شَتَمَ
šatama
The English verb to curse is translated into Arabic as شَتَمَ (šatama) or سَبَّ.
Meaning: to use offensive language (verb)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| شَتَمَ | šatama |
| سَبَّ | sabba |
Both verbs are used to describe the act of using offensive language or insulting someone.
Which one should you use?
The verb شَتَمَ is used to mean to insult or use offensive language. The verb سَبَّ is used to mean to curse or insult. When you want to refer to a curse as a noun in a religious or supernatural sense, use the word لَعْنَة.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
شَتَمَ is a triliteral verb in the past tense, meaning 'he insulted'.
How do you pronounce it?
šatama
Did you know?
- In many Arabic dialects, the intensity of an insult is often measured by how many 'layers' of familial honor are attacked. A curse that targets one's lineage is considered significantly more provocative than a simple profanity.
- In Arabic, the word لَعْنَة is not just a wish for bad luck but specifically refers to being cast out from the mercy of God.
- In classical Arabic literature, the verb سَبَّ was sometimes used as a formal tool for public satire rather than just a heated outburst.
Examples in context
- يَا خَرَّهْ (Ya Khara)You sh*t
- يَا زَبَال (Ya Zabal)You garbage
- هو شَتَمَ جاري بالأمس.huwa shatama jārī bi-l-ams.He cursed my neighbor yesterday.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “curse” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
