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Disease
#12
المرض (al-marad) is a masculine noun meaning "disease" or "illness" in Arabic. It refers to any physical or mental condition that negatively affects health and well-being. This word is commonly used in medical contexts, everyday conversation, and literary works to describe various ailments and conditions.
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الطبيب تشخيص المرض بعد الفحص الطبي الشامل.
Al-tabib tashkhis al-marad ba'd al-fahis al-tibbi al-shaamil.
The doctor diagnosed the disease after a comprehensive medical examination.
هذا المرض ينتشر بسرعة في فصل الشتاء.
Hadha al-marad yantashir bi-sur'ah fi fasl al-shita.
This disease spreads rapidly during winter.
الوقاية خير من علاج المرض.
Al-wiqayah khair min 'ilaj al-marad.
Prevention is better than treating the disease.
أصيب والده بمرض خطير لكنه تعافى بحمد الله.
Usiba walidahu bi-marad khatar lakin-hu ta'afa bi-hamd allah.
His father was struck by a serious illness, but he recovered by God's grace.
المرض النفسي لا يقل خطورة عن المرض الجسدي.
Al-marad al-nafsi la yaqall khuturat 'an al-marad al-jasadi.
Mental illness is no less serious than physical illness.
In Arabic-speaking cultures, there is a strong emphasis on health matters, and المرض is frequently discussed in family and social contexts. Islamic tradition encourages seeking medical treatment and taking preventive measures, reflected in the common phrase "الوقاية خير من العلاج" (prevention is better than cure). The concept of illness extends beyond physical ailments to include psychological and spiritual dimensions in Arab culture.
Remember that المرض is masculine, so adjectives and verb forms must agree with this gender. Use المرض when referring to illness in general or a specific disease; use مريض when referring to the sick person. In medical contexts, you might also hear specific disease names paired with المرض, such as المرض السرطاني (cancer) or المرض السكري (diabetes).
The Arabic word المرض (al-marad) is a fundamental vocabulary term that every Arabic learner should master. This masculine noun directly translates to "disease" or "illness" in English and is widely used in medical, conversational, and literary contexts throughout the Arabic-speaking world.
المرض refers to any physical or mental condition that disrupts normal bodily or psychological functions. It encompasses everything from minor ailments like the common cold to serious chronic conditions. The word can be used generically to discuss illness as a concept or specifically to refer to particular diseases. In Islamic and Arab cultural contexts, the term also carries implications about resilience, patience, and faith during times of affliction.
المرض is a masculine singular noun in Arabic. When used with adjectives, all modifiers must agree in gender and number. For example:
The plural form of المرض is أمراض (amrad), which follows the regular masculine plural pattern in Arabic.
In everyday Arabic speech, المرض is used in various contexts:
Medical and Healthcare Contexts: Doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals use this term when discussing patients' conditions. You'll hear it in hospitals, clinics, and medical literature.
Family and Social Conversations: Arabs frequently ask about each other's health and may inquire, "هل أنت مريض من مرض ما؟" (Do you suffer from any illness?)
Religious and Philosophical Discussions: The Quran mentions المرض in various contexts, and Islamic scholars discuss illness as a test of faith and character.
To use المرض effectively, learners should become familiar with related words:
In Arab culture, discussing health and illness is part of social courtesy. When Arabs meet, they often ask about each other's health and that of family members. There's also a strong cultural value placed on patience (صبر) during illness, with references to Quranic verses about enduring hardship.
The phrase "الوقاية خير من العلاج" (prevention is better than cure) reflects the Islamic emphasis on maintaining health and taking preventive measures. Modern Arab healthcare systems, while varying by country, emphasize both preventive medicine and treatment.
Understanding المرض becomes easier through examples:
In contemporary Arabic, especially in news and medical contexts, you'll encounter specific types of diseases named with المرض:
English speakers learning Arabic should note that while المرض is masculine, the English word "disease" has no gender. Ensure agreement with masculine adjectives and verbs. Additionally, remember that the term extends beyond physical ailments—Arabs discuss mental and psychological illnesses using the same word, reflecting a holistic view of health.
المرض is an essential word for anyone learning Arabic, whether for healthcare, social interaction, or general fluency. Its usage reflects both the practical aspects of health and the deeper cultural values of Arab society regarding resilience, faith, and community care during times of illness.