مُظْلِم
muẓlim
The English word 'dark' can be translated into Arabic as مُظْلِم (muẓlim) or دَاكِن depending on the context.
Meaning: having an absolute or relative lack of light (adj)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| مُظْلِم | muẓlim |
| دَاكِن | dākin |
In Arabic, the word for 'dark' changes based on whether you are describing a lack of light or a specific color shade.
Which one should you use?
Use مُظْلِم (muẓlim) to describe a room or an environment that lacks light. In contrast, use دَاكِن (dākin) to describe a dark color or shade, such as dark blue.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective مُظْلِم (muẓlim) follows gender agreement. It becomes مُظْلِمَة (muẓlima) when describing a feminine noun, such as a room (غرفة).
How do you pronounce it?
muẓlim
Did you know?
- The root of مُظْلِم is shared with the Arabic word for 'injustice' or 'wrongdoing'. This creates a linguistic link between physical darkness and moral darkness.
- Using مُظْلِم to describe someone's skin tone is considered incorrect or unnatural in Arabic. Instead, speakers use specific roots dedicated to complexion.
- In Arabic, the distinction between a lack of light and a deep shade is so sharp that using مُظْلِم to describe a dark shirt would sound as strange as saying the shirt 'cannot see'.
Examples in context
- اللون الغامِقDark color
- يبدو غامِقًاAppears dark
- هذا الشارع مُظْلِم جداً.hadha ash-shari' mudhlim jiddan.This street is very dark.
- الغرفة مُظْلِمَة في الليل.al-ghurfa mudhlma fi al-layl.The room is dark at night.
- المكان مُظْلِم ولا أرى شيئاً.al-makan mudhlim wa la ara shay'an.The place is dark and I see nothing.
Example conversation
Yousef and Nour are entering a room without lights.
- يوسف Youssefلماذا المكان مُظْلِم هنا؟Limadha al-makan muzlim huna?Why is it dark in here?
- نور Nourلأن الكهرباء مقطوعة يا يوسف.Li'anna al-kahraba' maqtou'a ya Yousef.Because the power is out, Yousef.
- يوسف Youssefأين مفتاح الضوء؟Ayna miftah al-daw'?Where is the light switch?
- نور Nourإنه بجانب الباب يا يوسف.Innahu bijanib al-bab ya Yousef.It is next to the door, Yousef.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dark” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
