Meaning
To express disapproval of something's appearance or quality.
Cultural Background
People often use 'Ma'alesh' (it's okay) after saying something looks bad to soften the blow and show support. Egyptians often use humor or exaggeration. Instead of 'sayyi'an', they might say 'zift' (pitch/tar) to mean 'terrible' in informal settings. In professional Gulf culture, indirectness is preferred. One might say 'يحتاج إلى تحسين' (it needs improvement) instead of 'it looks bad'. There is a strong influence of French. People might code-switch and say 'C'est grave' alongside the Arabic phrase.
Use 'Shaklo' for Dialect
If you want to sound more like a local in Cairo or Beirut, replace 'Hādhā yabdu' with 'Shaklo' (for masculine) or 'Shaklahā' (for feminine).
Watch the Case Ending
If you are taking an Arabic exam, don't forget the 'an' on 'sayyi'an'. It's a common point loss for intermediate students.
Meaning
To express disapproval of something's appearance or quality.
Use 'Shaklo' for Dialect
If you want to sound more like a local in Cairo or Beirut, replace 'Hādhā yabdu' with 'Shaklo' (for masculine) or 'Shaklahā' (for feminine).
Watch the Case Ending
If you are taking an Arabic exam, don't forget the 'an' on 'sayyi'an'. It's a common point loss for intermediate students.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'yabdu'.
هذه الخطة ___ سيئة جداً.
Because 'الخطة' (the plan) is feminine, the verb must be 'تبدو'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct in Modern Standard Arabic?
Select the correct MSA version:
The adjective must be masculine singular and in the accusative case (Tanween al-Fath).
Match the phrase to the most appropriate situation.
Situation: You see a car with smoke coming out of the engine.
Smoke from an engine is a sign of a problem, so 'it looks bad' is the correct reaction.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
When to say 'هذا يبدو سيئاً'
Physical
- • Broken car
- • Spoiled food
- • Torn clothes
Situational
- • Bad news
- • Falling stocks
- • Dark clouds
Practice Bank
3 exercisesهذه الخطة ___ سيئة جداً.
Because 'الخطة' (the plan) is feminine, the verb must be 'تبدو'.
Select the correct MSA version:
The adjective must be masculine singular and in the accusative case (Tanween al-Fath).
Situation: You see a car with smoke coming out of the engine.
Smoke from an engine is a sign of a problem, so 'it looks bad' is the correct reaction.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsYes, but be careful. 'He looks bad' (هو يبدو سيئاً) usually means he looks sick or tired, not that he is a bad person.
It's better to be more specific. Instead of 'this looks bad,' try 'this might cause a problem.'
هذه تبدو سيئة (Hādhihi tabdu sayyi'ah).
Related Phrases
لا يبشر بالخير
similarIt doesn't bode well.
هذا فظيع
specialized formThis is terrible.
هذا يبدو جيداً
contrastThis looks good.
