كلمة بذيئة
kalimat badhī'ah
In Arabic, the phrase for "the f-word" is كلمة بذيئة (kalimat badhī'ah).
This phrase is a euphemism used to refer to a common and offensive English swear word.
How do you pronounce it?
kalimat badhī'ah
Did you know?
- The word كلمة meaning 'word' became part of Christian vocabulary as a semantic loan from the Koine Greek λόγος.
- The root of the word بذيئة relates to 'looseness' or a 'lack of restraint', framing profanity as a failure of self-control.
- While كلمة بذيئة means 'obscene word', Arabic speakers often use the phrase كلام وسخ which literally translates to 'dirty speech'.
Example conversation
Yousef and Maryam are discussing a movie they just watched.
- يوسف Youssefالفيلم كان جيداً ولكن فيه كلمة بذيئة.Al-film kana jayyidan walakin fihi kalima badhi'a.The movie was good, but it had the f-word in it.
- مريم Maryamنعم، كانت غير مناسبة للأطفال.Na'am, kanat ghayr munasiba lil-atfal.Yes, it was inappropriate for children.
- يوسف Youssefهل تعتقدين أنها ضرورية للقصة؟Hal ta'taqidin annaha daruriya lil-qissa?Do you think it was necessary for the story?
- مريم Maryamلا، كان بإمكانهم تجنبها.La, kana bi'imkanihim tajannubuha.No, they could have avoided it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries كلمة, CC BY-SA 4.0.
