شخص أبيض
shakhs abyad/ʃa.xa.sˤa ʔab.jadˤ/word by word
The Arabic phrase for 'white person' is شخص أبيض (shakhs abyad).
This phrase describes a person with light skin. In many Arabic-speaking contexts, the adjective أبيض is used broadly to describe anyone with very light skin.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun شخص (person) followed by the adjective أبيض (white).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is shakhs abyad. It has 4 syllables.
Did you know?
- In some Arabic dialects, describing a person as أبيض can mean they are 'clueless' or 'naive' rather than referring to their skin color.
- The word أبيض is used in the common expression قلبه أبيض, which literally means 'his heart is white' to describe a forgiving person.
- In traditional Arabic poetry, أبيض was often used to describe a 'bright' or 'shining' sword, symbolizing honor and strength.
Examples in context
- الرجل الذي رأيته كان من البشرة البيضاء.The man I saw had white skin.
- هو شخص أبيض.huwa shakhas abyad.He is a white person.
- رأيت شخص أبيض في المتجر.ra'aytu shakhas abyad fi al-matjar.I saw a white person in the store.
- هل هو شخص أبيض؟hal huwa shakhas abyad?Is he a white person?
Example conversation
Ziad and Sarah are talking about a new neighbor.
- سارة Saraهل جارنا الجديد شخص أبيض؟hal jaruna al-jadid shakhas abyad?Is our new neighbor a white person?
- زياد Ziadنعم، هو شخص أبيض.na'am, huwa shakhas abyad.Yes, he is a white person.
- سارة Saraهل يتحدث العربية؟hal yatahaddath al-arabiyya?Does he speak Arabic?
- زياد Ziadلا، هو لا يتحدثها.la, huwa la yatahaddathuhā.No, he does not speak it.
