English → Arabic
slave in Arabic
- Pronunciation
- ʿabd
- Arabizi
3abd- Type
- noun · masculine
- Plural
- عَبِيد ʿabīd
- Root
- ع ب د
Other meanings
- أَمَة ama — slave · slave (female)
How to use it
The Arabic word 'عبد' (ʿabd) refers to a male slave, while 'أمة' (ama) refers to a female slave. The concept of slavery has a long and complex history in many cultures, including Arab societies. While the term is historically accurate, its use today can be sensitive due to the negative connotations associated with enslavement.
Example sentences
-
كان العبد يخدم سيده بإخلاص.
kāna al-ʿabdu yakhdimu sayyidahu bi-ikhlāṣ.
The slave served his master faithfully.
-
تاريخ العبودية معقد ومؤلم.
tārīkh al-ʿubūdiyya muʿaqqadun wa-muʾlim.
The history of slavery is complex and painful.
-
لم تعد الأمة تُباع وتشترى في معظم الدول.
lam taʿud al-amatu tubāʿu wa-tushtarā fī muʿẓam ad-duwal.
Female slaves are no longer bought and sold in most countries.
Examples from real texts
Sentences taken from published bilingual texts (subtitles, documents). They show the word in context and are not reviewed one by one.
China’s Slave Power
الصين وقوة العبيد
I'm not your slave.
أنا لست عبدك.
Fashion Slave notes:
تكتب سليف:
The freeing of a slave!
« فك رقبة » من الرق بأن أعتقها.
A slave when he prayeth?
« عبدا » هو النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم « إذا صلّى ».
( It is ) to free a slave,
« فك رقبة » من الرق بأن أعتقها.
[ It is ] the freeing of a slave,
« فك رقبة » من الرق بأن أعتقها.
Sambo, the new name for Slave Head.
سامبو، الاسم الجديد لرأس العبد.
(Owner? Isn't that slave mentality??)
(مالك؟ أليست تلك عقلية زمن العبودية؟؟ )
The Slave Ethos and the African Economy
العقلية العبودية والاقتصاد الأفريقي
( It is ) Freeing a neck ( slave, etc. )
« فك رقبة » من الرق بأن أعتقها.
Slave traders in Gorée, Senegal, 18th century.
تجار الرقيق في غوري السنيغال في القرن الثامن عشر.
Questions and answers
Is the word 'slave' used in modern Arabic?
The words 'عبد' and 'أمة' are primarily used in historical contexts when discussing the past. In modern contexts, they are rarely used and can be considered offensive. The concept of slavery is widely condemned.
What is the difference between 'عبد' and 'خادم'?
'عبد' (ʿabd) specifically means 'slave', implying ownership and lack of freedom. 'خادم' (khādim) means 'servant', which implies employment and usually a contractual relationship, not ownership.
Related words and expressions
Updated