Airsick
مصاب بدوار الجوّ is a phrase describing the condition of being airsick, experiencing nausea and dizziness during air travel. It's a medical/physical condition that affects passengers during flights, often caused by motion and air pressure changes. This phrase is commonly used in both everyday conversation and medical contexts when discussing travel-related discomfort.
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.
أنا مصاب بدوار الجوّ في كل مرة أسافر بالطائرة.
Ana masaab bidawaar al-jaww fi kull marra asaafir bil-taayira.
I suffer from airsickness every time I travel by plane.
شعرت بأنني مصاب بدوار الجوّ بعد الإقلاع مباشرة.
Sha'arat bi-annani masaab bidawaar al-jaww ba'da al-iqlaa' mubashara.
I felt airsick immediately after takeoff.
زوجتي مصابة بدوار الجوّ، لذا تتناول الأدوية قبل الرحلة.
Zawjati masaaba bidawaar al-jaww, litha tatanavwal al-adwiya qabl al-rihlah.
My wife gets airsick, so she takes medication before the flight.
لا تقلق، معظم الناس يكونون مصابين بدوار الجوّ في البداية.
La taqalaq, mu'zam al-nas yakoonun masaabeen bidawaar al-jaww fi al-bidaya.
Don't worry, most people get airsick at first.
المساعد في الطائرة قدّم لي كيساً لأنني بدأت أشعر بأنني مصاب بدوار الجوّ.
Al-musa'id fi al-taayira qaddama li kaysan li-annani bada'tu asha'ur bi-annani masaab bidawaar al-jaww.
The flight attendant handed me a bag because I was starting to feel airsick.
In Arab-speaking countries, airsickness is a common topic discussed among travelers, especially those taking regional flights. Arabic speakers often share remedies and prevention tips when discussing travel plans. The phrase reflects how health conditions are communicated in everyday Arabic, using the passive structure 'مصاب ب' (suffering from) which is typical for describing medical ailments.
Remember that مصاب is an adjective meaning 'affected' or 'suffering,' and it agrees in gender with the subject—use مصابة for feminine subjects. The phrase دوار الجوّ literally means 'air dizziness' and is always used with preposition 'ب' (with). When discussing this condition, you might also add remedies using phrases like 'أتناول دواء' (I take medication) or 'أجلس بجانب النافذة' (I sit by the window).
The phrase مصاب بدوار الجوّ literally translates to "affected by air dizziness" or more naturally as "airsick" in English. It describes the condition where a person experiences nausea, dizziness, and discomfort during air travel. This medical condition is caused by the motion of the aircraft and changes in air pressure, affecting the inner ear and overall sense of balance.
مصاب (masaab) - This is an adjective meaning "affected," "suffering," or "stricken." It comes from the verb أصاب (asaaba), meaning "to affect" or "to hit." When describing a condition, مصاب is used with the preposition ب (with/by).
دوار (dawaar) - This noun means "dizziness" or "vertigo." It derives from the verb دار (dara), meaning "to rotate" or "to spin," which accurately describes the sensation of dizziness.
الجوّ (al-jaww) - This means "the air" or "the atmosphere." Combined with دوار, it specifically refers to dizziness caused by air conditions, particularly during flight.
The phrase مصاب بدوار الجوّ follows a common Arabic pattern for describing illnesses and conditions. The adjective مصاب must agree in gender with the subject:
This structure is different from English, where we simply say "I am airsick." In Arabic, the emphasis is on being "affected by" or "suffering from" a condition.
Arabic speakers use this phrase in various contexts:
Medical Consultations: When visiting a doctor before traveling, patients might say: "أنا مصاب بدوار الجوّ، هل يمكنك أن تعطيني دواء؟" (I get airsick, can you give me medication?)
Travel Planning: When discussing upcoming trips, people often mention their condition: "سأسافر غداً، لكنني مصاب بدوار الجوّ" (I'm traveling tomorrow, but I get airsick)
Seeking Advice: Travelers frequently ask others for remedies: "هل أنت مصاب بدوار الجوّ؟ ماذا تفعل؟" (Do you get airsick? What do you do about it?)
When describing airsickness in detail, Arabic speakers often use related terms:
Arabic speakers discussing airsickness often mention:
In Arab-speaking regions, travel by air has become increasingly common, especially with the growth of regional airlines and tourism. As a result, discussing airsickness is a natural part of travel conversations. People frequently share personal experiences and remedies, making this a common topic in everyday Arabic dialogue. The phrase reflects the broader Arab culture's openness in discussing health matters and seeking community advice.
When learning this phrase, remember:
While مصاب بدوار الجوّ is the most common phrase, you might also hear:
Mastering the phrase مصاب بدوار الجوّ is essential for anyone planning to travel by air in Arabic-speaking countries or discussing health matters in Arabic. Understanding its structure, gender agreement, and cultural context will help you communicate effectively about this common condition and engage in meaningful conversations about travel experiences with native speakers.