Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| خَائِن | ḵāʔin | masculine |
| خَائِنَة | ḵāʔina | feminine |
| غَدَّار | ḡaddār | masculine |
| غَدَّارَة | ḡaddāra | feminine |
Arabic uses different words to describe a traitor depending on the nature of the betrayal. Words like خَائِن describe someone who betrays a trust, a person or a secret. In contrast, terms like غَدَّار or المارق are used for those who are treacherous, deceitful or have deviated from their allegiance and loyalty.
Which one should you use?
خَائِن (ḵāʔin) is the standard term for one who betrays a person, a secret or a trust. غَدَّار (ḡaddār) carries a stronger connotation of treachery, implying a person is more backstabbing or deceitful. For someone who has specifically deviated from their allegiance or loyalty, the more formal term المارق is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form خَائِن becomes خَائِنُونَ (ḵāʔinūn) in the masculine plural nominative case, and خَائِنَات (ḵāʔināt) in the feminine plural. The masculine form غَدَّار becomes غَدَّارُونَ (ḡaddārūn) in the masculine plural nominative case.
How do you pronounce it?
ḵāʔin
Did you know?
- In certain poetic classical Arabic, the word for a traitor can be used to describe the 'betrayal' of a person's own body or senses, such as eyes that fail to see the truth.
- The root of خَائِن is shared with the word for 'treachery' or 'betrayal' خِيَانَة, but it is also related to the word for 'hiding' or 'concealing'. This reflects the idea that a traitor is someone who hides their true intentions.
- Arabic has a specific concept called خيانة الأمانة which refers to the betrayal of a trust, often used in legal contexts for embezzlement or breach of contract.
Examples in context
- تم تقديم اتهامات بأن الخائن قد قام بتسريب المعلومات السرية.Accusations were made that the traitor leaked classified information.
- حُكِمَ عليه بالسجن بتهمة كونه مارقًا للأمة.He was sentenced to prison for being a traitor to the nation.
- أعلنت الحكومة أنها ستتصدى بحزم للمفسدين والخونة.The government announced that it will firmly deal with the corrupt and traitors.
- قد حكم الجمهور عليه بأنه غدار بعد خيانته لناديه السابق.The public ruled that he was a traitor after he betrayed his former club.
- هو خَائِنٌ لِلصَّدَاقَةِ.huwa khā'inun lil-ṣadāqah.He is a traitor to friendship.
- لا تَكُنْ خَائِنًا لِوَطَنِكَ.lā takun khā'inan li-waṭanik.Do not be a traitor to your country.
- كَشَفَ الصَّدِيقُ أَنَّهُ خَائِنٌ.kashafa aṣ-ṣadīqu annahu khā'in.The friend revealed that he is a traitor.
Example conversation
Yusuf and Maryam are discussing a person who broke their trust.
- يوسف Youssefيَا مَرْيَمُ، هَلْ كَانَ خَائِنًا؟yā Maryamu, hal kāna khā'inan?Maryan, was he a traitor?
- مريم Maryamنَعَمْ، لَقَدْ كَانَ خَائِنًا لَنَا.na'am, laqad kāna khā'inan lanā.Yes, he was a traitor to us.
- يوسف Youssefهَذَا أَمْرٌ مُؤْلِمٌ جِدًّا.hādhā amrun mu'limun jiddan.This is very painful.
- مريم Maryamيُوسُفُ، يَجِبُ أَنْ نَنْسَاهُ.Yūsufu, yajibu an nansāhu.Yusuf, we must forget him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “traitor” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
