Arabic tattoos are definitively in fashion in the world of the rich and the famous. And I don’t mean temporary tattoos done with henna. This is perhaps surprising, because there are hardly any tattoos to be seen in the Arab World. In the West, however, tattoos have come a long way from the time when they were essentially associated with sailors and soldiers. Nowadays, having a permanent inking on your skin is no longer a sign of low class.
Recently, celebrities like actress Angelina Jolie, football player Zlatan Ibrahimović, and pop star Rihanna have been getting Arabic phrases and words tattooed on their bodies. But, do they really know the meaning of the words they are eternalizing on their skin? Let’s take a look at the tattoos and their meanings:
Angelina Jolie: the firm will
First off is Angelina Jolie who it seems has already filled every inch of her skin with some writing or other. Her latest addition is this Arabic tattoo:
Angelina Jolie's Arabic Tattoo
Taking a closer look we can make out the Arabic word العزيمة (al-‘azeema), meaning “the determination” or “the firm will” on her right forearm. Jolie certainly strikes me as a woman who knows what she wants – so it seems that this tattoo is quite fitting. However, the word can also mean “the incantation” or “the spell”.
While the Arabic script chosen for the tattoo is pretty plain, Angelina (or one of her assistants) has at least done enough research to ensure that the word is spelled correctly – no slipups here.
Zlatan Ibrahimović
Moving on to Zlatan Ibrahimović, the top football player:
Zlatan Ibrahimović's Arabic Tatoo
For those learning Arabic, the tattoo might be pretty confusing. Fear not, the solution is simple: the inscription is simply a transliteration of Ibrahimović’s surname – in Arabic إبراهيموفيج (ibraaheemoofeedj).
Since the Arabic letters don’t correspond one-to-one with our English letters, the tattooist (or someone who speaks fluent Arabic) had to choose something that is as close as possible to the actual pronunciation of the name Ibrahimović. For example, there is no “v” in the Arabic alphabet. The next best thing is the “f” sound.
Maybe the egocentricity demonstrated by Ibrahimović’s choice of word is not to everyone’s taste. But, at least the tattoo is spelled and written correctly.
Rihanna
Finally, let’s see what singer Rihanna has engraved on her waste:
Rihanna's Arabic Tattoo
The Arabic reads الحرية في مسيح (al-horriya fi maseeh), or in English “the freedom in Messiah”. Huh? Seems like Rihanna is quite a religious one, but why hide the message of salvation in Arabic rather than show it off to her (supposedly) bigger English-speaking audience? Perhaps her religious convictions are more of a private thing for her after all?
Well, be that as it may. What is certain, is that the phrase should have read correctly الحرية في المسيح (al-horriya fi al-maseeh), or “the freedom in the Messiah”. Not all is lost, though, since there still is ample space to insert the Arabic article AL before the word Messiah. So, Rihanna, another visit to the tattooist?
If you want to follow the celebrities’ example and get an Arabic tattoo yourself, then make sure that you know exactly the meaning of the words you are engraving for life. Better yet, why not learn the Arabic alphabet yourself so that you can be sure that the words are written correctly?
Watch out for my next post to be published soon on embarrassing errors to avoid when you are getting an Arabic tattoo.
Get over 1400 sizzling hot and accurate Arabic tattoo designs
If you’re looking for accurate and unique Arabic tattoo designs, then check out my new Arabic Tattoos collection.
Update: The second article about Arabic tattoos is up.
Update: If you want to see some good examples of tattoo templates, check out my two blog posts where I fulfill reader requests:
Related posts:
Hi i was wondering if you could send me a picture of “The Determination” in different fonts so i could take a proper look at it! I am thinking of getting this as a tattoo but i dont want to make any mistakes?!? Thanks very much xx
Hi Rachel!
You can find the picture containing “the determination” in different fonts in the comments section of my post here.
Enjoy!
Hi I wanted to get a tattoo in arabic script saying “BELOVED”……can you help me with that?
Hi Milena this is beloved in arabic just copy and paste it into wordpad and change the font to something bigger and you can have a good look at it الحبيب
Thanks for trying to help out Dean! However, I would like to point out that “beloved” has more than one translation. The one you gave – الحبيب – translates as “the beloved” and often has a religious meaning to it as a honorific title of the Prophet of Islam Muhammad. Other variations such as حبيبي (“my beloved/darling” for a man) and حبيبتي (“my beloved/darling” for a woman) might be better suited in some cases. If “beloved” is used as an adjective in conjunction with something else, it’s also possible to use محبوب (for a man) or محبوبة (for a woman).
Additionally, it’s not a good idea to simply copy and paste Arabic text if you aren’t familiar with the Arabic alphabet and have ensured that your PC can handle the Arabic script properly.
There are 6 designs each for the male and female version of “my darling” in my Arabic Tattoos eBook and 4 designs each for “beloved”. There are also designs included for “my beloved husband” and “my beloved wife” as well as 3 designs each for “beloved of my heart”.
Can anyone help with the translation for “Just Breath” as in to take a breath.
مجرد التنفس would this be correct and is any other ways that it could be understood?
So I wanted to just find the arabic translation and writing for “Free Spirited” or “hope.” Ive found a few translations for these but i wanted to make sure they are correct.
i want one that goes kind of similar to “posh’s”. the one that goes down her neck, but is it correct? someone contact me?
thanks.
ArabicGenie: I removed your e-mail address from this comment. Otherwise you might receive a lot of spam e-mails in the future.
MDR, are you referring to Victoria Beckham (“Posh Spice”)? I’ve taken a look at her tattoo that goes down the neck and to me it looks like Hebrew not Arabic. Or were you referring to someone else?
hi is there any way i could get the translation of NO STRUGGLE NO PROGRESS IN ARAB script
i’m looking into getting a Arabic tattoo. However, everyone is giving different versions of my tattoo. Please help I would like it to read….MY LIFE MY LOVES JOHN AMANDA WILLIAM
I’m thinking of getting an Arabic tattoo and would like it to say “Float through the chaos”
have tried some translation sites but when I have checked the results on other sites it hasn’t matched!! Which (if any) is right??? Help!!
تطفو من خلال الفوضى
فلت ثرغ ذي شوس
Hi, this is a brilliant site!
Can you help me with the translation of the question:
Will I know when I am living?
Many thanks!
can you help by translating Free as a Butterfly..
thanks
i was wondering if you could translate “Reach for the Sky” in Arabic. I want to get it as a tat.
thanks
hello, i really want to to get a tatto in Arabic, and i honestly do not want something spelled wrong on my body FOREVER. i’d love to be help , and have
” There is a light that never goes out”
- translated in a Arabic ; pleaseee ?, i’ll appreciate it with all my heart
.
Hello Arabic Genie, one of my friends here in Mexico found this tattoo that she would like to get, but dooesn’t know the meaning. Could you please help? The text is أمي قلبي
Hi Rakesh! The Arabic text you provide is:
أمي قلبي
which translates as “my mother, my heart” or “my mother is my heart”, meaning that the speaker’s mother is very dear to him/her.
“there is a light that never goes out ; would this be it ? هناك ضوء أبدا أن يخرج
Hi there, I am looking to have “Grace” as in Grace of God tattoed in Arabic. I seem to have found a million variations. Grace of God seems easier to find and I wouldnt mind that if it is less likely to be the wrong context. Any help appreciated!
Thanks
Hi Christine! I recently did a blog post about “compassion” in Arabic. As it so happens, that same Arabic word I chose also means “grace”, as in grace of God. You can find the blog post with three designs for the word here. If you require more choice, better quality and a pronunciation guide, then please consider ordering a custom tattoo design.
meagain , I believe that translation is more an art than just a word by word transformation , in Arabic the term ” light goes out ” does not Exist i the exact wording , yet the translation comes from the understanding of what you want to translate .
Example ” there is a light that never goes out ” = ” there is a light that never Fade” = هنالك دائما ضوء لا يخبو ابدأً
note if this is a verse from a relegues script such as ” Quran, Bible,Tora” it is better that you take if from the Fully translated script itself ..
Yours
Abdulrahman
Hi~ I’m thinking about getting a tatto in Arabic. What would be the best way to say “Let there be freedom”? Thanks!
hey.. can anyone help me with my name in arabic letters for my tattoo?
“ANGELIN”
thanks !
hi there Angelin
since there is a kind of more vowel sounds in English than the Arabic you can write your name on both ways :
آنجلن
or
آنجلين
i go with the second one .good luck.
grace , you can say ” أعطني حريتي ”
which is more like ” let me free ”
but what makes it used a lot commonly that because of it’s a part of an old poem and a famous 60′s revolutionary song ,,
أعطني حـريّتي
أطلق يديّ
let me free
unlock my cuffs
hope you also considering the symbols above the letters cuz they are important some times with how the sounds are pronounced
Hi
, could you translate ‘passion, determination, love’ please? thank you!
kelly that would be “شغف,عزم,حب”
its all kinda sucks try to one its called امي نور عيني what it mean is momma the light for my eyes or try المجروح the meaning it like hurting or try الحب عذاب في قلوب الشباب
Hello! Love this site. I was just wondering if you can translate three words for me? It’s “belive” – not believe in god. (belive in myself) , the second word is “want” like (if i want something i can get it all I need is the willingness to try) and the last word is “dare” – If I have a wish or a will, I can manage it by daring to believe in myself.
I will tattoo those three words in my neck on my eighteenth birthday, those words means alot to me and i just love the arabic alphabet and words.
I would like a translation please faith, courage, strength
Hi Refiole!
You can find designs for all three of these words in my Arabic Tattoos eBook.
@Refiloe
إيمان، شجاعه، قوه
This is not quite right Mu7ha. The last two words should end in a taa’ marbooTa:
شجاعة
قوة
Also, it would be better to use the definite article al in front of the words, as we are talking about general concepts here.
Could you give me the phrase ” what comes around goes around” in arabic please? Thank you
I would like to get ” Love Kills Slowly” would this be the correct translation: يقتل الحب ببطء
Hello,
Can you please translate “Imperfection is beauty” in Arabic? One of my friends did it for me:
لعيب هو الجمال is that right? I just wanna be 110% sure it’s correct. I really want to get that phrase tattooed soon. I’d really appreciate it. Thank you!
Please help me translate “intermingling of souls”
Been trying to have it translated by my Hindu friends but they said the first word is complicated. Thank you.
Christine, I’ve answered your question in a new blog post here.
hi arabic genie i was just wondering if you could translate something for me in arabic. ‘yea though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death i will fear no evil for you are with me my rod and thy staff they comfort me’ if you could that would be great as i need it for a project im doin.
Hi Jay! I have fulfilled your request in a new blog post here. I’m curious, what is the project about?
Thank you. im doin an art project for college and im basing it on calligraphy and the bible.
also could you translate my mums name and my brothers. ‘emmeley’. ‘Jordan’. thank you
Hi Arabic Genie,
I want to have my late brothers name and my daughters name in arabic tattoo’d in 2 seperate designs. My parents have translated for me but its been a while since they have used there mother language. The 2 names are Abigail and Samuel. Would really appreciate a seperate confirmation from you before I go to the artist.
Thanks in advance
Hi Simon!
The most common translation for “Abigail” would be:
أبيجيل
And for Samuel:
صامويل
Note, though that there are other alternative translations that are also in use for those two names. If you want me to create a tattoo design for the two names, please see this page here.
hi
would it be possible if you could translate my mum and brothers name please. ‘emmeley’ and ‘jordan’. thanks
Helloo!
Does ‘life is not a rehearsal’ translate into Arabic or is there a similar phrase in Arabic wit the same meaning? Thank you!
Hi would you please translate my name ‘Kim’ please? Thanks
I think it would be interesting if you did a blog post about successful, correct Arabic tattoos to show people that if they are patient and research the accurate meaning/spelling of the words they will be extremely satisfied in the end. I have an Arabic tattoo that is 100% accurate which I absolutely love. When I see these pictures of these horribly executed tattoos, it makes me that much more thankful. If you were ever thinking of doing something like this and wanted to a picture of my tattoo, I would love to share it.
hi jay i’m syrian so i speak arabic very well and i can help u jorden is جوردن in arabic and emmeley is إيميلي as for kim it’s كيم and i’m sure 300% so if anybody has a question about translating just send me an email at ArabicGenie: E-mail address removed for your own protection. and i’ll be glad to help coz arabic is my native languege
how about this tattoo جمال الروح wich means the beauty of the soul
How about this tattoo إنت قوفمي إنت قولوم في هجتي …
it means Ente quavmi ente qulum fi hajati..is this tattoo spelled corectly?
thanks
Kristian, this text makes no sense whatsoever in Arabic. What is the original English text? You can hire me for a custom tattoo translation and design here.
It means: Your are my heart, you are everything in my life …thanks!
Ciao, vorrei che qualcuno mi traducesse “regina della mia vita” in arabo…….grazie mille!!! Spero in una riposta
i need mahmoud in arab writing for a tatoo
Hi Mike! Please refer to my custom tattoo translation and design service.
hello!could you translate this phrase for me please?
أنا مدمن على الحب
Alina, it means: “I am addicted to love”
Could you please translate
‘Neil’ and ‘Kylie’ for me please?
hello…i wanted to get a tattoo similar to rihanna, but i wanted freedon in God.Cant find the correct speeling different websites are giving me different things.Can you help me please.
Hello…I am planning to get my name in Arabic which is – ‘NUPUR’ ..can you please advice how my name would be written in Arabic..and also the zodiac ‘Leo’…!
Many Thanks
I’m an Arab.
I’m not into tattoos really, anyways, you are missing something here, you are trying so hard to translate English phrases to Arabic and most of times it doesn’t fit or show up in poor structure. Think the other way. Find someone who can provide with you phrases that are famous and well pharsed in Arabic culture and see the meaning in English.
For example:
مجنون ليلى
meaning” The one who’s crazy about Layla” /”Mad about Layla” very known romance character in Arabic history pretty much similar to Romeo the lover boy. Yeah and he’s a man so it wouldn’t fit 4 girls putting this one one. It best fit if your love is called Layla or Lila.
quick examples:
Peace be upon you السلام عليكم
ملكة سبأ Queen of Sheba
الحب الحقيقي Ture love
الأدهم name of a famous dark horse in Arabic literature.
الخيل والليل والبيداء تعرفني very famous poem starting line meaning “Horses, night and desert know me”
زرقاء اليمامة “Blue eyes of Yamama” a legendary woman in Arabic myth claimed to have the ability of seeing people as far as 3 days walking distance from her point of contact.
That’s it a toul alors! : )
If you want you can have my e-mail (it’s ok to share it websie Admin : ))and I’ll be happy to help.
Adel, welcome to my blog. I agree that often translations are somewhat awkward. This is especially true in the case of automatic machine translations such as those by google translate. Which is why it’s so important to have a real person do the translation. As for getting tattoos based on Arabic literature, poetry or folklore, I think it’s a great idea. However, it presupposes a solid understanding of Arab culture and will therefore only be an option for a few. In my book I have included a large number of tattoo designs that are based on expressions used in Arabic. Other expressions have been translated from English, but are readily understood in Arabic and don’t sound awkward.
hi could you please translate for me “life is too short to be scared” thank you
also i am looking for a good website with different fonts in arabic, do you know any professional ones? thanks
Hi Ela! I can certainly translate this phrase. Please go here and select “7 words” from the dropdown menu.
hi i was wondering if this is the proper way to write god is love in Arabic إله حالة حبّ
Hi Fae! Did you get this “translation” from a translation engine (e.g. google translate)? It certainly looks like it, because it’s wrong. The correct translation would be:
الله محبة
Please go to my custom tattoo design page to get high quality tattoo designs in Arabic for this phrase.
thank you
oh and another one how do you write and cause now i want to see how you write god is love and beauty of the soul
Fae, please refer to my custom tattoo design page.
Hi Arabic Genie….I wish I could have a reply to my query please??I want to know how can my name-’Nupur’ be written in Arabic and also my Zodiac ‘Leo’…?Please advice soon…thanks again..!!!
Hey, i want to tattoo “love” in arabic. Is ” حب ” the correct translation?
I understand in arabic love can descirbe the love from a female to male and from a male to female but what is the simple word for “love” ? please help.
Nupur you’re name is written like this : نوبور
Jessenia, its better to write الحب
PS, Iam Arabic (:
Nupur, please go to my custom tattoo design and translation page for your name and provide pronunciation hints. For “Leo”, please see my Arabic Tattoos book that contains all the star signs.
Jessenia, الحب is correct. For six different designs of this word, please see my Arabic Tattoos ebook.
Hi. I have had various translations for the words ‘friend’ and ‘promise’. Can you please assist with providing a correct translation? Thank you in advance!!
hi, please i need this soon as possible, i would so appreciate if someone emailed me how to properly write this in arabic, i don’t mean a word for word translation, but the correct way to put this sentence in arabic, “our stones can break their bullets” to my email: ArabicGenie: E-mail removed to protect you against spam
thank you so much
Omar, if it’s urgent, then you should consider my custom tattoo design and translation service.
HI
I WOULD LIKE “TO LOVE IS TO LIVE” WRITTEN VERTICALLY DOWN MY SPINE AND HAVENT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A TRANSLATION. PLEASE HELP X
Can you please post on here how “Sagittarius” and “Penny” are written in Arabic? I can’t seem to find it anywhere!!!
Thanks for your help!
could u translate ” Whoever knows the meaning of life figured it out after they died or after they spent the evening with christ”
can you translate “don’t dwell?”
Hi could you translate “my parents are my heart” into arabic please. or if you know a phrase that sounds better? i want to get this on my wrist, so dont want it to be to long. Also what is Leyla in arabic?
Hello! This site is amazing! I am wanting to get innocence is beautiful tattooed onto me but the translation engines I found didn’t match up. I visit egypt every year and would be mortified if I got something that wasn’t a correct translation. Thank you so much.
Hello!
I wonder if you can help me…… I would like the following names in arabic but to read down my spine. How can this be done??
Graham
Karon
Leigh
Simon
Thank you
heyy, i want to get a tattoo in arabic that says “walk without fear” , what is the translation for that in arabic? please help me
it would mean alot, thankss.
hey victoria ,, it’s
أمشي بلا خوف
=)
Victoria, please see my Arabic Tattoo Design service for custom translations and designs.
Louise, to get vertical writing you will need to rotate the Arabic writing by 90° counter-clockwise. This way the connectedness of the letters is preserved. Most Arabic letters are connected to each other, regardless of whether they are written by hand or in print. This is why it would be uncharacteristic to write the letters separately from each other one above the other…
i need somebody to translate “family is a heaven in a heartless world”
Hello! Could you please translate the names Fatima and Nowreen and the words Mother and Sisters for me? Or better yet, I want a tattoo of a phrase that shows my love for my mother and sisters. Could you provide me with a beautiful and poetic phrase in arabic that suits that? Your help is greatly appreciated, thank you!
Hi from Montenegro,
Please 2 names in arabic ELDISA ELDIN
Thx
Hi, Can someone please tell me how to write the following:
“I Am Me” and “Be”
Hello Arabic genie, would u pleeze translate ‘queen of Sheba’ into Arabic text for me? I know it’s ‘malika saba’ but I don’t know how to write it in Arabic. Thanks.
Please refer to my Arabic tattoo design service.