شيء جميل
shay'un jamīl
In Arabic, the phrase for something is beautiful is شيء جميل (shay'un jamīl).
The phrase is used to describe an object or person that is pleasing to the senses or the mind.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The expression حلوة (Helwa) is used in Egypt.
How does it change in a sentence?
شيء جميل is a noun phrase and does not require a verb like 'is' to be used in a sentence such as 'This is something beautiful'. For feminine subjects, the informal form حلوة (Helwa) is used.
How do you pronounce it?
shay'un jamīl
Did you know?
- In certain Levantine dialects, you might hear the word بتجنن (bitjanen), which literally translates to 'it makes one go crazy', used to mean 'it is beautiful'.
- In many Middle Eastern cultures, describing a beautiful child as ما شاء الله (mā shā' Allāh) is often more common than using an adjective, to protect them from the 'evil eye'.
- While جميل (jamīl) is the standard word for 'beautiful', the root letters j-m-l also form the word for 'camel' (جمل / jamal). Though the meanings differ, they share a linguistic root associated with completeness and grace.
Examples in context
- هذا شيء جميل.hadha shay'un jamil.This is something beautiful.
- لديك شيء جميل هنا.ladayka shay'un jamilun huna.You have something beautiful here.
Example conversation
Nour and Omar are looking at a piece of art in a gallery.
- نور Nourانظر إلى هذا، إنه شيء جميل.unzur ila hadha, innahu shay'un jamil.Look at this, it is something beautiful.
- عمر Omarنعم، هذا شيء جميل جداً.na'am, hadha shay'un jamilun jiddan.Yes, this is something very beautiful.
- نور Nourهل أعجبك اللون يا عمر؟hal a'jabaka al-lawn ya Omar?Did you like the color, Omar?
- عمر Omarنعم، الألوان رائعة.na'am, al-alwan ra'i'a.Yes, the colors are wonderful.
