The Arabic word 'rooh' translates to spirit or soul in English.
The Arabic word 'rooh' translates to spirit or soul in English.
The Arabic word 'rooh' translates to spirit or soul in English.
The Arabic word 'rooh' translates to spirit or soul in English.

'Rooh': Arabic word for 'spirit' and 'soul' can also mean 'go'


Razmig Bedirian
  • English
  • Arabic

Rooh is a magnet of a word, able to draw in or repel, depending on its charge.

As a noun, the Arabic word of the week translates to "spirit" or "soul". Rooh al insan refers to the human spirit. Rooh al aazam, meanwhile, alludes to the divine.

A lighthearted person can be said to have a light spirit, or khafif el rooh. Someone who is easy going, not deterred by minor setbacks, can be said to have rooh riyadiye. It can also mean good sportsmanship and a positive attitude.

If you’re being asked to do something dangerous, drive faster, for example, you could refuse, citing ghalawat el rooh — the pricelessness of the soul.

If someone greets you enthusiastically, you could say istaqbalni birooh. When referring to morale, you can use the term rooh el maanawiye.

In love, you can use rooh, or rather roohi, as a term of endearment by saying enta/enti roohi. Not beguiling enough? You could say enta/enti tawaam roohi, if you want to go down the soulmate route.

If you want to de-stress, you could say beddi rawweh aan nafsi.

Unsurprisingly, rooh is a favourite in Arabic music, particularly love songs. One classic track by Syrian singer George Wassouf is Rooh el Rooh or Soul of the Soul. The track title is a play on the sweet-nothing rooh roohi, which Lebanese singer Najwa Karam has a song named after, too.

Rooh can have a more commanding, and repelling, connotation, because the word can also translate as "go".

Rooh aal madrase or rooh aal shugl is "go to school” or “go to work”. Want to tell someone to get lost? Rooh aan wajhi is a good way to get them going. Tired of having a particular conversation or want to put a pin in it? Rooh baadein bnehki.

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Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

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With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229

iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649

iPhone XR
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Apple Watch Series 4
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Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm) 
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Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)

Sunday, May 17

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Monday, May 18

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Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
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Updated: March 18, 2022, 6:35 PM`