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Panicked
مضطرب (mudtarrib) is an Arabic adjective meaning 'panicked,' 'disturbed,' 'agitated,' or 'troubled.' It describes a state of emotional or mental disturbance, anxiety, or confusion. The word conveys both physical restlessness and inner turmoil, often used to describe someone who is visibly upset, worried, or in a state of disarray.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
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بدا الطالب مضطرباً قبل الامتحان.
Bada al-talib mudtarrib qabla al-imtihaan.
The student appeared panicked before the exam.
شعرت بحالة مضطربة بعد سماع الخبر السيء.
Sha'art bihalah mudtarribah ba'da sama' al-khbar al-sayyih.
I felt a panicked state after hearing the bad news.
كان الرجل مضطرباً ولا يستطيع التركيز.
Kan al-rajul mudtarrib wa la yastati' al-tarkiz.
The man was panicked and couldn't concentrate.
الأطفال مضطربون بسبب الأصوات العالية.
Al-atfal mudtarribun bi sabab al-aswat al-aaliyah.
The children are panicked because of the loud noises.
بدت مضطربة من تصرفاته الغريبة.
Badat mudtarribah min tasarrufattih al-gharibah.
She appeared panicked by his strange behavior.
In Arabic-speaking cultures, emotional expression is often more openly displayed than in some Western cultures, making words like مضطرب commonly used in daily conversations to describe visible emotional states. The word reflects the importance of emotional awareness and communication in Arab society, where acknowledging one's feelings is part of normal social interaction. This term is frequently heard in family settings, workplaces, and media when describing someone experiencing distress.
Remember that مضطرب is primarily an adjective describing a state of being, not an action verb. It can be used with both masculine and feminine forms (مضطرب for masculine, مضطربة for feminine) and plural forms (مضطربون/مضطربات). When describing ongoing agitation, use it with verbs like 'بدا' (appeared) or 'كان' (was) to indicate the state or condition of a person.
The Arabic word مضطرب (mudtarrib) is an important adjective that describes a state of panic, agitation, disturbance, or emotional turmoil. It's derived from the root ض-ط-ر-ب, which conveys the sense of disorder and restlessness. This word is widely used in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and colloquial Arabic across the Arab world to describe both psychological and emotional states of disarray.
مضطرب primarily means 'panicked,' 'disturbed,' 'agitated,' or 'troubled.' It describes not just a momentary emotion, but a visible state of being that others can observe. When someone is described as مضطرب, it implies they are visibly upset, their mind is in disarray, and they may be experiencing anxiety or confusion. The word can apply to temporary emotional states or more prolonged conditions of unrest.
As an adjective, مضطرب follows standard Arabic adjectival patterns. It agrees with the noun it modifies in gender and number:
The word is commonly used with the verb 'كان' (was) to describe a state: "كان مضطرباً" (He was panicked). It can also follow verbs of appearance like 'بدا' (appeared) or 'أصبح' (became).
The root word اضطراب (idtirab) means 'disturbance' or 'disorder' and is closely related. Other related words include:
مضطرب appears frequently in everyday Arabic conversations, news reports, and literature. You might hear it used to describe:
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
In Arab culture, the open expression of emotions is valued, and words like مضطرب serve an important communicative function. Rather than being seen as weakness, acknowledging emotional disturbance is part of authentic human expression. This word reflects the cultural emphasis on emotional honesty and the shared understanding of human vulnerability.
When using مضطرب, remember:
مضطرب is a versatile and frequently used Arabic adjective that effectively conveys emotional disturbance and panic. Mastering its usage will help learners better express emotional states and understand Arabic literature, news, and everyday conversations with greater nuance and authenticity.