رأس كبير
ra's kabir
The English phrase "big head" can be translated into Arabic as رأس كبير (ra's kabir).
This phrase is used as a physical description of a person whose head is larger than average.
Which one should you use?
While رأس كبير is used for a "big head", the phrase رأس ضخم is used specifically to translate "enormous head".
How do you pronounce it?
ra's kabir
Did you know?
- In some Arabic dialects, telling someone they have a رأس كبير is a way to call them stubborn or thick-headed rather than commenting on their anatomy.
- The word رأس is a linguistic relative of the Akkadian word rēšum, which also meant 'head'.
- In various Arabic-speaking cultures, mentioning a person's رأس is often a metaphorical way to discuss their intellect or common sense.
Examples in context
- لديه رأس كبير جداً.ladayhi ra's kabir jiddan.He has a very big head.
- هذا الطفل له رأس كبير.hadha al-tifl lahu ra's kabir.This baby has a big head.
Example conversation
Youssef and Sarah are looking at a funny cartoon character.
- يوسف Youssefانظر إلى هذا الكرتون، لديه رأس كبير!unzur ila hadha al-kartun, ladayhi ra's kabir!Look at this cartoon, it has a big head!
- سارة Saraنعم، يا يوسف، إنه مضحك جداً.na'am, ya Youssef, innahu mudhik jiddan.Yes, Youssef, it is very funny.
- يوسف Youssefهل تعتقدين أن رأسه كبير بشكل غير طبيعي؟hal ta'taqidina anna ra'sahu kabir bishakl ghayr tabi'i?Do you think his head is unnaturally big?
- سارة Saraليس تماماً، لكنه رأس كبير بالنسبة لجسمه.laysa tamamman, lakinahu ra's kabir binisba lijismihi.Not exactly, but it is a big head for his body.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries رأس, CC BY-SA 4.0.
