عقاب
'iqāb
The Arabic word for punishment is عقاب ('iqāb).
عقاب is a noun meaning a penalty for wrongdoing.
Meaning: penalty for wrongdoing (noun)
Which one should you use?
While عقاب refers to the act of punishment, the word عقوبة (uqūba) is often used to refer to a specific legal penalty or sentence.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of عقاب is عقوبات. The verb form of the noun is عاقب (ʿāqaba), which means to punish.
How do you pronounce it?
'iqāb
Did you know?
- Arabic uses a system of root patterns where the same three letters can create words for 'punishment' عقاب and 'heel' عقب. The connection is the idea of something that comes at the very end.
- The word عقاب shares the same root as the Arabic word for 'eagle', which is also عقاب. In classical poetry, the bird's swoop to capture prey was seen as a form of divine punishment.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, the concept of 'punishment' is often balanced by the concept of عفو ('afw'), which means 'pardon'. Offering 'afw' is considered a higher moral achievement than executing 'iqāb'.
Examples in context
- كان عقابهم قاسيًا ولكنه عادل.Their punishment was harsh, but just.This sentence is useful for describing the nature of a punishment using عقاب.Tatoeba #374811 by saeb, translation #374812 by saeb
- إذا ظلمت من دونك فلا تأمن عقاب من فوقك.If you oppress those below you, don't feel safe from the punishment of the one above you.This sentence illustrates the concept of a higher power's punishment using عقاب.Tatoeba #13792088 by rul, translation #13792366 by rul
- قامت المحكمة بتطبيق العقوبة الصارمة على الجاني.The court imposed a severe punishment on the criminal.
- يُعَتَّقَدُ أَنَّ التأديبَ الجيدَ يَساهَمُ في بَناء الشخصية.It is believed that good discipline contributes to character-building.
- الجزاء الذي يليق بالجريمة هو الحبس لمدة عام.The punishment that befits the crime is one year of imprisonment.
- هل هذا عقاب شديد؟hal hadha 'iqab shadid?Is this a severe punishment?
Example conversation
Ahmed and Nour are discussing a strict rule in a classroom.
- أحمد Ahmedأعتقد أن هذا عقاب غير عادل.a'taqidu anna hadha 'iqab ghayr 'adil.I think this punishment is unfair.
- نور Nourلكن يا أحمد، القواعد واضحة.lakin ya Ahmed, al-qawa'id wadhiha.But Ahmed, the rules are clear.
- أحمد Ahmedهل ستتلقى نور عقاباً أيضاً؟hal satatalaqqa Nour 'iqaban aydan?Will Nour receive a punishment too?
- نور Nourلا، هي لم تخطئ.la, hiya lam tukhti'.No, she did not make a mistake.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
