كفار
kuffar
The English phrase "infidels" is translated into Arabic as كفار (kuffar).
كفار refers to people who do not believe in a particular religion, especially Islam. In many contexts, this term carries a strong pejorative or derogatory connotation and can be considered offensive.
What does it mean word for word?
كفار is the broken plural of كافر, and it literally means one who covers or conceals the truth.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term كفار is often used in a pejorative sense. Another related form, Kafirun, is a derivative of كافر that is primarily found in religious texts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the plural كفار is كافر.
How do you pronounce it?
kuffar
Did you know?
- In Arabic, the root of كافر is used to describe a farmer who buries seeds in the soil, as they 'cover' the earth.
- The singular form كافر can be used outside of religion to describe someone who is ungrateful or refuses to acknowledge a favor. In this sense, the word is more about a lack of gratitude than a lack of faith.
- In some legal and cultural contexts, the opposite of a كافر is not just a believer, but a مؤمن, which specifically denotes one who has attained a state of inner faith and security.
Examples in context
- وصفهم القائد بأنهم كفار.waṣafahum al-qā'idu bi-annahum kuffār.The leader described them as infidels.
Example conversation
Two students discussing a historical text in a library.
- عمر Omarلماذا ذكر الكاتب كلمة كفار هنا؟limādhā dhakar al-kātib kalimat kuffār hunā?Why did the author mention the word infidels here?
- نور Nourيقصد بها الأشخاص غير المسلمين.yaqṣid bihā al-ashkhāṣ ghayr al-muslimīn.He means by it the non-Muslim people.
- عمر Omarهل كانت هذه الكلمة شائعة قديمًا؟hal kānat hādhihi al-kalima shā’i‘a qadīman?Was this word common in the past?
- نور Nourنعم، كانت تستخدم في النصوص الدينية.na‘am, kānat tustakhdam fī al-nuṣūṣ al-dīniyya.Yes, it was used in religious texts.
