رَفِيع
rafīʕ
The English word 'thin' can be translated into Arabic using رَفِيع (rafīʕ). Wiktionary also lists رَقِيق (raqīq) and رفيع (rofayyaʕ).
Meaning: having little thickness or extent from one surface to its opposite (adj)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| رَفِيع | rafīʕ | ||
| رَقِيق | raqīq | ||
| رفيع | rofayyaʕ | /ra.fiːʕ/ | Egyptian Arabic, feminine |
While رَفِيع refers to thickness or extent, رَقِيق is used for things that are thin in a delicate, fine or subtle way, such as thin fabric or a thin voice. If you want to describe someone as slim or slender, the formal term نَحِيل is preferred.
Which one should you use?
The term رَفِيع is primarily concerned with physical dimensions or even social status, as it can metaphorically mean 'high' or 'exalted'. In contrast, رَقِيق is the choice for expressing thinness in a sense of delicacy or fineness.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the feminine form رفيع is used.
How do you pronounce it?
rafīʕ
Did you know?
- The adjective رَقِيق is often used metaphorically to describe a person's heart or character as being 'gentle' or 'kind'.
- The term رَفِيع comes from the root verb رَفُعَ, which means 'to be high' or 'to become thin'.
- While نَحِيل is the standard word for a slim person, using رَقِيق to describe a person's build might unintentionally imply they are 'frail' or 'delicate'.
Examples in context
- هِيَ امْرَأَةٌ نَحِيلَةٌShe is a thin woman
- هذا الورق رَفِيع جِدًّا.hadha al-waraq rafee' jiddan.This paper is very thin.
- أَحْتَاجُ إِلَى خَيْطٍ رَفِيعٍ لِلْخِيَاطَةِ.ahtaju ila khaytin rafee' lil-khiyata.I need a thin thread for sewing.
Example conversation
Maryam and Ahmed are looking at a piece of paper.
- مريم Maryamانظر يا أحمد، هذا الورق رَفِيع.Unzur ya Ahmed, hadha al-waraq rafi'.Look Ahmed, this paper is thin.
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، يبدو رقيقاً جداً.Na'am, yabdu raqiqan jiddan.Yes, it looks very thin.
- مريم Maryamهل يمكننا الكتابة عليه؟Hal yumkinuna al-kitaba 'alayh?Can we write on it?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، لكن كن حذراً.Na'am, lakin kun hadhiran.Yes, but be careful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thin” translations and entries رفيع, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries رفيع, CC BY-SA 4.0.
