صَافٍ
ṣāfinindefinite
The English word "pure" is translated into Arabic as صَافٍ (ṣāfin). Wiktionary also lists نَقِيّ (naqiyy) and اَلصَّافِي (aṣ-ṣāfī).
Meaning: free of foreign material or pollutants (adj)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| صَافٍ | ṣāfin | indefinite |
| نَقِيّ | naqiyy | |
| اَلصَّافِي | aṣ-ṣāfī | definite |
Arabic uses different words for pure depending on whether you are describing clarity or composition. صَافٍ is used for things that are clear or transparent, such as water or the sky. In contrast, نَقِيّ is used for things that are pure in terms of composition or lack of impurities.
Which one should you use?
Use صَافٍ when referring to clarity or transparency, such as clear water. Use نَقِيّ for substances that are chemically or physically pure, such as gold, air or blood.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form صَافٍ is the indefinite form of the adjective.
How do you pronounce it?
ṣāfin
Did you know?
- Arabic has a specific word for 'pure' water used in religious ablutions, مَاء طَهُور, which means water that is both pure itself and can purify other things.
- When describing a 'pure' voice or sound, Arabic speakers often use صَافٍ, treating a clear sound as if it were a transparent liquid.
- The word نَقِيّ comes from a root meaning 'to pick out' or 'to select', implying that purity is achieved by actively removing the unwanted parts.
Examples in context
- الماء صَافٍ ونَقِيٌّ.The water is clean and pure.
- هَذَا مَاءٌ صَافٍ.hādhā mā'un ṣāfin.This is pure water.
- الْهَوَاءُ صَافٍ فِي الْجَبَلِ.al-hawā'u ṣāfin fī al-jabal.The air is pure in the mountain.
- الذَّهَبُ صَافٍ جِدًّا.adh-dhahabu ṣāfin jiddan.The gold is very pure.
Example conversation
Mariam and Ahmad are hiking in a high mountain area.
- مريم Maryamالْهَوَاءُ هُنَا صَافٍ جِدًّا!al-hawā'u hunā ṣāfin jiddan!The air here is very pure!
- أحمد Ahmedنَعَمْ، وَالْمَاءُ أَيْضًا صَافٍ.na'am, wal-mā'u ayḍan ṣāfin.Yes, and the water is also pure.
- مريم Maryamهَذَا رَائِعٌ يَا أَحْمَدُ.hādhā rā'i'un yā aḥmad.This is wonderful, Ahmad.
- أحمد Ahmedإِنَّهُ مَكَانٌ جَمِيلٌ.innahu makānun jamīl.It is a beautiful place.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pure” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
