Patient
#3
المريض (al-marīḍ) is an Arabic noun meaning 'patient' or 'sick person,' referring to someone who is ill or suffering from a disease. It is commonly used in medical contexts, healthcare settings, and everyday conversations when discussing someone's health condition. The word can function as both a standalone noun and an adjective describing someone's state of illness.
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.
المريض يحتاج إلى الراحة والعلاج المناسب.
Al-marīḍ yaḥtāj ilá al-rāḥa wa-al-ʿilāj al-munāsib.
The patient needs rest and appropriate treatment.
الطبيب يفحص المريض بعناية شديدة.
Al-ṭabīb yafḥaṣ al-marīḍ bi-ʿināya shadīda.
The doctor examines the patient with great care.
المريضة قضت الليل في المستشفى.
Al-marīḍa qaḍat al-layl fī al-mustashfá.
The female patient spent the night in the hospital.
هناك خمسة مرضى ينتظرون الفحص.
Hunāk khamsa marḍá yantaẓirūn al-faḥṣ.
There are five patients waiting for examination.
المريض تحسنت حالته بعد تناول الدواء.
Al-marīḍ taḥassanat ḥālatuhu baʿd tanāwul al-dawāʾ.
The patient's condition improved after taking the medicine.
In Arab culture, visiting sick individuals and inquiring about their health is considered an important social obligation and act of kindness. Healthcare facilities in Arabic-speaking countries frequently use the term المريض and its plural form المرضى (al-marḍá) in official medical contexts. The concept of patient care is deeply connected to Islamic values of compassion and community support.
Remember that المريض changes its form based on gender and number: المريضة (al-marīḍa) for a female patient, and المرضى (al-marḍá) for multiple patients. In medical contexts, you'll often hear phrases like 'كيف حال المريض؟' (How is the patient?) or 'معه مريض' (He has a patient). Be aware that while المريض literally means 'sick person,' it is the standard professional term for 'patient' in healthcare settings.
The Arabic word المريض (al-marīḍ) is a masculine noun that translates to 'patient' in English, specifically referring to a sick person or someone receiving medical treatment. The term comes from the root مرض (m-r-ḍ), which relates to illness and sickness. This word is fundamental in medical Arabic and healthcare communication throughout the Arab world.
Like all Arabic nouns, المريض changes its form based on gender and number:
Singular Forms:
Plural Forms:
The article ال (the) is commonly attached to this word in medical contexts, though it can also appear without the article when used as a predicate: هو مريض (he is a patient/sick).
In healthcare settings across Arabic-speaking countries, المريض is the standard professional term used in hospitals, clinics, and by medical professionals. You will encounter this word frequently in medical documents, patient charts, and healthcare communications. Doctors and nurses use phrases like:
Understanding المريض becomes easier when learning related medical terms:
In Arab culture, visiting sick individuals is considered a moral and social responsibility. The phrase "زيارة المريض" (visiting the patient) is valued as a compassionate act. When visiting someone who is ill, Arabs often ask "كيف حالك؟" (How are you?) or specifically "كيف حال المريض؟" (How is the patient?) out of concern and respect.
Furthermore, Islamic teachings emphasize caring for the sick, and this cultural value is reflected in how healthcare is discussed and practiced in Arab communities. Healthcare workers are often viewed as fulfilling a noble duty in caring for المرضى (patients).
While المريض is primarily a medical term, it can appear in everyday conversation when discussing someone's health:
It's crucial to understand that while المريض can function as both a noun (patient) and an adjective (sick), context determines its usage. When used as an adjective, it appears without the article in predicative position: "أنا مريض" (I am sick). When used as a noun to refer to a specific patient, it typically includes the article: "المريض في الغرفة الثالثة" (The patient in the third room).
English speakers learning Arabic should note that the medical term for patient in Arabic is quite straightforward once the root word is understood. Practice using it in different contexts and with different genders to become comfortable with its various forms. Additionally, learning related medical vocabulary simultaneously will enhance your ability to communicate effectively in healthcare environments.