جَمِيل
jamīl
The Arabic word for beautiful is جَمِيل (jamīl). Wiktionary also lists مَلِيح (malīḥ).
Meaning: attractive (adj)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| جَمِيل | jamīl |
| مَلِيح | malīḥ |
The word is used to describe something or someone that is attractive.
Which one should you use?
جَمِيل is the most common and standard way to say beautiful in Modern Standard Arabic. In contrast, مَلِيح is more specific to certain dialects or older poetic contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of جَمِيل is جَمِيلَة, and the feminine form of مَلِيح is مَلِيحَة.
How do you pronounce it?
jamīl
Did you know?
- In many Arabic dialects, the root of مَلِيح is linked to the word for 'salt'. To call someone 'salty' in this specific context is to call them charming or attractive.
- The word جَمِيل is used as a noun to mean 'a favor'. When someone says 'I have a جَمِيل over you', they are not calling you beautiful but stating that you owe them a kindness.
- While جَمِيل describes beauty, the word قَمَر (moon) is often used as a metaphor for a beautiful person, similar to how English speakers might use 'star'.
Examples in context
- أنتِ جميلة جداًYou are very beautiful.
- أنتِ حسناء جداًYou are extremely beautiful.
- هذا المَنْظَرُ جَمِيلٌ جِدًّا.Hādhā al-manzaru jamīlun jiddan.This view is very beautiful.
- الْكِتَابُ لَهُ غِلَافٌ جَمِيلٌ.Al-kitābu lahu ghilāfun jamīlun.The book has a beautiful cover.
- هَذَا الطَّعَامُ جَمِيلُ الشَّكْلِ.Hādhā aṭ-ṭa'āmu jamīlu ash-shakli.This food looks beautiful.
Example conversation
Ahmed and Layla are looking at a painting in an art gallery.
- أحمد Ahmedهَذِهِ اللَّوْحَةُ جَمِيلَةٌ جِدًّا، أَلَيْسَ كَذَلِكَ؟Hādhihi al-lawḥatu jamīlatun jiddan, alaysa kadhālik?This painting is very beautiful, isn't it?
- ليلى Laylaنَعَمْ، إِنَّهَا جَمِيلَةٌ وَمُبْدِعَةٌ.Na'am, innahā jamīlatun wa mubdi'atun.Yes, it is beautiful and creative.
- أحمد Ahmedأَنْتِ تَمْلِكِينَ ذَوْقًا جَمِيلًا يَا لَيْلَى.Anti tamlikīna dhawqan jamīlan yā Laylā.You have beautiful taste, Layla.
- ليلى Laylaشُكْرًا لَكَ يَا أَحْمَدُ.Shukran laka yā Ahmad.Thank you, Ahmed.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beautiful” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
