مختلف
mukhtalif
In Arabic, the English word 'different' is expressed as مختلف (mukhtalif).
The adjective is used to describe something that is not the same. When you want to say something is 'different from' something else, you typically use the adjective followed by the preposition عن.
Meaning: not the same (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the adjective changes depending on the noun it describes and its role in the sentence. To agree with a feminine noun, use the feminine form مختلفة. For masculine plural nouns, use مختلفون in the nominative case and مختلفين in the accusative or genitive cases. When the adjective functions as an object or an adverbial modifier, it takes the accusative ending مختلفاً.
How do you pronounce it?
mukhtalif
Did you know?
- The word مختلف can be pronounced as 'mukhtalif' to mean 'different', but if pronounced as 'mukhtalaf', it means 'disputed' or 'controversial'.
- If you describe a person as مختلف in a social setting, it is often a coded way of saying they are 'eccentric' or 'unique'. It is a softer, more polite way to describe someone who does not follow social norms.
- The root of مختلف is related to the word 'khilaf', which means 'disagreement' or 'conflict'. This means that when you say things are 'different', you are linguistically implying a state of 'disagreement' between them.
Examples in context
- لم يكن زيري مختلفا.Ziri wasn't different.This sentence shows how to use مختلف to describe a subject.Tatoeba #11613513 by dididodo, translation #10232772 by Amastan
- قام زيري بشيء مختلف.Ziri did something different.This sentence demonstrates using مختلف to describe an action or thing.Tatoeba #11613512 by dididodo, translation #10225402 by Amastan
- أفكّر بشكل مختلف عنك.I think different from you.This sentence illustrates the use of مختلف to show a difference between people.Tatoeba #7027250 by OsoHombre, translation #7023774 by shekitten
- هذان الشيئان مُختَلِفَانThese two things are different.
- التوقعات مُختَلِفَةThe expectations are different.
- 33 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Layla and Omar are looking at two identical-looking boxes in a shop.
- ليلى Laylaهل هذا الصندوق مختلف؟hal hadha al-sanduq mukhtalif?Is this box different?
- عمر Omarنعم، إنه مختلف تماما.na'am, innahu mukhtalif tamaman.Yes, it is completely different.
- ليلى Laylaما هو الشيء المختلف فيه؟ma huwa al-shay' al-mukhtalif fihi?What is the different thing about it?
- عمر Omarلونه مختلف عن الآخر.lawnuhu mukhtalif 'an al-akhar.Its color is different from the other one.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries مختلف, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
