At the A1 level, you can think of 'mutawāḍiʿ' as a way to describe a 'good' or 'nice' person who doesn't act like they are better than others. It is like the word 'simple' but for people. You might use it to describe a friend or a teacher. For example, 'My teacher is humble' (Muʿallimī mutawāḍiʿ). At this stage, just remember that it is a positive word for someone's personality. It is the opposite of 'bad' or 'arrogant' behavior. You can also use it for small things, like a 'small house' (bayt mutawāḍiʿ). It helps you describe people and places in a polite way. Learning this word early helps you understand how much people in Arab countries value being down-to-earth.
At the A2 level, you should start using 'mutawāḍiʿ' to describe people's character in more detail. You can use it in sentences like 'He is a famous doctor but he is humble.' This shows you understand the contrast between having a high status and having a humble personality. You can also use the feminine form 'mutawāḍiʿa' for women. It's a useful word for describing your family or neighbors. You might also hear it when someone talks about their home or their food in a polite way. It shows you are moving beyond basic adjectives like 'good' or 'big' and starting to use words that describe how people behave and feel.
At the B1 level, 'mutawāḍiʿ' becomes an essential part of your vocabulary for discussing social values and personal traits. You can use it to talk about leadership styles—for example, explaining why a humble leader is more effective. You should be able to use it in different grammatical contexts, such as 'The humility of the king' (Tawāḍuʿ al-malik). You will also notice it in literature and news articles. At this level, you understand that 'mutawāḍiʿ' is not just about being 'nice,' but about a specific cultural value of not being arrogant. You can use it to describe a 'modest start' to a project or a 'modest income,' showing you understand its use for both people and abstract concepts.
At the B2 level, you can explore the nuances of 'mutawāḍiʿ' in professional and formal settings. You will use it to discuss the importance of humility in teamwork or scientific research. You can distinguish between 'mutawāḍiʿ' and its synonyms like 'basīṭ' (simple) or 'hadiʾ' (quiet). You might use it in a debate about social classes, arguing that wealth doesn't prevent one from being humble. You are also comfortable with the plural forms like 'mutawāḍiʿūn' (humble people). Your understanding of the word includes its social function as a way to show respect and avoid 'Hasad' (envy) by not flaunting success. You can use it to provide complex descriptions of characters in books or films.
At the C1 level, you understand the philosophical and spiritual depths of 'mutawāḍiʿ.' You can discuss the etymological root 'w-ḍ-ʿ' and how it relates to other words like 'mawḍūʿ' (subject/placed). You can analyze how the concept of 'Tawāḍuʿ' is treated in classical Arabic poetry or Islamic philosophy. You use the word with precision in academic writing, perhaps discussing the 'modest results' of a study or the 'humble origins' of a historical figure. You are sensitive to the subtle difference between 'being humble' and 'acting humble' for social gain. You can use the word in idiomatic expressions and understand its role in the complex web of Arabic social hierarchies and honor codes.
At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'mutawāḍiʿ.' You can use it to convey irony, sarcasm, or deep sincerity. You understand how the word functions in various dialects compared to Modern Standard Arabic. You can appreciate the rhetorical use of 'mutawāḍiʿ' in high-level political speeches or classical literature. You might explore the theological implications of 'Tawāḍuʿ' in Sufi texts or legal frameworks. Your usage is flawless, reflecting an understanding of the word's historical evolution and its contemporary socio-political connotations. You can effortlessly switch between using it as a simple adjective and using it as a pivot for complex cultural and moral arguments.

متواضع in 30 Seconds

  • Mutawāḍiʿ means humble or modest in character.
  • It can describe people (unassuming) or things (simple/basic).
  • It is a highly respected trait in Arab and Islamic culture.
  • The feminine form is mutawāḍiʿa and the plural is mutawāḍiʿūn.

The Arabic word متواضع (Mutawāḍiʿ) is a profound adjective derived from the root w-ḍ-ʿ (و-ض-ع), which fundamentally relates to 'placing' or 'lowering.' In a moral and social context, it describes a person who 'lowers' themselves—not in a sense of degradation or lack of self-worth, but in a sense of humility and lack of arrogance. It is a highly praised trait in Arab culture, deeply rooted in both social etiquette (Adab) and religious tradition. When you call someone mutawāḍiʿ, you are paying them a significant compliment, suggesting they are approachable, grounded, and respectful of others regardless of their own status or wealth.

Personality Trait
Used to describe a person who does not boast about their achievements. Example: 'The CEO is very humble.'
Material Description
Used to describe objects or settings that are simple, unpretentious, or small. Example: 'A modest house' or 'A modest meal.'

يعيش العالم الشهير في بيت متواضع رغم ثروته.

The famous scientist lives in a humble house despite his wealth.

In the Arab world, humility is often contrasted with Kibr (arrogance). A leader who is mutawāḍiʿ is one who sits with the common people, listens to their concerns, and does not place themselves on a pedestal. This word carries a weight of spiritual maturity. It suggests that the person understands their place in the universe and treats all of creation with kindness. It is also used frequently in professional settings to describe one's own work or achievements to avoid appearing boastful, a practice known as 'self-deprecation' in English, though in Arabic it is more about maintaining social harmony.

كان رده على الجائزة متواضعاً للغاية.

His response to the award was extremely humble.

Using متواضع requires understanding its grammatical role as an active participle (Ism Fāʿil) of the Form VI verb tawāḍaʿa (to be humble). Because it is an adjective, it must agree with the noun it describes in gender, number, and definiteness. For a masculine singular noun, we use mutawāḍiʿ. For a feminine singular noun, we add the 'Tāʾ Marbūṭa' to make it mutawāḍiʿa (متواضعة).

Masculine Singular
هو طالب متواضع (He is a humble student).
Feminine Singular
هي معلمة متواضعة (She is a humble teacher).

قدمت الشركة عرضاً متواضعاً في البداية.

The company presented a modest offer at the beginning.

When describing inanimate objects, mutawāḍiʿ often shifts its meaning slightly toward 'simple' or 'unassuming.' For instance, a 'modest meal' (wajba mutawāḍiʿa) implies a meal that isn't fancy or expensive, but rather basic and sufficient. In literature, you might see it used to describe a 'modest contribution' (musāhama mutawāḍiʿa), which is a common way for authors to introduce their work politely.

نحن نعيش في ظروف متواضعة.

We live in modest circumstances.

You will encounter متواضع in various layers of Arabic society, from formal news broadcasts to casual family gatherings. In news and politics, it is often used to describe the demeanor of high-ranking officials who want to project an image of being 'of the people.' In religious sermons (Khutbah), the concept of Tawāḍuʿ (the noun form, humility) is a frequent topic, emphasizing that true greatness comes from being humble before God and fellow humans.

In Literature
Poets use it to describe the beauty of a simple life or the character of a virtuous hero.

أحب الناس إليه هو الرجل المتواضع.

The most beloved person to him is the humble man.

In business contexts, particularly in the Levant or Gulf regions, a person might describe their own business or home as mutawāḍiʿ as a sign of hospitality. When inviting someone over, a host might say, 'Please join us in our humble home' (fī baytinā al-mutawāḍiʿ). This is not a literal description of the house's quality but a social convention to make the guest feel more important and welcome.

هذا جهد متواضع مني لمساعدتكم.

This is a modest effort from me to help you.

One of the most common mistakes for English speakers learning Arabic is confusing متواضع with words that imply weakness or low social standing in a negative sense. While 'humble' in English can sometimes imply a lack of power, mutawāḍiʿ in Arabic is almost always a positive attribute of strength and character. It does not mean 'poor' (faqīr) or 'weak' (ḍaʿīf), though a poor person can certainly be humble.

Mistake: Confusion with 'Simple'
Do not use 'basīṭ' (simple) when you mean 'humble' in character. 'Basīṭ' refers to complexity, while 'mutawāḍiʿ' refers to ego.

لا تخلط بين التواضع وضعف الشخصية.

Do not confuse humility with weakness of personality.

Another mistake involves the intensity of the word. Sometimes learners use mutawāḍiʿ to describe a very bad or failing situation. For instance, if a team loses 5-0, you wouldn't say they had a 'mutawāḍiʿ' performance in a sarcastic way like in English. In Arabic, it remains a dignified word. Instead, you would use words like 'haziīl' (feeble) or 'sayyiʾ' (bad).

ليس كل فقير متواضعاً، وليس كل غني متكبراً.

Not every poor person is humble, and not every rich person is arrogant.

Arabic is a language rich in synonyms, each carrying a specific nuance. While متواضع is the standard word for humble, other words might be more appropriate depending on whether you are talking about behavior, social class, or physical simplicity.

بسيط (Basīṭ)
Means 'simple.' Used for objects, lifestyles, or easy-going people. It lacks the moral weight of 'mutawāḍiʿ.'
خلوق (Khalūq)
Means 'possessing good manners.' Often used alongside 'mutawāḍiʿ' to describe a virtuous person.

إنه إنسان بسيط ومتواضع.

He is a simple and humble human being.

When comparing mutawāḍiʿ to khāshiʿ (خاشع), the latter is specifically used for humility in a religious or spiritual sense, often during prayer. Mutawāḍiʿ is the social manifestation of that internal state. Another alternative is maskīn (مسكين), which means 'poor' or 'pitiful,' but in some dialects, it can be used affectionately for someone who is very gentle and unassuming.

العلماء الحقيقيون دائماً ما يكونون متواضعين.

True scholars are always humble.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

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Neutral

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Informal

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Child friendly

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Slang

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Fun Fact

The root is the same as the word for 'situation' (Waḍʿ) and 'subject' (Mawḍūʿ), implying that humility is about knowing one's 'place' in the world.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /mu.ta.waː.diʕ/
US /mu.tə.wɑː.diʕ/
The stress is on the second syllable 'waa'.
Rhymes With
Mawāḍiʿ (places) Dawāfiʿ (motives) Rawāḍiʿ (deterrents) Sāmiʿ (listener) Jāmiʿ (collector) Māniʿ (preventer) Shāfiʿ (intercessor) Wāqiʿ (reality)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'ḍ' (ض) as a soft 'd'.
  • Ignoring the 'ayn (ع) at the end.
  • Making the 'wa' too short.
  • Confusing it with 'mutawaḍḍi' (one who performs ablution).
  • Misplacing the stress on the first syllable.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize the root once you know Form VI.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct spelling of the 'ḍād' and 'ayn'.

Speaking 5/5

The 'ḍ' and 'ayn' combination can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 3/5

Commonly used, so it's easy to pick up in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

وضع بسيط كبير رجل بيت

Learn Next

متكبر غرور أخلاق كريم لطيف

Advanced

خاشع مستكين زاهد ورع مترفع

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

بنت متواضعة (F) vs ولد متواضع (M)

Form VI Participles

تفاعل -> متفاعل (Tawāḍaʿa -> Mutawāḍiʿ)

Definiteness

الرجل المتواضع (The humble man)

Case Endings

رأيتُ رجلاً متواضعاً (Accusative)

Pluralization

هم رجال متواضعون (Sound plural)

Examples by Level

1

هو رجل متواضع.

He is a humble man.

Subject + Noun + Adjective

2

أنا طالب متواضع.

I am a humble student.

First person singular

3

هذا بيت متواضع.

This is a humble house.

Demonstrative pronoun + Noun + Adjective

4

أمي امرأة متواضعة.

My mother is a humble woman.

Feminine agreement

5

المعلم متواضع جداً.

The teacher is very humble.

Definite noun + Adjective

6

نحن عائلة متواضعة.

We are a humble family.

Plural subject + Singular collective noun

7

صديقي متواضع.

My friend is humble.

Possessive + Adjective

8

هل أنت متواضع؟

Are you humble?

Question form

1

رغم أنه غني، هو متواضع.

Even though he is rich, he is humble.

Conjunction 'رغم' (despite)

2

تعيش في شقة متواضعة.

She lives in a modest apartment.

Verb + Prepositional phrase

3

كانت بدايته في العمل متواضعة.

His start in the job was modest.

Past tense 'كان' agreement

4

أحب الناس المتواضعين.

I love humble people.

Sound masculine plural

5

قدمت لنا وجبة متواضعة ولذيذة.

She served us a modest and delicious meal.

Adjective stringing

6

هذا مشروع متواضع ولكنه مهم.

This is a modest project but it is important.

Contrast with 'لكن' (but)

7

تكلم بأسلوب متواضع.

He spoke in a humble manner.

Adverbial use of 'bi' + noun + adj

8

هي فنانة مشهورة ومتواضعة.

She is a famous and humble artist.

Feminine adjectives

1

يعتبر التواضع من أهم الصفات الإنسانية.

Humility is considered one of the most important human qualities.

Passive verb 'يعتبر'

2

حقق الفريق فوزاً متواضعاً في المباراة.

The team achieved a modest victory in the match.

Accusative case (Fatḥatayn)

3

يجب أن تكون متواضعاً عند النجاح.

You must be humble when succeeding.

Subjunctive after 'أن'

4

كتبت رواية متواضعة عن حياتي.

I wrote a modest novel about my life.

Object of the verb

5

لم يكن متكبراً بل كان متواضعاً مع الجميع.

He wasn't arrogant, but rather humble with everyone.

Negation with 'لم يكن'

6

تلقى المدير الملاحظات بقلب متواضع.

The manager received the feedback with a humble heart.

Metaphorical use

7

هذه مساهمة متواضعة مني للمجتمع.

This is a modest contribution from me to society.

Demonstrative sentence

8

العلماء الحقيقيون يعرفون معنى أن يكون المرء متواضعاً.

True scientists know the meaning of being humble.

Complex clause

1

تميزت شخصيته بالتواضع والصدق.

His personality was characterized by humility and honesty.

Verb 'تميز' with 'bi'

2

كانت ميزانية الفيلم متواضعة جداً مقارنة بغيره.

The film's budget was very modest compared to others.

Comparison 'مقارنة بـ'

3

من يتواضع يرفعه الله.

Whoever humbles himself, God raises him.

Conditional 'man' + verb

4

أظهر الباحث تواضعاً علمياً كبيراً.

The researcher showed great scientific humility.

Noun form 'Tawāḍuʿ' as object

5

لا تستهن بهذا الإنجاز المتواضع.

Do not underestimate this modest achievement.

Imperative negation 'lā'

6

كان يعيش حياة متواضعة بعيداً عن الأضواء.

He lived a modest life away from the spotlight.

Idiom 'away from lights'

7

رغم شهرته العالمية، ظل متواضعاً.

Despite his global fame, he remained humble.

Verb 'ظل' (remained)

8

علينا أن نتعلم كيف نكون متواضعين في تعاملنا.

We must learn how to be humble in our dealings.

Infinitive construction

1

إن التواضع سمة العظماء الذين يدركون فناء الدنيا.

Humility is a trait of the greats who realize the transience of the world.

Emphasis 'Inna'

2

جاءت نتائج الدراسة متواضعة ولم تلبِ التوقعات.

The study results came out modest and did not meet expectations.

Verb 'jāʾat' (came/resulted)

3

يتجلى التواضع في قدرة الإنسان على الاعتراف بالخطأ.

Humility manifests in a person's ability to admit error.

Reflexive verb 'yatajallā'

4

كان فيلسوفاً زاهداً يعيش في كوخ متواضع.

He was an ascetic philosopher living in a humble hut.

Adjective stringing

5

التواضع الزائف هو نوع من الكبر المستتر.

False humility is a type of hidden arrogance.

Abstract concept

6

تحدث عن نجاحاته بنبرة متواضعة للغاية.

He spoke about his successes in a very humble tone.

Prepositional phrase

7

لا بد من التحلي بروح متواضعة عند طلب العلم.

One must adorn oneself with a humble spirit when seeking knowledge.

Necessity 'lā budda'

8

كانت تلك مجرد محاولة متواضعة لفهم الحقيقة.

That was merely a modest attempt to understand the truth.

Restrictive 'mujarrad'

1

أردف قائلاً بتواضع جمّ إن الفضل يعود لأساتذته.

He added, with great humility, that the credit belongs to his teachers.

Advanced adverbial phrase

2

ما من عظيم إلا وكان التواضع رداءه.

There is no great person except that humility was their cloak.

Negative + Exceptive structure

3

قد تبدو هذه الخطوة متواضعة في ظاهرها، لكنها محورية.

This step may seem modest on the surface, but it is pivotal.

Concessive clause

4

إن شيمته التواضع، فلا يرى لنفسه فضلاً على أحد.

His character is humility; he sees no superiority for himself over anyone.

Classical phrasing

5

توارى خلف إنجازاته المتواضعة زاهداً في الشهرة.

He hid behind his modest achievements, eschewing fame.

Literary verb 'tawārā'

6

ليس التواضع بمذلة، بل هو عزة النفس الحقيقية.

Humility is not humiliation, but rather true self-respect.

Negation with 'bi' particle

7

أبدى الحكيم تواضعاً ينم عن عمق بصيرته.

The wise man showed humility that indicates the depth of his insight.

Verb 'yanummu' (to indicate)

8

في ظل تلك الظروف المتواضعة، وُلدت أعظم الأفكار.

Under those modest circumstances, the greatest ideas were born.

Passive verb 'wulidat'

Common Collocations

شخص متواضع
بيت متواضع
بداية متواضعة
أصل متواضع
مبلغ متواضع
رأي متواضع
عائلة متواضعة
إمكانيات متواضعة
وجبة متواضعة
مساهمة متواضعة

Common Phrases

في رأيي المتواضع

— A polite way to give an opinion.

في رأيي المتواضع، هذا هو الحل.

بكل تواضع

— With all humility; used before stating a fact about oneself.

أقول ذلك بكل تواضع.

من تواضع لله رفعه

— A famous religious saying: 'Whoever humbles himself for God, God will raise him.'

تذكر دائماً أن من تواضع لله رفعه.

شخصية متواضعة

— A humble personality.

لديه شخصية متواضعة جداً.

ظروف متواضعة

— Modest circumstances (usually financial).

عاش في ظروف متواضعة.

جهد متواضع

— A modest effort.

هذا جهد متواضع منا.

بدايات متواضعة

— Humble beginnings.

كل العظماء بدأوا بدايات متواضعة.

طلب متواضع

— A modest request.

لي عندك طلب متواضع.

هدية متواضعة

— A modest gift (polite way to present a gift).

اقبل مني هذه الهدية المتواضعة.

عيش متواضع

— Modest living.

يفضل العيش المتواضع.

Often Confused With

متواضع vs بسيط

Means simple/basic; doesn't always imply moral humility.

متواضع vs ضعيف

Means weak; humility is a strength, not a weakness.

متواضع vs فقير

Means poor; one can be rich and still be 'mutawāḍiʿ'.

Idioms & Expressions

"من تواضع لله رفعه"

— Humility leads to true greatness.

كن دائماً هيناً، فمن تواضع لله رفعه.

Religious/Moral
"التواضع كنز"

— Humility is a treasure.

لا تنسَ أن التواضع كنز لا يفنى.

Literary
"خافض الجناح"

— Literally 'lowering the wing'; meaning very humble and kind.

كان خافض الجناح لإخوانه.

Classical
"لا يرفع أنفه"

— Does not raise his nose (not arrogant).

رغم ماله، لا يرفع أنفه على الناس.

Informal
"ابن ناس"

— Literally 'son of people'; often implies being well-bred and thus humble.

هو ابن ناس ومتواضع.

Dialect/Social
"يمشي على الأرض هوناً"

— Walking on earth gently (humbly).

عباد الرحمن يمشون على الأرض هوناً.

Quranic/Formal
"قلبه أبيض"

— White heart; often associated with humble, pure people.

هو متواضع وقلبه أبيض.

Informal
"بسيط في تعامله"

— Simple in his dealings (humble).

المدير بسيط جداً في تعامله.

Neutral
"لا يرى نفسه"

— Does not see himself (as superior).

إنسان ناجح ولا يرى نفسه على أحد.

Informal
"سيد القوم خادمهم"

— The leader of a people is their servant.

القائد المتواضع يؤمن بأن سيد القوم خادمهم.

Proverb

Easily Confused

متواضع vs متواضع

Sounds like 'mutawaḍḍi' (ablution).

Mutawāḍiʿ has an 'ā' sound and a 'ḍ', while mutawaḍḍi has a double 'ḍ' and no 'ā'.

أنا متواضع (humble) vs أنا متوضئ (I have wudu).

متواضع vs خجول

Both involve being quiet.

Shyness is an emotion; humility is a character trait.

هو خجول في الحفلات.

متواضع vs بسيط

Used for 'modest' things.

Basit is about complexity; Mutawadi is about ego.

هذا سؤال بسيط (easy).

متواضع vs مسكين

Both imply lowliness.

Maskin implies pity; Mutawadi implies respect.

يا له من رجل مسكين.

متواضع vs هادئ

Humble people are often quiet.

Hadi is about volume/energy; Mutawadi is about status.

البحر هادئ اليوم.

Sentence Patterns

A1

Noun + Adjective

هو رجل متواضع.

A2

Subject + Verb + Adj

أحمد يبدو متواضعاً.

B1

Despite X, Subject is Adj

رغم قوته، هو متواضع.

B1

It is important to be Adj

من المهم أن تكون متواضعاً.

B2

Noun (Abstract) of Adj

تواضع العلماء معروف.

C1

Conditional Humility

إذا كنت متواضعاً، أحبك الناس.

C1

Adverbial with 'bi'

تحدث بتواضع كبير.

C2

Exceptive Phrasing

ما رأيت منه إلا التواضع.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Related

How to Use It

frequency

Common in both spoken and written Arabic.

Common Mistakes
  • Using 'mutawāḍiʿ' as a verb. Using 'tawāḍaʿa' as the verb.

    Mutawāḍiʿ is the adjective (humble), not the action (to be humble).

  • Saying 'mutawāḍiʿ' for a 'bad' person. Using 'sayyiʾ' or 'haziīl'.

    Mutawāḍiʿ is always a positive or neutral word, never an insult.

  • Pronouncing it 'mutawadi'. Mutawāḍiʿ (with heavy d and ayn).

    The 'ḍ' and 'ayn' are distinct sounds that change the meaning if missed.

  • Confusing it with 'modest' (clothing). Using 'muḥtashim' (modest clothing).

    Mutawāḍiʿ is about character; muḥtashim is about covering the body.

  • Forgetting gender agreement. Saying 'sayyida mutawāḍiʿa'.

    Always add the 'ة' for feminine nouns.

Tips

Avoid Boasting

In Arab culture, even if you are successful, always use 'mutawāḍiʿ' to describe your efforts to maintain social harmony.

Adjective Order

Always place 'mutawāḍiʿ' after the noun it describes, e.g., 'rajul mutawāḍiʿ'.

Synonym Nuance

Use 'mutawāḍiʿ' for character and 'basīṭ' for physical objects to sound more native.

Accepting Compliments

When someone praises you, you can respond by saying you are just being 'mutawāḍiʿ'.

Formal Letters

Start a polite suggestion with 'In my humble opinion' (fī raʾyī al-mutawāḍiʿ).

The Ending 'Ayn'

Don't drop the 'ayn' at the end; it's essential for the word to be understood.

Root Recognition

The root w-d-c is everywhere in Arabic; learning it helps you learn dozens of other words.

Literary Use

In stories, use this word to signal that a character is a hero or a wise person.

Modest Gift

When giving a gift, say 'This is a modest gift' to show respect to the recipient.

Daily Practice

Describe one thing you saw today as 'mutawāḍiʿ' to lock the word in your memory.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Mutawadi' as 'Mute-and-Steady'. A humble person is often quiet (mute about their success) and steady in their character.

Visual Association

Imagine a tall tree whose branches bow down to the ground because they are heavy with fruit. The more 'fruit' (success) you have, the more you should bow (be humble).

Word Web

Character Simplicity Respect Status Ego Leadership Kindness Grounding

Challenge

Try to use 'mutawāḍiʿ' in three different sentences today: one about a person, one about a house, and one about an opinion.

Word Origin

From the Arabic root و-ض-ع (W-Ḍ-ʿ), which means to put down, place, or lower.

Original meaning: To lower oneself or to be placed low.

Semitic (Arabic).

Cultural Context

Be careful not to sound patronizing when calling someone's home 'mutawāḍiʿ' unless they have called it that first.

In English, 'modest' can sometimes mean 'limited' (e.g., modest success), but in Arabic, 'mutawāḍiʿ' is almost always a positive character trait.

Prophetic Hadith: 'No one humbles himself for God except that God raises him.' Poetry of Al-Mutanabbi: Often discusses the pride of the soul vs. social humility. The 'Humble' character in One Thousand and One Nights.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Social Gatherings

  • أهلاً بك في بيتنا المتواضع
  • أنت شخص متواضع جداً
  • شكراً على تواضعك
  • بكل تواضع، شكراً

Job Interviews

  • لدي خبرة متواضعة في...
  • أنا أتعلم بتواضع
  • عملت في مشاريع متواضعة
  • أقدر التواضع في العمل

Religious Context

  • التواضع لله
  • من تواضع رفعه الله
  • كن متواضعاً مع الفقراء
  • صفات المؤمن المتواضع

Academic Writing

  • هذه دراسة متواضعة
  • بناءً على رأينا المتواضع
  • نتائج متواضعة
  • في هذا البحث المتواضع

Describing Places

  • مطعم متواضع
  • شقة متواضعة
  • حي متواضع
  • مكان متواضع

Conversation Starters

"هل تعتقد أن التواضع أهم من الثقة بالنفس؟"

"من هو أكثر شخص متواضع قابلته في حياتك؟"

"كيف يمكن للقائد أن يكون متواضعاً وقوياً في نفس الوقت؟"

"لماذا يمدح الناس الشخص المتواضع في ثقافتك؟"

"هل من الممكن أن يكون الشخص 'متواضعاً جداً' لدرجة سلبية؟"

Journal Prompts

اكتب عن موقف أظهرت فيه التواضع وكيف شعرت.

صف شخصاً تعتبره قدوة في التواضع.

لماذا يعتبر التواضع صفة صعبة في عصر وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي؟

هل تفضل العيش في بيت فاخر أم بيت متواضع ومريح؟ ولماذا؟

كيف يؤثر التواضع على علاقاتك مع الآخرين؟

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, it is one of the highest social compliments in Arabic. It suggests a person is noble and grounded.

Yes, 'bayt mutawāḍiʿ' means a modest or simple house. It is a very common phrase.

The main opposite is 'mutakabbir' (arrogant) or 'maghrūr' (vain).

You can say 'Khallīk mutawāḍiʿ' (informal) or 'Kun mutawāḍiʿan' (formal).

Yes, to describe modest growth, modest budgets, or a humble leadership style.

No, in Arabic culture, humility is seen as a trait of the strong and the wise.

It is a heavy 'd' made by pressing the side of your tongue against your upper molars.

The noun is 'Tawāḍuʿ' (humility).

Yes, 'wajba mutawāḍiʿa' means a simple, non-fancy meal.

The root and the concept are very central to Quranic ethics.

Test Yourself 180 questions

writing

Write a sentence in Arabic describing a humble teacher.

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writing

Write: 'I live in a modest house.'

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writing

Translate: 'He is a famous but humble doctor.'

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writing

Write a short paragraph (2 sentences) about why humility is good.

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writing

Use 'fī raʾyī al-mutawāḍiʿ' in a sentence.

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writing

Write the feminine plural of 'mutawāḍiʿ'.

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writing

Translate: 'Whoever humbles himself for God, He raises him.'

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writing

Describe a modest meal you ate recently.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'bi-tawāḍuʿ'.

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writing

Translate: 'We work with modest resources.'

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writing

Write a formal greeting for a humble leader.

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writing

Translate: 'Humility is the cloak of the great.'

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writing

Write: 'This is a modest effort from me.'

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writing

Describe a humble person you know using three adjectives.

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writing

Translate: 'His response was extremely humble.'

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writing

Write: 'I like humble people.'

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writing

Translate: 'A modest beginning leads to a great end.'

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writing

Write: 'She is a humble artist.'

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writing

Translate: 'True humility comes from the heart.'

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writing

Write: 'Don't be arrogant, be humble.'

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speaking

Pronounce: متواضع

Read this aloud:

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Say: 'He is humble.'

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Say: 'She is humble.'

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speaking

Say: 'A humble house.'

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speaking

Say: 'In my humble opinion.'

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speaking

Say: 'With all humility.'

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speaking

Say: 'Humble people.'

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speaking

Say: 'Stay humble.'

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speaking

Say: 'A modest gift.'

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speaking

Say: 'I love humility.'

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speaking

Say: 'He is not arrogant.'

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speaking

Say: 'A modest meal.'

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speaking

Say: 'A modest effort.'

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speaking

Say: 'He remains humble.'

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speaking

Say: 'Humility is a virtue.'

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speaking

Say: 'Humble beginnings.'

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speaking

Say: 'A humble leader.'

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speaking

Say: 'The scientist is humble.'

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speaking

Say: 'I try to be humble.'

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speaking

Say: 'Humility is beautiful.'

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listening

Listen and identify: 'Mutawāḍiʿ'. What does it mean?

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listening

Identify the gender: 'Mutawāḍiʿa'.

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listening

Identify the number: 'Mutawāḍiʿūn'.

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listening

Translate the heard phrase: 'Bayt mutawāḍiʿ'.

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listening

Translate the heard phrase: 'Fī raʾyī al-mutawāḍiʿ'.

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listening

Listen to a sentence: 'Huwa rajul mutawāḍiʿ'. Who is humble?

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listening

Listen: 'Tawāḍuʿ'. Is this an adjective or a noun?

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listening

Listen: 'Mablagh mutawāḍiʿ'. Does this mean a lot of money?

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listening

Listen: 'Man tawāḍaʿa lillāh rafaʿah'. What is the result of humility?

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listening

Listen: 'Hadīya mutawāḍiʿa'. What is being given?

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listening

Listen: 'Shirka mutawāḍiʿa'. What is described?

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listening

Listen: 'Bikulli tawāḍuʿ'. What is the tone?

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listening

Listen: 'Laysa mutakabbiran'. Is he humble?

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listening

Listen: 'Bidayāt mutawāḍiʿa'. When did this happen?

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listening

Listen: 'Shakhṣīya mutawāḍiʿa'. What is being described?

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/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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