Fixed Expressions in Arabic: Classification, Translation, and Linguistic Insights

Authors

  • Nibal Nabeel Nazzal

    Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Al-Zaytoonah University, Amman 11733, Jordan
  • Yousef Abdulraheem Rababah

    Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Philadelphia University, Jerash 19392, Jordan
  • Muna Mohamad Abd-Rabbo

    Department of English Language and Literature, Al-Zaytoonah University, Amman 11733, Jordan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i8.9651
Received: 23 April 2025 | Revised: 16 May 2025 | Accepted: 8 July 2025 | Published Online: 30 July 2025

Abstract

This study examined coined or fixed verbal expressions in Arabic. The 500 collected expressions, which are widely used in Arabic literature, popular proverbs, daily conversations, and religious texts, were classified and translated into English. The study provided simplified explanations and vowel notation for the words within these expressions to ensure proper pronunciation, along with contextual examples to enhance comprehension and expand accessibility for non-native speakers. The study offers a structured resource for learners of Arabic, helping both native and non-native speakers grasp commonly used fixed expressions. It facilitates cross-cultural communication and supports non-native speakers in understanding Arabic idiomatic language. The compiled glossary can serve as a reference for writers, journalists, and translators working with Arabic texts. It enriches Arabic lexicography by systematically documenting and categorizing fixed expressions while also providing insights into the structural and semantic patterns of Arabic idioms, proverbs, and formulaic expressions. By analyzing expressions from various sources, the study highlights how language reflects cultural and historical contexts. The English translations allow for comparative studies between Arabic and other languages, contributing to research in translation studies and interlingual pragmatics. The study supports curriculum development in Arabic language teaching by offering categorized, well-documented resources for educators and learners.

Keywords:

Arabic Fixed Expressions; Arabic-English Translation; Cross-Cultural Communication; Arabic Lexicography; Interlingual Pragmatics

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How to Cite

Nazzal, N. N., Rababah, Y. A., & Abd-Rabbo, M. M. (2025). Fixed Expressions in Arabic: Classification, Translation, and Linguistic Insights. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(8), 268–278. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i8.9651

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 8 (August 2025): In progress

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Article

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Copyright © 2025 Nibal Nabeel Nazzal, Yousef Abdulraheem Rababah, Muna Mohamad Abd-Rabbo

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.