Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| الدورة الشهرية | ad-dawra aš-šahriyya | feminine |
| حَيْض | ḥayḍ | masculine |
| طَمْث | ṭamṯ | masculine |
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase الدورة الشهرية literally translates to the monthly cycle.
Which one should you use?
الدورة الشهرية is the most common and polite way to refer to menstruation in modern conversation, whereas حَيْض is a more formal or technical term used in religious or medical contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal or technical contexts, you may use حَيْض or طَمْث, which are often found in classical texts, Islamic jurisprudence or medical terminology. الدورة الشهرية is the standard, polite term used in everyday social settings and media. In more informal settings, speakers may use الدورة or العادة.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the term for menstruation is commonly expressed as الدم الشهري. In Levantine Arabic, the term عادة الشهر is used to refer to menstruation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term حَيْض and طَمْث are masculine nouns. The term الدورة الشهرية is feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
ad-dawra aš-šahriyya
Did you know?
- While الدورة الشهرية is the standard term, some speakers use the word عذر meaning 'excuse' or 'apology' as a discreet euphemism for being on their period.
- In many Arabic-speaking-cultures, people avoid saying the word الدورة (the cycle) directly to a person's face to maintain modesty, often using euphemisms about 'the time' or 'being unwell' instead.
- The term الدورة used in الدورة الشهرية also means 'circuit' or 'lap' in sports and 'rotation' in geometry. This frames the biological process as a returning path rather than a simple event.
Examples in context
- عندي دورةI have a cycle
- العادة تيجي كل شهرThe period comes every month
- متى تبدأ الدورة الشهرية؟mata tabda' ad-dawrat ash-shahriyya?When does the menstruation start?
Example conversation
Ziyad is asking Layla why she looks tired.
- زياد Ziadلماذا تبدين متعبة اليوم يا ليلى؟Limadha tabdeena mut'aba al-yawm ya Layla?Why do you look tired today, Layla?
- ليلى Laylaأنا أعاني من آلام الدورة الشهرية.Ana u'aani min aalaam ad-dawra ash-shahriyya.I am suffering from menstruation pain.
- زياد Ziadهل تريدين أن أحضر لكِ مسكناً؟Hal tureedeena an ahdura laki musakkinan?Do you want me to get you a painkiller?
- ليلى Laylaنعم، من فضلك يا زياد.Na'am, min fadlika ya Ziyad.Yes, please, Ziyad.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “menstruation” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
