Arabic
10 Arabic swear words you'll actually hear
A traveller's shortlist of Arabic expletives, insults and exclamations — what they mean, and how strong they are.
Every language swears differently. This guide collects 10 Arabic expressions you're genuinely likely to hear — from mild exclamations to properly strong stuff — and explains what each one actually means, not just its dictionary translation.
Burn Ratings are an approximate, cross-language heuristic. Context, region, tone and who's speaking all change how a word lands. Treat these as a guide, not gospel.
- أحا 3/5 · Vulgar
aha
This is an Egyptian exclamation used to express shock, disbelief, or protest. It's a strong reaction that can convey a range of emotions depending on the context.
Full entry → - كل خرا 4/5 · Strong
kul khara
It’s a strong way to tell someone to fuck off, dismissing them completely. Literally, it translates to 'eat shit.'
Full entry → - خرا 3/5 · Vulgar
khara
This term means 'shit' and is often used as an insult. It's also a vulgar reference to bodily functions.
Full entry → - كس 5/5 · Extreme
kuss
This is a strong vulgar term for 'vulva' used in various Arabic dialects, often regarded as extremely offensive. It's not a formal medical term and is considered very crude in conversation.
Full entry → - نيك 4/5 · Strong
nik
This term means 'fucking' and is used in a vulgar sexual context. It's often a part of curses or insults.
Full entry → - يا ابن الكلب 4/5 · Strong
ya ibn al-kalb
This is a strong personal insult that translates to 'you son of a dog.' It implies a serious offense, particularly regarding someone's parentage.
Full entry → - يا ابن الحرام 3/5 · Vulgar
ya ibn al-haram
This is an insult that translates to 'son of the forbidden,' similar to calling someone a bastard. It implies a negative judgment about the person's parentage.
Full entry → - يا جحش 3/5 · Vulgar
ya jahsh
Literally “you donkey foal”. This is an insult aimed at someone perceived as foolish or badly behaved, likening them to a young donkey. It's a way to call someone an idiot or a jerk.
Full entry → - يا حمار 2/5 · Coarse
ya himar
This is an insult that calls someone stupid, akin to saying 'you donkey' in English. It’s a way to demean someone's intelligence.
Full entry → - يا جبان 2/5 · Coarse
ya jaban
Literally “you coward”. It directly accuses someone of being a coward. It's not inherently obscene but can be quite insulting depending on context.
Full entry →