واهم
wāhim
The English adjective 'delusional' is translated into Arabic as واهم (wāhim).
The word is used to describe someone who is suffering from or characterized by delusions.
Meaning: suffering from or characterized by delusions (adj)
Which one should you use?
While واهم is the standard form, متوهم is also a valid translation for 'delusional'.
How do you pronounce it?
wāhim
Did you know?
- In Arabic poetry, the feeling of وهم (delusion/imagination) is often used to describe the painful longing for a lost lover, where the heart 'deludes' itself into believing they will return.
- An English speaker might use 'delusional' to insult someone's intelligence, but in Arabic, using the term واهم can sometimes sound more like you are pitying their confusion.
- The word واهم comes from the root W-H-M, which relates to the concept of 'imagination' or 'passing thoughts' in Arabic thought.
Examples in context
- تعتقد أن الحكومة تتجسس عليها، إنها متوهمة.She believes that the government is spying on her, she is delusional.
- إنه شخص واهم تماماً.innahu shakhsun wahimun tamaman.He is a completely delusional person.
- لا تكن واهماً بشأن قدراتك.la takun wahiman bisha'ni quduratika.Do not be delusional about your abilities.
- هذا الرجل واهم ويعيش في عالم آخر.hadha al-rajul wahim wa ya'ish fi 'alam akhar.This man is delusional and lives in another world.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a man who thinks he won the lottery.
- مريم Maryamهل تعتقد أنه فاز بالجائزة؟hal ta'taqidu annahu faza bil-ja'iza?Do you think he won the prize?
- يوسف Youssefلا، هو مجرد رجل واهم.la, huwa mujarrad rajul wahim.No, he is just a delusional man.
- مريم Maryamلكنه يبدو واثقاً جداً من نفسه.lakinnahu yabdu wathiqan jiddan min nafsihi.But he seems very confident in himself.
- يوسف Youssefهذا هو الفرق بين الثقة والوهم.hadha huwa al-farq bayna al-thiqa wal-wahm.That is the difference between confidence and delusion.
