متواضع
mutawadi'
The English word 'modest' is translated into Arabic as متواضع (mutawadi').
The term متواضع emphasizes a person's modesty in demeanor, appearance and conduct.
Meaning: not bragging or boasting about oneself or one's achievements (adj)
Which one should you use?
While متواضع refers to a person's general demeanor and conduct, the formal term متعفف is used specifically to describe modesty in relation to one's lifestyle choices, wealth or possessions.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes based on the noun it describes: use the feminine form متواضعة for feminine nouns and the masculine plural form متواضعون for masculine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
mutawadi'
Did you know?
- The root of متواضع is the same as the word for 'prostration' or 'bowing' in a religious context. This suggests that being modest is fundamentally an act of lowering oneself before others.
- In some Arabic dialects, calling someone متواضع can be used sarcastically to describe someone who is actually acting quite grand or superior. Context and tone are essential to ensure you are not accidentally insulting someone.
- In Arabic, the concept of modesty is often linked to حياء (hayaa), which translates more closely to 'shyness' or 'bashfulness' than the English 'modesty'.
Examples in context
- كان سامي يعيش حياة عاديّة و متواضعة.Sami lived a modest ordinary life.This sentence shows how to use متواضع to describe an ordinary life.Tatoeba #7983969 by OsoHombre, translation #6538159 by OsoHombre
- يعرف بأنه إنسان متواضع في تعامله مع الآخرين.He is known to be a modest person in his dealings with others.
- هو شخص ناجح و متواضع جداً.huwa shakṣun nājiḥun wa mutawāḍiʿun jiddan.He is a successful and very modest person.
- مدير الشركة الجديد متواضع للغاية.mudīru al-sharika al-jadīdu mutawāḍiʿun lil-ghāya.The new company manager is extremely modest.
Example conversation
Youssef and Nour are discussing a mutual friend's achievement.
- يوسف Youssefهل سمعتِ عن جائزة أحمد الجديدة؟hal sami'ti 'an ja'izati Ahmad al-jadida?Did you hear about Ahmed's new award?
- نور Nourنعم، لكنه لا يتحدث عن ذلك أبداً.na'am, lakinnahu la yatahaddathu 'an dhalika abadan.Yes, but he never talks about it.
- يوسف Youssefحقاً، إنه رجل متواضع للغاية.haqqan, innahu rajulun mutawadi' lil-ghaya.True, he is an extremely modest man.
- نور Nourهذا ما يجعل الجميع يحبونه.hadha ma yaj'al al-jami' yuhibbunahu.That is what makes everyone love him.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
