كَتِف
katifmasculine
The English word "shoulder" is كَتِف (katif) in Arabic. Wiktionary also lists كِتْف (kitf) and مَنْكِب (mankib).
Meaning: joint between arm and torso (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| كَتِف | katif | masculine |
| كِتْف | kitf | masculine |
| مَنْكِب | mankib | masculine |
The word refers to the joint between the arm and the torso.
Which one should you use?
The form مَنْكِب is more formal or anatomical than كَتِف.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of كَتِف is أَكْتَاف.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is katif.
Did you know?
- The word أَكْتَاف is used in Arabic to describe the 'shoulders' of a road or the edges of a highway.
- The formal word مَنْكِب is often used in classical Arabic poetry to describe the height and nobility of a person's stature.
- In certain Arabic-speaking cultures, a person might say they are 'leaning on the shoulder' of another to express deep emotional dependence or trust.
Examples in context
- لقد تعرضت لإصابة في الكَتِفI have suffered an injury in my shoulder.
- حَمَلَ الطِّفْلُ الحَقِيبَةَ عَلَى كَتِفِهِ.hamala al-tiflu al-haqibata 'ala katifihi.The child carried the bag on his shoulder.
Example conversation
Sarah is helping Yusuf with a heavy box.
- يوسف Youssefهذا الصندوق ثقيل جداً على كَتِفي.Hatha al-sunduqu thaqilun jiddan 'ala katifi.This box is too heavy for my shoulder.
- سارة Saraدعني أساعدك يا يوسف.Da'ni usa'iduka ya Yusuf.Let me help you, Yusuf.
- يوسف Youssefشكراً لكِ يا سارة.Shukran laki ya Sarah.Thank you, Sarah.
- سارة Saraانتبه ألا تؤذي كَتِفَك.Intabih alla tu'dhiya katifaka.Be careful not to hurt your shoulder.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shoulder” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
