غير قانوني
ghayr qanuni
The Arabic word for illegal is غير قانوني (ghayr qanuni).
The term غير قانوني is a common translation for 'illegal' in Modern Standard Arabic.
Meaning: contrary to or forbidden by law (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ghayr (non/un-) and قانوني (legal/relating to law).
Which one should you use?
The word محظور can be used to convey the idea of something being prohibited or forbidden.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective ghayr qanuni must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, becoming غير قانونية for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
ghayr qanuni
Did you know?
- In many Arabic dialects, the root of the word for law is also used to describe a musical instrument, the قانون, which is a stringed zither.
- The root of قانون reflects a broader linguistic pattern where Greek terms for science and administration were absorbed into Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age.
- Arabic distinguishes between things that are 'illegal' غير قانوني and things that are 'unlawful' in a religious sense, often using the term حرام.
Examples in context
- المستوطنات الإسرائيليّة غير قانونيّة.Israeli settlements are illegal.This sentence shows how to use غير قانوني to describe settlements.Tatoeba #6952408 by OsoHombre, translation #6952406 by OsoHombre
- أنا لم أفعل أى شىء غير قانوني.I didn't do anything illegal.This sentence shows how to use غير قانوني to say one has not done anything illegal.Tatoeba #1904228 by Asma, translation #1903157 by CK
- تم القبض على شخصين يشتبه في تجارة غير قانونية للمخدرات.Two individuals suspected of engaging in illegal drug trafficking were arrested.
- ما تعملش كده، ده حاجة حرام!Don't do that, it's something forbidden!
- هذا التصرف غير قانوني تماماً.hadha al-tasarruf ghayr qanuni tamamann.This behavior is completely illegal.
Example conversation
Ziad and Layla are discussing a news report about a company.
- زياد Ziadهل سمعتِ عن هذه الشركة؟hal sami'ti 'an hadhihi al-sharika?Did you hear about this company?
- ليلى Laylaنعم، عملهم غير قانوني.na'am, 'amaluhum ghayr qanuni.Yes, their work is illegal.
- زياد Ziadكيف حدث هذا يا ليلى؟kayfa hadatha hadha ya Layla?How did this happen, Layla?
- ليلى Laylaلقد خدعوا الزبائن لسنوات.laqad khada'u al-zuba'in li-sanawat.They have been deceiving customers for years.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
