عَالٍ
ʕālinindefinite
The English word "loud" is translated into Arabic as عَالٍ (ʕālin). Wiktionary also lists اَلْعَالِي (al-ʕālī).
Meaning: of a sound (adj)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| عَالٍ | ʕālin | indefinite |
| اَلْعَالِي | al-ʕālī | definite |
The term is used as an adjective to describe a sound that is loud. In formal contexts, the word مُرتَفِع can also be used to indicate a high or elevated volume.
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective used for a loud sound literally translates to "high" in English.
Which one should you use?
The word عَالٍ is used for volume (loudness), but it is the same word used to describe physical height (high).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the form عَالِي is used to describe "loud".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form عَالٍ is the indefinite form used when the noun it describes does not have the definite article al-. The form اَلْعَالِي is the definite form.
How do you pronounce it?
ʕālin
Did you know?
- When describing music, using عَالٍ can sometimes imply it is 'unpleasant' or 'deafening' rather than just having a high decibel level.
- If you want to describe a 'loud' person in terms of their personality or character, Arabic speakers often shift away from 'height' and use words related to 'noise' or 'disturbance'.
- While عَالٍ describes the sound itself, if you want to tell someone to 'speak up', you often use a phrase that means 'raise your voice' rather than 'make your sound high'.
Examples in context
- الصوت عالٍ جدًا في هذه الغرفة.The sound is very loud in this room.
- الموسيقى قَوِيَّةٌ جِدًا!The music is very loud!
- هَذَا صَوْتٌ عَالٍ.hadha sawtun 'alin.This is a loud sound.
- هَلْ هُنَاكَ صَوْتٌ عَالٍ فِي الْخَارِجِ؟hal hunaka sawtun 'alin fil-kharij?Is there a loud sound outside?
Example conversation
Omar and Layla are in a quiet library.
- عمر Omarلَيْلَى، هَلْ تَسْمَعِينَ صَوْتًا عَالِيًا؟Layla, hal tasma'ina sawtan 'aliyan?Layla, do you hear a loud sound?
- ليلى Laylaنَعَمْ، هَذَا صَوْتٌ عَالٍ جِدًّا.na'am, hadha sawtun 'alin jiddan.Yes, that is a very loud sound.
- عمر Omarيَجِبُ أَنْ نَخْرُجَ مِنْ هُنَا.yajibu an nakhruja min huna.We must leave from here.
- ليلى Laylaأَنَا أَوَافِقُكَ الرَّأْيَ يَا عُمَرُ.ana uwafiquka ar-ra'ya ya Omar.I agree with you, Omar.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “loud” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
