ساق
sāg/saːq/Hijazi Arabic, feminine
In Arabic, the word for leg is ساق (sāg). Wiktionary also lists رِجْل (rijl) and سَاق (sāq).
Meaning: lower limb from groin to ankle (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ساق | sāg | /saːq/ /saː.qa/ |
Hijazi Arabic, feminine |
| رِجْل | rijl | feminine | |
| سَاق | sāq | feminine | |
| رجل | regl | /ra.d͡ʒul/ | Egyptian Arabic, feminine |
| ريل | rīl | Gulf Arabic, feminine | |
| رِجِل | rijil | Hijazi Arabic, masculine | |
| إجر | ʔižr | North Levantine Arabic, feminine |
The term is used to refer to the lower limb from the groin to the ankle.
Which one should you use?
While رِجْل refers to the whole leg, the formal term سَاق specifically refers to the lower leg, such as the shin or the calf.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the word for leg is often pronounced as رجل (regl). In Gulf Arabic, you will often hear the word ريل (rīl). In Hijazi Arabic, you may hear ساق (sāg) or the masculine form رِجِل (rijil). In North Levantine Arabic, the word إجر (ʔižr) is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word رِجْل is a feminine noun, so any adjectives used to describe it must also be in the feminine form.
How do you pronounce it?
sāq
Did you know?
- The word رجل for 'leg' shares the same root as the word for 'man' in Arabic. This links the concept of masculinity to the act of walking or standing.
- The term ساق is used in the Quran to describe a physical manifestation of the Day of Judgment, giving the word a deep theological significance beyond anatomy.
- In Arabic, you can describe someone as having 'heavy legs' رجل ثقيلة to mean they are lazy or slow to act. This uses the physical limb to describe a personality trait.
Examples in context
- شعر بألم في رجله.He experienced a pain in his leg.This sentence is useful for describing physical pain in a رجل.Tatoeba #11683644 by dididodo, translation #2731481 by Amastan
- لم تكسر رجل زيري.Ziri didn't break his leg.This sentence is useful for stating that someone did not break a رجل.Tatoeba #12000178 by dididodo, translation #11051027 by Amastan
- يمكن لزيري أن يكسر رجله أو ذراعه، لكن لن يموت.Ziri may break a leg or an arm, but he won't die.This sentence is useful for discussing the possibility of breaking a رجل or an arm.Tatoeba #11997192 by dididodo, translation #10216658 by Amastan
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ziyad and Nour are talking about a sports injury.
- زياد Ziadنور، هل ما زالت ساقك تؤلمك؟Nour, hal ma zalat saquk tu'limuk?Nour, does your leg still hurt?
- نور Nourنعم، أشعر بتشنج في ساقي.Na'am, ash'ur bi tashannuj fi saqi.Yes, I feel a cramp in my leg.
- زياد Ziadيجب أن تريحي ساقك اليوم.Yajib an turihi saquk al-yawm.You should rest your leg today.
- نور Nourمعك حق يا زياد، سأفعل ذلك.Ma'ak haqq ya Ziyad, sa'af'al dhalik.You are right Ziyad, I will do that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “leg” translations and entries ساق, رجل, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
