مَالِك
mālikmasculine
The English phrase "owner" can be translated into Arabic as مَالِك (mālik). Wiktionary also lists مَالِكَة (mālika) and صَاحِب (ṣāḥib).
Meaning: one who owns (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| مَالِك | mālik | masculine |
| مَالِكَة | mālika | feminine |
| صَاحِب | ṣāḥib | masculine |
| صَاحِبَة | ṣāḥiba | feminine |
What does it mean word for word?
The word مَالِك is an active participle derived from the root m-l-k, which relates to owning or possessing.
Which one should you use?
مَالِك is a formal term that specifically denotes legal or absolute ownership. In contrast, صَاحِب is a formal word used when referring to someone who owns a business or an establishment.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, صاحب (sahib) can be used to express owner.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form مَالِك has the feminine form مَالِكَة (mālika). The masculine form صَاحِب has the feminine form صَاحِبَة (ṣāḥiba).
How do you pronounce it?
mālik
Did you know?
- While صَاحِب means 'owner' in a business sense, its literal root means 'companion' or 'friend'. In many Arabic dialects, calling someone صَاحِبِي means 'my friend' rather than 'my owner'.
- The root m-l-k, found in مَالِك, is also the foundation for the word 'Malik', which means 'King' in Arabic. This creates a linguistic link between the concept of owning property and the concept of owning a realm.
- The word مَالِك is used in the 'Al-Fatiha', the opening chapter of the Quran, to describe God as the 'Owner of the Day of Judgment'.
Examples in context
- أنا المالك للمنزل.I am the owner of the house.
- أنا صاحب الشركة.I am the owner of the company.
- هو رب البيت الجديد.He is the new owner of the house.
- هو راعي المحل.He is the owner of the shop.
- أنا مالك السيارة.I am the owner of the car.
- أنا صاحب المطعم.I am the owner of the restaurant.
- هُوَ مَالِكُ هَذَا المَتْجَرِ.Huwa māliku hādhā al-matjar.He is the owner of this store.
- أَنَا مَالِكُ هَذَا المَنْزِلِ.Anā māliku hādhā al-manzil.I am the owner of this house.
- هَلْ أَنْتَ مَالِكُ هَذِهِ السَّيَّارَةِ؟Hal anta māliku hādhihi as-sayyārah?Are you the owner of this car?
Example conversation
Ahmed and Layla are talking about a store in the neighborhood.
- أحمد Ahmedهل تعرفين مَالِك هذا المتجر؟Hal ta'rifin malik hadha al-matjar?Do you know the owner of this store?
- ليلى Laylaلا، لا أعرفه يا أحمد.La, la a'rifuhu ya Ahmad.No, I don't know him, Ahmed.
- أحمد Ahmedأريد التحدث مع المَالِك الآن.Urid al-tahadduth ma' al-malik al-an.I want to speak with the owner now.
- ليلى Laylaيمكنك البحث عنه في الداخل.Yumkinuka al-bahth anhu fi al-dakhil.You can look for him inside.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “owner” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
