ضغط الدم
ḍaghṭ ad-dam
The English phrase blood pressure is ضغط الدم (ḍaghṭ ad-dam) in Arabic.
ضغط الدم refers to the pressure exerted by the blood against the walls of the arteries and veins.
Meaning: pressure exerted by the blood against the walls of the arteries and veins (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun ḍaghṭ (pressure) and ad-dam (the blood).
Which one should you use?
While ضغط الدم is the full term for blood pressure, in a medical context where the topic of blood is already established, a doctor might simply refer to it as الضغط (the pressure).
Is it said differently in some regions?
ضغط الدم is prevalent in most other Arabic-speaking countries, including Egypt and Morocco.
How do you pronounce it?
ḍaghṭ ad-dam
Did you know?
- In Arabic, the word for blood دم is used in the idiom دمه خفيف (his blood is light) to describe someone who is funny or charming.
- The word ضغط is also used metaphorically to describe psychological stress or 'pressure' from work and family.
- In many Arabic dialects, saying عندي ضغط (I have pressure) is a common shorthand that automatically implies 'high blood pressure' rather than just any pressure.
Examples in context
- أحتاج قياس ضغط الدمI need to measure my blood pressure
- ضغط دمي مرتفع قليلاًMy blood pressure is a bit high
- هل ضغط الدم مرتفع اليوم؟hal ḍaghṭu al-dami murtafiʿun al-yawm?Is the blood pressure high today?
- تناول هذا الدواء لخفض ضغط الدم.tanāwal hādhā al-dawā' li-khafḍi ḍaghṭi al-dam.Take this medicine to lower blood pressure.
Example conversation
A woman is checking on a man's health at home.
- سارة Saraأحمد، كيف حال ضغط الدم عندك؟Ahmad, kayfa ḥālu ḍaghṭi al-dami ʿindaka?Ahmed, how is your blood pressure?
- أحمد Ahmedإنه مستقر الآن، شكراً يا سارة.innahu mustaqirr al-ān, shukran yā Sārah.It is stable now, thank you Sarah.
- سارة Saraهل أخذت دواء ضغط الدم؟hal akhadhta dawā' ḍaghṭa al-dam?Did you take the blood pressure medicine?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، أخذته في الصباح.naʿam, akhadtuhu fī al-ṣabāḥ.Yes, I took it in the morning.
