Ways to say it
| Moroccan Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| خايب | khayb | |
| خايبة | khayba | feminine form |
خايب describes something unattractive or simply bad, as in هاد الجاكيتة خايبة, 'this jacket is ugly'. The same word is used for 'bad' more generally.
What does it mean word for word?
خايب comes from the Darija root for spoiled or ruined, used both for appearance and for quality.
Which one should you use?
Context decides whether خايب means 'ugly' or simply 'bad'. هادشي خايب about food means 'this is bad', while about a face it leans toward 'unattractive'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
خايب is informal and can sound harsh, especially said directly about a person, so it is used carefully.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word is used the same way across Morocco.
How does it change in a sentence?
خايب agrees in gender: خايب for masculine, خايبة (khayba) for feminine, and خايبين (khaybin) for plural.
How do you pronounce it?
The stress falls on the first syllable: KHAY-eb, with the kh pronounced deep in the throat.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Saying خايب directly to someone about their looks is rude. It is more often used about things, clothes, weather or situations, rather than a person's face.
Did you know?
- خايب doubles as both 'ugly' and simply 'bad' in Darija, so the same word describes an unflattering outfit and a disappointing meal.
- Darija speakers generally reserve خايب for things, clothes, weather and situations, rather than commenting directly on a person's face.
Examples in context
- هاد الجاكيتة خايبة بزاف.had jjakita khayba bzzaf.This jacket is very ugly.
- الجو خايب اليوم.jjaw khayb lyoum.The weather is bad today.
- ماشريتش هاد الصندلة، خايبة.ma sheritsh had ssandala, khayba.I didn't buy these sandals, they're ugly.
Example conversation
Two friends, Oumaima and Sanaa, shop for clothes in a Rabat market.
- Oumaimaشوفي هاد القميجة، شحال خايبة!shufi had lqamija, shhal khayba!Look at this shirt, how ugly!
- Sanaaواقيلا، نبقاو نقلبو على شي حاجة أخرى.waqila, nebqaw nqelbu 3la shi haja khra.Really, let's keep looking for something else.
- Oumaimaهاد الفوسطان زوين، شوفي.had lfustan zwin, shufi.This dress is nice, look.
- Sanaaواخا، هادا أحسن بزاف.wakha, hada ahsan bzzaf.Yes, this one is much better.
