شهيد
shahīd
The English word "martyr" is شهيد (shahīd) in Arabic.
The term refers to one who sacrifices their life for an important cause. In the Arab world, the term is used broadly and can refer to those who die in battle, in accidents or even in natural disasters, depending on the religious or political context.
Meaning: one who sacrifices their life for an important cause (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular masculine form is شهيد. To refer to a female martyr, use the feminine form شهيدة. The plural form for multiple martyrs is الشهداء or شهداء.
How do you pronounce it?
shahīd
Did you know?
- Because of its association with bearing witness, the word can also appear in legal or formal contexts to describe a person who provides testimony in court.
- The concept of شهادة ('martyrdom') is often described in a way that suggests the person is 'alive' in a spiritual sense, rather than dead.
- The word shares a common Semitic ancestor with the Hebrew word שָׂהֵד, meaning the two languages track the same conceptual path regarding 'witnessing'.
Examples in context
- في الحرب، يدافع الجنود عن وطنهم ويمكن أن يُصبحوا شهداء.In war, soldiers defend their homeland and can become martyrs.
- نحن نكرم الشهداء الذين ضحوا بحياتهم من أجل الحرية.We honor the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for freedom.
- نحن نحترم كل شهيد ضحى بنفسه.nahnu nuhtarimu kulla shahidin daha bi-nafsihi.We respect every martyr who sacrificed himself.
- هذا الرجل شهيد عظيم في تاريخنا.hadha al-rajul shahid 'azim fi tarikhina.This man is a great martyr in our history.
Example conversation
Two people are visiting a memorial for fallen soldiers.
- ليلى Laylaهل تعرف قصة هذا الشهيد؟hal ta'rif qissat hadha al-shahid?Do you know the story of this martyr?
- عمر Omarنعم، لقد كان شهيداً شجاعاً جداً.na'am, laqad kana shahidan shuja'an jiddan.Yes, he was a very brave martyr.
- ليلى Laylaتضحياته ستظل خالدة في قلوبنا.tadhiyahatu satadhallu khalidatan fi qulubina.His sacrifices will remain eternal in our hearts.
- عمر Omarحقاً، هو بطل في نظر الجميع.haqqan, huwa batal fi nathari al-jami'.Truly, he is a hero in the eyes of everyone.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries شهيد, CC BY-SA 4.0.
