سيدة
sayyida
The Arabic word for lady is سيدة (sayyida).
سيدة is a polite way to refer to a lady. It is also used in compound phrases, such as سيدة الأعمال, which means businesswoman.
Meaning: polite: woman (noun)
Which one should you use?
While سيدة is a polite term for a lady, the word امرأة is the standard and neutral term used for woman.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of سيدة is سيدات.
How do you pronounce it?
sayyida
Did you know?
- The masculine form سيد is often used as a title of respect for descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. In these contexts, سيدة specifically denotes a female descendant of the Prophet.
- The root of سيدة carries the connotation of 'mastery' or 'being in control', implying a woman of high social standing or authority.
- In historical contexts, a woman of high nobility might be referred to as سلطانة, which is the feminine version of 'Sultan'.
Examples in context
- تعرف على سيدة من الجزائر اسمها سكورة.He met a lady from Algeria named Skura.This sentence shows how to use سيدة when introducing a lady.Tatoeba #11687895 by dididodo, translation #8404416 by Amastan
- يا سَت، هل ترغبين بشرب فنجان قهوة؟Hey lady, would you like a cup of coffee?
- هذه سيدة طيبة جداً.hadhihi sayyidatun tayyibatun jiddan.This is a very kind lady.
- رأيت سيدة في المكتب اليوم.ra'aytu sayyidatan fil-maktab al-yawm.I saw a lady in the office today.
Example conversation
Yousef is introducing a guest to Maryam.
- مريم Maryamمن هذه السيدة يا يوسف؟Man hadhihi as-sayyida ya Yousef?Who is this lady, Yousef?
- يوسف Youssefهذه سيدة تعمل في الجامعة.Hadhihi sayyida ta'malu fil-jami'a.This is a lady who works at the university.
- مريم Maryamأهلاً بكِ يا سيدة.Ahlan biki ya sayyida.Welcome, lady.
- يوسف Youssefشكراً لكِ يا مريم.Shukran laki ya Maryam.Thank you, Maryam.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
