المختار
al-mukhtar
Chosen one in Arabic is المختار (al-mukhtar).
It refers to someone singled out for a special purpose. In Islamic tradition المختار is also one of the titles of the Prophet Muhammad.
What does it mean word for word?
ال (al-) is the definite article, the and مختار means chosen or selected.
Which one should you use?
المُصطفى (Al-Mustafā) also means the chosen one and is used in a religious context.
How does it change in a sentence?
Without the article, مختار is the adjective chosen. For a woman use المختارة (al-mukhtarah).
Did you know?
- The word المصطفى (Al-Mustafā) shares a root with the Arabic word for 'filter' or 'sieve', implying that the 'chosen one' has been purified or sifted from the rest.
- In certain regional dialects, particularly in parts of the Levant, a person might use the word مختار ('mukhtar') to refer to a village head or a local community leader.
- The root of المختار is خ (kh), ي (y), and ر (r), which is the same root used for the word 'option' or 'choice' in modern Arabic business and technology menus.
Examples in context
- إنه المختار لهذه المهمة.innahu al-mukhtar li-hadhihi al-muhimma.He is the chosen one for this mission.
- تقول الأسطورة عن المختار.taqulu al-ustura 'an al-mukhtar.The legend speaks about the chosen one.
- هل أنت المختار؟hal anta al-mukhtar?Are you the chosen one?
Example conversation
A conversation about a fantasy novel in a cafe.
- أحمد Ahmedهل قرأت عن المختار في الكتاب؟hal qara'ta 'an al-mukhtar fi al-kitab?Did you read about the chosen one in the book?
- ليلى Laylaنعم، قصته مذهلة جداً.na'am, qissatuhu mudhila jiddan.Yes, his story is very amazing.
- أحمد Ahmedلقد كان المختار شجاعاً للغاية.laqad kana al-mukhtar shuja'an lil-ghaya.The chosen one was extremely brave.
- ليلى Laylaبالفعل، لقد غير قدر العالم.bi-l-fi'l, laqad ghayyara qadara al-'alam.Indeed, he changed the destiny of the world.
