شفاه
The Arabic word for lips is شفاه.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word شفاه is a broken plural, which is a common way to form plurals in Arabic rather than adding a suffix. The singular form of شفاه is شفة.
Did you know?
- The word شفاه is part of a root system involving the concept of 'healing' or 'curing' in some linguistic contexts, as the root ش-ف-ي relates to recovery.
- In some Arabic idioms, referring to 'lips' in the context of speech can imply the very beginning of a word, as in 'it was on the lips' meaning something was about to be said.
- In traditional Arabic poetry, describing the 'lips' of a beloved often involves metaphors of honey, wine or pomegranate seeds to convey sweetness and color.
Examples in context
- أحب لون شفتيك.I love the color of your lips.
- توجد جروح صغيرة على شفاه الطفل.tujadu juruh saghira 'ala shifah al-tifl.There are small wounds on the child's lips.
- وضعت أحمر الشفاه على شفاهها.wadat ahmar al-shifah 'ala shifahiha.She put lipstick on her lips.
- تتحرك شفاه المغني مع الموسيقى.tataharrak shifah al-mughanni ma' al-musiqa.The singer's lips move with the music.
Example conversation
Yusuf and Layla are talking about skincare.
- يوسف Youssefليلى، هل شفاهكِ تؤلمكِ؟Laylā, hal shifāhuki tu'limuki?Layla, do your lips hurt?
- ليلى Laylaنعم، إنها جافة بسبب البرد.na'am, innahā jāffatun bisabab al-bard.Yes, they are dry because of the cold.
- يوسف Youssefجربي هذا المرطب للشفاه.jarribī hādhā al-murattib lish-shifāh.Try this lip balm.
- ليلى Laylaشكراً يا يوسف، سأجربه الآن.shukran yā Yūsuf, sa-ujarribuhu al-ān.Thank you, Yusuf, I will try it now.
