Loading...
Careless
مهمل (muhmil) is an adjective meaning 'careless,' 'negligent,' or 'neglected.' It describes someone who lacks attention to detail, fails to fulfill responsibilities properly, or treats something without proper care. This word is commonly used in both formal and informal Arabic to criticize behavior or work quality.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
Get a new Arabic word delivered to your inbox every day — with pronunciation, meaning, and cultural context.
الطالب مهمل في دراسته ولا يركز على الدروس.
Al-talib muhmil fi dirasatihi wa la yarakkazo ala ad-durus.
The student is careless in his studies and does not focus on the lessons.
عمل مهمل لن يقبل من قبل المعلم.
Amal muhmil lan yaqbal min qabal al-muallim.
Careless work will not be accepted by the teacher.
هذا السائق مهمل جداً في قيادته للسيارة.
Hadha as-sa'iq muhmil jiddan fi qiyyadatihi lil-sayyara.
This driver is very careless in his driving.
لا تكن مهملاً في تنظيف غرفتك.
La takun muhmilan fi tanzif ghurfatika.
Do not be careless in cleaning your room.
الموظف المهمل يخسر وظيفته بسهولة.
Al-muwazzaf al-muhmil yakhsir wazifatahu bi-suhula.
A careless employee loses his job easily.
In Arab culture, being called مهمل is considered a serious criticism, as Islamic teachings emphasize the importance of responsibility and attention to duty (amanah). The word is frequently used in educational and workplace contexts to motivate better performance. Family members might use this word to encourage children to be more responsible in their studies and household duties.
Use مهمل as an adjective directly before or after nouns to describe a person's character or quality of work. Remember that it changes form for gender and number (مهملة for feminine, مهملون for masculine plural). It can also describe actions or outcomes themselves, not just people. Be careful not to overuse it in professional settings, as it's quite critical and might offend.
The Arabic word مهمل (muhmil) is an adjective that means "careless," "negligent," or "neglected." It is derived from the verb أهمل (ahmala), which means "to neglect" or "to be careless." Understanding this word is essential for learners of Arabic, as it is commonly used in everyday conversation, educational contexts, and professional environments.
مهمل describes someone or something characterized by a lack of care, attention, or proper handling. When applied to a person, it indicates negligence or carelessness in their duties and responsibilities. When describing work or actions, it refers to poor quality resulting from inattention or lack of effort. The word carries a negative connotation and is used to criticize or express disapproval.
As an adjective, مهمل follows standard Arabic gender and number agreements:
For example: "فتاة مهملة" (fatah muhimla) means "a careless girl," while "أطفال مهملون" (atfal muhmilun) means "careless children."
مهمل is frequently used in educational settings to describe students who do not focus on their studies or submit poor-quality work. In professional environments, it describes employees who fail to meet standards of responsibility. Parents and teachers commonly use this word to motivate behavioral change in younger generations.
Example: "الطالب المهمل يفشل في الامتحانات" (The careless student fails in exams).
The word belongs to a semantic family:
Several Arabic words convey similar meanings:
While these words share similar meanings, مهمل specifically emphasizes carelessness and lack of attention, whereas مستهتر suggests more deliberate recklessness.
Words that represent the opposite of مهمل include:
In Arab and Islamic culture, responsibility and careful attention to duty are highly valued principles. The concept of أمانة (amanah - trustworthiness) is central to Islamic teaching, making carelessness morally and socially unacceptable. Being labeled as مهمل is a serious criticism that implies not only poor performance but also a failure in moral responsibility.
When learning to use مهمل, keep these tips in mind:
Agreement: Always ensure the adjective agrees with the noun in gender and number.
Context: Use it in academic, professional, or family discussions about responsibility and performance.
Severity: Recognize that calling someone مهمل is quite critical; use it when serious criticism is appropriate.
Variation: In spoken Arabic dialects, you might hear variations like "مهمل" in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) or dialect-specific forms.
مهمل is an important adjective in Arabic that describes carelessness and negligence. By understanding its forms, usage, and cultural context, learners can effectively use this word to express criticism of poor performance or to motivate better behavior. Regular exposure to this word in context will help develop a more nuanced understanding of Arabic communication norms and values.