جَمِيل
jamīl
The English word 'beautiful' is translated into Arabic as جَمِيل (jamīl). Wiktionary also lists مَلِيح (malīḥ).
Meaning: attractive (adj)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| جَمِيل | jamīl |
| مَلِيح | malīḥ |
Which one should you use?
While جَمِيل is the standard and most common word for 'beautiful' in Modern Standard Arabic, مَلِيح is often used in more classical or specific dialectal contexts to mean 'handsome' or 'good-looking'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, you will commonly hear Gamil (written as جميل). In Moroccan Arabic, the word زوين is typically used for 'beautiful' and in Gulf Arabic, حلوة is often used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes based on gender and number. The feminine singular form is جَمِيلَة, the masculine plural form is جَمِيلُونَ and the feminine plural form is جَمِيلَات.
How do you pronounce it?
jamīl
Did you know?
- The word مَلِيح shares a root with the word for 'salt', مِلْح. In ancient contexts, being 'salted' implied a refined or pleasing quality.
- A common response to a compliment using جَمِيل is to credit God, using a phrase like مَاشَاءَ الله to ward off the 'evil eye'.
- In many Arab cultures, calling a child 'beautiful' often involves using terms of endearment that imply they are 'a piece of the heart', rather than just using an adjective like جَمِيل.
Examples in context
- هَذَا مَنْظَرٌ جَمِيلٌHadhā manẓarun jamīlun
- هذا مَنْظَرٌ جَمِيلٌ.hādha manẓarun jamīlun.This is a beautiful view.
- هَذَا ثَوْبٌ جَمِيلٌ.hādha thawbun jamīlun.This is a beautiful dress.
Example conversation
Youssef and Layla are looking at a painting in an art gallery.
- يوسف Youssefهَذِهِ لَوْحَةٌ جَمِيلَةٌ جِدًّا.hādhihi lawhatun jamīlatun jiddan.This is a very beautiful painting.
- ليلى Laylaنَعَم، الأَلْوَانُ جَمِيلَةٌ.na'am, al-alwānu jamīlatun.Yes, the colors are beautiful.
- يوسف Youssefهَلْ تُحِبِّينَ هَذَا الفَنَّ؟hal tuhibbīna hādha al-fanna?Do you like this art?
- ليلى Laylaأَنَا أُحِبُّ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ جَمِيلٍ هُنَا.anā uhibbu kulla shay'in jamīlin hunā.I love everything beautiful here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beautiful” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
