أحمر شفاه
aḥmar shifāh
The English phrase "lipstick" is أحمر شفاه (aḥmar shifāh) in Arabic.
أحمر شفاه is used to refer to make-up for the lips.
Meaning: make-up for the lips (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the word for 'red' (أحمر) and the word for 'lips' (شفاه), literally meaning "red [of] lips".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase أحمر شفاه, the word أحمر (red) acts as the head noun, even though it is an adjective in English.
How do you pronounce it?
aḥmar shifāh
Did you know?
- Even if the lipstick is pink, purple or nude, it is still called أحمر شفاه, which literally means 'red [of] lips'.
- In many Arabic dialects, people use the word روج (rouge) instead of أحمر شفاه, borrowing the term from the French word for red.
- The root ح م ر (ḥ-m-r) does not just mean the color red, but can also relate to the concept of 'burning' or 'heat' in classical Arabic contexts.
Examples in context
- روج ورديPink rouge
- أنا أحتاج إلى أحمر شفاه جديد.ana aḥtāju ilā aḥmar shifāh jadīd.I need a new lipstick.
- هل هذا أحمر شفاه وردي؟hal hādhā aḥmar shifāh wardī?Is this pink lipstick?
Example conversation
Ziad sees Nour getting ready for a party.
- نور Nourسأضع القليل من أحمر شفاه الآن.Sa-ada'u al-qalil min ahmar shifah al-an.I will put on some lipstick now.
- زياد Ziadهذا اللون جميل جداً يا نور.Hadha al-lawn jamil jiddan ya Nour.This color is very beautiful, Nour.
- نور Nourشكراً لك يا زياد.Shukran laka ya Ziyad.Thank you, Ziyad.
- زياد Ziadنحن جاهزون للذهاب الآن.Nahnu jahizuna lil-dhahab al-an.We are ready to go now.
