جميل
jamil
The English word 'lovely' is translated into Arabic as جميل (jamil).
جميل is used as an adjective to describe something that is beautiful, charming or very pleasing in appearance, tone or manner.
Meaning: beautiful, charming, very pleasing in form, looks, tone, or manner (adj)
Which one should you use?
While جميل is a standard way to express 'lovely', you might use رائع to mean 'wonderful' or 'excellent' or فاتن to add a poetic touch meaning 'captivating'. In informal settings, حلو can mean 'lovely' or 'sweet' and the phrase زي القمر is used to describe someone as 'lovely' or 'beautiful' by saying they are 'like the moon'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the colloquial term خطير is used to mean 'lovely' or 'fabulous'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the adjective changes based on the gender and number of what you are describing: use جميلة (jamilah) for feminine singular, جميلون (jamilun) for masculine plural and جميلات (jamilat) for feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
jamil
Did you know?
- In many Arabic cultures, praising something as جميل can be seen as tempting fate, so people often add ما شاء الله to avoid the 'evil eye'.
- In Egypt, you might hear someone call a person or an idea خطير, which literally translates to 'dangerous', but is used as slang for 'fabulous' or 'lovely'.
- The root of جميل is linked to the concept of 'gathering' or 'bringing together' things into a harmonious whole.
Examples in context
- إنّ هذه الريشات جميلة جدّا.These feathers are lovely.This sentence shows how to use جميل to describe feathers.Tatoeba #5862349 by OsoHombre, translation #5817625 by OsoHombre
- يا له من فستان قبائلي جميل!What a lovely Kabyle dress.This sentence uses جميل to describe a Kabyle dress.Tatoeba #11978437 by dididodo, translation #8172728 by Amastan
- سيجد لك فستانا قبائليا جميلا.We will find you a lovely Kabyle dress.Tatoeba #11645174 by dididodo, translation #8313892 by Amastan
- أنت جميلة!You are lovely!
- هذا منظر جميل!This is a lovely view!
- عملك رائع!Your work is lovely!
- سافرت إلى مكان رائع!I traveled to a lovely place!
- أشجار الزيتون جميلة وفاتنة!Olive trees are lovely and captivating!
- وجبتك حلوة!Your meal is lovely!
- أنت حلوة جداً!You are very lovely!
- أنت زي القمر!You are lovely like the moon!
- الطعام في هذا المطعم خطير!The food at this restaurant is lovely (dangerously good)!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yusuf and Sarah are walking in a park.
- يوسف Youssefالجو جميل اليوم، أليس كذلك؟al-jaw jamil al-yawm, alaysa kadhalik?The weather is lovely today, isn't it?
- سارة Saraنعم، إنه يوم جميل جداً.na'am, innahu yawm jamil jiddan.Yes, it is a very lovely day.
- يوسف Youssefسارة، انظري إلى تلك الزهور.Sarah, unzhuri ila tilka al-zuhur.Sarah, look at those flowers.
- سارة Saraإنها زهور جميلة حقاً.innaha zuhur jamila haqqan.They are truly lovely flowers.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
