شَدَّ
šadda
The English verb tighten is translated into Arabic as شَدَّ (šadda). Wiktionary also lists ضَيَّقَ (ḍayyaqa) and حَبَكَ (ḥabaka).
Meaning: to make tighter (verb)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| شَدَّ | šadda |
| ضَيَّقَ | ḍayyaqa |
| حَبَكَ | ḥabaka |
Which one should you use?
The form ضَيَّقَ is used when tightening something by reducing its width or space, such as making a garment tighter or narrowing a path. The form حَبَكَ is used metaphorically to mean tightening or perfecting a structure, such as a plot in a story or a complex weave.
How does it change in a sentence?
The present tense form of the verb شَدَّ is يَشُدُّ. The present tense form of the verb ضَيَّقَ is يُضَيِّقُ.
How do you pronounce it?
šadda
Did you know?
- In Arabic grammar, the 'shadda' (the symbol that doubles a consonant) is named after the verb شَدَّ because it 'tightens' or strengthens the sound of the letter.
- The verb شَدَّ can be used in the phrase شَدَّ مِنْ أَزْرِهِ, which literally means 'to tighten his loins' but is used to mean 'to support or encourage someone'.
- While ضَيَّقَ means to tighten or narrow, the related word ضِيق is used to describe both a narrow physical space and the feeling of anxiety or 'tightness' in the chest.
Examples in context
- شَدَّ الحِبَالَ بِقُوَّةٍ.shadda al-hibāla bi-quwwatin.He tightened the ropes strongly.
- شَدَّ البُرْغِيَ لِيُثَبِّتَ المِقْعَدَ.shadda al-burghiya li-yuthabbita al-miq'ada.He tightened the screw to fix the seat.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tighten” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
