كنت مريضاً
kuntu marīḍan
The English phrase "I was sick" is translated into Arabic as كنت مريضاً (kuntu marīḍan).
This phrase is a statement used to say that you were unwell in the past.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the phrase كنت مريض/ة can be used to express 'I was sick' in informal situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb kuntu is the first-person singular past tense of "to be", and it inherently includes the subject "I". If the speaker is female, the adjective marīḍan changes to the feminine form marīḍatan.
How do you pronounce it?
kuntu marīḍan
Did you know?
- In many Arabic dialects, instead of saying 'I was sick', people might say 'The sickness visited me'. This personifies illnesses as guests or visitors that arrive and then depart.
- In many Arab cultures, when someone tells you كنت مريضاً, it is customary to respond with Hamdu lillah 'ala salāmatik (Praise be to God for your safety) rather than just 'I am sorry to hear that'.
- The word مريض can also be used as a metaphor in some dialects to describe someone who is 'sick' with longing or love, rather than having a physical ailment.
Examples in context
- لم يستطعوا الذهاب للنزهة بسبب أني كنت مريضًا.They couldn't go for a picnic because I was sick.
- مارتا، لم نذهب إلى الحديقة لأني كنت مريض.Marta, we didn't go to the park because I was sick.
- أمي، لا تقلقي، كنت مريضة فقط لبضعة أيام.Mom, don't worry, I was just sick for a few days.
- كنت مريضاً الأسبوع الماضي.Kuntu maridan al-usbu' al-madi.I was sick last week.
- لم أستطع المجيء لأنني كنت مريضاً.Lam astati' al-maji' li-annani kuntu maridan.I could not come because I was sick.
- كنت مريضاً جداً بالأمس.Kuntu maridan jiddan bil-ams.I was very sick yesterday.
Example conversation
Sarah asks Youssef why he missed the meeting.
- سارة Saraلماذا لم تأتِ إلى الاجتماع يا يوسف؟Limadha lam ta'ti ila al-ijtima' ya Youssef?Why didn't you come to the meeting, Youssef?
- يوسف Youssefآسف، كنت مريضاً بالأمس.Asif, kuntu maridan bi-l-ams.Sorry, I was sick yesterday.
- سارة Saraهل تشعر بتحسن الآن؟Hal tash'ur bi-tahassun al-an?Do you feel better now?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، أنا بخير الآن، شكراً يا سارة.Na'am, ana bikhair al-an, shukran ya Sarah.Yes, I am fine now, thank you Sarah.
