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غير منطقي

A2 adjective #8,000 most common 8 min read

غير منطقي

ghayr manTiqiy Top 8,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips غير منطقي in 30 Seconds

Explanation غير منطقي in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to describe things. You might know words like 'good' (jayyid) or 'bad' (sayyi'). 'Ghayr mantiqi' is a bit more advanced, but you can think of it as a way to say 'This is not right' or 'This doesn't make sense.' In Arabic, we use the word 'ghayr' to mean 'not' for adjectives. So, 'mantiqi' means logical, and 'ghayr mantiqi' means not logical. At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex grammar. Just remember that if you see something that looks wrong or weird, you can point at it and say 'Hatha ghayr mantiqi' (This is not logical). It is a very useful phrase because it helps you express your opinion about things that confuse you. You will mostly use it in simple sentences. For example, if someone says 1+1=5, you can say 'Ghayr mantiqi!' It's a great way to participate in basic conversations. Even at A1, knowing how to negate an adjective with 'ghayr' is a powerful tool because you can use it with many other words later on. Try to practice saying it out loud. The 'q' sound in 'mantiqi' is deep in the throat, but don't worry if you can't get it perfect yet. The most important thing is that people understand you are saying 'not logical.' As you progress, you will see this 'ghayr' pattern everywhere, so learning it now with 'mantiqi' is a great first step into more complex Arabic thinking.

At the A2 level, you are beginning to form more complete thoughts and can describe your daily life. You can use 'ghayr mantiqi' to talk about things you encounter every day that don't seem right. For example, if you are shopping and a small bottle of water costs ten dollars, you can say 'Hatha al-si'r ghayr mantiqi' (This price is illogical). At this level, you should start paying attention to gender. If you are talking about a feminine thing, like a 'fikrah' (idea), you must say 'ghayr mantiqiyyah'. Notice the 'ah' sound at the end. This is the feminine marker. You will also hear this word in simple stories or news headlines. It is a common way for people to disagree with each other politely. Instead of saying 'You are wrong,' which can be a bit strong, you can say 'Your talk is illogical' (Kalamak ghayr mantiqi). This focuses on the words, not the person. You should also start to recognize that 'mantiqi' comes from the word 'mantiq', which means logic. Arabic words are built from roots, and the root of this word is N-T-Q, which is also related to speaking. So, in a way, being logical in Arabic is related to how we speak our thoughts. Practice using this word in sentences with 'hatha' (this masculine) and 'hathihi' (this feminine). It will help you get used to the gender agreement that is so important in Arabic grammar.

As a B1 learner, you are moving into intermediate territory where you can discuss abstract ideas and give reasons for your opinions. 'Ghayr mantiqi' becomes a very important word for you in debates and discussions. You can use it to critique an argument or a plan. For instance, if you are discussing a project at work or school, you might say, 'The timeline for this project is illogical' (Al-jadwal al-zamani li-hatha al-mashru' ghayr mantiqi). At this level, you should be comfortable using the word with various intensifiers. You can say 'ghayr mantiqi abadan' (not logical at all) or 'ghayr mantiqi ila haddin ma' (illogical to some extent). You will also notice this word appearing in more complex texts, like editorials in newspapers or short stories. It is often used to describe characters who act in strange ways or situations that are surreal. You should also start comparing 'ghayr mantiqi' with 'ghayr ma'qul'. While they are often interchangeable, 'mantiqi' is more about the structure of the thought, while 'ma'qul' is more about whether something is acceptable to the human mind or social standards. Understanding this nuance will make your Arabic sound much more natural. You should also practice using the definite article 'al-' correctly. Remember, it's 'al-fikrah ghayr al-mantiqiyyah' (the illogical idea). Putting the 'al' on the second word is the formal way to do it, and as a B1 student, you should aim for this level of accuracy.

At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the main ideas of complex text and participate in technical discussions in your field. 'Ghayr mantiqi' is a staple in academic and professional Arabic. You will use it to identify logical fallacies in arguments. For example, you might point out a 'circular argument' as being 'ghayr mantiqi' because it doesn't prove anything new. You will also encounter the word in legal and philosophical contexts. In these areas, the word carries a specific weight. It's not just about something being 'weird'; it's about it violating the fundamental rules of reason. You should be able to explain *why* something is illogical using more complex sentence structures. For example, 'It is illogical to assume that the economy will grow while unemployment is rising' (Min ghayr al-mantiqi an naftarid anna al-iqtisad sayanmu baynama al-bitalah tarta-fi'). Notice the use of 'Min ghayr al-mantiqi an...' (It is illogical to...). This is a very common and sophisticated pattern at this level. You should also be aware of the historical context of the word. The study of logic (al-mantiq) was a major part of classical Islamic education, influenced by the translation of Greek works like those of Aristotle. When you use this word, you are tapping into a thousand-year-old tradition of intellectual rigor. Your ability to use it correctly in both speech and writing will demonstrate a high level of linguistic and cultural competence.

At the C1 level, you have a high level of fluency and can use Arabic for social, academic, and professional purposes. You should be able to use 'ghayr mantiqi' and its derivatives with precision. You might use the noun 'la-mantiqiyyah' (illogicality) to discuss abstract concepts in a thesis or a high-level report. You can also use the word to analyze literature, discussing the 'illogical flow' of a postmodern novel or the 'illogical motivations' of a tragic hero. At this stage, you should be comfortable with the most formal grammatical rules surrounding 'ghayr'. This includes understanding its role as a 'mudaf' and how it affects the case endings of the following adjective in a variety of complex sentence structures. You should also be able to distinguish between 'ghayr mantiqi' and more obscure synonyms like 'mutahafit' (flimsy/collapsing), which is often used in philosophical critiques (like Al-Ghazali's 'Incoherence of the Philosophers' - Tahafut al-Falasifa). Your vocabulary should be rich enough to use 'ghayr mantiqi' as just one tool among many for critical analysis. You should also be able to recognize and use the word in various rhetorical devices, such as irony or sarcasm. For example, calling a very simple and obvious truth 'ghayr mantiqi' to highlight how some people refuse to see it. This level of nuance shows that you are not just translating from English but thinking in Arabic.

At the C2 level, you have mastered the Arabic language and can understand virtually everything heard or read. You use 'ghayr mantiqi' not just as a descriptor, but as a gateway into deep philosophical and linguistic analysis. You might explore the relationship between the root N-T-Q and the concept of the 'Logos' in Western philosophy, comparing how 'mantiq' functions in both traditions. You can engage in debates about the 'illogicality' of certain linguistic structures or the 'ghayr mantiqi' nature of human existence in existentialist literature. Your use of the word is flawless, and you can deploy it in the most formal environments, such as a keynote speech at a conference or a published academic paper. You understand the subtle differences in how the word is used across different historical periods of Arabic literature, from the classical era of the Abbasid caliphate to the modern 'Nahda' period. You can also navigate the use of the word in different Arabic dialects, knowing when to stick to the formal 'ghayr mantiqi' and when to use local equivalents to achieve a specific effect. At this level, the word is a precise instrument in your hands, allowing you to dissect complex ideas with the skill of a native scholar. You might even use the word to critique the language itself, discussing how certain grammatical rules might seem 'ghayr mantiqiyyah' from a certain perspective. You are a true master of the language, and your use of such fundamental terms reflects that mastery.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

غير منطقي in 30 Seconds

Used to describe things that lack sense or reasoning.
Formed by adding 'ghayr' (not) before 'mantiqi' (logical).
Requires gender agreement with the noun it modifies.
Common in both formal debates and everyday life.

The Arabic term غير منطقي (ghayr manṭiqī) is a compound adjective used to describe thoughts, actions, or situations that lack sound reasoning or coherence. At its core, the word consists of two parts: ghayr, which functions as a negating particle similar to the English prefixes 'un-', 'non-', or 'il-', and manṭiqī, which pertains to logic (manṭiq). When combined, they form a powerful descriptor for anything that defies the laws of logic or common sense. This expression is ubiquitous in both Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and various dialects, serving as a cornerstone for debate, critical thinking, and everyday disagreement. In a formal setting, you might hear a scientist or a politician dismiss a flawed hypothesis as ghayr manṭiqī. In a casual setting, a friend might use it to describe a confusing movie plot or an unfair rule at work. The term carries a certain weight; it suggests that the subject is not just 'wrong' but fundamentally flawed in its structural reasoning. Historically, the root of the word, n-ṭ-q, relates to speech and articulation. In the classical Arabic tradition, logic was seen as the 'grammar of thought,' just as grammar is the 'logic of speech.' Therefore, to call something ghayr manṭiqī is to say it cannot be articulated in a way that the mind can accept. This deep connection between speech and reason is a hallmark of Arabic linguistic philosophy.

Logical Negation: The use of 'ghayr' before an adjective is the standard way to create an antonym in Arabic, particularly for abstract concepts derived from Greek philosophy.

إن فكرة السفر عبر الزمن دون تغيير الماضي تبدو غير منطقية للعديد من العلماء.

Social Context: In social arguments, calling someone's point 'ghayr mantiqi' is more polite than calling it a lie, as it focuses on the internal structure of the argument rather than the speaker's character.

كانت ردة فعله غير منطقية تماماً تجاه المشكلة البسيطة.

Academic Rigor: In academic writing, 'ghayr mantiqi' is used to identify fallacies (maghalat) in an opponent's thesis.

هذا الاستنتاج غير منطقي بناءً على المعطيات المتوفرة لدينا.

لا تكن غير منطقي في توقعاتك من الآخرين.

الخوف من الأماكن المغلقة قد يبدو غير منطقي للبعض، لكنه حقيقي للمصاب به.

Using غير منطقي correctly requires an understanding of how the particle ghayr interacts with adjectives. In Arabic, ghayr acts as a 'mudaf' (the first part of a possessive construction), and the following adjective acts as the 'mudaf ilayh'. This means that while ghayr itself does not change for gender, the adjective manṭiqī must agree with the noun it is describing. For example, if you are describing a masculine noun like 'قرار' (decision), you say qarār ghayr manṭiqī. If you are describing a feminine noun like 'خطة' (plan), you must add a 'ta marbuta' to the end of the adjective, making it khuṭṭah ghayr manṭiqiyyah. This is a common point of confusion for learners who might assume ghayr negates the need for agreement. Furthermore, ghayr is always followed by a noun or adjective in the genitive case (majrur), although in spoken Arabic, the case endings are usually dropped. You will often see this phrase used as a predicate in a sentence, such as 'هذا غير منطقي' (This is illogical). It can also function as an attributive adjective, coming directly after the noun it modifies. In more complex sentences, you might use it to contrast two ideas: 'هذا الحل سهل ولكنه غير منطقي' (This solution is easy, but it is illogical). It is also frequently paired with intensifiers like 'تماماً' (completely) or 'جداً' (very) to emphasize the absurdity of a situation. When you use ghayr manṭiqī, you are appealing to the listener's sense of reason. It is a more intellectual way of saying 'that doesn't make sense.'

Masculine Usage: هذا تفسير غير منطقي. (This is an illogical explanation.)

Feminine Usage: هذه فكرة غير منطقية. (This is an illogical idea.)

من غير المنطقي أن نتوقع نتائج مختلفة ونحن نفعل نفس الشيء.

لماذا تصر على هذا الموقف غير المنطقي؟

Plural Usage: For non-human plurals, use the feminine singular: هذه أعذار غير منطقية. (These are illogical excuses.)

تبدو هذه القوانين غير منطقية في عصرنا الحالي.

You will encounter غير منطقي in a wide variety of contexts, ranging from high-brow intellectual discourse to heated street-level arguments. In the realm of media and journalism, news anchors and political analysts frequently use it to critique government policies or international relations strategies. If a proposed law is seen as impractical or contradictory, a journalist might describe it as mashrū' ghayr manṭiqī (an illogical project/bill). In the world of science and medicine, researchers use the term to describe experimental results that don't align with established theories. For instance, if a drug trial shows success in a way that contradicts known biology, a scientist might say the mechanism is ghayr manṭiqī until further evidence is found. In legal settings, lawyers use it to challenge the testimony of witnesses or the logic of a judge's ruling. If a witness claims to have seen something that was physically impossible from their vantage point, the opposing counsel will label the claim ghayr manṭiqī. In literature and cinema, critics use it to pan stories with 'plot holes' or characters who act without motivation. Even in daily life, the word is common. Imagine a parent telling a child that their reason for not doing homework is ghayr manṭiqī, or a customer complaining to a manager that a store's return policy is ghayr manṭiqī. It is also a favorite word in the 'Arab Twitter' (or X) sphere, where users constantly debate social and political issues. Using this word gives your argument a veneer of objectivity; you aren't just saying you dislike something, you are saying it fails the test of reason.

Media Usage: Frequently heard in talk shows like 'Al-Ittijah al-Mu'akis' on Al Jazeera during debates.

وصف المحلل السياسي الخطوة بأنها غير منطقية في هذا التوقيت.

Scientific Context: Used to describe anomalies in data or hypotheses that violate the laws of physics.

من الناحية العلمية، هذا الافتراض غير منطقي تماماً.

هل تعتقد حقاً أن هذا التبرير غير منطقي؟

Educational Setting: Teachers use it to correct students' reasoning in math or philosophy classes.

خطوات الحل كانت صحيحة، لكن النتيجة النهائية غير منطقية.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make when using غير منطقي is failing to apply gender agreement to the word manṭiqī. Because ghayr is a fixed particle, students often forget that the adjective following it must still agree with the noun it modifies. For example, saying 'fikrah ghayr manṭiqī' is incorrect; it must be 'fikrah ghayr manṭiqiyyah' because 'fikrah' (idea) is feminine. Another common error is the placement of the definite article 'al-'. In a definite phrase, the 'al-' should go on the adjective, not on 'ghayr'. So, 'the illogical decision' is 'al-qarār ghayr al-manṭiqī', not 'al-qarār al-ghayr manṭiqī' (though you will see the latter in some modern informal writing, it is technically incorrect in MSA). Learners also sometimes confuse ghayr manṭiqī with ghayr ma'qūl. While they are similar, ghayr manṭiqī specifically targets the lack of logical structure, whereas ghayr ma'qūl is broader and often means 'unreasonable' or 'unbelievable' in a more emotional or practical sense. For instance, a price might be ghayr ma'qūl (unreasonable), but a mathematical proof is ghayr manṭiqī (illogical). Additionally, avoid using other negation particles like 'la' or 'ma' directly with adjectives in this way. You cannot say 'la mantiqi' to mean 'illogical' in standard Arabic; 'ghayr' is the mandatory tool for this grammatical function. Lastly, be careful with the pronunciation of the 'qaf' in manṭiqī. In some dialects, it might be pronounced as a glottal stop ('man-ti-ee'), but in formal Arabic, it must be a deep, uvular 'q'.

Agreement Error: Mistake: قصة غير منطقي. Correct: قصة غير منطقية. (Story is feminine).

من الخطأ قول 'لا منطقي' بدلاً من غير منطقي في الفصحى.

Definite Article Placement: Mistake: الغير منطقي. Correct: غير المنطقي. The 'al' belongs to the adjective.

تجنب وضع 'ال' التعريف قبل كلمة 'غير' في الكتابة الرسمية.

الكثير من الطلاب ينسون تاء التأنيث في كلمة منطقية.

Confusion with 'Ghayr Ma'qul': Use 'mantiqi' for formal logic and 'ma'qul' for general sensibility or fairness.

السعر المرتفع جداً هو غير معقول، لكن المعادلة الرياضية الخاطئة هي غير منطقية.

To enrich your Arabic vocabulary, it is helpful to know words that are similar to غير منطقي but carry different nuances. The most common alternative is ghayr ma'qūl (غير معقول), which translates to 'unreasonable' or 'absurd'. While ghayr manṭiqī is cold and analytical, ghayr ma'qūl often conveys surprise or indignation. Another related word is 'abathī (عبثي), meaning 'absurd' or 'futile'. This is often used in philosophical contexts, like the 'Theater of the Absurd' (masraḥ al-'abath), or to describe an action that has no purpose. If something is contradictory, you can use mutanāqiḍ (متناقض). This is more specific than 'illogical' because it implies that two parts of a statement or action cancel each other out. For something that is just plain silly or nonsensical, sakhīf (سخيف) is appropriate. In a more formal or scientific context, you might use ghayr mubarrar (غير مبرر), which means 'unjustified'. This is used when a conclusion is reached without sufficient evidence, even if the logic itself might seem okay. On the opposite side, the antonyms are manṭiqī (logical), ma'qūl (reasonable), and wāqi'ī (realistic). Knowing these distinctions allows you to be more precise in your communication. For example, if a friend tells you they want to buy a car they can't afford, you would say that's ghayr ma'qūl. If they tell you they can drive the car without fuel, you would say that's ghayr manṭiqī.

Ghayr Mantiqi vs. Ghayr Ma'qul: Mantiqi = internal logic/structure. Ma'qul = practical wisdom/social norms.

هذا التصرف عبثي ولا يؤدي إلى أي نتيجة.

Mutanaqid (Contradictory): Use this when someone says one thing and does the opposite.

كلامه متناقض مع أفعاله السابقة.

قصته تبدو خيالية وغير منطقية بالمرة.

Sakhif (Silly): Use this for things that are logically flawed in a ridiculous or childish way.

توقف عن طرح هذه الأسئلة السخيفة وغير المنطقية.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"إن هذا الاستنتاج غير منطقي من الناحية العلمية."

Neutral

"أعتقد أن خطتك غير منطقية."

Informal

"يا رجل، هذا كلام غير منطقي بالمرة!"

Child friendly

"ليس من المنطقي أن نلبس المعطف في الصيف."

Slang

"إيش ذا؟ والله غير منطقي!"

Fun Fact

The Arab philosopher Al-Farabi was known as the 'Second Teacher' (after Aristotle) because of his mastery of 'mantiq' (logic).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɣajr man.tˤi.qiː/

US /ɡaɪər mɑn.tɪ.ki/

The stress is on the first syllable of 'ghayr' and the second syllable of 'mantiqi' (man-TI-qi).

Rhymes With

حقيقي (haqiqi - real) صديقي (sadiqi - my friend) طريقي (tariqi - my path) رقيقي (raqiqi - my thin/delicate) عميقي (amiqi - my deep) فريقي (fariqi - my team) موسيقي (musiqi - musical) تطبيقي (tatbiqi - applied)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ghayr' as 'gayr' (with a hard English G).
Pronouncing the 'q' in 'mantiqi' as a normal 'k'.
Failing to make the 't' emphatic (it should sound thicker than a normal 't').
Dropping the final long 'i' sound.
Pronouncing 'ghayr' and 'mantiqi' as one word without a slight pause.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The word is long but follows a very standard pattern for negating adjectives.

Writing 4/5

Requires remembering the 'gh' sound and the emphatic 't' and 'q'.

Speaking 5/5

The combination of 'gh' and 'q' can be challenging for English speakers.

Listening 3/5

Clearly distinct sounds make it easy to recognize once learned.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

غير (not) منطق (logic) عقل (mind) كلام (talk) هذا (this)

Learn Next

غير معقول (unreasonable) متناقض (contradictory) موضوعي (objective) ذاتي (subjective) برهان (proof)

Advanced

مغالطة (fallacy) قياس (syllogism) استنباط (deduction) استقراء (induction) بديهية (axiom)

Grammar to Know

Negation with 'Ghayr'

غير + Adjective (e.g., غير منطقي, غير سعيد).

Adjective Agreement

فكرة (fem) + غير منطقية (fem).

The Genitive Construct (Idafa)

Ghayr acts as the first part of an idafa construction.

Definite Article Placement

The 'al' goes on the second word: غير المنطقي.

Non-human Plurals

أعذار (pl) + غير منطقية (sing fem).

Examples by Level

هذا غير منطقي.

This is illogical.

Simple subject-predicate sentence.

كلامك غير منطقي.

Your talk is illogical.

'Kalam' is masculine, so 'mantiqi' is masculine.

هذا السعر غير منطقي.

This price is illogical.

'Si'r' (price) is masculine.

الفكرة غير منطقية.

The idea is illogical.

'Fikrah' is feminine, so we add 'ta marbuta'.

هو شخص غير منطقي.

He is an illogical person.

'Shakhs' is masculine.

لماذا هذا غير منطقي؟

Why is this illogical?

Question using 'limatha' (why).

أنا أرى أنه غير منطقي.

I see that it is illogical.

Using 'anna' (that) with a pronoun.

الجواب غير منطقي.

The answer is illogical.

'Jawab' (answer) is masculine.

هذه الخطة غير منطقية تماماً.

This plan is completely illogical.

Using 'tamaman' (completely) for emphasis.

من غير المنطقي أن نذهب الآن.

It is illogical for us to go now.

Using the phrase 'Min ghayr al-mantiqi an...'.

كانت أعذاره غير منطقية.

His excuses were illogical.

'A'thar' is a non-human plural, so the adjective is feminine singular.

لا أحب القصص غير المنطقية.

I don't like illogical stories.

Attributive adjective with the definite article 'al-'.

لماذا تبدو غير منطقي اليوم؟

Why do you seem illogical today?

Using the verb 'tabdu' (you seem).

هذا القرار غير منطقي بالنسبة لي.

This decision is illogical to me.

Using 'bi-nisba li' (with respect to me / to me).

وجدنا حلاً غير منطقي للمشكلة.

We found an illogical solution to the problem.

Indefinite adjective following the noun.

تصرفاته كانت غير منطقية في الحفلة.

His actions were illogical at the party.

'Tasarrufat' is feminine plural (actions), taking feminine singular adjective.

يعتقد البعض أن هذا القانون غير منطقي.

Some believe that this law is illogical.

Using 'ya'taqid' (believes) with 'anna'.

من غير المنطقي توقع النجاح بدون عمل.

It is illogical to expect success without work.

Infinitive 'tawaqqu'' (expecting) after the phrase.

هذه النتائج غير منطقية وتحتاج مراجعة.

These results are illogical and need review.

Compound sentence with 'wa' (and).

لا تقدم لي تبريرات غير منطقية.

Do not give me illogical justifications.

Imperative 'la tuqaddim' (do not provide).

الفيلم كان جميلاً لكن نهايته غير منطقية.

The movie was beautiful, but its ending was illogical.

Using 'lakinna' (but) with a suffix.

أجد أن طريقتك في التفكير غير منطقية.

I find that your way of thinking is illogical.

Using 'ajid' (I find).

هذا الافتراض غير منطقي في ظل الظروف الحالية.

This assumption is illogical in light of current circumstances.

Using 'fi zill' (in light of).

كيف يمكننا قبول هذا العرض غير المنطقي؟

How can we accept this illogical offer?

Rhetorical question.

حجتك غير منطقية لأنها تعتمد على معلومات خاطئة.

Your argument is illogical because it relies on false information.

Using 'li-annaha' (because it...).

من غير المنطقي تجاهل التغيرات المناخية.

It is illogical to ignore climate changes.

Formal structure with an infinitive.

وصف النقاد الرواية بأنها ذات بناء غير منطقي.

Critics described the novel as having an illogical structure.

Using 'bi-annaha' and 'that' (possessing).

هذه السياسة الاقتصادية تبدو غير منطقية للمستثمرين.

This economic policy seems illogical to investors.

Using 'lil-mustathmirin' (to the investors).

لا يمكن بناء نظرية علمية على أسس غير منطقية.

A scientific theory cannot be built on illogical foundations.

Passive-like construction with 'la yumkin'.

تبدو مطالبهم غير منطقية في الوقت الراهن.

Their demands seem illogical at the current time.

Using 'al-waqt al-rahin' (the current time).

إن الربط بين هذين الحدثين غير منطقي تماماً.

Linking these two events is completely illogical.

Starting with 'Inna' for emphasis.

رفض المدير الاقتراح بحجة أنه غير منطقي.

The manager rejected the proposal on the grounds that it was illogical.

Using 'bi-hujjat' (on the grounds of / with the excuse of).

يتسم هذا الفكر بالتناقض واللا-منطقية.

This thought is characterized by contradiction and illogicality.

Using the noun form 'la-mantiqiyyah'.

من غير المنطقي اختزال المشكلة في سبب واحد.

It is illogical to reduce the problem to a single cause.

Using 'ikhtizal' (reduction/oversimplification).

رغم بلاغته، إلا أن منطقه كان غير منطقي في جوهره.

Despite his eloquence, his logic was illogical at its core.

Contrastive sentence using 'raghma' (despite).

لا تنجرف وراء العواطف غير المنطقية.

Do not get swept away by illogical emotions.

Imperative 'la tanjarif' (don't be swept away).

هذا النقد غير منطقي ويفتقر إلى الموضوعية.

This criticism is illogical and lacks objectivity.

Using 'yaftaqir ila' (lacks).

تعتبر هذه الفرضية غير منطقية وفقاً للمعايير الأكاديمية.

This hypothesis is considered illogical according to academic standards.

Passive 'tu'tabar' (is considered).

إن القول بأن المادة تفنى هو أمر غير منطقي في الفيزياء.

The claim that matter is destroyed is an illogical matter in physics.

Complex noun clause as subject.

لماذا نتمسك بهذه العادات غير المنطقية؟

Why do we cling to these illogical customs?

Using 'natamassak bi' (we cling to).

تتجلى اللا-منطقية في أبهى صورها في هذا العمل الأدبي.

Illogicality manifests in its most brilliant forms in this literary work.

Highly formal literary style.

إن محاولة عقلنة ما هو غير منطقي هي بحد ذاتها ضرب من الخيال.

The attempt to rationalize what is illogical is itself a form of fantasy.

Using 'aq-lanah' (rationalization) and 'darb min' (a kind of).

ينتقد الفيلسوف ما يراه استنتاجات غير منطقية في الميتافيزيقا.

The philosopher critiques what he sees as illogical conclusions in metaphysics.

Using 'ma yarahu' (what he sees).

لا يمكننا الركون إلى تفسيرات غير منطقية للظواهر الكونية.

We cannot rely on illogical explanations for cosmic phenomena.

Using 'al-rukun ila' (relying on/leaning towards).

تظل هذه النظرية غير منطقية ما لم يتم إثبات عكس ذلك.

This theory remains illogical unless the opposite is proven.

Using 'ma lam' (unless).

إن البنية اللغوية للنص تبدو غير منطقية للوهلة الأولى.

The linguistic structure of the text seems illogical at first glance.

Using 'lil-wahla al-ula' (at first glance).

من غير المنطقي أن نغفل الدور التاريخي للمنطق العربي.

It is illogical for us to overlook the historical role of Arabic logic.

Using 'naghfal' (we overlook).

هذا الطرح غير منطقي ويتصادم مع الحقائق البديهية.

This proposition is illogical and clashes with self-evident facts.

Using 'yatasadam ma'' (clashes with).

Common Collocations

تفسير غير منطقي

قرار غير منطقي

فكرة غير منطقية

سلوك غير منطقي

افتراض غير منطقي

خوف غير منطقي

تبرير غير منطقي

ترتيب غير منطقي

توقع غير منطقي

استنتاج غير منطقي

Common Phrases

من غير المنطقي أن...

— It is illogical to... or It makes no sense that...

من غير المنطقي أن ننتظر أكثر.

بشكل غير منطقي

— In an illogical manner.

تصرف بشكل غير منطقي أمام الضيوف.

يبدو غير منطقي

— It seems illogical.

كلامك يبدو غير منطقي للجميع.

أمر غير منطقي

— An illogical matter/thing.

هذا أمر غير منطقي بالمرة.

غير منطقي تماماً

— Completely illogical.

اقتراحك غير منطقي تماماً.

غير منطقي بالمرة

— Not logical at all.

هذا العذر غير منطقي بالمرة.

كلام غير منطقي

— Nonsense or illogical talk.

لا تستمع إليه، فهذا كلام غير منطقي.

حجة غير منطقية

— An illogical argument.

استخدم حجة غير منطقية للدفاع عن نفسه.

وضع غير منطقي

— An illogical situation.

نحن في وضع غير منطقي الآن.

تفكير غير منطقي

— Illogical thinking.

التفكير غير المنطقي يؤدي إلى مشاكل.

Often Confused With

غير منطقي vs غير معقول

'Ghayr ma'qul' is more about things being unreasonable or unbelievable, while 'ghayr mantiqi' is about technical logic.

غير منطقي vs غير واقعي

'Ghayr waqi'i' means unrealistic. Something can be logical but not realistic (like a sci-fi theory).

غير منطقي vs متناقض

'Mutanaqid' is specifically for contradictions, while 'ghayr mantiqi' is a broader term for any flaw in reason.

Idioms & Expressions

"منطق الطير"

— Literally 'The Language of the Birds'; refers to a famous mystical poem by Attar, but can metaphorically mean a language only understood by the initiated.

كلامه يشبه منطق الطير، لا أحد يفهمه.

Literary

"خارج عن المنطق"

— Beyond logic; something that defies any rational explanation.

ما حدث كان خارجاً عن المنطق تماماً.

Neutral

"يفتقر إلى أبسط قواعد المنطق"

— Lacks the simplest rules of logic; used for very stupid arguments.

هذا الكلام يفتقر إلى أبسط قواعد المنطق.

Formal

"منطق القوة"

— The logic of force; when someone uses power rather than reason to win.

هو لا يؤمن إلا بمنطق القوة.

Political

"قلب المنطق"

— To flip logic; to use someone's logic against them or in a twisted way.

حاول قلب المنطق ليظهر نفسه كضحية.

Neutral

"ضرب من اللا-منطق"

— A kind of illogicality; used to describe something completely absurd.

توقعاته هي ضرب من اللا-منطق.

Literary

"بمنطق الأمور"

— By the logic of things; naturally or as expected.

بمنطق الأمور، يجب أن نفوز اليوم.

Neutral

"لا يقبله عقل ولا منطق"

— Neither mind nor logic accepts it; a very strong way to say something is absurd.

هذا تصرف لا يقبله عقل ولا منطق.

Formal

"فرض منطق الواقع"

— To impose the logic of reality; to force someone to be realistic.

في النهاية، فرض منطق الواقع نفسه.

Formal

"منطق أعوج"

— Crooked logic; flawed or biased reasoning.

لا تجادلني بهذا المنطق الأعوج.

Informal

Easily Confused

غير منطقي vs منطقة

Looks similar to 'mantiqi'.

Manṭiqah means 'area' or 'region'. Manṭiqī means 'logical'. They share the same root but have very different meanings.

هذه المنطقة (This area) vs هذا منطقي (This is logical).

غير منطقي vs ناطق

Same root N-T-Q.

Nāṭiq means 'speaking' or 'spokesperson'.

الناطق الرسمي (The official spokesperson).

غير منطقي vs نطق

Same root N-T-Q.

Nuṭq is the noun for 'speech' or 'pronunciation'.

نطقه صحيح (His pronunciation is correct).

غير منطقي vs معقول

Similar meaning.

Ma'qūl means reasonable. 'Mantiqi' is more formal and analytical.

طلب معقول (A reasonable request).

غير منطقي vs مجنون

Sometimes used to mean illogical in slang.

Majnūn means crazy or insane. It is much more personal and informal than 'ghayr mantiqi'.

هذا جنون (This is madness).

Sentence Patterns

هذا + غير منطقي

هذا غير منطقي.

Noun + غير منطقي/ة

هذه فكرة غير منطقية.

من غير المنطقي أن + Verb

من غير المنطقي أن ننتظر.

بسبب + Noun + غير المنطقي/ة

بسبب قراره غير المنطقي.

وصفه بـ + غير المنطقي

وصفه النقاد بغير المنطقي.

تتجلى اللا-منطقية في...

تتجلى اللا-منطقية في أفعاله.

أجد أن + Noun + غير منطقي

أجد أن كلامه غير منطقي.

رغم أنه + غير منطقي

رغم أنه غير منطقي، إلا أنه حدث.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in news, education, and debates.

Common Mistakes

هذا فكرة غير منطقي. → هذه فكرة غير منطقية.
The noun 'fikrah' is feminine, so the adjective must also be feminine. Also, use 'hathihi' instead of 'hatha'.
القرار الغير منطقي. → القرار غير المنطقي.
The definite article 'al' should be placed on the adjective following 'ghayr', not on 'ghayr' itself.
كلامك لا منطقي. → كلامك غير منطقي.
In Standard Arabic, 'ghayr' is used to negate adjectives, not 'la'.
هذا السعر غير منطقي. → هذا السعر غير معقول.
While 'ghayr mantiqi' is okay, 'ghayr ma'qul' is more natural when talking about prices being unreasonable.
الأعذار غير منطقيين. → الأعذار غير منطقية.
Non-human plurals like 'a'thar' (excuses) take a feminine singular adjective.

Tips

Gender Agreement

Don't forget to add a 'ta marbuta' (ة) to 'mantiqi' if you are describing a feminine noun like 'fikrah' (idea) or 'khuttah' (plan).

The Deep Q

Make sure to pronounce the 'qaf' (ق) from the back of your throat. It's much deeper than an English 'k' and gives the word its formal weight.

Use with Intensifiers

Pair 'ghayr mantiqi' with 'tamaman' (completely) or 'jiddan' (very) to sound more like a native speaker when you are surprised.

Definite Article

Remember: 'al' goes on the adjective, not on 'ghayr'. Write 'غير المنطقي' for 'the illogical...'. This is a common mistake even for native speakers!

Respect the Logic

Using this word shows you value reason. It is a very effective and polite way to disagree in a professional Arabic environment.

Mantiqi vs Ma'qul

Use 'mantiqi' for things that violate rules or facts, and 'ma'qul' for things that are just unfair or hard to believe.

Mind-Talk

Link 'Mantiq' to 'Mind-Talk'. If the talk doesn't fit the mind, it's 'Ghayr Mantiqi'.

Identify Negation

Whenever you hear 'ghayr', prepare for the opposite of the next word. It's a quick shortcut to understanding Arabic adjectives.

The Stress

Put a little more emphasis on the 'TI' in 'man-TI-qi' to make the word sound more natural and rhythmic.

Daily Critique

Try to label one thing as 'ghayr mantiqi' every day—whether it's a plot hole in a show or a weird rule—to build muscle memory.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Ghayr' as 'Gear' and 'Mantiqi' as 'Man-Tick'. If a 'Man' has a 'Tick' in his 'Gear', his car won't work—it's illogical!

Visual Association

Imagine a square peg and a round hole. Point at it and say 'Ghayr mantiqi'.

Word Web

Logic Speech Reason Negation Philosophy Argument Nonsense Aristotle

Challenge

Try to find three things today that you think are 'ghayr mantiqi' and describe them to a friend using the word.

Word Origin

The term is derived from the Arabic root N-T-Q (ن-ط-ق), which fundamentally means 'to speak' or 'to articulate'. In the early Islamic period, during the Translation Movement, scholars translated the Greek word 'Logos' as 'Mantiq'.

Original meaning: The original meaning of 'mantiqi' was 'related to speech' or 'articulated'. It evolved to mean 'logical' because logic was seen as the internal articulation of thought.

Semitic (Arabic).

Cultural Context

Be careful not to call a religious belief 'ghayr mantiqi' in a conservative setting, as it may be seen as offensive or dismissive of faith.

English speakers often say 'it doesn't make sense,' whereas Arabic speakers are more likely to use the specific word for 'illogical' even in casual settings.

The book 'Tahafut al-Falasifa' (The Incoherence of the Philosophers) by Al-Ghazali. The works of Ibn Sina (Avicenna) on logic. Modern Arabic talk shows where 'ghayr mantiqi' is a favorite phrase of debaters.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Shopping / Prices

السعر غير منطقي.
هذا غلاء غير منطقي.
خصم غير منطقي.
ميزانية غير منطقية.

Work / Management

جدول غير منطقي.
طلب غير منطقي.
توزيع غير منطقي للمهام.
سياسة غير منطقية.

Arguments / Debates

حجة غير منطقية.
كلامك غير منطقي.
استنتاج غير منطقي.
ربط غير منطقي.

Science / Research

نتائج غير منطقية.
فرضية غير منطقية.
آلية غير منطقية.
بيانات غير منطقية.

Daily Life / Stories

نهاية غير منطقية.
عذر غير منطقي.
تصرف غير منطقي.
موقف غير منطقي.

Conversation Starters

"هل تعتقد أن أسعار العقارات في هذه المدينة غير منطقية؟"

"لماذا يجد البعض أن قواعد المرور هنا غير منطقية؟"

"هل سبق لك أن شاهدت فيلماً بنهاية غير منطقية تماماً؟"

"لماذا تبدو بعض القوانين القديمة غير منطقية في عصرنا؟"

"هل ترى أن توقعات المجتمع من الشباب غير منطقية؟"

Journal Prompts

اكتب عن موقف حدث لك وكان غير منطقي تماماً وكيف تعاملت معه.

هل هناك قاعدة في عملك أو دراستك تجدها غير منطقية؟ اشرح لماذا.

تحدث عن فكرة كانت تبدو غير منطقية في الماضي ولكنها أصبحت واقعاً اليوم.

كيف يمكننا التمييز بين ما هو غير منطقي وما هو مجرد جديد علينا؟

اكتب رسالة إلى شخص يقدم لك أعذاراً غير منطقية لعدم القيام بواجبه.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In Modern Standard Arabic, you should use 'ghayr mantiqi'. While some modern writers use 'la mantiqi' as a calque from English 'illogical', it is technically incorrect according to traditional grammar rules.

Yes, 'ghayr' is the most common way to negate an adjective in Arabic to create its opposite, like 'ghayr sa'id' (unhappy) or 'ghayr mumkun' (impossible).

If the noun is a non-human plural (like 'ideas'), you use the feminine singular 'ghayr mantiqiyyah'. If it refers to people, you use the masculine plural 'ghayr mantiqiyyin'.

The correct way is 'al-qarār ghayr al-manṭiqī'. The definite article goes on the noun and the adjective, not on the particle 'ghayr'.

The root is N-T-Q (ن-ط-ق), which relates to speech and articulation. This shows how Arabic links clear speech with clear thinking.

Yes, but often the 'q' is pronounced as a glottal stop ('man-ti-'ee') or a 'g' sound depending on the region. In many dialects, 'mish ma'qul' is more common for daily surprises.

Yes, you can say 'shakhs ghayr mantiqi' to describe someone who doesn't think or act logically.

'Ghayr mantiqi' means illogical, while 'abathi' means absurd or pointless. Something can be illogical but still have a point, whereas 'abathi' implies total futility.

You can say 'Alaysa hatha mantiqiyan?' (Is this not logical?) or simply 'Hal hatha ghayr mantiqi?' (Is this illogical?).

Traditionally, yes. Logic ('ilm al-mantiq') was a foundational subject in classical Islamic education and remains part of the philosophy curriculum in many Arab universities.