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Arabic Swear Words, Curses and Bad Words: The Definitive List in Egyptian, Levantine & Other Arabic Dialects
WARNING: This article contains explicit Arabic swear words and curse words. It compiles a list of frequent insults across dialects like Egyptian and Levantine. While important for understanding, readers (especially non-natives) are strongly discouraged from using these terms.
WARNING: This article contains explicit, graphic language and strongly discourages any reader โ especially non-native speakers โ from using these expressions.
In daily life, when listening to native Arabic speakers, you will unfortunately encounter Arabic swear words and curse words, insults and bad words – which are often difficult to identify as insults or look up in dictionaries.
I have compiled a list of frequent Arabic swear words and curse words (Schimpfwรถrter und Fluchwรถrter for the German readers).
In my opinion, it is important to know which words people might throw at you. Thus, it is important to know swear words – but NOT, I repeat, NOT to use them!
I can only strongly underline that people should not use such words – especially, if you are from outside and may harm people’s feelings without even knowing it.
How did I compile this list? I have asked friends, listened to street conversation, and analyzed chat language.
Of course such a list can never be comprehensive. It should only give you an idea and some hints to identify situations when people use such strong words.
If you know any other expressions which are used as swear words or curses, please feel free to add them by using the comment section!
Note that many swear words listed under a certain country on this page may also be used in other countries.
About the nature of Arabic swear words
It is usually about sex or animals – that’s basically not really different compared to other languages. However, there are some specialties which are related to Arab culture which we will examine now:
Words related to women
Oftentimes, when people want to insult another person, they use words which are related to women:
- … by insulting a person’s mother or sister – because the mother is kind of sacred in Arabic culture.
- … by using words that describe women’s genitals. The most infamous, filthy Arabic swear word is probably “kuss ummak” (kiss immak) which literally means “your mother’s vagina“.
Words that accuse men of being feminine
Besides, you will hear swear words that use the following ingredients: people use expressions that describe men as feminine: for example, by accusing them of looking like women or behaving like women. Often this comes down to call other people “gay”.
Egyptian Arabic swear words
Son of…
Ibn el-Labwa (ุงุจู ุงููุจูุฉ) – son of a bitch
Ya-bn-el-mitneka (ูุง ุงุจู ุงูู ุชูุงูุฉ) – son of a bitch
Ibne-sharmouta (ุงุจู ุงูุดุฑู ูุทุฉ) – son of a bitch (whore)
Ibn el-Fash-kha (ุงุจู ุงููุดุฎุฉ) – son of a bitch
Ars (ุนุฑุต) – pimp (ููููุงุฏ). Sometimes also in the meaning of jerk (ุดุฎุต ุฃุญู ู).
What is the origin and literal meaning of the word ars?
Ars (ุนุฑุต) is probably one of the most common insults in Egypt. What does it literally mean? It is, in fact, pretty difficult to translate. It became infamous recently. When the current leader of the regime, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, seized power in the 2013 coup d’รฉtat, a twitter hashtag was trending: “Vote for the pimp” (#ุงูุชุฎุจูุง_ุงูุนุฑุตโ).
Now, where does the word ุนุฑุต come from?
It is an expression that was probably coined during the British colonial period in Egypt. In line with the policies of the English occupier, prostitution in Egypt was a legal and permissible economic activity. Egyptians used the term during the British colonial era to denote a policeman who monitors prostitutes in their profession (ุญุงุฑุณ ุงูุฑุฐููุฉ).
Baa’ boos (ุจุนุจูุต) – middle finger
Hanikak (ููููู) – I will fuck you
Remark: A lot of slang and insults are based on the verb “naak” (ูุงูู) in the past or in the present tense: “yaneek” (ูููููู). It is a verb, used in several dialects, which expresses “to have sexual intercourse”; vulgar: to fuck someone.
Khawal (ุฎูู) – gay
Loty (ููุทู) – gay
Ya gazma (ูุง ุฌุฒู ุฉ) – fuck you! (literally, the word means shoes)
Zebby febo’ak (ุฒุจู ูู ุจูู) – my penis in your mouth!
Ya zebala (ูุง ุฒุจุงูุฉ) – you piece of garbage!
The history of swear words
Swear words have a fascinating and complex history that spans cultures and centuries. These words, often considered taboo, have evolved alongside human societies, reflecting changes in language, culture, and social norms.
The origins of swear words can be traced back to ancient civilizations. In ancient Rome, for example, profanity often revolved around religious and sexual themes. Words that desecrated sacred concepts or referred to sexual acts were considered highly offensive. This pattern continued through the Middle Ages, where blasphemy and obscenity were common sources of swearing. During this period, the Church played a significant role in defining what was considered profane, with many swear words being derived from religious terms used inappropriately.
The Renaissance marked a significant shift in the nature of swearing. As societies became more secular, the focus of profanity shifted from religious blasphemy to bodily functions and sexual acts. This period saw the birth of many modern swear words that are still in use today. The use of these words was often a way to express strong emotions or to shock and offend others.
In the modern era, the use of swear words has become more widespread and accepted in many cultures. Research has shown that swearing can have various psychological benefits, such as reducing pain and stress and fostering emotional resilience. This has led to a greater acceptance of profanity in everyday language, although the specific words and their perceived offensiveness can vary greatly between cultures.
For example, in English-speaking countries, words related to sex and bodily functions are often considered the most offensive. In contrast, in some cultures, such as Dutch, swear words related to diseases are particularly taboo. In Dutch, “kanker” (cancer) is indeed used as a swear word and is considered extremely offensive. It’s part of a broader category of Dutch profanity that involves diseases. Other examples include “krijg de tyfus” (get typhoid) and “krijg de pest” (get the plague). These disease-based curses are unique to Dutch culture and reflect historical periods when these diseases were rampant and feared.
This reflects the different cultural taboos and sensitivities that exist around the world.
The universality of swearing is also notable. Despite the vast differences in languages and cultures, almost every society has its own set of profane words. This suggests that the need to express strong emotions through taboo language is a fundamental aspect of human communication.
In summary, the history of swear words is a reflection of the evolving taboos and social norms of human societies. From ancient religious blasphemy to modern expressions of frustration and anger, profanity has always been a powerful tool for communication. As our understanding of language and psychology continues to grow, so too will our understanding of the role that swear words play in our lives.
Levantine (Syrian and Lebanese) Arabic swear words
Son of…
Ibne-sharmouta (ุงุจู ุงูุดุฑู ูุทุฉ) – son of a bitch (whore)
Ibnel ghahba (ุงุจู ุงููุญุจุฉ) – son of a whore
Ibnel ahbe (ุงุจู ุงูุงุญุจุฉ) – son of a whore
Ibnel aahra (ุงุจู ุงูุนุงูุฑุฉ) – son of a bitch
Ibnel balla’a (ุงุจู ุงูุจูุงุนุฉ) – son of a cock sucker
Ibnel memhoune (ุงุจู ุงูู ู ุญููุฉ) – son of a horny/very slutty bitch
My penis/cock in…
Airi feek (ุงูุฑู ููู) – my penis in… (often, you will hear the preposition ุจ). It denotes “fuck you” when someone is dissing a person. Literally, it means “my dick is in you“. It is used in Lebanon and Syria as well. It does not necessarily express an insult. Young people use the expression among friends (usually male only). It is typically only said to men.
Airi bikhtak (ุงูุฑู ุจุงุฎุชู) – my penis in your sister
Airi bimmak (ุงูุฑู ุจุงู ู) – my penis in your mother
Airi bsittak (ุงูุฑู ุจุณุชู) – my penis in your grandmother
Airi babuk (ุงูุฑู ุจุงุจูู) – my penis in your father
Airi betizak (ุงูุฑู ุจุทูุฒู) – my penis in your ass
Airi bebzezat ikhtak (ุจูุฑู ุจุจุฒูุฒุงุช ุงุฎุชู) – my penis between your sister’s tits
Airi beshafrat kiss immak (ุงูุฑู ุจุจุฎุด ุทูุฒุง ูุงู ู) – my penis in your mother’s asshole
Akroot (ุนูุฑูุช) – jerk
Biddi inkahak (ุจุฏู ุงููุญู) – I will fuck you!
Nayik ikhtak (ูุงูู ุงุฎุชู) – Fuck your sister!
Ib’etli ikhtak (ุงุจุนุชูู ุงุฎุชู) – send me your sister (to fuck her)!
Zebetly likhtak (ุฒุจุทูู ุงุฎุชู) – Prepare your sister for me to fuck her!
Kiss immak (ูุณ ุงู ู) – you mother’s vagina
Khrinte (ุฎุฑูุชุฉ) – sissy
Firshaye (ูุฑุดุงูุฉ) – oral sex
Muss airi (ู ุต ุงูุฑู) – suck my cock
Ruh intak (ุฑูุญ ุงูุชุงู) – Fuck off!
Shrab minne (ุณุฑุงุจ ู ูุฉ) – Drink cum!
Dahri aleik (ุถูุฑู ุนููู) – I will cum on you!
Tilhas airi (ุชูุญุณ ุงูุฑู) – lick my cock
Tilhas beidi (ุชูุญุณ ุจูุถู) – lick my balls
Tilhas bekh-shi (ุชูุญุณ ุจุฎุดู) – lick my ass(hole)!
Kharaya aleik (ุฎุฑุงูุง ุนููู) – my shit on you!
Yil’an kiss immak (ููุนู ูุณ ุงู ู) – damn your mother’s vagina!
Qawwad (ููุงุฏ) – pimp [also, like in Egypt, ars (ุนุฑุต) is used].
Dayous (ุฏููุซ) – pimp
Ya kalb (ูุง ููุจ) – You dog!
Ya-hmar (ูุง ุญู ุงุฑ) – you idiot! (literally, donkey)
Allah yel’ena’k (ุงููู ููุนูู) – Allah damn you!
Yikhreb beitak (ูุฎุฑุจ ุจูุชู) – Allah shall destroy your house!
Tunisian Arabic swear words
Barra nayk (ุจุงุฑุง ูุงูู) – Fuck you (avery strong insult)
Mossli krary (ู ุตูู ูุฑุงุฑุฒู) – suck my balls
Malhat (ู ูุญุงุช) – bitch
Asba ala Sormek (ุงุตุจุน ุนูู ุตุฑู ู) Get a penis in your hole (vagina)!
Zaaka (ุฒุงูุง) – ass
Nouna (ูููุง) – clitoris
Hawi (ุฎุงูู) – impotent
Other Arabic dialects
Makwah (ู ููู) – ass (in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf dialects)
Jarrar (ุฌุฑุงุฑ) – pimp (in Saudi Arabic)
Ayre billi bazzarak (ุงูุฑู ุจููู ุจุฒุฑู) – it is used in the meaning of: screw the one who brought you to life!
Khaneeth el-‘oud (ุฎููุซ ุงูุนูุฏ) – fucking asshole (in Bahraini Arabic)
Memsouk (ู ู ุณูุฎ) – gay (in Moroccan Arabic)
Pejorative expressions associated with LQBTQ
shadhdh (ุดุงุฐ) – sexual deviant
luTiy (ููุทู) – sodomite
su7aaqiyya (ุณุญุงููุฉ) – sapphist
For effeminate male, there are many insults in colloquial Arabic:
- mukhannath (ู ุฎูุซ)
- khaniith (ุฎููุซ)
- khunthaa (ุฎูุซู)
- mista2nith (ู ุณุชุฃูุซ)
- khawwal (ุฎูู) – Egypt
- manyak (ู ููู) – Levant
- banuuti (ุจููุชู) – Levant
- jiru (ุฌุฑู) – Iraq
- farikh (ูุฑุฎ) – Iraq
- zanaana (ุฒูุงูุฉ) – Iraq
- zaamil (ุฒุงู ู) – Morocco
The following expressions mean a man who has sex with boys
- taba3 awlad (ุชุจุน ุฃููุงุฏ) – Levant
- qarram (ูุฑุงู ) – Iraq
- abu al-walad (ุฃุจู ุงูููุฏ) – Iraq
- bizranji (ุจุฒุฑูุฌู) – Saudi-Arabia
Wanna cite this article?
Driรner, G. (2015, November 2). Arabic Swear Words, Curses and Bad Words: The Definitive List in Egyptian, Levantine & Other Arabic Dialects. Arabic for Nerds. https://arabic-for-nerds.com/dialects/egyptian-arabic/curse-words-arabic/
Published: November 2, 2015
Please check the citation before use, especially if your style guide has local requirements.
Publication ISSN: 3055-1730
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came here for a refresher as ive been noticing i can never swear enough in english, meanwhile one word in arabic does it for me…
i myself is offended reading these LMFAO i love being arab
The dog has cleft feet? AI is not a good look for anyone.
Jessica Rugg Thanks! That was indeed an early version of Midjourney AI image generation. Will try again and update the feature image ;-)
Would the intimate phrases be okay to use for consenual intimacy? Iโm writing a spicy novel, and the female character speaks arabic.
hi, absolutely not. the words specifically have negative connotations. there are like a 100 ways you can call each thing in arabic, i recommend focusing on one word and finding a gentle/ desirable word for each message.
its like saying “i wanna break your back” or “bounce on it” instead of… i wanna feel you in front of me or even come closer… or something not so out of context/ offensive lol… you know? how in english theres many derogatory terms used to describe sex? we would not want that to be considered literature.
I thought there were expressions which evoke desert animals and generations of curse on descendants Like may the dogs of the desert consume your entrails and and may the dogs evacuate their bowels on your remains ( some more graphic descriptions of your desired fate )
Hi Wiley, I am sure there are nice examples of such expressions, however, when you listen to contemporary street Arabic, you here different stuff… If you know any good “desert animal style” example, please let me know. I am happy to include “classical” examples.
well there are also the less explicit curses used by the elder generation, especially around like young people. Typically consisting of calls of litteral curses and endless suffering.”ููุนู ___ ” as in “god curse ____” insert your mom, your sister, you, this anythingor”ุงููู ูุง ููููู” as in “may god never help you succede in anything””ุงููู ูุงุฎุฏู” ” may god take you[r life]””ูุจุนุชูู ุญู ู /ุจุฑุฏูุฉ/ ูุจุงุก” “may [god] he give you a fever/make you sick”and maybe this is just a, my community thing, but this is how we swear.
Since I’m somewhat fluent in MSA reading these CERTAINLY made me cringe in mortification lol. It feels like swearing in my own native tongue (which I never do bc it’s… very harsh, to me). English just goes for the Fs but man Arabic is brutal like my language… anyway thanks for compiling this list bc elsewhere I’ve seen really dumb literal translations of Arabic slang and curses. “Make Out in Arabic” comes to mind bc it’s just… Bad. Let’s superimpose English on Arabic and have literal translations of Eng to Arb!! Instead of actually using the regional Ar slang!! As I said, dumb.
Jesse and Marian – thank you for your comment. I appreciate it. It was quite a challenge, but we all know that most people don’t speak sophisticated Fusha…
Jesse, I agree with you!
Moreover, it is courageous to post it. But I can imagine it also must have been a hilarious job to write it. Anyway, I enjoyed it a lot, had a good laugh and I realized that we (the Dutch) are very boring in our way of expressing our fear and anger.
Swearwords may not be politically correct, but the dirt inside sometimes needs to be spit out in order to make room again for some fresh air.
Gerald did a good job to not hide these words in the secret drawer of some old sideboard.
Thank you so much for putting this together. This can’t have been easy or comfortable to compile. Naturally, theses are not the sort of things I’d say to people, but useful to know when I encounter these terms on the streets or hear them in a movie.