صَفْعَة
ṣafʕa
The English word 'slap' is translated into Arabic using either صَفْعَة (ṣafʕa) or لَطْمَة.
Meaning: A blow dealt with the open hand (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| صَفْعَة | ṣafʕa |
| لَطْمَة | laṭma |
Both terms refer to a blow dealt with an open hand. صَفْعَة is generally used for a sharp, stinging slap to the face, while لَطْمَة describes a heavier strike or a blow.
Which one should you use?
صَفْعَة (ṣafʕa) typically refers to a slap delivered to the cheek or face with an emphasis on a stinging or sharp impact. In contrast, لَطْمَة (laṭma) often refers to a slap that is more of a heavy strike or a blow and it can sometimes be used in more rhythmic or ritualistic contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of slapping, you can use the transitive verbs صَفَعَ (ṣafaʕa) or لَطَمَ (laṭama).
How do you pronounce it?
ṣafʕa
Did you know?
- The word لَطْمَة is linked to a traditional ritual of mourning in some cultures where people strike their own faces and chests to express grief.
- The verb لَطَمَ is used in Arabic literature to describe a person being 'struck' by fate or sudden misfortune.
- The root of صَفْعَة is connected to the idea of a sudden and sharp noise, highlighting the sound the blow makes.
Examples in context
- أعتذر عن صفعةٍ شديدة الأذى لوجهك.I apologize for a severe slap to your face.
- أرفض العنف واللكمات والصفعات في المجتمع.I reject violence, punches, and slaps in society.
- تلقى صَفْعَة قوية على وجهه.talaqqa saf'atan qawiyyatan 'ala wajhihi.He received a strong slap on his face.
- أعطته صَفْعَة لكي يستيقظ.a'tat-hu saf'atan likay yastaqiz.She gave him a slap to wake him up.
Example conversation
Sara and Ahmed are discussing a scene from a movie.
- سارة Saraهل رأيت تلك صَفْعَةً في الفيلم؟hal ra'ayta tilka as-saf'ata fil-film?Did you see that slap in the movie?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، كانت قوية جداً يا سارة.na'am, kanat qawiyatan jiddan ya Sarah.Yes, it was very strong, Sara.
- سارة Saraأعتقد أنها كانت مبالغاً فيها.a'taqidu annaha kanat mubalaghan fiha.I think it was exaggerated.
- أحمد Ahmedأنا أتفق معكِ يا سارة.ana attafiqu ma'aki ya Sarah.I agree with you, Sara.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slap” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
