Loading...
Celibacy
العزوبة (al-'uzūbah) is an Arabic noun meaning celibacy or the unmarried state, referring to the condition of being single or unmarried. It is a formal, somewhat literary term often used in religious, social, or legal contexts. The word carries cultural significance in Arab societies where marriage is traditionally valued.
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.
اختار الراهب العزوبة لكي يكرس حياته للعبادة.
Ikhtāra ar-rāhib al-'uzūbah likay yukharris hayātahu lil-'ibādah.
The monk chose celibacy in order to dedicate his life to worship.
في بعض الثقافات، العزوبة تعتبر حالة مؤقتة قبل الزواج.
Fī ba'ḍ ath-thaqāfāt, al-'uzūbah tu'tabar ḥālah mu'aqqatah qabla az-zawāj.
In some cultures, celibacy is considered a temporary state before marriage.
قررت أن تعيش في العزوبة حتى تكمل تعليمها الجامعي.
Qarrarat an ta'īsh fī al-'uzūbah ḥattā takmal ta'līmahā al-jāmi'ī.
She decided to remain single until she completed her university education.
العزوبة في الديانات المسيحية لها مكانة روحية خاصة.
Al-'uzūbah fī ad-diyānāt al-masīḥiyyah lahā makānah rūḥiyyah khāṣṣah.
Celibacy in Christian religions holds a special spiritual place.
In Arab and Islamic cultures, while marriage is highly encouraged and considered a sunnah (religious practice), celibacy is respected in religious contexts, particularly among monks and nuns in Christian communities. The concept of العزوبة reflects both the cultural emphasis on family formation and the recognition of spiritual commitments that may require remaining unmarried. This term is often encountered in religious discussions and historical literature.
This is a formal, somewhat literary word best used in religious, social, or academic contexts rather than casual conversation. When discussing someone's unmarried status in everyday speech, Arabs typically use the adjectives أعزب (unmarried) or the phrase لم يتزوج (has not married) rather than العزوبة. Remember that this noun is feminine (العزوبة) and is typically used with the definite article or in prepositional phrases like 'في العزوبة' (in celibacy/while unmarried).
العزوبة (al-'uzūbah) is an Arabic noun that translates to "celibacy" or "the unmarried state." It refers to the condition or status of being single and unmarried, often with implications of a deliberate choice or commitment to remain unmarried. This is a formal, literary term commonly encountered in religious texts, academic discussions, and formal discourse rather than in everyday casual conversation.
The word comes from the root عزب ('-z-b), which carries connotations of being separated, removed, or distant. In this context, it describes a person's separation from the married state.
In Arab and Islamic cultures, العزوبة holds particular significance in religious contexts. While Islam emphasizes marriage as a sunnah (practice of the Prophet Muhammad) and encourages believers to marry, celibacy is recognized and respected within Christian communities in the Arab world, particularly among monks (رهبان - ruhbān) and nuns (راهبات - rāhibāt).
The Catholic and Orthodox Christian traditions have long traditions of monastic celibacy, and this remains a visible part of Arab Christian communities. The concept of العزوبة in these contexts represents a spiritual commitment and is often associated with religious devotion and withdrawal from worldly concerns to focus on spiritual pursuits.
In contemporary Arabic, العزوبة is used primarily in formal or religious contexts. When referring to someone who is unmarried in everyday speech, Arabs typically use the adjectives:
The noun العزوبة is less commonly used in daily conversation and appears more frequently in written Arabic, religious discourse, and formal discussions about marital status or spiritual commitments.
العزوبة is a feminine noun in Arabic, always used with feminine markers. It typically appears with the definite article (ال) as العزوبة, or in prepositional phrases such as:
Understanding العزوبة requires familiarity with related Arabic terms:
When learning to use العزوبة, remember that it's primarily a formal, literary term. Use it when discussing religious commitments, historical contexts, or formal social discussions. For casual references to someone being single, opt for the adjectives or simpler phrases. Additionally, when you encounter this word in Arabic literature, news articles, or religious texts, you'll often see it used in phrases that emphasize choice or commitment, such as "اختار العزوبة" (chose celibacy) or "تعهد بالعزوبة" (vowed celibacy).
This word reflects the cultural and religious diversity of the Arab world and is an important term for learners seeking to understand discussions about religious life, marriage customs, and cultural values in Arab societies.