كلمات بذيئة
kalimat badhi'ah
The English phrase "swear words" is translated into Arabic as كلمات بذيئة (kalimat badhi'ah).
Examples of such language include the word Kalb (dog) or the insult Ibn el-sharmouta (son of a prostitute).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of كلمات and the adjective بذيئة (badhi'ah), which means obscene, vulgar or foul.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Levantine Arabic, the word Khara is used to mean "shit".
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "a swear word" in the singular, use the form كلمة بذيئة. In the plural form كلمات بذيئة, the adjective بذيئة follows the noun كلمات and agrees with it in the feminine gender.
How do you pronounce it?
kalimat badhi'ah
Did you know?
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, the most offensive 'swear words' are not related to bodily functions, but are instead insults directed at a person's family honor or lineage.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, calling someone a Kalb ('dog') is a severe insult because dogs were traditionally viewed as ritually impure animals.
- In Arabic grammar, the word كلمات ('words') is a 'non-human plural', which is why it takes a singular feminine adjective like بذيئة instead of a plural one.
Examples in context
- لا تستخدم كلمات بذيئة هنا.lā tasta'dim kalimāt badhī'a hunā.Do not use swear words here.
- أنا أكره سماع كلمات بذيئة.anā akrahu samā' kalimāt badhī'a.I hate hearing swear words.
- هذا الفيلم يحتوي على كلمات بذيئة.hādhā al-fīlm yahtawī 'alā kalimāt badhī'a.This movie contains swear words.
Example conversation
Layla and Omar are discussing a movie they just watched.
- ليلى Laylaالفيلم كان مليئاً بالكلمات البذيئة.Al-film kaana mali'an bil-kalimaat al-badhee'a.The movie was full of swear words.
- عمر Omarنعم، كان ذلك مزعجاً جداً.Na'am, kaana dhalika muz'ijan jiddan.Yes, that was very annoying.
- ليلى Laylaلماذا يستخدمون كلمات بذيئة كثيراً؟Limadha yastakhdimoon kalimaat badhee'a katheeran?Why do they use swear words so much?
- عمر Omarربما لمحاولة جعل الفيلم واقعياً.Rubbama li-muhawalat ja'l al-film waqi'iyan.Maybe to try to make the movie realistic.
