- أحمد Ahmedبالتوفيق يا نور، الله يتقبل منك.Bil-tawfiq ya Nour, Allahu yataqabbalu minki.Good luck, Nour. May God accept it from you.
