سخيف
sakhīf
The Arabic word for silly is سخيف (sakhīf).
سخيف is used to describe something or someone that is silly, showing a lack of good sense or wisdom. While it can be used in a playful way, it often carries a stronger connotation of being absurd or ridiculous in Arabic.
Meaning: foolish, showing a lack of good sense and wisdom (adj)
Which one should you use?
The term غَبِيّ is used to mean foolish or stupid, whereas سَخِيف specifically means ridiculous or absurd. In a colloquial context, the term عَبِيط is used to describe someone who is foolish or acting in a silly manner.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the word مُتَخَلَّف is used to mean silly or backward.
How does it change in a sentence?
For a masculine plural subject, use the form سخيفون (sakhīfūn).
How do you pronounce it?
sakhīf
Did you know?
- While سخيف means 'silly' or 'absurd' today, its root in classical Arabic refers to something that is 'thin' or 'insubstantial'.
- While سخيف describes something absurd, the word مُتَخَلَّف is often used in a much harsher way to mean 'backward' or 'retarded', which can be highly offensive rather than just 'silly'.
- The term عَبِيط is so common in Egyptian slang that it has become a staple in pop culture, often used in comedy to describe a specific type of clumsy or naive character.
Examples in context
- لا أريد أن أبدو سخيفا.I don't want to look silly.This sentence shows how to express the desire not to appear silly using سخيف.Tatoeba #7271020 by OsoHombre, translation #5336009 by AlanF_US
- ضحكت حتي البكاء. طفل صغير سخيفI laughed until I cried. Silly little boy….This sentence uses سخيف to describe a little boy in a humorous context.Tatoeba #7484230 by Ahmed_Waleed, translation #7484165 by wentzbabble
- لا تكن سخيفا! فنحن أصدقاء جيدون.Don't be silly! We're just friends. Good friends.This sentence uses سخيف when telling someone not to be silly.Tatoeba #4227097 by Alaakhalid, translation #1251896 by sundown
- ذلك قد يبدو سخيفًاThat may seem silly
- قد قمت بشيء غبيI did something silly
- ماذا تفعل يا عبيط؟What are you doing, silly?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Omar and Noor are discussing a strange idea.
- عمر Omarهل تعتقد أن هذا الحل سينجح؟Hal ta'taqid anna hadha al-hall sayanjaḥ?Do you think this solution will work?
- نور Nourهذا اقتراح سخيف جداً يا عمر.Hadha iqtirah sakhif jiddan ya Omar.This is a very silly suggestion, Omar.
- عمر Omarربما، لكنه قد يحل المشكلة.Rubbama, lakinahu qad yahull al-mushkila.Maybe, but it might solve the problem.
- نور Nourلا، إنه مجرد تفكير سخيف.La, innahu mujarrad tafkir sakhif.No, it is just silly thinking.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
