متشرد
mutasharrid
The English word 'tramp' (referring to a homeless person) is translated into Arabic as متشرد (mutasharrid).
متشرد is used to denote someone who is homeless or lives on the streets and is suitable for formal settings. The colloquial word شحات is used colloquially to refer to someone who begs on the streets or lacks a permanent home.
Meaning: homeless person (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word متشرد is derived from the Arabic root sh-r-d (ش–ر–د), which relates to wandering, straying or being lost.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of the noun is متشردة (mutasharrida) and the masculine plural form is متشردون (mutasharridun). The masculine plural form changes to متشردين (mutasharridin) when used as an object or after a preposition.
How do you pronounce it?
mutasharrid
Did you know?
- In Arabic, the root ش-ر-د is also used to describe a 'distracted' or 'absent' mind, as if one's thoughts have wandered away from the conversation.
- The root of متشرد is also used to describe a 'stray' animal, such as a قط متشرد for a stray cat, blending the concept of homelessness with being lost.
- The plural form متشردون is used in formal writing and news reports, but in daily spoken Arabic, the form متشردين is used almost exclusively regardless of grammar.
Examples in context
- كُنت أتجول في الشارع ووقعت عيني على شحات يستغيث بالناس للحصول على المساعدة.I was strolling down the street when my eyes caught a tramp begging people for help.
- رأيت متشردًا في الشارع أمس.ra'aytu mutasharridan fi al-shari' ams.I saw a homeless person in the street yesterday.
- هذا الرجل مجرد متشرد.hadha al-rajul mujarrad mutasharrid.This man is just a homeless person.
- الجمعية تساعد كل متشرد في المدينة.al-jam'iyya tusa'idu kulla mutasharrid fi al-madina.The association helps every homeless person in the city.
Example conversation
Sarah and Ziad are walking in the city center.
- سارة Saraانظر يا زياد، هناك متشرد ينام هنا.Unzur ya Ziyad, hunaka mutasharrid yanamu huna.Look Ziad, there is a homeless person sleeping here.
- زياد Ziadنعم، يبدو أنه يشعر بالبرد الشديد.Na'am, yabdu annahu yash'uru bil-bard al-shadid.Yes, it looks like he is feeling very cold.
- سارة Saraهل يمكننا إعطاؤه بعض الملابس الدافئة؟Hal yumkinuna i'ta'uhu ba'da al-malabis al-dafi'ah?Can we give him some warm clothes?
- زياد Ziadبالطبع، هذه فكرة رائعة يا سارة.Bil-tab', hadhihi fikrah ra'i'ah ya Sarah.Of course, that is a great idea, Sarah.
