اِحْتِفَال
iḥtifālmasculine
The English word 'celebration' is translated into Arabic as اِحْتِفَال (iḥtifāl). Wiktionary also lists مِهْرَجَان (mihrajān) and مَهْرَجَان (mahrajān).
Meaning: social gathering for entertainment and fun (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| اِحْتِفَال | iḥtifāl | masculine |
| مِهْرَجَان | mihrajān | masculine |
| مَهْرَجَان | mahrajān | masculine |
The term refers to a social gathering for entertainment and fun.
What does it mean word for word?
The word اِحْتِفَال is derived from the Arabic root ḥ-f-l (ح–ف–ل), which relates to hosting or holding a gathering.
Which one should you use?
اِحْتِفَال is used for a general celebration, such as a wedding, an anniversary or a formal ceremony. In contrast, مَهْرَجَان and مَهْرَجَان are more specific to a large-scale festival or a public event rather than a private social gathering.
How does it change in a sentence?
All provided forms are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
iḥtifāl
When do people say it?
To congratulate someone on various celebratory occasions, the word مبروك is widely used.
Did you know?
- The word مَهْرَجَان for a festival is believed by some linguists to be derived from the Persian word 'Mahragan', an ancient Zoroastrian celebration.
- In many Arabic cultures, a celebration like a wedding is not just one اِحْتِفَال but a series of separate events divided by gender.
- The root of اِحْتِفَال implies the act of surrounding or encircling something, which historically relates to the way people gather around a central event or person.
Examples in context
- هذا احتفالThis is a celebration
- مناسبة سعيدةHappy occasion
- مبروك للعروسين، تهانينا الحارة لكما على هذا اليوم السعيدCongratulations to the couple, warm wishes to both of you on this joyous day
- هَذَا اِحْتِفَالٌ رَائِعٌ.hādhā iḥtifālun rā'i'un.This is a wonderful celebration.
- أُحِبُّ كُلَّ اِحْتِفَالٍ مَعَ الأَصْدِقَاءِ.uḥibbu kulla iḥtifālin ma'a al-aṣdiqā'.I love every celebration with friends.
Example conversation
Omar and Maryam are discussing plans for a party.
- عمر Omarهَلْ هُنَاكَ اِحْتِفَالٌ غَدًا؟hal hunāka iḥtifālun ghadan?Is there a celebration tomorrow?
- مريم Maryamنَعَمْ، هُوَ اِحْتِفَالٌ صَغِيرٌ لِعِيدِ مِيلَادِي.na'am, huwa iḥtifālun ṣagīrun li-'īdi mīlādī.Yes, it is a small celebration for my birthday.
- عمر Omarأَنَا سَعِيدٌ جِدًّا لأَجْلِكِ يَا مَرْيَمُ.anā sa'īdun jiddan li-ajliki yā maryamu.I am very happy for you, Maryam.
- مريم Maryamشُكْرًا لَكَ يَا عُمَرُ.shukran laka yā 'umaru.Thank you, Omar.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “celebration” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
