ملاك
malak
The Arabic word for "angel" is ملاك (malak).
The term refers to a spiritual being often depicted as a messenger of God. It is used in strictly religious contexts to refer to celestial beings, but it is also used metaphorically to describe a person with a kind or pure nature. In informal settings, Malak can also function as a personal name or a term of endearment.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of ملاك is ملائكة (mala'ika).
How do you pronounce it?
malak
Did you know?
- In some Arabic dialects, calling someone a ملاك can be used sarcastically to describe someone who pretends to be innocent while actually being mischievous.
- In some traditional beliefs across the Arab world, certain angels are assigned to specific physical tasks, such as the 'angels of the wind' who move the clouds to bring rain.
- The plural form ملائكة (mala'ika) is a 'broken plural', a complex Arabic grammatical feature where the internal structure of the singular word is changed rather than just adding a suffix.
Examples in context
- أُحِبُّك، مَلَك!I love you, Malak!
- يا مَلَك، كَيْفَ حَالُك؟Hey, Malak, how are you?
- شُكْرًا لِمُساعَدَتِكَ، مَلَك!Thank you for your help, Malak!
Example conversation
Mariam and Youssef are talking about a painting in a gallery.
- مريم Maryamما لوحة هذه اللوحة ترسم ملاك؟Ma lawha hadhihi al-lawha tarsum malak?Does this painting depict an angel?
- يوسف Youssefنعم يا ملاك بالجناح.Na'am ya, malak bil-janah.Yes, an angel with wings.
- مريم Maryamالألوان بدييه جداً.Al-alwan badiyah jiddan.The colors are very beautiful.
- يوسف Youssefالفن من الملاك مزكاه.Al-fann min al-malak muzakaah.The art of the angel is amazing.
