Curse words, also known as swear words, bad words, or insults, are for most people considered taboo when teaching and learning Arabic. Teachers will definitely cringe at the thought of their students learning Arabic curse words. For a word to qualify as a swear word it must have the potential to offend, crossing a cultural line into taboo territory. So why would your teacher want you to spend time learning the “wrong way” to speak Arabic?
On this page you will discover why you need at least to understand curse words, you will boost your comprehension skills by learning the power of swear words! Don’t forget to download your gifts: 3 FREE Arabic Cheat Sheets from the Top Slang Words you’ll hear in to the Top Rated-R Curse Words!
Here are 2 reasons why you should study curse and strong words expressions when learning Arabic:
If you plan to study Arabic to speak with native speakers, then you better learn strong words. Native speakers won’t always use formal expressions, otherwise, it would be difficult to establish a real connection. When breaking the ice, it’s not uncommon to joke around or even use curse words for a reason or another. So it is best to at least learn some curse words and expressions if you plan to make friends, to catch everything during small talks.
If you turn on any popular Arabic TV show you are quickly going to see the value of learning curse words. Just like everyday conversations, Arabic culture is filled with curse words or expressions. Without some knowledge, popular culture and informal conversation can be quite confusing.
Identifying Arabic curse words will help you improve your comprehension, give you a better understanding of people and culture. However, using those vulgar words can make you look like a fool, uneducated and disrespectful. Words can be offensive, use the wrong ones and you will quickly turn out to be rude and mean people.
You need to pay attention to understand the context and the cultural sensitivity to use them with caution if you ever decide to use them! Never forget to be responsible and feel the emotion behind the words and how they affect others. I am sure you don’t want Arabic people not only to take you for a creep but also to hate you. Right?
You’ve made up so far, it’s time to reward you with your free pdf Cheat Sheet. From Arabic slang to Rated-R curse words we’ve gathered a collection of Cheat Sheet covering the words that you have more chance to hear in the streets of than in a textbook!
Now if you are ready for it, just log in or create a Free Lifetime Account (which will take you 10 seconds), download your pdf and discover a whole new world for any Arabic learner.
This Cheat Sheet contains material that parents may find unsuitable for younger children. It mainly contains Arabic slang words, nothing offensive but it is informal, only to be used in small talk with friends.
| Arabic | Romanized | English |
|---|---|---|
| طز | ṭuz | I don’t care |
| مجنون | maǧnūn | crazy |
| مش مريح | meš murīḥ | creepy |
| جبان | ǧabān | coward |
| مستفز | mustafez | provocative |
| مزعج | muzʿeǧ | annoying |
| ملكش فيه | malakš fīh | None of your business |
| غريب | ġarīb | weird |
| معندوش نظر | reḫem | annoying |
| قليل األدب | ʾalīl el-ʾadab | ill-mannered |
| يابني | yābnī | dude |
| يا | yalā | you (masculine) |
| يا بت | yā bet | you (feminine) |
| متضايق | metḍāyeʾ | ticked off |
| احترم نفسك! | eḥterem nafsak! | Behave! |
This Cheat Sheet contains some material that many parents would find unsuitable for children under 13 years old. It mainly contains Arabic strong words used in everyday life, recommended to be used with caution and friends only. (Example: Fool, Idiot, Stupid, Lame…)
| Arabic | Romanized | English |
|---|---|---|
| أطرش | ʾaṭraš | deaf |
| أعمى | ʾaʿmā | blind |
| مش متربي | meš metrabbī | impolite |
| ملهوش تالتين لزمة | malhūš talātīn lazmah | dumb |
| عبيط | ʿabīṭ | fool |
| أهبل | ʾahbal | idiot |
| بلطجي | balṭaǧī | thug |
| فكسان | faksān | lame |
| خنيق | ḫanīʾ | pain in the neck |
| عيل | ʿayyel | big baby |
| جاهل | ǧāhel | ignorant |
| غبي | ġabī | stupid |
| مقرف | muʾref | disgusting |
| أي كالم | ʾay kalām | wimp |
| يادي النيلة | yādī el-nīlah ! | Shoot!/Oh crap! |
This Cheat Sheet is specifically designed to be downloaded by adults and therefore may be unsuitable for children under 18. It mainly contains Arabic curse words, insulting expressions that will make you sound vulgar. (Example: Damn it, Bastard, What the F***, F words…)
