ضَبُع
ḍabuʕfeminine
The Arabic word for hyena is ضَبُع (ḍabuʕ). Wiktionary also lists ضِبْعَان (ḍibʕān) and ذِيخ (ḏīḵ).
Meaning: mammal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ضَبُع | ḍabuʕ | feminine |
| ضِبْعَان | ḍibʕān | masculine |
| ذِيخ | ḏīḵ | masculine |
The term refers to the mammal known as a hyena.
Which one should you use?
The form ضَبُع is the feminine term, while ضِبْعَان is the dual form used specifically when referring to exactly two hyenas. The word ذِيخ serves as an alternative term for the animal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
ذِيخ is an alternative term used in certain Arabic dialects.
How does it change in a sentence?
ضِبْعَان is the dual form used to refer to exactly two hyenas.
How do you pronounce it?
ḍabuʕ
Did you know?
- In many Arabic folk tales and traditional beliefs, the ضَبُع was thought to be the offspring of a union between a human and a hyena.
- Arabic folklore historically associated the ضَبُع with the ability to shapeshift into human form to deceive travelers.
- In some Arabic-speaking cultures, the word ضَبُع is used in proverbs to describe a person who is opportunistic or lacks loyalty, much like the animal's reputation.
Examples in context
- رأيتُ ضَبُعًا في الحديقة.ra'aytu dab'an fil-hadiqa.I saw a hyena in the park.
Example conversation
Sarah and Omar are watching a nature documentary on TV.
- سارة Saraهل ترى ذلك الضَبُعَ؟hal tara dhalika al-dab'a?Do you see that hyena?
- عمر Omarنعم، إنه ضَبُعٌ كبير.na'am, innahu dab'un kabir.Yes, it is a large hyena.
- سارة Saraإنه يبدو مخيفًا يا عمر.innahu yabdu mukhifan ya Omar.It looks scary, Omar.
- عمر Omarلكنه مثير للاهتمام.lakinnahu muthirun lil-ihtimam.But it is interesting.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hyena” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
