حلو
ḥulw
The Arabic word for sweet is حلو (ḥulw).
حلو is primarily used to describe something having a pleasant taste, such as طعم حلو (sweet taste). However, it is also used colloquially to describe something or someone that is charming or pleasant, such as كلمات حلوة (sweet words), أحلام حلوة (sweet dreams) or describing a person or a drawing as sweet.
Meaning: having a pleasant taste (adj)
Which one should you use?
While حلو primarily refers to taste, in many Arabic dialects, it is also used colloquially to describe someone who is 'sweet' or charming in personality.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective حلو changes to حلوة to agree with a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
ḥulw
Did you know?
- In classical Arabic, the root of حلو can also be used to describe water that is 'fresh' or 'potable' as opposed to salty seawater.
- The root of حلو is related to the concept of 'sweetening' or 'making something pleasant', which is why it is often used in the context of reconciliation after an argument.
- In some Levantine dialects, the phrase يا حلو is used as a general term of endearment for a stranger, similar to 'dear' or 'lovely' in English.
Examples in context
- إنه يحب أي شيء حلو المذاق.He likes anything sweet.This sentence is useful for expressing a general preference for sweet-tasting things using حلو.Tatoeba #617391 by saeb, translation #294931 by CK
- اليوم، غير مسموح له أن يأكل أي شيئا حلوا.Today, he is not allowed to eat anything sweet.This sentence shows how to use حلو when discussing dietary restrictions.Tatoeba #1579668 by Amastan, translation #1579323 by fanty
- الحياة حلوة.Life is sweet.This sentence uses حلو to metaphorically describe life as being sweet.Tatoeba #375587 by saeb, translation #270580 by CK
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Layla and Ziad are sitting in a cafe.
- ليلى Laylaهل هذا العصير حلو؟hal hadha al-'asir hulu?Is this juice sweet?
- زياد Ziadنعم، هو حلو جداً.na'am, huwa hulu jiddan.Yes, it is very sweet.
- ليلى Laylaأنا أحب المذاق الحلو.ana uhibb al-madhaq al-hulu.I love the sweet taste.
- زياد Ziadوأنا أيضاً يا ليلى.wa ana aydan ya Layla.Me too, Layla.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
