Loading...
A1
ممتاز (mumtāz) is a highly popular Arabic adjective meaning 'excellent,' 'outstanding,' or 'superb.' It derives from the root م-ي-ز (m-y-z) related to distinction and differentiation, and is used across all Arabic-speaking regions to express high quality, superior performance, or exceptional merit in both formal and informal contexts.
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.
عملك في المشروع كان ممتازاً.
ʿamaluka fī al-mashrūʿ kāna mumtāzan.
Your work on the project was excellent.
حصلت على درجة ممتازة في الامتحان.
ḥaṣaltu ʿalā daraja mumtāza fī al-imtiḥān.
I got an excellent grade on the exam.
هذا المطعم ممتاز، أنصحك بتجربته.
hādhā al-maṭʿam mumtāz, anṣaḥuka bi-tajribatihi.
This restaurant is excellent, I recommend you try it.
الطقس اليوم ممتاز للنزهة.
aṭ-ṭaqs al-yawm mumtāz li-n-nuzha.
The weather today is perfect for an outing.
ممتاز! استمر في هذا العمل الرائع.
mumtāz! istamirr fī hādhā al-ʿamal ar-rāʾiʿ.
Excellent! Keep up this wonderful work.
In Arab educational systems, ممتاز represents the highest grade classification (typically 85-100%), making it especially meaningful when used to praise academic achievement. The word is also commonly used as an enthusiastic standalone exclamation to express approval or encouragement, similar to saying 'Excellent!' or 'Great!' in English. In restaurants, shops, and service industries across the Arab world, you'll frequently hear ممتاز used by satisfied customers.
ممتاز follows standard Arabic adjective agreement rules: it must match the gender and number of the noun it describes (ممتاز for masculine, ممتازة for feminine, ممتازون/ممتازين for plural masculine, ممتازات for plural feminine). As a standalone exclamation of approval, use the masculine form ممتاز regardless of whom you're addressing. The word can be intensified by adding جداً (very) after it: ممتاز جداً means 'absolutely excellent.'
The Arabic word ممتاز (mumtāz) is one of the most frequently used terms across the Arab world to express excellence, superior quality, or outstanding performance. Whether you're dining at a restaurant in Cairo, receiving exam results in Amman, or praising someone's work in Dubai, ممتاز is the go-to word for showing high approval and satisfaction.
ممتاز derives from the trilateral root م-ي-ز (m-y-z), which carries the fundamental meaning of distinguishing, separating, or differentiating. This root gives us related words like تمييز (tamyīz, meaning 'distinction' or 'discrimination') and مميز (mumayyaz, meaning 'distinctive' or 'special'). The pattern فَعَّال (fa'āl) used in ممتاز emphasizes the active participle form, suggesting something or someone that stands out from the rest through distinction.
ممتاز translates to 'excellent,' 'outstanding,' 'superb,' or 'first-rate' in English. It's a powerful adjective that conveys high praise and is used in numerous contexts:
Academic Settings: In Arab educational systems, ممتاز represents the highest grade classification, typically corresponding to scores between 85-100%. Students receiving this designation have achieved exceptional academic performance.
Everyday Praise: As a standalone exclamation, ممتاز functions like 'Excellent!' or 'Great!' in English, expressing approval, encouragement, or satisfaction. Teachers, parents, employers, and friends frequently use it to commend good work or behavior.
Product and Service Quality: In commercial contexts, ممتاز describes premium quality goods, exceptional service, or outstanding experiences. You'll see it in restaurant reviews, product descriptions, and customer feedback.
As an Arabic adjective, ممتاز must agree with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and definiteness:
When used as an exclamation or standalone expression of approval, always use the masculine singular form ممتاز, regardless of whom you're addressing.
In Arab culture, using ممتاز carries significant weight. Unlike casual positive words, it represents genuine high praise and shouldn't be used frivolously. Parents beam with pride when their children receive ممتاز grades, and professionals value ممتاز performance evaluations as markers of career success.
The phrase بامتياز (bi-mtiyāz), meaning 'with distinction' or 'par excellence,' appears on diplomas, certificates, and formal recognitions, highlighting achievements of exceptional merit. Someone who graduates بامتياز has achieved the highest academic honors.
Several phrases incorporate ممتاز:
When learning to use ممتاز, remember that it sits at the top of the quality scale in Arabic. While English speakers might casually say 'excellent' or 'great' frequently, Arabic speakers reserve ممتاز for truly outstanding situations. For everyday positive feedback, consider using جيد (good) or جيد جداً (very good) instead, saving ممتاز for exceptional circumstances.
Pronunciation focus: The emphasis falls on the second syllable: mum-TĀZ, with a long 'ā' sound that should be clearly elongated.