جبان
jabaan
The Arabic word for coward is جبان (jabaan).
The word جبان is used to describe a person who lacks courage. It functions as both a noun, meaning "a coward," and an adjective, meaning "cowardly."
Meaning: a person who lacks courage (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe a female, use the feminine form جبانة. When referring to multiple people, use the broken plural form جبناء.
How do you pronounce it?
jabaan
Did you know?
- The word جبن can refer to both 'cowardice' and 'cheese', and some folk etymologies jokingly suggest the link is because cheese is 'soft'.
- Calling someone a جبان can be seen as a heavy insult to their social standing and honor, rather than just a critique of their bravery in a single moment.
- In classical Arabic texts, the state of being جبان was sometimes discussed in medical terms as a lack of 'heart spirit'.
Examples in context
- الحقيقة هي أنّك جبان.The truth is that you're a coward.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is a coward using جبان.Tatoeba #5925141 by OsoHombre, translation #12227367 by Miktsoanit
- كشف فاضل شخصيته الحقيقية و تبيّن أنّه جبان.Fadil showed his true colors. He was a coward.This sentence shows how the word جبان can be used to describe someone's true character.Tatoeba #5901567 by OsoHombre, translation #5901565 by OsoHombre
- أنا جبان لدرجة أنني نادرا ما أزور طبيب الأسنان.I'm such a coward that I rarely visit the dentist.This sentence illustrates how one might describe themselves as being cowardly using جبان.Tatoeba #670957 by Samer, translation #255237 by CM
- مؤسف أن نرى شخصًا بارعًا يتحول لجبان.It is unfortunate to see such a talented person turn out to be a coward.
- قام القائد بتأديب الجندي بسبب سلوكه الجبان.The commander disciplined the soldier for his cowardly behavior.
- إنه ليس فقط جبانًا، بل أيضًا أنانيًا.He is not just a coward, but also a selfish one.
- لم يتحمل أي مخاطرة خلال المعركة، ما اعتبره البعض جبنًا.He didn't take any risks during the battle, which some considered cowardice.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ahmed and Nour are discussing a person who ran away from a challenge.
- أحمد Ahmedلماذا هرب من المواجهة؟Limadha haraba min al-muwajaha?Why did he run away from the confrontation?
- نور Nourلأنه شخص جبان جداً.Li'annahu shakhsun jaban jiddan.Because he is a very cowardly person.
- أحمد Ahmedلم أكن أتوقع ذلك منه.Lam akun atawaqqa' dhalika minhu.I did not expect that from him.
- نور Nourالجبان دائماً يهرب من المشاكل.Al-jaban da'iman yahrubu min al-mashakil.A coward always runs away from problems.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
