أَصَمّ
ʔaṣamm
The English word "deaf" is translated into Arabic as أَصَمّ (ʔaṣamm). Wiktionary also lists أَطْرَش (ʔaṭraš).
Meaning: unable to hear (adj)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| أَصَمّ | ʔaṣamm |
| أَطْرَش | ʔaṭraš |
Both أَصَمّ and أَطْرَش are used to describe someone who is unable to hear.
Which one should you use?
أَصَمّ is the standard term for "deaf", whereas أَطْرَش is a colloquial version of the word.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions of Saudi Arabia, the term ما بيسمع is used to convey the idea of being deaf.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the formal adjective to describe a female, أَصَمّ changes to the feminine form صَمّاء.
How do you pronounce it?
ʔaṣamm
Did you know?
- The root of أَصَمّ is used to describe things that are solid or seamless, such as a 'solid' piece of gold or a 'seamless' ring.
- In some Levantine dialects, calling someone أَطْرَش can be a way to say they are 'clueless' or 'out of the loop' regarding a specific situation, rather than a comment on their hearing.
- The term أَصَمّ is often used in classical Arabic poetry to symbolize a heart that is 'deaf' to the truth or spiritual guidance.
Examples in context
- هاد ما بيسمع ولا شيHe/she doesn't hear anything
- تعاني من فقدان السمعSuffers from hearing loss
- هذا الرجل أَصَمّ.hadha ar-rajulu asam.This man is deaf.
- هل أنتَ أَصَمّ؟hal anta asam?Are you deaf?
- أنا أَصَمّ منذ ولادتي.ana asam mundhu wiladati.I have been deaf since birth.
Example conversation
A person is asking about a student in a classroom.
- نور Nourهل الطالبُ أَصَمّ؟hal at-talibu asam?Is the student deaf?
- عمر Omarنعم، هو أَصَمّ تماماً.na'am, huwa asam tamaman.Yes, he is completely deaf.
- نور Nourكيف يمكننا التواصل معه؟kayfa yumkinuna at-tawasul ma'ahu?How can we communicate with him?
- عمر Omarاستخدم لغة الإشارة معه.istakhdim lughat al-ishara ma'ahu.Use sign language with him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “deaf” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
