Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| سَمِيك | samīk | |
| غَلِيظ | ḡalīẓ | |
| كَثِيف | kaṯīf | |
| تخين | taḵīn | Egyptian Arabic |
| سَميك | samīk | Hijazi Arabic |
| ثَخين | taḵīn | Hijazi Arabic |
The term refers to something having a relatively great extent from one surface to another.
Which one should you use?
While سَمِيك describes physical width, you should use كَثِيف when referring to the density of substances such as fog, hair or forests. Use غَلِيظ to describe things that are thick in a way that implies coarseness or roughness, such as a thick rope or a thick voice.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
سَمِيك is the formal translation for thick. In contrast, تخين is an informal term used in Egyptian Arabic.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the colloquial term for thick is تخين. In Hijazi Arabic, you may use سَميك or ثَخين.
How do you pronounce it?
samīk
What mistakes should you avoid?
When using the Egyptian Arabic word تخين, be aware that while it means thick, it is also the standard word for 'fat' when describing people.
Did you know?
- The word غَلِيظ is used in the Quran to describe a 'thick' or stern heart that is hardened against truth.
- In Arabic, the word غَلِيظ can describe a person's personality or behavior as 'thick' meaning rude or coarse.
- If you are describing a 'thick' voice in Arabic, you would use غَلِيظ to imply a certain heavy or coarse quality.
Examples in context
- الكتاب فيه صفحات سميكة.The book has thick pages.
- أغصان الشجرة سميكة.The tree branches are thick.
- هذا كِتَابٌ سَمِيكٌ جِدًّا.hādha kitābun samīkun jiddan.This is a very thick book.
- أَحْتَاجُ إِلَى جِدَارٍ سَمِيكٍ لِلْبِنَاءِ.aḥtāju ilā jidārin samīkin lil-binā'.I need a thick wall for building.
- هَلْ هَذَا الزُّجَاجُ سَمِيكٌ؟hal hādha az-zujāju samīkun?Is this glass thick?
Example conversation
Ahmed and Mariam are looking at fabric in a store.
- أحمد Ahmedهل هذا القماش سَمِيك؟hal hadha al-qumash samik?Is this fabric thick?
- مريم Maryamنعم، إنه سَمِيك ومناسب للشتاء.na'am, innahu samik wa munasib lil-shita'.Yes, it is thick and suitable for winter.
- أحمد Ahmedهذا ممتاز، سآخذه.hadha mumtaz, sa-akhudhuhu.That is excellent, I will take it.
- مريم Maryamاختيارٌ جَيّد يا أحمد.ikhtiyar jayyid ya Ahmad.A good choice, Ahmed.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thick” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
