مكتوب
maktūb
The phrase it is written in Arabic is translated as مكتوب (maktūb).
The phrase is used to say that an event was predestined or decided by fate. It can also be used in a formal context to indicate that something has been written or recorded.
What does it mean word for word?
The word مكتوب is the passive participle of the verb 'to write', literally meaning 'written'.
Which one should you use?
The phrase هو مكتوب can be used to emphasize 'it is written' using the pronoun هو.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the subject being referred to is a feminine noun, the word changes to the feminine form مكتوبة.
How do you pronounce it?
maktūb
Did you know?
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, saying مكتوب is a way to express acceptance of a difficult situation without complaining. It functions as a verbal shrug to acknowledge that resisting destiny is futile.
- Because the root verb كتب relates to writing, the word مكتوب is conceptually linked to the 'Preserved Tablet', a celestial record in Islamic theology containing all earthly events.
- The concept of 'maktab' (office or desk) shares the same linguistic root as مكتوب. This connects the administrative world of paperwork to the metaphysical world of predestination through the concept of 'recording' something.
Examples in context
- المعلومات مكتوبة في الكتاب.The information is written in the book.
- الرسالة مكتوبة في لغتها الأصلية.The letter is written in its original language.
- هل المعلومة مكتوبة في الصفحة الأولى أم الثانية؟Is the information written on the first page or the second?
- كل شيء مكتوب.Kull shay' maktub.Everything is written.
- لا تقلق، هذا مكتوب.La taqlaq, hadha maktub.Don't worry, this is written (destined).
- الرزق مكتوب.Al-rizq maktub.Livelihood is predestined.
Example conversation
Youssef and Nour are talking about a missed job opportunity.
- يوسف Youssefلقد خسرت الوظيفة الجديدة.Laqad khasart al-wadifa al-jadida.I lost the new job.
- نور Nourلا تحزن يا يوسف، هذا مكتوب.La tahzan ya Youssef, hadha maktub.Don't be sad Youssef, it is written.
- يوسف Youssefهل تعتقد ذلك؟Hal ta'taqid dhalik?Do you think so?
- نور Nourنعم، كل شيء مقدّر.Na'am, kull shay' muqaddar.Yes, everything is predestined.
