I'm learning
العربية
شَرِس — meaning in English: surly
Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.
Guess the translation for
vicious
حَمى، يَحمي، الحَمي
شَرِس
اِلتَزَمَ الصَّمْت
حِزبيّ
ضاحية، ضَواحٍ،الضَّواحي
Skip this question
🎓
Learn Arabic for free
Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.
Start learning →
neutral
common
Usage
Native speakers often use the word شَرِس in conversations to describe someone's demeanor, especially when they are unfriendly or aggressive. For instance, in a social gathering, if someone is being particularly rude or confrontational, a person might say, 'He has a شَرِس attitude today.' This word can also be heard in more serious discussions about someone's character during conflicts or disputes.
Synonyms & nuances
While شَرِس conveys a sense of surliness or hostility, another similar word is غاضب (ghadib), which means 'angry.' The difference lies in the connotation; شَرِس suggests a more persistent, unfriendly demeanor, whereas غاضب can refer to a temporary emotional state. You might use شَرِس when describing someone's ongoing attitude, while غاضب could apply to someone who is momentarily upset.
Culture
The word شَرِس comes from the root ش-ر-س, which conveys ideas of harshness and aggressiveness. In Arabic literature, characters described as شَرِس often represent a deeper moral lesson about the consequences of anger and hostility. Interestingly, this word can also reflect societal values where hospitality and warmth are cherished, making a شَرِس behavior particularly notable and frowned upon.
FAQ
