أمزح
'amzah
The English phrase joking is translated into Arabic as أمزح ('amzah).
This phrase is used to indicate that one is not being serious about what they just said.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form أمزح is the first-person singular present tense, meaning 'I joke' or 'I am joking'. If you wish to address others, you can use different forms: تمزح for 'you are joking' (to a male), تمزحين for 'you are joking' (to a female) and يمزح for 'he is joking'.
How do you pronounce it?
'amzah
Did you know?
- While أمزح is standard, in many street dialects like Egyptian, people might use the word بهزر (be-hazzar) to say they are joking instead.
- In some cultural contexts, excessive joking can be seen as a sign of low character, so one might use أمزح carefully to ensure they are not perceived as disrespectful.
- In formal Arabic literature, the concept of 'joking' can be contrasted with جد which means 'seriousness'. The phrase بين الجد والمزح describes a state of being half-serious and half-joking.
Examples in context
- كنت أمزح فقط.I am only joking.This sentence is useful for expressing that you were only joking.Tatoeba #372068 by saeb, translation #33037 by CK
- أنا فقط أمزح.I'm only joking.This sentence is useful for expressing that you are only joking.Tatoeba #1891304 by Asma, translation #1891099 by CK
- أنا بمزحI am joking
- مرة واحد أكل بصلة واحدة، قام البصلة انتحرت!Once, someone ate an onion, and the onion committed suicide!
- أنا أمزح معك.ana amzah ma'ak.I am joking with you.
Example conversation
Yousef tells Sara a fake scary story to tease her.
- يوسف Youssefلقد رأيت شبحاً في الغرفة!laqad ra'aytu shabahan fil-ghurfah!I saw a ghost in the room!
- سارة Saraهل أنت جاد؟ هذا مخيف!hal anta jad? hadha mukhif!Are you serious? That is scary!
- يوسف Youssefلا تقلقي، أنا أمزح فقط.la taqlaqi, ana amzah faqat.Don't worry, I am only joking.
- سارة Saraلقد أخفتني يا يوسف!laqad akhaftani ya Yousef!You scared me, Yousef!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
