وحش
waḥš
The Arabic word for monster is وحش (waḥš).
The term refers to a terrifying dangerous creature.
Meaning: terrifying dangerous creature (noun)
Which one should you use?
The word غول is another formal term used to describe a monster.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the noun وحش is وحوش.
How do you pronounce it?
waḥš
Did you know?
- In some Arabic-speaking regions, calling a person a وحش can actually be a compliment, implying they are a 'beast' or 'monster' in terms of strength or talent.
- The alternative word غول is the origin of the English word 'ghoul', which entered English via French and Arabic literature.
- The word وحش shares a linguistic root with the word for 'loneliness' or 'desolation', وحشة, suggesting that a monster is something that exists in isolation from society.
Examples in context
- تحول ياني إلى وحش.Yanni transformed into a monster.This sentence illustrates a transformation into a وحش.Tatoeba #11792479 by dididodo, translation #8803401 by Amastan
- هناك وحش تحت سريري.There's a monster under my bed.This sentence is useful for describing a وحش located under a bed.Tatoeba #371428 by saeb, translation #371429 by saeb
- يوجد وحش تحت سريري.There is a monster under my bed.This sentence is useful for stating the existence of a وحش under a bed.Tatoeba #1594447 by Amastan, translation #1186030 by CC
- هناك وحش عملاق في القصص الخيالية.There is a giant monster in the fairy tales.
- في الرواية، يواجه البطل غولًا شريرًا في الغابة.In the novel, the hero encounters an evil monster in the forest.
- هذا الطفل مشاغب، حقاً يتصرف كعفريت.This child is mischievous, he behaves like a monster.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A mother and son are watching a scary movie.
- مريم Maryamهل هذا وحش في الفيلم؟hal hadha wahsh fi al-film?Is that a monster in the movie?
- عمر Omarنعم، إنه وحش كبير جداً.na'am, innahu wahsh kabir jiddan.Yes, it is a very big monster.
- مريم Maryamأنا خائفة من هذا الوحش.ana kha'ifa min hadha al-wahsh.I am scared of this monster.
- عمر Omarلا تخافي يا مريم، إنه مجرد خيال.la takhafi ya Maryam, innahu mujarrad khayal.Don't be afraid, Maryam, it's just fiction.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry وحش, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
