صعب
sa'b
The Arabic word for "difficult" is صعب (sa'b).
The word صعب is used to describe something that is hard or not easy.
Meaning: hard, not easy (adj)
Which one should you use?
The direct antonym of صعب is سهل, which means "easy".
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes to the feminine form صعبة when you are describing a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
sa'b
Did you know?
- When a task is overwhelmingly difficult, many Arabic dialects metaphorically use the word عذاب, which literally translates to 'torture' or 'agony'.
- In classical Arabic, صعب can be used to describe a horse that is 'unbroken' or 'spirited', meaning it has not yet been tamed.
- The root of صعب is historically linked to physical terrain, specifically describing 'rugged' or 'steep' paths.
Examples in context
- هذا الكتاب صعب الفهمThis book is difficult to understand.This sentence shows how to use صعب to describe the difficulty of understanding a book.Tatoeba #6877050 by adals, translation #1177011 by bart
- العبرية هي لغة صعبة.Hebrew is a difficult language.This sentence uses صعب to describe a language.Tatoeba #7832892 by MisterBrown, translation #2739238 by Eldad
- إنها صعبة في البداية.At first, it is difficult.This sentence uses صعب to describe a situation at the beginning.Tatoeba #384207 by saeb, translation #267027 by CK
- المسألة معقدة وعسيرةThe issue is complex and difficult.
- الواجب في المدرسة كتير ثقيلThe homework at school is very difficult.
- 37 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariam and Youssef are discussing a math exam.
- مريم Maryamهل الامتحان كان صعب؟Hal al-imtihaan kaana sa'ab?Was the exam difficult?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، كان صعب جداً.Na'am, kaana sa'ab jiddan.Yes, it was very difficult.
- مريم Maryamأنا وجدت الأسئلة صعبة.Ana wajadtu al-as'ila sa'ba.I found the questions difficult.
- يوسف Youssefلا تقلقي يا مريم.La taqlaqi ya Mariam.Do not worry, Mariam.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
