لطيف
laṭīf
The English word "nice" can be translated into Arabic as لطيف (laṭīf).
لطيف is used to describe someone as attractive or friendly. Beyond describing a person's personality, it can also be used to describe something subtle or gentle, such as a breeze or a scent.
Meaning: attractive, friendly (adj)
Which one should you use?
While لطيف is a common way to express being nice, there are other formal terms available: جَمِيلٌ can be used to mean "nice" and طَيِّبٌ is a formal term used to describe something nice or good in a general sense. Additionally, حَسَنٌ is a formal term used to say something or someone is nice, good or adequate.
How does it change in a sentence?
For a feminine plural, the form is لطيفات, created by adding the suffix -at.
How do you pronounce it?
laṭīf
Did you know?
- The word لطيف is also one of the ninety-nine names of God in Islam, meaning 'The Subtle' or 'The Most Gentle'.
- While لطيف describes a nice person, the word طَيِّبٌ often carries a deeper connotation of being 'pure' or 'wholesome' in character, similar to the English word 'good-hearted'.
- The root of لطيف is shared with words describing physical delicacy or fineness, meaning a 'nice' person is conceptually linked to being 'refined'.
Examples in context
- توم رجل لطيف.Tom is a nice man.This sentence shows how to use لطيف to describe a man.Tatoeba #3664452 by Alaakhalid, translation #3670246 by Shereen
- سائق الحافلة لطيف جدا.The bus driver is super nice.This sentence uses لطيف to describe a bus driver.Tatoeba #11080793 by Amghar, translation #9177331 by Amastan
- أخبرتها أنك فتاة لطيفة.I told her that you're a nice girl.This sentence uses لطيفة to describe a girl.Tatoeba #5115259 by damascene, translation #394897 by Dorenda
- رَأيتُ فيلمًا جَمِيلاً اللَّيْلَةِ.I watched a nice movie tonight.
- لقد صَنَعْتَ عَمَلاً طَيِّبًا.You have done a nice job.
- لديكَ ذَوْقٌ حَسَنٌ.You have good taste.
- المَكَانُ كَانَ رَايِقًا جِدًّا.The place was very nice.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ziad and Layla are talking about a new neighbor.
- زياد Ziadهل قابلتِ الجار الجديد يا ليلى؟Hal qabalti al-jar al-jadid ya Layla?Did you meet the new neighbor, Layla?
- ليلى Laylaنعم، إنه شخص لطيف حقاً.Na'am, innahu shakhsun latif haqqan.Yes, he is a really nice person.
- زياد Ziadهذا خبر جيد جداً.Hadha khabar jayyid jiddan.That is very good news.
- ليلى Laylaنعم، وأسلوبه في الكلام لطيف.Na'am, wa uslubuhu fi al-kalam latif.Yes, and his way of speaking is nice.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
