خراء
khara'
The English word "crap" can be translated into Arabic as خراء (khara').
The term خراء is used to describe something of poor quality.
Meaning: something of poor quality (noun)
Which one should you use?
فضلات is used for waste or rubbish, فاشل describes something of poor quality or a failure and قرف expresses disgust or discontent. For a more vulgar way to express strong dissatisfaction or annoyance, the term خرة is used.
How do you pronounce it?
khara'
Did you know?
- To describe a situation as 'crap' without using vulgarity, speakers often use زفت, which literally means 'asphalt' or 'pitch'.
- The word خراء is inherited from the ancient Proto-West Semitic root *ḫarʔ-.
- While English speakers use 'crap' relatively casually, using the direct translation خراء in a professional Arabic setting is considered a massive social taboo.
Examples in context
- وجدت الكثير من الفضلات في الشارع.I found a lot of rubbish in the street.
- هذا الفيلم فاشل تماماً.This movie is totally crappy.
Example conversation
Yousef and Nour are discussing a new phone case.
- يوسف Youssefانظري إلى هذه الحافظة يا نور.unzhuri ila hadhihi al-hafizah ya Nour.Look at this case, Nour.
- نور Nourيا يوسف، هذه خراء تماماً.ya Yousef, hadhihi kharaa tamaman.Yousef, this is total crap.
- يوسف Youssefلكن سعرها رخيص جداً.lakin si'ruha rakhis jiddan.But the price is very cheap.
- نور Nourستنكسر في يوم واحد.satanikasir fi yawm wahid.It will break in one day.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries خراء, CC BY-SA 4.0.
