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Ailment
المرض (al-maraḍ) is an Arabic noun meaning 'illness,' 'disease,' or 'ailment.' It refers to any condition affecting physical or mental health, ranging from minor ailments to serious diseases. This is one of the most commonly used words in Arabic when discussing health conditions.
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أصيب محمد بمرض شديد في الأسبوع الماضي.
Asība Muhammad bi-maraḍ shadīd fī al-usbūʿ al-māḍī.
Muhammad was struck by a serious illness last week.
الطبيب قال إن المرض سيزول قريباً.
Al-ṭabīb qāla inna al-maraḍ sayazūl qarībān.
The doctor said the illness will disappear soon.
لا تقلق، هذا مرض عادي وليس خطيراً.
Lā taqlaqu, hādhā maraḍ ʿādī wa-laysa khaṭīrān.
Don't worry, this is a common ailment and not serious.
المرض النفسي يؤثر على الصحة البدنية أيضاً.
Al-maraḍ al-nafsī yuʾaththir ʿalā al-ṣiḥḥa al-badanīya ayḍān.
Mental illness also affects physical health.
وجدوا علاج جديد لهذا المرض الخطير.
Wajadū ʿilāj jadīd li-hādhā al-maraḍ al-khaṭīr.
They found a new treatment for this dangerous disease.
In Arabic culture, inquiring about someone's health and asking 'كيف الصحة' (how is your health) is a standard greeting that demonstrates care and respect. The concept of المرض extends beyond physical illness to encompass emotional and spiritual well-being, reflecting the holistic approach to health in Islamic tradition. Visiting the sick (عيادة المريض) is considered an important social and religious duty in Arab communities.
Remember that المرض is a countable noun, so you can say 'مرض واحد' (one illness) or 'أمراض كثيرة' (many illnesses). When describing the type of illness, use the adjective after the noun: 'مرض خطير' (serious illness) or 'مرض مزمن' (chronic illness). It's commonly used in both formal medical contexts and casual conversation.
المرض (al-maraḍ) is a fundamental Arabic noun that translates to 'illness,' 'disease,' 'ailment,' or 'sickness' in English. The word encompasses any condition that negatively affects physical, mental, or emotional health, from minor common colds to serious chronic diseases. It is derived from the Arabic root 'م-ر-ض' (m-r-d), which carries the inherent meaning of suffering or being affected by illness.
The word المرض is a masculine noun in its definite form (with the definite article 'ال'). In its indefinite form, it appears as 'مرض' (maraḍ). The word is singular, and its plural form is 'أمراض' (amrāḍ). When used as an adjective compound, it typically precedes other nouns to describe what type of disease: 'مرض السكري' (diabetes - literally 'sugary disease') and 'مرض القلب' (heart disease).
المرض is used in various contexts throughout Arabic-speaking communities. In medical settings, healthcare professionals use it to discuss diagnoses and conditions. In everyday conversation, family members inquire about each other's health using phrases like 'هل تعاني من أي مرض؟' (Do you suffer from any illness?). The word is also prevalent in religious and cultural discussions, where concepts of healing and recovery hold spiritual significance.
Several words share similar meanings with المرض in Arabic. 'الداء' (al-dāʾ) refers to disease or malady, often used in more classical or formal contexts. 'السقم' (al-suqm) denotes sickness or infirmity, while 'العلة' (al-ʿilla) refers to a complaint or defect. The antonym 'الصحة' (al-ṣiḥḥa) means health, and 'العافية' (al-ʿāfiya) represents wellness or full recovery, often used in the phrase 'يا رب العافية' (may God grant wellness).
In Arab culture, health is a precious commodity, and inquiring about someone's health is a fundamental part of social interaction. The concept of visiting the sick, 'عيادة المريض' (ʿiyāda al-marīḍ), is an important social and religious obligation rooted in Islamic teachings. When someone is ill, the community often rallies around them with support, prayers, and practical help, reflecting the collectivist values of Arab societies.
Learners of Arabic will encounter المرض frequently in medical contexts and daily conversations. Common phrases include 'مرض مزمن' (chronic illness), 'مرض معدي' (contagious disease), 'مرض نادر' (rare disease), and 'مرض مستعصي' (intractable disease). The phrase 'الشفاء من المرض' (recovery from illness) is often used with hopeful connotations, and 'أثناء المرض' (during the illness) helps contextualize experiences and treatments.
In contemporary medical Arabic, المرض combines with various modifiers to describe specific conditions. Medical professionals might say 'مرض السكري من النوع الأول' (Type 1 diabetes) or 'مرض الزهايمر' (Alzheimer's disease). Understanding how to use المرض with medical terminology is essential for anyone seeking healthcare in Arabic-speaking regions or studying Arabic medical literature.