قَطَعَ
qaṭaʕa
The English verb 'cut' can be translated into Arabic using قَطَعَ (qaṭaʕa). Wiktionary also lists جَرَحَ (jaraḥa).
Meaning: to divide with a sharp instrument (verb)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| قَطَعَ | qaṭaʕa |
| جَرَحَ | jaraḥa |
قَطَعَ is used to express dividing an object or cutting through something with a sharp instrument. It is also used idiomatically to mean crossing a distance or path, as in قَطَعَ طَرِيقاً (to cut a path) or to mean making a commitment, as in قَطَعَ الوَعْدَ (to make a promise).
Which one should you use?
While قَطَعَ refers to cutting through an object or dividing something, جَرَحَ is used specifically when the action involves wounding or cutting a person's skin.
How does it change in a sentence?
The present tense form of the verb قَطَعَ is يَقْطَعُ (he cuts / he is cutting). To indicate a female subject in the past tense, you add the suffix -at to the root, resulting in قَطَعَتْ (she cut).
How do you pronounce it?
qaṭaʕa
Did you know?
- In Arabic, if you want to say you have 'cut' a phone call or 'hung up', you use the verb قَطَعَ, as if you are physically cutting the line of communication.
- The word قَطَعَ is used to describe the act of fasting, as in قَطَعَ صَوْمَهُ, which literally means to 'cut' or break one's fast.
- In some dialects, قَطَعَ can be used to mean 'disappearing' or 'going missing', as if the person has been cut off from the known world.
Examples in context
- قَصّ شَعْرِي مِثْلَمَا قُلْتCut my hair as I told you.
- لا تقطع الورقةDon't cut the paper.
- قُصّ شَوَّارِبَكTrim your mustache.
- ما تقطع اللحمةDon't cut the meat.
- أنا بُقَصّ شَعْرِيI am cutting my hair.
- قَطَعَ الرَّجُلُ الحَبْلَ بِالسِّكِّينِ.qaṭaʿa ar-rajulu al-ḥabla bi-s-sikkīni.The man cut the rope with a knife.
- قَطَعَ الخَيَّاطُ القُمَاشَ.qaṭaʿa al-khayyāṭu al-qumāsha.The tailor cut the fabric.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cut” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
