مريض
The English phrase unwell is translated into Arabic as مريض.
The word مريض is the standard, direct term for being sick or ill.
Meaning: not well (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 'unwell' is a mild euphemism in English, the Arabic word مريض is the standard, direct term for being sick or ill.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to multiple people who are unwell, use the plural form مرضى.
Did you know?
- In a social context, if you tell someone you are مريض, it is common for them to respond with طهور إن شاء الله, which implies that the illness will be a spiritual purification.
- When visiting an unwell person, it is customary to say سلامتك (salāmatuk), which literally means 'your safety' rather than 'get well soon'.
- In some Arabic-speaking cultures, describing someone as مريض can occasionally be used metaphorically to describe someone who is acting 'crazy' or 'absurd'.
Examples in context
- أشعر بالمرض اليوم. / Ash'ur bil mareeD al-yawm.I feel unwell today.
- أحتاج المساعدة الطبية، أنا لست في حالة جيدة. / Ahtaj almusa'adah altabbiyah, ana lastu fi halah jayyidah.I need medical assistance, I am not feeling well.
- أنا مريض اليوم.ana marid al-yawm.I am unwell today.
- هل أنت مريض؟hal anta marid?Are you unwell?
- أخي مريض جداً.akhi marid jiddan.My brother is very unwell.
Example conversation
Ziad calls Mariam to explain why he cannot come to the party.
- زياد Ziadمرحباً مريم، أنا مريض ولا أستطيع المجيء.marhaban Mariam, ana marid wa la astati' al-maji'.Hello Mariam, I am unwell and cannot come.
- مريم Maryamآسفة لسماع ذلك، هل أنت بخير؟asifa li-sama' dhalik, hal anta bikhayr?I am sorry to hear that, are you okay?
- زياد Ziadلست بخير، أحتاج إلى الراحة.lastu bikhayr, ahtaj ila al-raha.I am not okay, I need to rest.
- مريم Maryamأتمنى لك الشفاء العاجل يا زياد.atamanna laka al-shifa' al-'ajil ya Ziad.I wish you a speedy recovery, Ziad.
