قَوَّاد
qawwādmasculine
The English phrase 'pimp' is translated into Arabic as قَوَّاد (qawwād). Wiktionary also lists عرص (ʕarṣ).
Meaning: prostitution solicitor (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| قَوَّاد | qawwād | masculine |
| عرص | ʕarṣ | South Levantine Arabic, masculine |
The term is used to describe a prostitution solicitor.
What does it mean word for word?
The word قَوَّاد is an intensive active participle meaning 'one who leads' or 'one who guides', implying someone who directs people toward illicit activities.
Which one should you use?
قَوَّاد is the standard term used across the Arabic-speaking world, while عرص is a specific slang term used in South-Levantine dialects.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
قَوَّاد is the formal and standard term. In contrast, عرص is highly offensive slang.
Is it said differently in some regions?
عرص is used specifically in South-Levantine Arabic, such as in parts of Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form is قَوَّاد. To refer to a female pimp, use the feminine form قَوَّادَة.
How do you pronounce it?
qawwād
Did you know?
- While English speakers might use 'pimp' to describe a flashy lifestyle, Arabic terms for pimping carry only negative connotations of shame and criminality.
- In Egyptian Arabic, the word عرص has evolved beyond its original meaning and is sometimes used as a general, highly aggressive political insult.
- While قَوَّاد comes from the root for 'leading', the slang term عرص originally referred to a man who was indifferent to his wife's infidelity.
Examples in context
- هذا الرجل يعمل كـ قَوَّاد.hadha al-rajul ya'mal ka qawwad.This man works as a pimp.
- الشرطة قبضت على قَوَّاد في الحي.al-shurta qabadat 'ala qawwad fi al-hayy.The police arrested a pimp in the neighborhood.
- الرواية تتحدث عن قَوَّاد مشهور.al-riwaya tatahaddath 'an qawwad mashhur.The novel talks about a famous pimp.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pimp” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
