برهان
burhān
In Arabic, the word for proof is برهان (burhān).
برهان is used to denote a rigorous, definitive, logical or mathematical proof. It is the standard term for formal contexts such as mathematics, logic and philosophy, such as in the phrase برهان رياضي (mathematical proof).
Meaning: the degree of evidence which convinces the mind of any truth or fact, and produces belief (noun)
Which one should you use?
While برهان refers to a definitive and logical proof, the term دليل (dalīl) is a more general word used for evidence or a clue. Additionally, استدلال (istidlāl) refers specifically to the process of providing proof or evidence to support a certain assertion.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of برهان is براهين (burāhīn).
How do you pronounce it?
burhān
Did you know?
- The term برهان is believed to be borrowed from Ge'ez, an ancient Ethiopian language, where the word ብርሃን means 'light' or 'brightness'.
- While برهان refers to a logical proof, the more general word for evidence, دليل, also means 'a guide' or 'a tour leader'.
- Arabic treats the act of proving something as a process of 'clearing it up' or 'making it white'. This creates a linguistic metaphor where truth is white and falsehood is dark.
Examples in context
- لا يوجد برهان على هذا الادعاء.la yujad burhan 'ala hadha al-iddi'a'.There is no proof for this claim.
- هل لديك برهان منطقي؟hal ladayka burhan mantiqi?Do you have logical proof?
- أحتاج إلى برهان ملموس.ahtaj ila burhan malmus.I need concrete proof.
Example conversation
Omar and Maryam are discussing a scientific claim.
- عمر Omarهل لديك برهان على هذا الادعاء يا مريم؟Hal ladayki burhān 'alā hādhā al-iddi'ā' yā Maryam?Do you have proof for this claim, Maryam?
- مريم Maryamنعم، سأريك الصور الآن يا عمر.Na'am, sa-urīka al-ṣuwar al-ān yā Omar.Yes, I will show you the photos now, Omar.
- عمر Omarهل هذه الصور تعتبر برهاناً حقيقياً؟Hal hādhihi al-ṣuwar tu'tabar burhānan ḥaqīqiyyan?Are these photos considered real proof?
- مريم Maryamبالطبع، فهي توضح كل شيء.Bi-ṭab'i, fa-hiya tuwaḍḍiḥ kull shay.Of course, they clarify everything.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries برهان, CC BY-SA 4.0.
