Arabic Genie » Arabic tattoos

Arabic Tattoos, Mistakes and Art

ArabicGenie — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:26:31 +0000

In one of my previous articles on this blog I discussed what I considered to be the most embarrassing Arabic tattoo mistakes – disconnected letters, written in the wrong direction and offensive tattoos. I thought it was pretty clear that most people would like to steer clear of these pitfalls. However, Kiba sent me the following comment about my article:

I think this is total B.S. a tattoo is personal and you can do what you want with it. I personally have the four letters of my name “disconnected” that an artist put together in an art piece for me. It means a lot to me and I’m not writing an arabic book on my body, it’s ART, so why feel like I have to put these constraints on myself? it’s your body…do what you want with it!

Here is what I replied:

Kiba, I completely disagree with you.

Of course, everyone is free to get the tattoos they want and it’s great that you like your tattoo. But remember, most people will be highly uncomfortable with a tattoo that is incorrect, nonseniscal or even worse doesn’t mean what they want it to.

Knowing Arabic and then deciding that you want to have disconnected letters for artistic reasons (fully aware of the fact that in 99% of all cases this is a bad decision) is different from getting a wrong tattoo due to not knowing the language.

Something being art presupposes that you are actually aware of the different nuances of the Arabic script and of its rules. Only then are you in a good position to judge whether you really want to break conventions for artistic reasons.

Having a tattoo read “I’m awsome [sic!]” or “Everyone Elese [sic!] Does” or “Only God will juge [sic!] me” is a mistake in the vast majority of cases and an embarrassment most people would like to avoid. And so is an Arabic tattoo that is not spelt correctly or obviously simply a mistake that is the result of a failed copy-pasting attempt.

Where do you stand on this issue? Does art permit everything? Even when the individual is not aware that what he is doing is contrary to convention (think “juge” instead of “judge”)? Am I too pedantic? I would love to hear your comments.

Sweeter Than Honey

ArabicGenie — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 20:02:03 +0000

“Sweeter than honey” is a commonly used Arabic expression. In plain text:

أحلى من العسل (aHla min al-3asal)

And here are two Arabic tattoo designs of this phrase using two different fonts:

If you want more designs of this phrase, you can hire me for a custom Arabic tattoo design and translation.

New: Custom Arabic Tattoo Design Service

ArabicGenie — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:14:44 +0000

I am happy to announce that in addition to my Arabic Tattoos ebook I am now offering a Custom Arabic Tattoo Design Service. Each order comes with at least 6 different designs , a complete explanation of the translated tattoo and full pronunciation guide.

The designs are of a much higher quality than the ones presented on this blog, because they are saved in high resolution PDF format. I can translate and design both names and complete phrases.

I have already received a number of orders from customers who were really fast and noticed the new page, before I even announced it here. So to guarantee quick completion of your order book your slot now.

To take advantage of this unique service please click here!

Take a look at one page of a recent design order I completed:

Arabic Tattoo Design Servive

Get your own custom Arabic tattoo design now!

Arabic Tattoo – Forgive Me Mother

ArabicGenie — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:35:19 +0000

A reader of my blog wrote this request in a comment:

hi im helal i wanted 2 get a tattoo saying (forgive me mum) could you please translate in arabic writing for me ?

In Arabic “to forgive” can be expressed by many verbs, e.g. غفر (ghafara), عذر (‘adhara), or عفا (‘afaa). In this particular instance I would translate “forgive me mother” using the verb سامح (saamaHa):

سامحيني يا أمي (saamiHeeni ya ummi)

Below is this phrase in two different fonts. Both sentences have exactly the same meaning.

Forgive Me Mother

If you want to have more styles or higher resolution pictures of the designs I would like to refer you to my custom tattoo design service. You might also want to take a look at my Arabic Tattoos e-book with more than 1400 beautiful designs.

Arabic Tattoo designs collection released!

ArabicGenie — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:01:06 +0000

The Arabic Tattoos design collection is now ready for download. Make sure to get a copy now to take advantage of the great introductory price. Get your copy now! Related posts: New: Custom Arabic Tattoo Design Service Arabic Tattoo Design: Strength, Courage, And Wisdom Arabic Tattoo – Forgive Me Mother Related posts:

Arabic Tattoos Book – Video

ArabicGenie — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:56:15 +0000

I’ve just finished recording and uploading a short video in which I show you some of the unique Arabic tattoo designs. This will give you a taste of the breadth and variety of the designs and the quality of the collection.

View the video here:

I hope you guys enjoy watching it.

Remember that the book will be launched Monday, 30th November at 12.00 EST (noon).

Arabic Tattoos – Pick ‘n’ Mix

ArabicGenie — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:24:44 +0000

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? Im a bit paranoid of ending up with something incorrect and can’t decide which one to go with!

Thank you so much!

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"

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"

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"

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"

@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"

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"

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"

@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"

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

Love in Arabic, Natasha: More Arabic Tattoos

ArabicGenie — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 17:46:49 +0000

Another round of Arabic tattoo translations:

I was just looking on your website and wondered if you could possibly translate these words for me. I have wanted an Arabic tattoo for some time now, but I have been so busy, and also trying to find the correct translation has been proving hard! So I’m here hoping you can help me. My name is Natassja (or Natasha, I just spell it differently) would you be able to translate my name into Arabic? Even if you can only translate the common spelling “Natasha” that would be great!

Also please could you translate love (meaning the love between a couple) and strength and courage (as separate words please).

Natassja (Natasha) in Arabic

Ok, let’s start with your name. I’m glad you provided the pronunciation for your name, because the most important thing for translating names into Arabic is that the sound of the name is preserved. The spelling cannot be preserved and would in fact be misleading – Arabic words are pronounced as they are written.

Natasha in Arabic is ناتاشا, which is the closest phonetically that you can get to the original pronunciation. I also believe that this is the most popular translation of your name.

If you do a Google search for this name in Arabic you will find that there are around 61,000 results for this spelling. The alterative translation نتاشا is found less than 30,000 times.

Here is Natasha in Arabic in 4 different fonts:

Natasha in Arabic tattoo

Love in Arabic

“Love” in Arabic is حبّ (pronounced Hubb, with the H being strongly aspirated). But, in Arabic abstract concepts are usually prefixed with the article ال (al). So, the best translation is الحبّ (al-Hubb).

There are two different versions of this word below, because one can write it with the shadda sign (the little “w” above the letter on the left) or without it. The function of this sign is to indicate that the letter underneath is doubly pronounced. But, Arabs know this anyways, so it is not really necessary to write it. In the end, it is up to you whether to use the shadda or not.

Below is “love” in Arabic in 4 different fonts:

Version1: Love in Arabic with shadda

Version2: Love in Arabic tattoo without shadda

Strength in Arabic & courage in Arabic

I’ve already translated these two words in a recent blog post. Please see here for the Arabic tattoos of “strength” and “courage”.

Let me know if you find this helpful!

Arabic Tattoo: Faith, Hope, Love

ArabicGenie — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 19:05:31 +0000

Note: if you are looking for love in Arabic please click here.

Today I received the following email from Paige, a reader of this blog:

Hey! I’ve been searching all over the web for a translation. I want to get “faith, hope, love, but the greatest of these is love” tattooed on my hip. I tried looking for some translations but I can’t find any.

Well, I’m not too well versed in the Bible, but when I read the phrase I knew it was from Corinthians. So, I thought that the best translation and the most authentic would be the one found in the Arabic version of the Bible. Luckily, there is an Arabic translation of the Bible (not surprising given the fact that one of the oldest Christian sects are the Egyptian Copts) and I found the verse in question straight away.

So here is the translation for “Faith, hope, love, but the greatest of these is love”:

الإيمان والرجاء والمحبة، هذه الثلاثة ولكن أعظمهن المحبة

And as pictures:

Arabic Tattoo Design For "Faith, Hope, Love, But The Greatest Of These Is Love" VERSION 1

Arabic Tattoo Design For "Faith, Hope, Love, But The Greatest Of These Is Love." Version 2

As you can see there are two different versions, each version has the same phrase written in five different fonts. The versions differ insofar as in the first version all the short vowels and other harakaat are indicated. These are the little signs above and underneath the letters that are absent in the second version (the sign that looks like a small “w” for instance indicates that the letter underneath is to be doubly pronounced). In Arabic these short vowels are usually not written. Yet, in the context of religious documents such as the Koran or the Bible, they are written to ensure that everyone can pronounce all the words correctly.

Now, it is your choice if you would like to have the tattoo made from version 1 (with short vowels and harakaat) or from version 2 (without short vowels).

Each version has the same phrase written in five different fonts. The fonts are:

1 Traditional Arabic

2 Simplified Arabic

3 Andalus

4 Lateef

5 Farsi Simple Bold

As far as getting the actual tattoo done, I would suggest to find a tattooist familiar with the Arabic alphabet if at all possible. You don’t want to have the tattoo messed up by someone who doesn’t understand how the Arabic script works.

For more Arabic tattoo designs see my new digital book that contains more than 1400 sizzling hot tattoo designs from 284 Arabic phrases and words.

Good luck with the tattoo and do send me a picture if and when you get it done!

Arabic Tattoos – The Three Most Embarrassing Errors

ArabicGenie — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:54:13 +0000

While Arabic tattoos can be aesthetically pleasing if the right calligraphy is used, there are a huge number of cases where neither the person getting the tattoo done nor the tattooist have the slightest idea of Arabic. The result is often disastrous: incorrect or ugly Arabic writing.

I’ll show you some bad examples and help you avoid some of the common mistakes. The same considerations apply equally to Persian, Urdu or Pashto tattoos, because these languages too use some form of Arabic script.

1 Disconnected letters

I guess the main culprits for this are people’s word processors that are not equipped to deal with the Arabic script. They don’t know how to interpret the letters and just represent them each individually. Arabic is a cursive script: the majority of letters are connected, like in handwriting. For example, below you can see the Arabic for “television” as it should be written:

The word "television" written in Arabic in the correct way

And here the same word, but written incorrectly, with the letters disconnected:

The Arabic for "television" written incorrectly with disjointed letters

Let’s see an example of this “in the wild”:

Disconnected letters

To be honest, I can’t even have a guess at what the word is supposed to mean.

2 Disconnected AND written from left to right instead of from right to left

Well, most people know that Arabic – unlike European languages – is written from right to left. However, some people don’t take notice of that and try to write Arabic from left to write.

Like this person here:

3 Offensive tattoos

This is probably the worst kind of mistake. While the other errors can make you look foolish or silly in the eyes of Arabic native speakers, having offensive words tattooed on your body can get you in a whole lot of trouble. Many Arab societies are highly conservative and will frown upon those insulting the culture or religion. Here are two particularly bad examples of this:

Kafir, or "unbeliever"

The Arabic reads كافر (kaafir) or “unbeliever” in English. This is an offensive term used derogatively for followers of religions other than Islam or atheists. Someone professing to be a kaafir himself would be seen as attempting to mock Islam and this is not taken lightly in most Arabic countries.

Can it get worse? Well, judge for yourself:

This lady seems to think it’s a good idea to have the Arabic word for “female dog” (bitch!) engraved on her body. Although the Arabic doesn’t quite have the same meaning as the English word “bitch”, nevertheless “dog” has a pretty negative connotation in the Arab world and is used to insult someone.

Avoid the mistakes

So, what should you do if you are thinking of getting an Arabic tattoo? Well, most importantly try to avoid the four mistakes I described. If you are really serious about getting an Arabic word tattooed on your skin, then you should consider learning the Arabic writing system. It’s much easier than it seems and it is well worth the time and effort spent on it to know with certainty that your beautiful Arabic tattoo is written correctly.

Apart from learning the Arabic script yourself, you should make sure the source for your Arabic tattoo is reliable and trustworthy. For example, you could get my Arabic Tattoos eBook or have me make a custom tattoo for you.