حَمَل
ḥamalmasculine
The English word "lamb" can be translated into Arabic as حَمَل (ḥamal) or خَرُوف.
Meaning: young sheep (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| حَمَل | ḥamal | masculine |
| خَرُوف | ḵarūf | masculine |
Both words refer to a young sheep. While they both translate to lamb, they are used in different contexts depending on whether you are speaking generally or scientifically.
Which one should you use?
خَرُوف is the most common word for a sheep or a lamb used in everyday conversation. In contrast, حَمَل is a more technical or biological term for a lamb.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of خَرُوف is خِرْفَان.
How do you pronounce it?
ḥamal
Did you know?
- The word حَمَل can also refer to a 'pregnancy' in a medical or formal context, as it describes the 'carrying' of a fetus.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, the word خَرُوف is used as a slang term to describe a man who is overly submissive or gullible in romantic pursuits.
- The term حَمَل is also the name of the constellation 'Aries' in Arabic astronomy, linking the animal directly to the stars.
Examples in context
- أنا أحب لحم الخروف المشوي في المناسبات الخاصة.I love grilled lamb on special occasions.
- هذا حَمَلٌ صغيرٌ جداً.hadha hamalun saghirun jiddan.This is a very small lamb.
- رأيتُ حَمَلًا في المزرعة.ra'aytu hamalan fil-mazra'ah.I saw a lamb on the farm.
Example conversation
Layla and Yusuf are visiting a farm.
- ليلى Laylaانظر يا يوسف، هناك حَمَلٌ جميلٌ!unzur ya Yusuf, hunaka hamalun jamil!Look Yusuf, there is a beautiful lamb!
- يوسف Youssefنعم، إنه حَمَلٌ نشيطٌ للغاية.na'am, innahu hamalun nashitun lil-ghayah.Yes, it is a very energetic lamb.
- ليلى Laylaهل هو وحيدٌ هنا؟hal huwa wahidun huna?Is he alone here?
- يوسف Youssefلا، أُمُّهُ قريبةٌ منه.la, ummuhu qaribatun minhu.No, his mother is close to him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lamb” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
