Arabic Tattoos – Pick ‘n’ Mix

Or: Arabic Tattoo Frenzy

Over the last 14 days or so I’ve received quite a few Arabic tattoo translation requests. I was too busy to answer them immediately, but I have not forgotten about them. Here they are…

By the way, if you’re really serious about learning Arabic yourself, then why not start with my easy method for the Arabic alphabet?

@Joanne

Inner Strength

Hi :)

I’m dying to get a tattoo and would like something in arabic as i love the beauty of the script…I’ve been looking for someone to translate ‘inner strength’ or a nearest possible translation and I wondered if you may be able to help me as you seem to know what your talking about?! Could you also please translate my name and my star sign, Libra, please? :D Im a bit paranoid of ending up with something incorrect and can’t decide which one to go with!

Thank you so much! :D

Joanne

The concept of “inner strength” would be القوة الداخلية (al-quwwa ad-daakhileeya). Google seems to agree with my translation, insofar as there are more than 38,000 matches for this exact phrase used in meaningful contexts. Literally this translates as “the-strength the-inner”. Below are five different designs (fonts) for this Arabic phrase.

Arabic Tattoo Design "Inner Strength"

Arabic Tattoo Design "Inner Strength"

Spiritual Strength

Alternatively, one could opt for something closer to “spiritual strength”, which would be القوة الروحية (al-quwwa ar-rooHeeya). Literally, “the-strength the-spiritual”, where الروح (ar-rooH) refers to the soul. Google results for this phrase are more than 43,000 – so, also commonly used.

Arabic Tattoo "Spiritual Strength"

Arabic Tattoo "Spiritual Strength"

Libra

The star sign “Libra” would be برج الميزان (burdj al-meezaan) or simply الميزان (al-meezaan). As a tattoo, I’d go with the simpler version. The word الميزان (al-meezaan) literally means “the-scales”, but it’s used to refer to the star sign too.

Arabic Tattoo "Libra"

Arabic Tattoo "Libra"

Joanne

Your name transcribed into Arabic would be جوان (djoo-an). However, this looks exactly like the Persian word for “young” – جوان (javân). Perhaps that might be cool to have, a tattoo in Arabic script that can be read as both your name (in Arabic) and as “young” (in Persian).

Arabic Tattoo "Joanne"/ Persian "young"

Arabic Tattoo "Joanne"/ Persian "young"

@Renata

hi max, I want a tattoo in arabic but I dont want any mistakes and I really like your blog
I was wondering if you could send me the following words in arabic in a very simple font

KARMA
PEACE
LOVE
BREATHE

and my name
RENATA

thankyou

( I am still trying to decide wich one, so please make it separated) thankyou so much

For love, see my Arabic tatto design here: Love In Arabic.

Karma

Karma is a concept that is not widely-used in the Arab World. The best translation is simply كارما (kaarma).

Arabic Tattoo "Karma"

Arabic Tattoo "Karma"

Peace

The Arabic for “peace” is سلام (salaam). However, peace as an abstract concept would be “the peace” in Arabic, which is السلام (as-salaam).

Arabic Tattoo "Peace"

Arabic Tattoo "Peace"

Renata

I would transcribe your name as ريناتا (reenaata). Don’t worry about the long “ee” – in Arabic it’s usual practice to transcribe the short vowels from foreign names into long vowels in Arabic. This is due to the fact that short vowels are not written in Arabic, so that your name would not be recognizable if short vowels are maintained in Arabic.

Arabic Tattoo "Renata"

Arabic Tattoo "Renata"

@Abe

hi my name is abe, im interested in getting a tattoo but i want to
make sure i know what im going to get tattooed on me is. can you help
me out with these simple questions;
1. what kind of dialect from the arabic language is most commonly used
on tattoos?
2. what is the correct way to spell these two phrases; 1. God and
Faith 2. Ambition
3. also, i’ve seen these tattos written vertically, one letter under
the other, which means they are not connected, does that mean they are
wrong?

1. Most of the Arabic tattoos I’ve seen are in Modern Standard Arabic. However, I’ve also seen some in the Egyptian and Lebanese dialects.

2. “God and faith” would be الله والإيمان (allah wal-imaan). Note that الله (allah) refers to God in all three monotheistic religions (Jewish, Christian or Muslim).

arabic-tattoo-god-and-faith

Arabic Tattoo "God And Faith"

3. Writing Arabic vertically, with disconnected letters is not necessarily wrong, but perhaps not as aesthetically pleasing as horizontal writing, where all letters can be connected. Very rarely you do see vertical writing with disconnected letters in the Arab World. But this is an exception, for example on the rare billboard/shop sign. Generally, if you really wish to have a vertical tattoo in Arabic, why not turn the whole writing counter-clockwise 45°? This way the letters will all be connected and the script is still nice and cursive.

How To Tell If Your Arabic Tattoo Is Correct?

Here are four articles to start you off:

Embarrassing Arabic Tattoo Mistakes

The Arabic Script

The Arabic Alphabet

Arabic Alphabet Method

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Related posts:

  1. Mysterious Arabic Calligraphy #2
  2. Love in Arabic, Natasha: More Arabic Tattoos
  3. Arabic Tattoos – Another Reader Request: never give up, unbreakable, strength and courage
  4. Arabic Tattoos – The Three Most Embarrassing Errors
  5. Arabic Tattoos – The Latest Celebrity Must-Have

Posted in Arabic tattoos.

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51 Responses

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  1. Joanne says

    Thank you so much for your translation :) Im going tomorrow to have one :D
    Thanks again, Joanne

  2. ArabicGenie says

    Glad you like the designs Joanne. Please let me know of the results once you’ve had the tattoo done.

  3. Joel Smedley says

    hey arabic genie :)
    im having a tattoo this saturday.. its for my grandad which passed away couple months back i hope you can help me mate.

    i would like, Neville Williams ( my grandads name )

    thanks for your time :)

  4. Nora says

    hello, im a native arabic speaker and im just replying to correct a tiny little thing; the word Faith is only translated to إيمان = Iman.. in all dialects!
    امان means security or safety….

  5. ArabicGenie says

    Thanks Nora. You’re right and I have corrected the typo.

  6. iyahtolla says

    hey can u translate this for me please?——-> i got the most dangerous weapon any time i trod, the love in my heart and the words of God… thanks

  7. iyahtolla says

    or! i come with love in my heart and the words of God

  8. Lina says

    Hey, my name is Lina and I really want to get tattoo in Arabic. I was wandering if you could translate for me the phrase The world is mine and I am different because I am unique
    Thank you sooo much

  9. Yah says

    WOW THIS IS GREAT…I am actually wanting to put a tattoo on my wrist. The phrase in english is “Be and It is”-in arabic it is “Kun Fayakun” however I am looking for a certain type of font in arabic. It looks like the last fonts that you have in most of the examples. In particular it’s the kufi font. Is there any way you can send this to me as fast as possible…I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE THIS!

  10. maggie says

    keefakkk
    my name is maggie (ghaleb)
    just want to make sure of something…
    getting my 3th arabic tattoo! (proud to be libanease!)
    its the word believe (faith) in the way, i believe i will get trough this, or i believe things will get better ….. NOT in the way: I don’t believe you OR I believe (In God)…even though I do (lol!)
    my dad wrote it to mee…but can’t get a confident confirmation from anyone..
    thank YOU so much! LOVE YOUR SITE! Just discovered it tonight!
    maggie

  11. ArabicGenie says

    @Maggie
    Welcome to my blog! ahalan wa sahlan!
    I have replied to your question in a new post here.

  12. maggie says

    thank youuuu so much Max!!!
    your reply is perfect!!! I’m gonna show it to baba tomorrow, and will decide what suits me better!!
    I’m soo happy that i found thiss site!! really! would reccommend it to everybody!!
    also, thank you for responding soo fast!! beyond my expectations!
    with all my heart
    maggie

  13. Iyahtolla says

    well arabic genie if u cant do a reply stating such would be good!

  14. ArabicGenie says

    @Iyahtollah
    I try to do my best, but I just don’t have enough time to translate all requests for free. Hope you understand. If you want to book a slot in my schedule you might want to order a custom design here:
    Unique Arabic Tattoo Design Service

  15. iyahtolla says

    lo;, so u wait to u get me to tell me that its cool!

  16. Chris Rodgers says

    hi there
    I love ur blog its the first to offer information as well as translations
    I would love an arabic tattoo with “My father’s Son” and “Be True To Thine Self” or “There will be an Answer, Let It Be”

    thanks

  17. Amer says

    I think Karma (as i know) can be translated to القدر Or Destiny.

  18. ArabicGenie says

    Amer, you’re right: القدر is probably the closest one can get to “karma” in Arabic. However, I believe that it doesn’t capture all of the meaning of the concept. That’s why, e.g. in English and German too there is no real equivalent and “karma” is used without translation. For me القدر has a certain sense of inevitability to it, that’s not attached to the word karma.

  19. elizabeth says

    Hi Arabic Genie :)
    I really want to get tatoo in arabic but i need help. So i was wandering if u could help me to translate: LIVE WITH NO REGRETS (to get my firs tatoo this friday)
    TY so much from Elizabeth

  20. Sasha says

    Hello, I emailed you on this matter and wanted to leave a comment aswell. i want to get the phrase “embrace this moment” as a tattoo, and like most, am afraid of the translation being incorrect, i keep getting: احتضان هذه اللحظة

    Please let me know if this reads correctly, as i am getting it done on Saturday.

    Also, are you able to translate Hindi, if so, that would also be a great help! Im debating between the two scripts.

  21. Barbara says

    Hi!!!!!!! I am from Chile and I want to have my first arabic tattoo. I want to have my name in arabic but I don’t know the translation. Could you transalate my name please? I want to have: BARBARA PAZ or just BARBARA. Thank you very much, I would really appreciate it. I will be waiting!!!

  22. Sarah says

    Could you translate “true strength lies in forgiveness”…i can’t find anyone else who would be able to translate it and i’ve looked everywhere! Thank you soooo much!

  23. emily says

    How do you do Edward in Arabic I want that

  24. z says

    courage?

  25. craig goldie says

    arabicgenie
    i was wondering if you could help me as you seem to know alot about arabic translation
    i was wanting a tattoo saying ” our day will come” but i would like it going vertical like david beckhams on hise side
    لدينا اليوم سيأتي! that is what i have came up with and would like a 2nd opinion but that is horizontal and i would like it vertical please ??
    thank you so much

  26. ArabicGenie says

    Craig, what I can tell you is that the translation you provided doesn’t sound right to me. I would rather go with this:

     

    سيأتي يومنا

     

    Let me know if you require a custom tattoo design made from this.

  27. Barbara says

    Hi!!!!!!! I am from Chile and I want to have my first arabic tattoo. I want to have my name in arabic but I don’t know the translation. Could you transalate my name please? I want to have: BARBARA PAZ or just BARBARA. Thank you very much, I would really appreciate it. I will be waiting!!!

  28. esmay says

    hé arabic genie,
    I’m from holland and i would like to know how to write my name “esmay” in arabic and you know why , we don’t want any mistakes on our body :) greetings

  29. Farah says

    Hello,

    I was wondering if you could tell me how to write “destiny” in arabic, and well as my name “Farah”.

    Thank you!

  30. Juliana Matos says

    Guys, does it means anything ? I was trying to translate: God takes care of me.

    الله يعتني بي

  31. ann says

    Hey i will be getting a tattoo soon and i was wondering if uCould you please show me how to write ” the good life” or “the sweet life”

  32. john says

    hi there please could you help me translate my grandads name Adam Costello which is also my sons name, i want to get a tattoo of it for my grandad who recently lost his battle against cancer and want it to honour him as he had a major impact in my life and i miss him so much. could you translate them separately please, any help will be great thanks.

  33. Beth says

    Hi could I ask for you help please?
    I am wanting to know if these 2 quotes are translatable into arabic…or if there is any quote that capture this concept?
    “I love you, not only for what you are, But for what I am when I am with you.”
    “Two souls with but a single thought, two hearts that beat as one.”

    Thank you

  34. imari says

    i was wondering if u could translate Imar [my name ] & also God’s Gift of Love

  35. Mell says

    hey iv been looking every where for the word “infinity and beyond” or just “infinity” or “beyond” writen in Arabic. please can you help me out, all i no is how to pronounce it, lenihayah and damon if im not mistaken, thanx so much! mell

  36. cherish says

    hii i was wonderin if u cud do the phrase,”my eyes are the window too my soul”.

  37. David says

    Hi, I have a verse in new testament from Roman 5:3-5:4 which goes like this,

    وليس ذلك فقط بل نفتخر ايضا في الضيقات عالمين ان الضيق ينشئ صبرا
    والصبر تزكية والتزكية رجاء

    English
    And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; (5:3)
    and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; (5:4)

    I want to add “with love” before the first verse and add “believe” after the second verse. Can someone please help me out? My email is ArabicGenie: I deleted your e-mail address to protect you from spam.

    Thank you very much in advance, much appreciated.

  38. nicole says

    What would a tattoo in arabic look like, saying Faith, Strength and courage?

  39. ArabicGenie says

    Hi Nicole! Please refer to my custom tattoo design service.

  40. yesenia says

    how would you write my name, YESENIA…i got this but i dont know if thats correct? انتم سينا

  41. Morgan says

    Hi my sister and i were looking into getting Arabic tattoos and we were wondering how you would you would right “Peace, Love, and Harmony”. Cant wait to hear back, thanks so much!

    -Morgan

  42. ArabicGenie says

    Hi Morgan! I can certainly translate this phrase and create tattoo designs for you. Please go here and select “3 words” from the dropdown menu.

  43. kim Pye says

    What is “follow your dreams” in arabic please?

  44. Gemma says

    Hi
    I just noticed this webpage and its great :D

    I’m looking for a tattoo with basically the word strength (biblical reference you are my strength). Been contemplating this tattoo for a year. I’d like it quite small as its going on my wrist. Could you translate the word strength or Rock for me?

    Really appreciate it
    Gemma:)

  45. ArabicGenie says

    Hi Gemma,

    You’ll be pleased to know that my digitally downloadable books Arabic Tattoos contains six different designs for “strength”.

  46. Lilian says

    Hello, ArabicGenie

    I am getting my favourite word tattooed in arabic. The word is “Remember”, i have asked a couple of people and apparently the correct translation would be تذكر, however, i don’t seem to be able to get it in different fonts… any ideas?

    Gracias!

  47. Nikki says

    Hello,

    My name is Nikki and I am Lebanese. I would like an Arabic tattoo. المشي في الإيمان Walk in faith, or Walk by faith not by sight سيرا على الأقدام عن طريق الايمان ليس عن طريق البصر
    I am just wondering if this is the correct translation?

    shukran

  48. Snezana says

    Hii..

    how would u say name Snezana ? in English that name means Snowwhite… lol…

    Thanks

  49. Delilah says

    Can you to Please translate this for me please. i would really appreciate it.

    “In God i Trust” can you also translate it in Persian? Also the word “God” will it be translated to Allah? can it just be the word God?

  50. ArabicGenie says

    Hi Delilah!
    In Arabic “allah” refers to the monotheistic God (with a capital “g”) of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, so “allah” is indeed the correct translation for “God” in this context. I can certainly create Arabic and Persian tattoo designs for you based on this quote. Please refer to my custom tattoo design service. Thanks.

  51. Berenice says

    Heyy. .. I been wanting to get a tattoo in arabic I just think its beautiful. I was wondering can you translat my sons name Jaden. Thank you.



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