Meaning
So good or impressive that nothing else can be considered similar.
Cultural Background
In the Gulf, 'لا يضاهى' is frequently used in the context of hospitality and the quality of 'Oud' or 'Bukhoor' (incense). It reflects the high value placed on sensory excellence. While Fusha is used for formal praise, Levantine speakers might use this phrase when discussing historical landmarks like the Umayyad Mosque or the beauty of nature in the mountains. In Egyptian media and advertising, this phrase is the go-to for luxury real estate in the New Capital or North Coast, signaling 'world-class' status. In Morocco and Tunisia, this phrase is often applied to traditional craftsmanship, such as 'Zellige' tilework or intricate embroidery, emphasizing that it cannot be replicated by machines.
Use it for 'The Best'
If you are writing a review, save 'لا يضاهى' for the one thing that truly stood out. It makes your praise more credible.
Gender Check
Always look at the noun before the phrase. If it's feminine, change 'Yu' to 'Tu'. This is the most common mistake for B2 learners.
Meaning
So good or impressive that nothing else can be considered similar.
Use it for 'The Best'
If you are writing a review, save 'لا يضاهى' for the one thing that truly stood out. It makes your praise more credible.
Gender Check
Always look at the noun before the phrase. If it's feminine, change 'Yu' to 'Tu'. This is the most common mistake for B2 learners.
Poetic Flair
Using this phrase in a speech or a letter adds a touch of 'Balagha' (eloquence) that Arabic speakers highly admire.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase (consider gender).
هذه اللوحة الفنية لها جمال _______.
The word 'جمال' (beauty) is masculine, so we use 'لا يضاهى'.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly in a formal context?
Select the best sentence:
This sentence uses the correct gender agreement (سمعة is feminine) and the appropriate formal register.
Match the noun with the correct version of the phrase.
Nouns: 1. ذكاء (Intelligence), 2. مهارة (Skill), 3. عروض (Offers), 4. كرم (Generosity)
Intelligence and Generosity are masculine; Skill and Offers (plural of feminine) are treated as feminine.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Gender Agreement for لا يضاهى
Practice Bank
3 exercisesهذه اللوحة الفنية لها جمال _______.
The word 'جمال' (beauty) is masculine, so we use 'لا يضاهى'.
Select the best sentence:
This sentence uses the correct gender agreement (سمعة is feminine) and the appropriate formal register.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Intelligence and Generosity are masculine; Skill and Offers (plural of feminine) are treated as feminine.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYes, 99% of the time it is used for praise. You wouldn't say someone's 'laziness' is incomparable unless you are being very sarcastic.
Absolutely. You can say 'ذكاؤه لا يضاهى' (His intelligence is incomparable) or 'هو قائد لا يضاهى' (He is a matchless leader).
'La yuqaran' is more general. 'La yudaha' specifically implies that the quality is so high that no one can even try to match it.
It might feel a bit 'extra' or formal. For a friend, 'رهيب' (terrible/awesome) or 'ما لوش حل' (has no solution/awesome) is more common.
Related Phrases
لا مثيل له
synonymThere is no likeness to it.
فريد من نوعه
similarUnique of its kind.
منقطع النظير
specialized formWithout equal/unprecedented.
لا يعلى عليه
similarNothing is higher than it.
