جميلة
jameela
To say someone is beautiful in Arabic, you use جميلة (jameela).
This phrase is used to describe a person who is physically or aesthetically attractive.
Which one should you use?
The choice of form depends on the gender and number of people being described. Use جميلة for a woman and جميل for a man. For a group of women, use جميلات and for a group of men or a mixed-gender group, use جميلون.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Gulf Arabic, it is common to hear Helu as an endearing term for beauty.
How does it change in a sentence?
The gender and number of the subject dictate the form: جميل is the masculine form, جميلة is the feminine form, جميلات is the feminine plural and جميلون is the masculine or mixed-gender plural.
How do you pronounce it?
jameela
Did you know?
- In many Middle Eastern cultures, calling a beautiful child 'beautiful' might be followed by a phrase to ward off the 'evil eye', as extreme beauty is sometimes seen as a vulnerability to envy.
- When describing a beautiful scene or a beautiful soul, the word جميل is used, but for a 'beautiful' voice, the word عذب is often preferred, which literally means 'pure' or 'fresh' like water.
- Arabic has a specialized word فتنة to describe a beauty so intense that it causes a commotion or a distraction. It suggests a beauty that is almost disruptive to the surroundings.
Examples in context
- هي جميلة جداً.hiya jameela jiddan.She is very beautiful.
- تلك الفتاة جميلة.tilka al-fata jameela.That girl is beautiful.
Example conversation
Ziad is complimenting Sara on her appearance at a party.
- سارة Saraمرحباً زياد، هل أعجبك الحفل؟Marhaban Ziyad, hal a'jabaka al-hafl?Hello Ziad, do you like the party?
- زياد Ziadنعم، وأنتِ تبدين جميلة جداً.Na'am, wa anti tabduna jamila jiddan.Yes, and you look very beautiful.
- سارة Saraشكراً لك يا زياد، هذا لطف منك.Shukran laka ya Ziyad, hadha lutf minka.Thank you Ziad, that is kind of you.
- زياد Ziadأنا فقط أقول الحقيقة.Ana faqat aqul al-haqiqa.I am just telling the truth.
