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Red
أحمر (ahmar) is an Arabic adjective meaning 'red,' one of the most fundamental color words in the language. It is commonly used to describe objects, emotions, and concepts associated with the color red, and can be used both attributively (before a noun) and predicatively (after a linking verb). The word has various idiomatic and cultural applications beyond its literal meaning.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
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السيارة حمراء جداً.
As-sayyara hamra'a jiddan.
The car is very red.
أحب هذا القميص الأحمر.
Uhibb hadha al-qamis al-ahmar.
I love this red shirt.
وجهها احمر من الخجل.
Wajhuha ahmar min al-khajal.
Her face is red from embarrassment.
الإشارة الحمراء تعني توقف.
Al-ishara al-hamra'a ta'ni tawaqaf.
The red light means stop.
يرتدي ربطة عنق حمراء في الاجتماع.
Yartadi rabtat 'unuq hamra'a fi al-ijtima'.
He is wearing a red tie at the meeting.
Red holds significant cultural meaning in Arabic-speaking societies, often associated with love, passion, danger, and celebration. In Islamic tradition, red is mentioned in various religious texts and is used in flags and national symbols across the Arab world. The color red is also prominently featured in traditional Arab clothing, particularly in Bedouin heritage garments and festive occasions.
Remember that أحمر changes its form to agree with the gender and number of the noun it describes—use 'hamra' (حمراء) for feminine singular, 'humur' (حمر) for masculine plural, and 'hamra'wt' (حمراوات) for feminine plural. When used predicatively with pronouns, use 'ahmar' (أحمر) with masculine and 'hamra' (حمراء) with feminine subjects. Pay attention to context, as idioms like 'wajh ahmar' (red face) can indicate shame or anger.
أحمر (ahmar) is the Arabic adjective for the color red. It is one of the most commonly used color words in Arabic and appears frequently in everyday conversation, literature, and media. The word can function as both an attributive adjective (directly describing a noun) and a predicative adjective (used after a linking verb like 'is').
Like all Arabic adjectives, أحمر must agree with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and definiteness. The different forms include:
When the adjective is used with the definite article 'al-' (the), the forms become al-ahmar, al-hamra'a, al-humur, and al-hamra'wt respectively.
أحمر is used in various contexts:
Describing objects: "القميص الأحمر" (al-qamis al-ahmar) - the red shirt
Emotional states: "وجهها أحمر من الخجل" (wajhuha ahmar min al-khajal) - her face is red from embarrassment
Traffic and safety: "الإشارة الحمراء" (al-ishara al-hamra'a) - the red traffic light
Idioms and expressions: "خط أحمر" (khatt ahmar) - a red line, meaning a boundary that should not be crossed
The root of أحمر is ح-م-ر (H-M-R), which appears in related words:
In Arabic culture, red carries deep symbolism. It represents passion, love, courage, and celebration. Red roses (وردة حمراء) are given as symbols of love and affection. In many Arab countries, red is a prominent color in national flags, representing patriotism and national pride. The phrase "خط أحمر" (red line) has become particularly important in political discourse, denoting boundaries that governments or individuals will not compromise on.
While أحمر is the standard word for red, related color terms include:
English speakers learning Arabic should note that color adjectives follow specific agreement patterns. Unlike English, where 'red' remains unchanged, the Arabic أحمر must match its noun in gender and number. Practice with common phrases like "سيارة حمراء" (a red car - feminine) versus "تفاح أحمر" (red apples - masculine). Additionally, memorize the idiom "خط أحمر" as it's frequently used in modern Arabic media and conversation.
The word أحمر is essential vocabulary for any Arabic learner. Its mastery requires understanding grammatical agreement patterns and recognizing its cultural significance in Arabic-speaking communities. Regular exposure to the word in various contexts will help solidify its usage and enable learners to communicate more naturally in Arabic.