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شخص فاسد (shakhs fasid) literally means 'a corrupt person' or 'a spoiled/rotten person,' referring to someone who is morally corrupt, dishonest, or whose character has deteriorated. This phrase combines the noun 'شخص' (person) with the adjective 'فاسد' (corrupt/spoiled), and is used to describe individuals engaged in unethical behavior, bribery, or moral wrongdoing. The term carries strong negative connotations and is commonly used in discussions about politics, business, and social conduct.
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هذا شخص فاسد لا يمكن الثقة به في العمل.
Hadha shakhs fasid la yumkin al-thiqah bihi fi al-amal.
This is a corrupt person who cannot be trusted at work.
رفضنا التعامل مع شخص فاسد يحاول رشوتنا.
Rafadna al-taamul maa shakhs fasid yahawal rashotana.
We refused to deal with a corrupt person trying to bribe us.
الحكومة تحاول تنظيف الجهاز الإداري من الأشخاص الفاسدين.
Al-hukumah tuhawal tanzif al-jihaz al-idari min al-ashkhas al-fasideen.
The government is trying to clean the administrative apparatus of corrupt individuals.
كل شخص فاسد يجب أن يحاسب أمام القانون.
Kul shakhs fasid yajib an yuhasab amam al-qanun.
Every corrupt person should be held accountable before the law.
The term 'شخص فاسد' carries significant weight in Arab society, where honor and reputation are paramount values. In contemporary Arab political discourse, this phrase is frequently used in news reports, public debates, and social media discussions about government accountability and anti-corruption campaigns. The concept reflects deeply ingrained cultural values regarding ethical conduct, family honor, and social responsibility.
This is a formal, serious accusation that should be used carefully in appropriate contexts such as formal discussions, news articles, or political discourse. Avoid using it casually in informal conversation as it strongly condemns someone's character. Remember that 'فاسد' can also mean 'spoiled' or 'rotten' in literal contexts (like spoiled food), so context is important for distinguishing the metaphorical meaning of moral corruption.
The Arabic phrase شخص فاسد (shakhs fasid) translates to 'a corrupt person' or 'a morally corrupt individual.' This expression combines two Arabic words: 'شخص' (shakhs), meaning 'person,' and 'فاسد' (fasid), meaning 'corrupt,' 'spoiled,' or 'rotten.' When used together, this phrase describes someone whose moral character has deteriorated or who engages in unethical, illegal, or dishonest practices.
The word 'فاسد' originates from the root ف-س-د, which carries connotations of decay, deterioration, and moral degradation. In Arabic, this root is used in various contexts—from describing physically spoiled food to describing morally corrupt individuals. The phrase is particularly powerful in Arabic because it implies not just a single bad action, but a fundamental corruption of character.
In contemporary Arabic, شخص فاسد is commonly used in political discussions, legal proceedings, journalistic writing, and everyday conversation about governance and ethics. It appears frequently in Arab media when discussing government officials accused of embezzlement, bribery, or abuse of power. The phrase has become increasingly prominent in recent years due to widespread anti-corruption movements across the Arab world.
The term is a serious accusation and carries significant social stigma. Using it to describe someone is a grave indictment of their character and is generally reserved for formal contexts or situations where evidence of corruption exists. In casual conversation, people might use softer alternatives like 'شخص سيء' (bad person) or 'شخص منحرف' (deviant person).
Understanding شخص فاسد requires familiarity with related concepts:
In Arab culture, where concepts of honor ('عز' - izzah), shame ('عار' - aar), and reputation are fundamental to social identity, being labeled a 'شخص فاسد' is profoundly damaging. This phrase attacks not just an individual's actions but their entire character and family honor in some contexts. The accusation implies a person has betrayed trust, violated ethical principles, and brought shame upon themselves and potentially their family.
Recent anti-corruption initiatives in various Arab countries have made this terminology especially prevalent in public discourse. Terms like 'محاسبة الفاسدين' (holding the corrupt accountable) and 'تنظيف الأجهزة الحكومية من الفاسدين' (cleaning government apparatus of corrupt individuals) have become rallying cries in civil society movements.
When encountering or using this phrase, remember several important considerations:
Formality: This is formal vocabulary appropriate for news articles, academic discussions, or serious conversations. Avoid using it casually.
Context Matters: While 'فاسد' can literally mean 'spoiled' (like spoiled food), in the context of persons it always implies moral corruption.
Gravity of the Term: Using this phrase to describe someone is a serious matter. In many contexts, it has legal implications if used without evidence.
Variations: The phrase can be modified for plural (الأشخاص الفاسدين - corrupt people) or in gendered forms (شخصة فاسدة for a corrupt woman, though this is less commonly used).
This phrase appears regularly in Arabic news outlets, social media, and political commentary. Examples include discussions about government officials facing corruption charges, international reports on governance in Arab states, and civil society advocacy for transparency and accountability.