لطف
luṭf
The English word "kindness" is translated into Arabic as لطف (luṭf).
لطف is used to describe the quality of being kind, often referring to kindness as an act or a specific behavior.
Meaning: being kind (noun)
Which one should you use?
While لطف refers to kindness as a behavior, the term إحسان (IHSAN) is a broader concept that encompasses doing good, showing kindness and acting benevolently towards others.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the word الطيبة (EL-TAYYIBA) is used to express kindness.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun لطف can be combined with possessive suffixes to indicate ownership. For example, you can use لطفك to mean "your kindness" or add the suffix -ha to create لطفها to mean "her kindness".
How do you pronounce it?
luṭf
Did you know?
- In many Arabic dialects, the word لطف is used in the phrase يا لطيف (Ya Latif), which is a call to one of the names of God meaning 'The Most Kind' or 'The Most Subtle'.
- The concept of لطف is closely linked to the idea of 'divine grace' in certain philosophical traditions, where it refers to a subtle, invisible support from a higher power.
- In Arabic calligraphy, the letters used in لطف are often selected by artists to demonstrate the 'grace' and 'gentleness' the word itself describes through their flowing shapes.
Examples in context
- لن أنس أبدا لطفك.I'll never forget your kindness.This sentence is useful for expressing that you will always remember someone's لطف.Tatoeba #7981852 by OsoHombre, translation #252833 by CK
- لا يمكنني أن أنسى لطفها.I can't forget her kindness.This sentence is useful for stating that you cannot forget someone's لطف.Tatoeba #11664264 by dididodo, translation #3040310 by Amastan
- أثّر فيّ لطفها.Her kindness touched me.This sentence is useful for describing how someone's لطف had an emotional impact on you.Tatoeba #669069 by Samer, translation #309464 by CM
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ziad and Nour are talking about a helpful stranger at a cafe.
- زياد Ziadلقد كان لطف الرجل كبيراً.laqad kana lutfu al-rajuli kabiran.The man's kindness was great.
- نور Nourنعم، لقد ساعدنا بصدق.na'am, laqad sa'adana bi-sidq.Yes, he truly helped us.
- زياد Ziadأقدر هذا اللطف جداً.uqaddiru hadha al-lutfa jiddan.I appreciate this kindness very much.
- نور Nourاللطف يجعل العالم أجمل.al-lutfu yaj'alu al-'alama ajmal.Kindness makes the world more beautiful.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
