Loading...
Sheep
#12
الخراف (al-khiraaf) is the Arabic word for 'sheep,' referring to the domesticated woolly mammals commonly raised for meat, wool, and milk. It is the plural form of خروف (kharoof), and is commonly used in both modern standard Arabic and colloquial dialects across Arabic-speaking regions. The word carries cultural significance as sheep herding has been an important part of Arab life for centuries.
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.
يرعى الراعي الخراف في المراعي الخضراء.
Yar'aa al-raa'ee al-khiraaf fee al-mara'ee al-khadra'.
The shepherd tends the sheep in the green pastures.
الخراف توفر لنا الصوف واللحم والحليب.
Al-khiraaf tawaffir lana al-soof wa al-lahm wa al-haleeb.
Sheep provide us with wool, meat, and milk.
عدد الخراف في القطيع يزيد عن مائة رأس.
'Adad al-khiraaf fee al-qatee' yazeed 'an mi'at ra's.
The number of sheep in the flock exceeds one hundred head.
باعت المزرعة الخراف في سوق الماشية.
Baa'at al-mazra'ah al-khiraaf fee sooq al-maashiyah.
The farm sold the sheep at the livestock market.
الخراف البيضاء تختلف عن الخراف السوداء.
Al-khiraaf al-bayda' takhtalif 'an al-khiraaf al-sawda'.
The white sheep differ from the black sheep.
Sheep have held tremendous cultural and economic importance in Arab societies for millennia, forming a crucial part of pastoral and agricultural heritage. In Islamic tradition, sheep are frequently referenced and hold religious significance, particularly during celebrations like Eid al-Adha when sheep are sacrificed as part of religious observance. The word الخراف reflects the deep connection between Arab culture and livestock herding, which remains an important economic activity in rural and desert regions throughout the Arab world.
Remember that الخراف is specifically the plural form—use it when referring to multiple sheep. In everyday conversation, Arabs often use collective nouns, so الخراف can refer to sheep as a group or multiple individual sheep. Pay attention to context: when discussing livestock in markets or farms, you'll frequently hear this word combined with other agricultural terminology. The word is used consistently across modern standard Arabic and most dialects, making it a reliable term for learners.
الخراف (al-khiraaf) is the Arabic word for 'sheep,' pronounced al-KHEE-raaf. This is the plural form of the singular خروف (kharoof). The word is used in both Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha) and various Arabic dialects, making it essential vocabulary for anyone learning Arabic, especially those interested in agricultural terms or rural Arab life.
Understanding the singular and plural relationship is crucial in Arabic. The singular form خروف (kharoof) refers to one sheep, while الخراف represents multiple sheep. Some speakers also use الضأن (al-daan) as an alternative plural form, though الخراف is more commonly used in everyday speech and written Arabic.
When studying الخراف, you'll benefit from learning related terms:
These words frequently appear alongside الخراف in practical, real-world contexts.
Sheep have been integral to Arab culture and economy for thousands of years. Traditionally, sheep herding has been a primary occupation in rural and desert regions throughout the Arab world. The importance of sheep extends beyond mere economic value—in Islamic tradition, sheep hold special significance. During Eid al-Adha, one of Islam's most important holidays, Muslims sacrifice rams and sheep as part of religious observance, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice for God.
The prevalence of sheep in Arab life is reflected in Arabic literature, poetry, and proverbs. References to shepherds and their flocks appear frequently in classical Arabic texts and in the Quran, underscoring the cultural depth of this vocabulary.
In everyday Arabic conversation, الخراف is used in several contexts:
Market and Commerce: "باعت المزرعة الخراف في السوق" (Baa'at al-mazra'ah al-khiraaf fee al-sooq) - The farm sold the sheep at the market.
Descriptive Contexts: "الخراف البيضاء" (al-khiraaf al-bayda') - white sheep, or "الخراف السوداء" (al-khiraaf al-sawda') - black sheep.
Collective References: "قطيع من الخراف" (qatee' min al-khiraaf) - a flock of sheep, is one of the most common phrases.
Professional Context: "راعي الخراف" (raa'ee al-khiraaf) - a shepherd or sheep herder.
When using الخراف in sentences, remember that it is plural, so verbs and adjectives must agree with this plural form. For example:
Note that the feminine plural form is used because الخراف is grammatically feminine in Arabic.
While traditionally associated with pastoral societies, الخراف remains relevant in modern Arabic. Whether discussing animal husbandry, visiting a farm, shopping in markets, or reading about rural life, this vocabulary is highly practical. Modern urban Arabs may use this word less frequently than rural populations, but it remains widely understood and used in media, agriculture discussions, and educational contexts.
English speakers learning this word should note that Arabic doesn't have separate words for 'sheep' and 'lamb'—both refer to the animal using الخراف/خروف, though the meat is specifically called لحم الخراف (lahm al-khiraaf) or لحم الضأن (lahm al-daan). This distinction between the animal and its meat is important for accurate communication in Arabic.
When encountering الخراف in texts or conversations, context will help determine whether it refers to sheep in general, a specific group, or the meat product being discussed. Practicing this word in the phrases listed above will help solidify its usage in your Arabic vocabulary.