Arabic → English
نَفَس in English
self
نَفْس
- Pronunciation
- nafs
- Arabizi
nafs- Type
- noun · feminine
- Plural
- أَنْفَاسٌ anfās
- Root
- ن ف س
Other meanings
- نَفَس nafas — breath · air taken into the lungs
How to use it
"نفس" has two common meanings. As a feminine noun it means “self” or “one’s own identity”. As a masculine noun (نَفَس) it means “breath”. Context tells which is meant.
Example sentences
-
أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَعْرِفَ نَفْسِي جَيِّدًا.
uḥibbu an aʿrifa nafsī jayyiḍan.
I like to know myself well.
-
تَنَفَّسَ بِسُرْعَةٍ وَأَخَذَ نَفَسًا عَمِيقًا.
tanaffasa bisurʿatin wa akhadha nafasan ʿamīqan.
He breathed quickly and took a deep breath.
-
نَظَرَ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ فِي المِرْآةِ.
naẓara ilā nafsihi fī al-mirʾati.
He looked at himself in the mirror.
Questions and answers
How do I know which meaning is intended?
Look at the surrounding words: if a verb of feeling or identity follows, it’s likely “self”. If it relates to breathing or air, it’s “breath”.
Can "نفس" be used in plural?
The plural "أنفاس" refers to breaths, not selves.
Related words and expressions
Updated