خَاطِئ
ḵāṭiʔmasculine
The English word 'sinner' is translated into Arabic as خَاطِئ (ḵāṭiʔ). Wiktionary also lists آثِم (ʔāṯim) and خَاطِئَة (ḵāṭiʔa).
Meaning: person who has sinned (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| خَاطِئ | ḵāṭiʔ | masculine |
| آثِم | ʔāṯim | |
| خَاطِئَة | ḵāṭiʔa | feminine |
| آثِمَة | ʔāṯima | feminine |
| عَاصٍ | ʕāṣin | masculine |
| عَاصِيَة | ʕāṣiya | feminine |
The term is used to describe a person who has sinned.
What does it mean word for word?
The word خَاطِئ is derived from the root meaning 'to err' or 'to make a mistake,' implying that a sin is a fundamental error in judgment or conduct.
Which one should you use?
While خَاطِئ is a general term for a sinner, آثِم often carries a heavier moral or religious weight, implying someone who has committed a grave sin. عَاصٍ specifically emphasizes the act of disobedience, often used in a religious context to describe one who is disobedient to God's commands.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a female sinner, add the feminine suffix 'a' (ة) to the masculine form, resulting in خَاطِئَة.
How do you pronounce it?
ḵāṭiʔ
Did you know?
- While it is a heavy religious term, in certain Arabic dialects, the word for 'sinner' can be used playfully. It can describe someone who is merely being 'naughty' or 'mischievous'.
- The word آثِم is related to the word for 'burden' or 'weight'. To be a sinner in this specific sense is to carry a moral weight upon oneself.
- The word عَاصٍ is a 'defective noun' where the final letter disappears in certain grammatical cases. For example, it changes from عَاصٍ to عَاصِي depending on its position in the sentence.
Examples in context
- توبوا جميع المُذْنِبين بصدُورٍ خاشِعةٍRepent, all you sinners, with humble hearts
- هُوَ خَاطِئٌ في حَقِّ نَفْسِهِ.huwa khāṭi'un fī ḥaqqi nafsihi.He is a sinner against himself.
- لَا تَكُنْ خَاطِئًا مُتَكَبِّرًا.lā takun khāṭi'an mutakabbiran.Do not be a conceited sinner.
- يَشْعُرُ أَنَّهُ خَاطِئٌ مِثْلُ كُلِّ البَشَرِ.yash‘uru annahu khāṭi'un mithlu kulli al-bashar.He feels that he is a sinner like all humans.
Example conversation
Sarah and Ahmed are discussing forgiveness.
- سارة Saraيا أحمد، هل يسامح الله كل خَاطِئ؟Yā Aḥmad, hal yusāmiḥu Allāhu kulla khāṭiʾ?Ahmed, does God forgive every sinner?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، إذا كان نادماً بصدق.Naʿam, idhā kāna nādiman bi-ṣidq.Yes, if he is sincerely regretful.
- سارة Saraهذا يمنحنا الأمل دائماً.Hādhā yamnaḥunā al-amal dāʾiman.That always gives us hope.
- أحمد Ahmedبالفعل، فرحمة الله واسعة.Bil-fiʿl, fa-raḥmatu Allāhi wāsiʿa.Indeed, God's mercy is vast.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sinner” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
