كابوس
kābūs
The Arabic word for nightmare is كابوس (kābūs).
The word كابوس refers to a bad dream. Similar to English, it can also be used metaphorically to describe a terrible situation or a very unpleasant experience.
Meaning: dream (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of كابوس is كوابيس.
How do you pronounce it?
kābūs
Did you know?
- In some Arabic folk traditions, the feeling of being unable to move during a كابوس is attributed to a الجثوم, a spirit that sits on the chest of the sleeper.
- The root ك ب س also relates to the act of pressing things together, which is why the same root appears in the word for 'compressed' or 'pressed' in modern technical Arabic.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, it is a common custom to seek refuge in God or recite specific verses from the Quran upon waking from a كابوس to ward off its effects.
Examples in context
- رأى زيري كابوسا آخر.Ziri had another nightmare.This sentence shows how to use كابوس to describe having a nightmare.Tatoeba #11959945 by dididodo, translation #10231794 by Amastan
- كان ذلك المطار كابوسا.The airport was a nightmare.This sentence demonstrates using كابوس metaphorically to describe a terrible situation.Tatoeba #10304284 by Amghar, translation #8390672 by Amastan
- بدأ رودريغو يرى كابوسا آخر.Rodrigo began having another nightmare.Tatoeba #11960080 by dididodo, translation #11785849 by Amastan
- يعاني من كوابيس ليلية مرعبة.He/She suffers from terrifying nightly nightmares.
- كان لدي حلم سيء، شعرت به وكأنه كابوس.I had a bad dream, I felt it was like a nightmare.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Omar and Layla are talking in their bedroom before sleeping.
- عمر Omarهل رأيتِ كابوساً يا ليلى؟hal ra'ayti kabusan ya Layla?Did you have a nightmare, Layla?
- ليلى Laylaنعم، كان كابوساً مخيفاً جداً.na'am, kana kabusan mukhifan jiddan.Yes, it was a very scary nightmare.
- عمر Omarأنا آسف، هل أنتِ بخير؟ana asif, hal anti bi khayr?I am sorry, are you okay?
- ليلى Laylaأنا بخير الآن، شكراً لك.ana bi khayr al-an, shukran lak.I am fine now, thank you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
