حياة
ḥayā/ħa.jaːh/Egyptian Arabic, feminine
حياة (ḥayā) is the Arabic word for life. Wiktionary also lists حَيَاة (ḥayāh).
Meaning: the state of being alive (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| حياة | ḥayā | /ħa.jaːh/ | Egyptian Arabic, feminine |
| حَيَاة | ḥayāh | feminine |
The word refers to the state of being alive.
Which one should you use?
The standard form حَيَاة includes a final 'h' sound, whereas the Egyptian Arabic form حياة drops this final sound.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egypt, speakers use the form حياة (pronounced ḥayā) in their dialect, which differs from the standard pronunciation. The form حَيَاة (pronounced Hayāt) is also used by Egyptians to refer to life.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ħa.jaːh/ (two syllables).
Did you know?
- The root of حياة is used to create the word تحية (greeting), implying that greeting someone is a way of acknowledging their life and presence.
- To describe a 'still life' painting, Arabic speakers use the term طبيعة صامتة, which literally translates to 'silent nature'.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, the phrase على حياتي (on my life) is used as a passionate way to swear an oath or emphasize that something is absolutely true.
Examples in context
- لن تطول حياة زيري.Ziri's life will not be long.This sentence shows how to use حياة when discussing the length of a life.Tatoeba #11997272 by dididodo, translation #10802967 by Amastan
- لدي حياة جيدة الان.I have a good life now.This sentence demonstrates using حياة to describe the quality of one's life.Tatoeba #6042790 by Mohkhair, translation #2358729 by CK
- هو يعيش حياة بائسة.He lives a miserable life.This sentence shows how to use حياة to describe a way of living.Tatoeba #7275087 by OsoHombre, translation #2422957 by _undertoad
- حياة الإنسان قصيرة وثمينةLife is short and precious.
- عمري أجمل معكMy life is more beautiful with you.
- 180 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nour and Ziad are discussing their future goals.
- نور Nourنفسي أغير شكل حياتي.Nafsi aghayyar shakl hayati.I want to change the shape of my life.
- زياد Ziadليه؟ حياتك جميلة يا نور.Leh? Hayatek gamila ya Nour.Why? Your life is beautiful, Nour.
- نور Nourبس عايزة حياة فيها مغامرة أكتر.Bas ayza haya fiha mughamra aktar.But I want a life with more adventure.
- زياد Ziadدي أحسن حياة ممكن تعيشيها.Di ahsan haya mumkin ta'isheeha.That is the best life you could live.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “life” translations and entries حياة, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
