سرطان
saraṭān
The English word 'cancer' is translated into Arabic as سرطان (saraṭān).
سرطان is used to refer to the medical disease of uncontrolled cellular proliferation. When discussing the disease as a general medical concept or a specific diagnosis, it is common to use the definite form السرطان (the cancer).
Meaning: disease of uncontrolled cellular proliferation (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word سرطان literally means 'crab'.
Which one should you use?
The version with the definite article السرطان is frequently used when discussing cancer as a general medical concept or a specific diagnosis.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Gulf Arabic, you may hear the term الكانسر (alkanser).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the medical disease, the word is used as a singular noun, much like it is used in English.
How do you pronounce it?
saraṭān
Did you know?
- The metaphor of a 'crab' for this disease is used in Arabic because the swelling of a tumor was thought to resemble a crab's legs.
- The Arabic word سرطان is also the name for the zodiac sign 'Cancer'.
- The use of سرطان for the disease mirrors the ancient Greek word 'karkinos', which also refers to a crab, suggesting a long history of inherited medical imagery.
Examples in context
- لم يكن لدى سامي سرطان.Sami didn't have cancer.This sentence is useful for stating that someone did not have سرطان.Tatoeba #7238226 by OsoHombre, translation #6668807 by OsoHombre
- مات أبي بسبب سرطان الرئة.My father died of lung cancer.This sentence is useful for describing a death caused by سرطان of the lungs.Tatoeba #489126 by saeb, translation #319321 by CK
- عانى توم من سرطان القلون.Tom had colon cancer.This sentence is useful for mentioning that someone suffered from سرطان of the colon.Tatoeba #10717127 by Yacinegutta, translation #5754777 by CM
- أريد معرفة المزيد عن أعراض السرطان.I want to learn more about the symptoms of cancer.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a medical report.
- يوسف Youssefهل النتائج تؤكد وجود سرطان؟hal al-nata'ij tu'akkid wujud saratan?Do the results confirm the presence of cancer?
- مريم Maryamنعم، ولكن الطبيب قال إنه سرطان مبكر.na'am, walakin al-tabib qal innahu saratan mubakkir.Yes, but the doctor said it is an early cancer.
- يوسف Youssefهل هذا النوع من السرطان قابل للعلاج؟hal hadha al-naw' min al-saratan qabil lil-'ilaj?Is this type of cancer treatable?
- مريم Maryamنعم، مريم ستبدأ العلاج الأسبوع المقبل.na'am, Maryam satabda' al-'ilaj al-usbu' al-muqbil.Yes, Maryam will start treatment next week.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries سرطان, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
