Meaning
To feel hurt or upset by someone's words or actions.
Cultural Background
In the Levant, 'khater' is used constantly. When leaving a house, you say 'B-iznak, khatrak' (With your permission, your khater), and the host replies 'Allah ma'ak' (God be with you). This shows how central the 'khater' is to social presence. Egyptians use 'Gabr el-khater' (mending the heart) as a core social value. It's common to hear 'Igbir bi khatri' (Mend my heart) when someone is asking for a small favor or a discount. In the Gulf, 'It'ab' (reproach) is a formal art. If someone 'takes on their khater,' they might remain silent until the other person notices and initiates a reconciliation. While the idiom is understood, Maghrebi dialects often use 'za'af' or 'tghachach' for anger/hurt, but 'khater' remains the term for deep, respectful feeling.
The 'Negative' is your friend
Use 'La ta'khudh 'ala khatrak' as a universal 'No offense' or 'Don't worry about it' apology.
Preposition Trap
Never use 'bi' (بـ) unless you are at a funeral or offering deep comfort.
Meaning
To feel hurt or upset by someone's words or actions.
The 'Negative' is your friend
Use 'La ta'khudh 'ala khatrak' as a universal 'No offense' or 'Don't worry about it' apology.
Preposition Trap
Never use 'bi' (بـ) unless you are at a funeral or offering deep comfort.
The Silent Treatment
In Arabic culture, if someone 'takes on their khater,' they might not say it. Look for silence as a sign.
Dialect Suffixes
In dialects, 'khatirihi' becomes 'khatroh' and 'khatirika' becomes 'khatrak'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'khater' and the suffix.
أنا حزين جداً، لقد أخذتُ على _______ من كلامك.
Since the subject is 'أنا' (I), the suffix must be 'i' (my).
Which preposition is used in the idiom meaning 'to feel hurt'?
أخذت ليلى ____ خاطرها.
'Ala' (على) is the correct preposition for feeling hurt. 'Bi' (بـ) would mean offering condolences.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: Your friend forgot to invite you to a party.
This is a social slight, so you feel hurt (أخذت على خاطري).
Complete the dialogue.
أحمد: أنا آسف لأنني تأخرت. خالد: لا بأس، لكنني ______.
Khalid is expressing that he was a bit hurt by the lateness.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesأنا حزين جداً، لقد أخذتُ على _______ من كلامك.
Since the subject is 'أنا' (I), the suffix must be 'i' (my).
أخذت ليلى ____ خاطرها.
'Ala' (على) is the correct preposition for feeling hurt. 'Bi' (بـ) would mean offering condolences.
Situation: Your friend forgot to invite you to a party.
This is a social slight, so you feel hurt (أخذت على خاطري).
أحمد: أنا آسف لأنني تأخرت. خالد: لا بأس، لكنني ______.
Khalid is expressing that he was a bit hurt by the lateness.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsIt is rare in academic writing but very common in novels, plays, and journalism to describe social dynamics.
Yes, but usually in the negative: 'I hope you didn't take it to heart.'
'Za'al' is general anger or being upset. 'Taking on the khater' is specifically about feeling slighted or personally hurt.
أخذنا على خاطرنا (Akhadhna 'ala khatirina).
Yes, it implies they are oversensitive (حساس زيادة).
Yes: أخذوا على خاطرهم (They felt hurt).
Yes, from Morocco to Iraq, though the pronunciation of 'Akha-tha' changes.
Say: 'Haqqak 'alayya' (The right is upon me/I owe you) and 'Ma takhudsh 'ala khatrak'.
Yes, children often use it when they feel left out by friends.
Not exactly. 'Qalb' is heart. 'Khater' is more like 'mind-heart' or 'inclination.'
In MSA, yes. In dialects, it becomes a long 'o' sound (khatroh).
It would be personification, but yes, you could say your cat 'took it on his khater' because you didn't give him a treat.
No, it's not an insult at all. It's a description of a feeling.
Being 'Radi' (satisfied/content) or 'Mabsut' (happy).
Related Phrases
جبر الخاطر
contrastTo mend someone's feelings.
كسر الخاطر
similarTo break someone's heart/spirit.
من كل خاطري
builds onWith all my heart/will.
على خاطرك
specialized formAs you wish / At your pleasure.
