Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| شَتَمَ | šatama |
| سَبَّ | sabba |
The verbs in this category refer specifically to the act of using profanity, insulting or cursing someone. This is distinct from making a promise or an oath.
Which one should you use?
شَتَمَ is a more formal term often found in literary contexts or news reports to describe the act of insulting or cursing. سَبَّ is the other common way to express this action.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Levantine Arabic, the term شرموطة is a highly offensive word meaning 'prostitute' and the phrase كس أمك is an offensive expression translating to 'your mother's vagina.'
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb سَبَّ can be conjugated into different forms such as the past tense سَبَّ (he swore) and the present tense يَسُبُّ (he swears/is swearing).
How do you pronounce it?
šatama
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use شَتَمَ or سَبَّ when you mean to 'swear an oath.' English speakers often make this mistake, but in Arabic, you must use حَلَفَ to refer to making an oath.
When do people say it?
Common slang insults include ابن الكلب, which translates to 'son of a dog'.
Did you know?
- The verb سَبَّ can move beyond mere profanity into the realm of the sacred. When used to describe blasphemy, the act of swearing shifts from a social rudeness to a serious spiritual offense against religion.
- While 'dog' is often a mild or even affectionate term in English, using the word كلب to insult someone is a profound and deep insult in Arabic. This reflects a cultural distinction in how certain animals are perceived in social hierarchy.
- The most severe insults in many Arabic dialects are not directed at the individual, but are aimed at their ancestors or family members.
Examples in context
- هو شَتَمَ بكلماتٍ سيئة.huwa shatama bi-kalimatin sayyi'ah.He swore using bad words.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “swear” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
