فتاة سيئة
fatat sayyi'a
The English phrase "bad girl" is translated into Arabic as فتاة سيئة (fatat sayyi'a).
The phrase is used to describe a girl who behaves poorly or has a bad character.
Which one should you use?
While فتاة سيئة and بنت شريرة are both formal ways to express the concept of a bad girl, you may also use بنت مشاغبة to specifically mean a "mischievous girl" or بنت مشاكسة to mean a "naughty girl".
How do you pronounce it?
fatat sayyi'a
Did you know?
- While فتاة means 'girl', its root was traditionally used in classical poetry to describe bravery and chivalry.
- In many Arabic dialects, calling someone سيئة (sayyi'a) can imply a moral or religious failing rather than just being 'bad' in a general sense.
- To describe a girl with a 'bad reputation' without using 'bad girl', speakers often use the specific phrase سيئة السمعة.
Examples in context
- إنها فتاة سيئة للغاية.innaha fatat sayyi'a lilghaya.She is a very bad girl.
- لقد كانت فتاة سيئة في صغرها.laqad kanat fatat sayyi'a fi sighariha.She was a bad girl in her childhood.
Example conversation
Yousef and Nour are discussing a character in a novel.
- نور Nourهل تعتقد أن بطلة القصة فتاة سيئة؟hal ta'taqid anna batalat al-qissa fatat sayyi'a?Do you think the story's heroine is a bad girl?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، إنها فتاة سيئة جداً.na'am, innaha fatat sayyi'a jiddan.Yes, she is a very bad girl.
- نور Nourتصرفاتها كانت غريبة دائماً.tasarrufatiha kanat ghariba da'iman.Her actions were always strange.
- يوسف Youssefأنا أتفق معك يا نور.ana attafiq ma'aki ya Nour.I agree with you, Nour.
