Arabic word sheet
سَاءَ
to be bad
- Type
- verb
- Root
- س و ء
Meaning and usage
to be bad
To be or become bad, ugly or shameful; said of a thing, a deed or a state. At the head of a sentence it serves to condemn: how bad that is!
سَاءَ الطَّقْسُ فِي الْمَسَاءِ.
The weather turned bad in the evening.
to displease, to upset
To do to someone what he dislikes; to grieve or annoy him. Said of a deed, a piece of news or a sight.
سَاءَ لَيْلَى تَأَخُّرُ الْقِطَارِ.
The train's delay upset Layla.
Word family
What the root means س و ء
The root carries the idea of what is bad, ugly or disliked. From it come harm, what is bad, the bad deed, to do wrong or do badly, to be upset, and displeasure.
harm, evil
bad
سَيِّئٌ
bad deed, misdeed
سَيِّئَةٌ
to do wrong, to do badly
أَسَاءَ
to be upset, displeased
اِسْتَاءَ
displeasure, annoyance
مَسَاءَةٌ
Synonyms
to be ugly, to be foul
قَبُحَ
It dwells on ugliness, on what is shocking to see or hear, whereas the headword is broader and covers anything bad.
Opposites
to be good, to be fine
حَسُنَ
to please, to gladden
سَرَّ