ظَلَام
ẓalāmmasculine
The English word 'darkness' can be translated into Arabic using several forms, most commonly ظَلَام (ẓalām). Wiktionary also lists ظُلْمَة (ẓulma) and عَتَمَة (ʕatama).
Meaning: state of being dark (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ظَلَام | ẓalām | masculine |
| ظُلْمَة | ẓulma | feminine |
| عَتَمَة | ʕatama | feminine |
These terms describe the state of being dark, ranging from general darkness to specific levels of dimness.
Which one should you use?
ظَلَام is the most common and general term for darkness. The feminine form ظُلْمَة often carries a more poetic or intense connotation of darkness. The term عَتَمَة is used specifically to refer to a state of dimness or twilight rather than total darkness.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'the darkness' using the most common form, you add the definite article 'al-' to the beginning of ظَلَام, resulting in الظَّلَام.
How do you pronounce it?
ẓalām
Did you know?
- The root for ظَلَام is the same root used for the word 'injustice' or 'wrongdoing' ظُلْم. In Arabic thought, committing an injustice is conceptually linked to placing someone in the 'darkness' of unfairness.
- Beyond physical light, ظُلْمَة is used in religious contexts to symbolize 'ignorance', acting as the direct antonym to 'knowledge'.
- In Arabic poetry, the term ظُلْمَة is frequently personified, treated as a living entity that can 'swallow' or 'clutch' a person.
Examples in context
- وقع الظلام فجأةDarkness fell suddenly
Sources
- Wiktionary, “darkness” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
