نحيف
nahif
The English word skinny is translated into Arabic as نحيف (nahif).
The word نحيف is used to describe someone who is thin. It often carries a slightly more negative connotation of being underweight or scrawny compared to words like رشيق, which means slim or fit.
Meaning: thin (adj)
Which one should you use?
While نحيف is the standard form for thin or skinny, the form نَحِيل is a more formal way to express the same idea and it is more commonly used in masculine contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
nahif
Did you know?
- While نحيف is the standard term, using the word ضعيف (which means 'weak') is a common way in many dialects to describe someone who is too skinny.
- The more formal term نَحِيل is frequently found in classical poetry to describe the wasted appearance of a lover suffering from longing.
- In some Arabic dialects, calling someone نحيف might be replaced by terms referring to 'sticks' or 'bones' to emphasize extreme skinniness.
Examples in context
- لماذا ياني نحيف لهذه الدرجة؟Why is Yanni so skinny?This sentence demonstrates how to use نحيف to ask about someone's physical state.Tatoeba #11980432 by dididodo, translation #10030454 by Amastan
- أخبرني توم أنه اعتقد أن ماري كانت نحيفة.Tom told me that he thought Mary was skinny.This sentence shows the use of نحيف when describing a person in the past tense.Tatoeba #11621674 by elmassoudi, translation #6354982 by CK
- زيري نحيف.Ziri is skinny.This sentence provides a simple example of using نحيف to state a physical characteristic.Tatoeba #10240389 by Amastan, translation #10216237 by Amastan
- هو نَحِيل وقوامه رفيع.He is skinny, and his build is slim.
- شكلك هَزِيل بزيادة، عليك أن تأكل أكثر.You look really skinny, you should eat more.
- شكلك ضَعِيف عندما ترتدي هذا القميص.You look skinny when you wear this shirt.
Example conversation
Ahmed and Nour are discussing a friend's health at a cafe.
- أحمد Ahmedهل تعتقدين أن علي أصبح نحيفاً؟Hal ta'taqidina anna Ali asbaha nahifan?Do you think Ali has become skinny?
- نور Nourنعم، هو يبدو نحيفاً جداً الآن.Na'am, huwa yabdu nahifan jiddan al-an.Yes, he looks very skinny now.
- أحمد Ahmedربما يحتاج إلى تناول المزيد من الطعام.Rubbama yahtaj ila tanawal al-mazid min al-ta'am.Maybe he needs to eat more food.
- نور Nourأنا أتفق معك يا أحمد.Ana attafiq ma'aka ya Ahmed.I agree with you, Ahmed.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
