جيد
jayyid
The English phrase 'good' is translated into Arabic as جيد (jayyid).
جيد is used to describe something as pleasant or enjoyable.
Meaning: pleasant, enjoyable (adj)
Which one should you use?
While جيد is used to denote quality, it is distinct from طيب, which often implies being 'good' in terms of a person's character or pleasantness.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Levant or Egypt, you can use the informal term كويس to mean 'good' or 'fine'. In the Gulf region, the informal term حَلو is used to express that something is positive, nice or sweet. Finally, in Levantine Arabic, the expression مِزْبوط is used informally to convey the idea of 'good'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the noun it describes. For feminine nouns, use the form جيدة. For plural nouns, use جيدون for masculine plural and جيدات for feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
jayyid
Did you know?
- The informal word for 'good' in Egypt and the Levant, كويس, is not originally Arabic but is borrowed from the Persian word 'khosh', meaning 'pleasant'.
- Ancient scholars from the cities of Kufa and Basra famously disagreed on the original phonetic form of the word جيد.
- The Levantine term مِزْبوط for 'good' literally means 'adjusted' or 'tightened', implying that something is exactly right.
Examples in context
- إن توم مستمع جيدTom is a good listener.This sentence shows how to describe a person's skill using جيد.Tatoeba #3664259 by Alaakhalid, translation #1025176 by CK
- خطر له فكرة جيدة.A good idea crossed his mind.This sentence illustrates the use of جيد with an idea.Tatoeba #372937 by saeb, translation #325838 by CM
- خطر لي فكرة جيدة.A good idea occurred to me.This sentence also demonstrates how to use جيد when an idea occurs to someone.Tatoeba #374714 by saeb, translation #322901 by CK
- لقد قمت بعمل جَيِّدٍYou have done a good job.
- من الرائع مشاهدة هذا التصميم الهَائِلِIt is great to see this magnificent design.
- كيف حالك؟ – كويس، شكرًا!How are you? – Good, thank you!
- 119 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ziad and Nour are discussing a book they just finished.
- زياد Ziadهذا كتاب جيد جدًا.Hadha kitab jayid jiddan.This is a very good book.
- نور Nourنعم، هو كتاب جيد.Na'am, huwa kitab jayid.Yes, it is a good book.
- زياد Ziadهل أعجبكِ الأسلوب؟Hal a'jabaki al-uslub?Did you like the style?
- نور Nourنعم، الأسلوب كان جيدًا.Na'am, al-uslub kana jayidan.Yes, the style was good.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries جيد, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
