Definition

A term identifying an individual of the feminine sex; a woman.

Arabicاِمْرَأَة
TranslitertionʾImraʾah
Pronunciation

Grammatical Information

  • Part of Speech: Noun (اسم – Ism)
  • Gender: Feminine (مُؤَنَّث – Mu’annath)
  • Number: Singular (مُفْرَد – Mufrad)
    • Note: This noun has a unique definite form; when you add “the,” it becomes الْمَرْأَة (al-marʾah). The plural is an irregular form: نِسَاء (nisāʾ).

Example Sentences

ArabicTransliterationEnglish TranslationPronunciation
هِيَ اِمْرَأَةٌ قَوِيَّةٌHiya ʾimraʾatun qawiyyahShe is a strong woman.
رَأَيْتُ اِمْرَأَةً فِي الْمَتْجَرِRaʾaytu ʾimraʾatan fī l-matjarI saw a woman in the store.
هَذِهِ اِمْرَأَتِيHādhihi ʾimraʾatīThis is my wife.
  • Synonym (مُرَادِف): أُنْثَى (ʾunthā): Female (biological term, also used for animals).

  • Words from the Same Root:
    • اِمْرُؤ (imruʾ): Man / Person (a formal or poetic term).
    • مُرُوءَة (murūʾah): Chivalry, manliness, or high moral character.
    • مَرِيء (marīʾ): Wholesome or easy to digest (related to the concept of something being “human-friendly”).

Cultural Context

The word اِمْرَأَة (ʾimraʾah) carries deep cultural weight, reflecting both traditional values and modern shifts in the Arab world. While the term historically centers on roles within the family and community, modern discourse frequently uses الْمَرْأَة (al-marʾah) in the context of professional achievement, education, and social leadership.