نوبة هلع
nawbat hala'
The English phrase 'panic attack' is translated into Arabic as نوبة هلع (nawbat hala').
The term refers to a sudden period of intense anxiety.
Meaning: sudden period of intense anxiety (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egypt, the formal term أزمة هلع is commonly used.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural 'panic attacks', use نوبات هلع (nawbāt hala').
How do you pronounce it?
nawbat hala'
Did you know?
- The root of the word هلع is shared with terms describing a startled animal or a bird suddenly taking flight in fear.
- Historically, the term نوبة (nawba) was used to describe a 'troupe' of musicians performing in succession, a concept likely borrowed from Ottoman Turkish.
- While نوبة هلع is the standard term, some dialects might use the phrase قلبي وقف (qalbi waqaf), meaning 'my heart stopped', to describe the feeling.
Examples in context
- أشعر وكأنني في وسط نوبة هلع.ash'uru wa ka'annani fi wasati nawbati hala'.I feel like I am in the middle of a panic attack.
- كيف يمكنني السيطرة على نوبة هلع؟kayfa yumkinuni al-saytaratu 'ala nawbati hala'?How can I control a panic attack?
Example conversation
Sara is comforting Yusuf after a stressful event.
- سارة Saraهل أنت بخير يا يوسف؟hal anta bikhayrin ya Yusuf?Are you okay, Yusuf?
- يوسف Youssefلا، لقد أصابتني نوبة هلع.la, laqad asabatni nawbatu hala'.No, I had a panic attack.
- سارة Saraأنا آسفة لسماع ذلك، هل تحتاج لمساعدة؟ana asifa l-sama' dhalik, hal tahtaju li-musaa'ada?I am sorry to hear that, do you need help?
- يوسف Youssefأحتاج فقط لبعض الهدوء.ahtaju faqat li-ba'di al-hudu'.I just need some calm.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries نوبة, CC BY-SA 4.0.
