طويل
ṭawīl
The English word "tall" is translated into Arabic as طويل (ṭawīl).
طويل is an adjective used to describe a person.
Meaning: of a person (adj)
Which one should you use?
For example, طويل شوية or طويل بشوية are used to mean "a little tall" or "a bit tall".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Morocco, Egypt or Sudan, the feminine form طويلة is used to describe a tall female.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the comparative "taller", use the pattern 'af'al' to get أطول. When the word is used as a predicate of 'kana' (to be), it takes the accusative ending -an, appearing as طويلاً.
How do you pronounce it?
ṭawīl
Did you know?
- The word can be used to describe a 'long' shadow, meaning the word for 'tall' and 'long' is identical in Arabic.
- In a poetic or rhetorical context, طويل can be used to describe a person of high status or great influence, moving beyond physical height.
- While it means 'tall', the word طويل can also describe a long period of time, such as a 'long' wait or a 'long' history.
Examples in context
- أنت طويل و لكنه أطول.You are tall, but he is still taller.This sentence shows how to use طويل to compare two people.Tatoeba #386626 by saeb, translation #69051 by CK
- كان زيري طويل القامة.Ziri was tall.This sentence uses طويل to describe someone's height in the past.Tatoeba #10230941 by Amastan, translation #10206955 by Amastan
- كان زيري طويلا للغاية.Ziri was very tall.This sentence uses طويل to describe someone as being very tall.Tatoeba #11616002 by dididodo, translation #10207452 by Amastan
- أحمد طويل القامة.Ahmad is tall in stature.
- هذا الرجل طويل.This man is tall.
- إبراهيم طويل شوية.Ibrahim is a little tall.
- سارة طويلة.Sara is tall (feminine form).
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Omar and Maryam are looking at a photo of a player.
- عمر Omarهل هذا اللاعب طويل؟Hal hadha al-la'ib tawil?Is this player tall?
- مريم Maryamنعم، هو طويل جداً.Na'am, huwa tawil jiddan.Yes, he is very tall.
- عمر Omarأنتِ أيضاً تبدين طويلة يا مريم.Anti aydan tabdin tawila ya Maryam.You also look tall, Maryam.
- مريم Maryamشكراً لك يا عمر.Shukran laka ya Omar.Thank you, Omar.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
