Arabic tattoos are beautiful
Recently, more and more people have been getting Arabic tattoos inked on their bodies. The reason is usually that the language is considered to be exotic and the script mysterious. By getting an Arabic tattoo, they hope to get imbued with the same sort aura of being mysterious and exotic. This is similar to the reason for getting something inked in Chinese or Hindi.
For others, such tattoo designs have a more personal meaning – they might have some kind of bond to Arab culture or might be of Arab heritage. Maybe they’ve been on holiday to Egypt or Morocco and have enjoyed their stay there.
Others still simply like the elegance of the script and how the letters flow into each other.
Here are some common Arabic words and phrases that people get tattooed and their meanings:
Angelina Jolie’s Arabic Tattoo: determination
Rihanna’s Arabic Tattoo: Freedom in Christ
Love in Arabic
Beware the different writing system
The Arabic writing system differs considerably from the way we write in English. This can cause serious confusion and often leads to unfortunate mistakes that could have been easily avoided.
Here are a few general rules of thumb to follow:
-Arabic is written from right to left, NOT from left to right. If you attempt to write Arabic words from left to right you’ll end up with meaningless characters that native speakers won’t be able to recognize as the intended meanings.
-Arabic letters are usually “linked” to their neighbours within a word. This is gives the script the appearance of being flowing and elegant. Handwriting in English or other Western languages is usually similar, insofar as the letters will be connected to each other to make writing quicker. The difference is, of course, that Arabic is ALWAYS written this way. If you don’t connect the letters, the result will look very ugly in the eyes of those fluent in the language. (Note, however, that there is a small number of letters that are not connected to the left.)
Don’t get your tattoo design from an unreliable source. I’ve seen many people that have come to me with designs that were allegedly created by their “native speakers” friends and that turned out to merely speak Arabic passably, while they had little idea of the rules of writing and grammar.
If you get an electronic copy of an Arabic tattoo you like, make sure it’s either in picture format or in a PDF file. Whatever you do, don’t get it as plain text. The reason for this is that many PCs are not configured properly to display the characters and will end up messing your design up. This won’t happen with image files or properly formatted PDF documents.
Here are some more ideas for tattoos in the Arabic language:
Peace in Arabic
Faith, Hope and Love: Arabic Tattoo Design
For more ideas, check out the Arabic Tattoos eBook.
Your name in Arabic
Many people want to get the name of their partner or (the safer option) their own name inked in the language. Most of the time there is more than one “correct” way to transliterate a Western name into Arabic, so don’t be surprised to see a few alternatives, depending on whom you ask. That’s why it’s crucial to get your design from someone knowledgeable who can do the proper research to find out which spelling variation is the most common one or the most suitable one for the pronunciation of your name.
What to do once you’ve selected a design
Once you’ve found a design you like and you’re sure it’s accurate you will need to take it to a tattoo artist and discuss it with him. Ideally, this is someone who already has some experience in inking Arabic tattoos. If it’s too difficult to find someone like that, make sure the person understands which way is up, which way down, which way left and which way right. Otherwise, you could end up with a mirror image of the original on your skin.
Other general considerations are, of course, also important in choosing the right tattoo artist.
- Visit several studios and talk to staff to get a general sense of their expertise. This also gives you the opportunity to see how busy they are, how clean the store is and check out samples of their previous work.
- Don’t be pressured into getting the tattoo done then and there. You have the right to think through your decision to get the design inked and also to decide whether the artist you’re talking to is the right person for you.
- Examine the previous work done by the artist. Although this might be your first tattoo, you don’t need to be a professional to recognize when a tattoo looks good or when it’s gone wrong.
- Asking a friend who has had something inked already for a recommendation is a very good idea, as they might be able to tell you who is good and who isn’t.
Some background on the language itself:
Arabic is spoken by more than 300 million individuals around the world as a first language and is the official language in 26 countries. There are many dialects (such as Egyptian, Moroccan or Levantine), but they are usually not written and just oral. For a tattoo, you should get the design in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), which is also known as “fus-ha”. This is the formal way of speaking and used by the media, in education, politics and religious contexts. The interesting thing is that this formal variant has changed relatively little over the last 1200 years, apart from a few new words (like television, internet etc.) of course. This makes the language very special and is one of the reasons for getting an Arabic tattoo design.
Aren’t tattoos against Islam?
First of all, just to be clear: not all speakers of Arabic are Muslim. There are plenty of Arabs who are Christian, Jewish, or atheist. Like all languages, Arabic itself is not religious.
Conservative Muslims generally don’t like the idea of having anything tattooed on their skin. This is generally for two reasons: first, they believe they need to abstain from harming their own bodies. And secondly, they believe that tattoos are linked to pagan rituals of idol worship. Of course, Islam (like other religions) has a lot of diversity within and there are many Muslims who don’t have an issue with tattoos. The same issues apply in the case of conservative Christians and Jews, who too are against tattoos.
The upshot is that as long as you don’t ink something offensive onto your skin, the majority of religious people probably won’t care either way. So, it’s best to avoid getting verses from the Quran or reported sayings of the Prophet.
Where can I get more tattoo ideas with Arabic words and phrases?
You could find someone educated who is either a native speaker of Arabic or who has is proficient in its usage. Alternatively, you could take a look at the Arabic Tattoos ebook.
When done correctly, Arabic tattoos are a beauty to behold and will draw the attention and interest of those around you. Just make sure to remember some of the important pointers discussed above, so that you can enjoy your tattoo for years to come.
Hi there I’m looking to get an Arabic tatoo I’ve looking at some and one I liked is the name Thomas after my dad is it true that in arabis Thomas means twin and could you send me a link to show me one
Hi Eleanor, “Thomas” and “twin” are quite close in Arabic, but not quite the same:
Thomas
توما
or
توماس
twin
توأم
Hi, i would like to get the word ‘hope’ inked in arabic. Ive been getting a lot of different answers so could you please help me out with the correct translation. Id like both options, that is, the arabic word for hope which i think is ‘amal’ and also the word hope written directly in arabic. Thanks!!
Its Amal , below is how it’s written
أمل
Hello of it’s not too much bother could you tell me how to write ” believe” like as in i believe that everything will be ok or i believe in god
Hello. I am looking to get a tattoo in arabic that would say ‘love yourself’. I have been looking around at different sites and amost all have the same translation. Thank you.
Please I really want this tattoo.
Love yourself
And also : you are beautiful.
love your self
اعشق نفسك
Mr. Omar,
Please help me with this…i got my first arabic tattoo before…but when one arab guy read it he said..it was wrong..
i want this in arabic…ARD…my love, my life, my devotion…..(ARD initials of my wife)
Thanks a lot..
Hi. I was wondering how “anger is a short madness” is written in Arabic . Thank you
The literal translation for it is
الغضب هو لحظة جنون
But there is a famous Arabic wisdom for anger that goes like “anger starts with madness and ends with remorse”
Arabic writing for it as follow
أول الغضب جنون، وآخره ندم
I like: Learn from yesterday live for today hope for tomorrow.
How is that written in Arabic?
Thank you.
Jen
its goes like below
تعلم من الماضي وعش الحاضر وتتطلع للمستقبل
Hello i was wondering if you could translate “when words fail, music speaks” written in arabic please. thankyou,
it goes like below
عندما تفشل الكلمات , تتكلم الموسيقى
Hi. I was wondering how “one life to live” is written in Arabic . Thank you
Good job..”surgical” translations…:-).
How do you write (die for the living and live for the dead) in Arabic. Thank’s
مت لأجل الأحياء، وعش في سبيل الأموات
I want to know how to say “pray for me”
hey Im looking for arabic tattoo something that says about my family… if you know something special meaning please write me
what about
العائلة هي الملاذ في عالم لا قلب له
which means
Family is a haven in a heartless world
hello. how is ” not all treasure is silver and gold ” in Arabic ?
hei.
Those ” And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” and “Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves” If you know, how those are in Arabic, then write to me
Thank You!
(PS! If i want to write my name, but in my name there is ” ä ” , is in Arabic that kind letter?!
Need translation for
NAIM
NEYLA
NEVIN
VJOLLCA
ALL NAMES THANK YOU
How do you say
Be yourself in Arabic
below
كن كما أنت
how do you say
Don’t trust anyone in arabic?
it goes like
لا تثق بأحد
below
لا تثق بأحد
Hi! I’m looking to get an arabic tattoo on my foot that is a design with words/phrases/symbols incorporated into it. I was wondering how that works with the way things are written in arabic? I know with English you can play around with how the words are shaped and such. Can it be done an recognizable for arabic? Also, my family name is also originally in arabic and was translated into English. I was told that the way it was translated was not exact. How can I find an exact translation? Thank you!
yes there are lots and lots of fonts and designes in which arabic words can be written and there are many extra symbols which should be put on letters but which are usually not used
actually font in arabic is a an art which has its own scolars
so the best you could do is take a native arabic speaker with you who didn´t just learn arabic from his parents but actually studied arabic for a long time
Hello! How do you say…’For those I love I will sacrifice” Thank you!!
hy
how do u write vidushi in arabic ??
I’ve booked a tattoo to have 2 days after my 18th birthday. I would love arabic writing; so the tattoo is meaningful, and only i would know what it meant. Could you please translate these words, if you don’t mind, i don’t want to have a badly translated word, which could be offensive or something? Many thanks.
happy
resistance
keep strong
serendipity
be strong
keep going
be happy
believe
happiness
keep the faith
smile
sunshine
Hi . How do you write ” love trust respect ” in Arabic . Thanks a lot .
How do you write “she flies with her own wings” in arabic?
I was looking to get a tattoos in Arabic, something to do with being strong and never give.
*and never give up*
hi, how do you write friendship and family in arabic? Thank you.
الصداقة والعائلة
even though i seriously suggest you take an native arabic person with you because arabic have many fonts and also many little signs on the letters which aren´t usually used but look sometimes pretty good
Mr. Omar,
Please help me with this…i got my first arabic tattoo before…but when one arab guy read it he said..it was wrong..
i want this in arabic…ARD…my love, my life, my devotion…..(ARD initials of my wife)
Thanks a lot..
Hi .How do you write”Shine bright like a diamond” in Arabic?? Ty so much ^^!!
اشع مثل الالماس
How would you write:
Ambition
She is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future
How do you write wake up and live in ARABIC plz?
how you write God forgive me … a.k.a astaugh feruAllah PLEASE reply
أستغفر الله
hi what is “sweet sting” written as in arabic
Hi, I’d like to get “be strong, live life” as a tattoo. Could you please translate?
could you please translate me “one love one life” …. thank you very much
Hi! I’ve been shopping around to try and find the arabic translation for ‘perfect’. I used to live in Pakistan and so far i have found this مثالي. Is this accurate?
I wanted to get my last name in Syrian Arabic writing. My last name is Treyman how would this be written?
Hi
Like everyone else been looking for a tattoo thats different yet means deeply someting to me.
Please can you help with the translation of “believe” i have seen a number of writings yet im looking for the true meaning to self confidence / trust in oneself…
Many Thaanks…Tx
Will you translate “live and let live” please?
Hello, I want to find out how this quote is translated in arabic: “Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace”
translated to arabic it would be :
سامح الآخرين, ليس لأنهم يستحقون المسامحة, بل لأنك تستحق راحة البال
Note: i replaced the word peace here with the phrase (peace of mind) because in arabic we don´t usually use the word peace to describe a state of mind
Another important note: if you are a girl then you would maybe like that phrase to be in feminine because in arabic there is a difference between feminine and masculin also if you talk in 2nd or 1st person
so the phrase would be :
سامحي الآخرين , ليس لأنهم يستحقون المسامحة , بل لأنك تستحقين راحة البال
sorry again
if you want the sentence to be toward only women then you should use the second phrase
but since you probably want it to be directed to everyone who reads it you should use the first phrase
so forget about the second Note, i just couldnt figure out how to delete my omment
how do you write vidushi in Arabic
how do you write vidushi mathur in Arabic
Hello, can you please write the name Malik in Arabic and also He is my king. Thanks, I would greatly appreciate it.
how is “God has a plan for me” written ? please and thank you !
hello , im planning to get 2 tattoos this weekend and i wanted to know how you write hope , and also courage in arabic.
thank you.
how do write the words francisco, carmen, daniel. miguel , and fabian in arabic. someone help me please.
please can you translate, just breathe in Arabic for me? Don’t want to get something like chicken fried rice tattooed on me if someone translates it wrong x
the translation for “just breath” is
حار من تالي
can someone help me translate? Cause sometimes google translate is wrong.
Please & thank you!
Beautiful in arabic.
like describing a person who is beautiful.
I’m getting that tattoo this month.
the translation for the word beautiful is
عاهرة
Hi.
I would really like to get ‘free spirit’ in Arabic but am really scared of getting the wrong translation. Could you please help?
how do you write ” love is pure” in Arabic
because Arabic is written from right to left..would that affect the way you say it. for example reading it in English from left to write it would be: love is pure
but in Arabic it would be : pure is love? right or am i wrong..please help!
Can someone translate “fighter” in arabic
Hello i want a tattoo down my spine in Arabic and i was wondering how to say “If i grow to be even half the women my mother is, that would be my greatest achievement in life
How do you write “it is written” in Arabic? I saw two versions of it, “maktoub” and “innaho maktoub”. What is the difference?
Hi,
I would really love to get an Arabic tattoo. Could you please help me translate the name “Max” please? Also if you know any meaningful phrases about a mothers. lovebbbbn for her son or love in general?
*love
Thanks you in advance. Very much appreciated
Dear arabictattoo,
This page was most helpful! Though I have plenty of Arab friends having grown up in the middle east), no one is being able to translate this beautiful quote by Rumi:
“Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment”
I wonder if you can help me out?
love your arabic word .i would like to ask or translate the name isiah in arabic.nd pangilinan..thank u so much
I want an Arabic rib cage tattoo similar to Rihanna’s the singer, the saying I want it “family is life’s greatest blessing” or something a long the lines of that, can anyone translate it to Arabic for me? Or give me another idea or something similar please, thanks
Can someone help me translate the《my only sunshine》in arabic, please? I want to make this tattoo for my mom!
Thank you so much!
can someone help me translate the “love conquers all.”
“its only him i want to be with” please?
thank u sow much!
in arabic
I really want to get life is beautiful and silence is screaming in Arabic can someone show me how it is correctly written
hi, i was wanting an arabic tattoo ‘mother and daughter’ what would it look like in arabic, having a hard time tryin to find out. Thanks alot
أم و بنت
Hi! I am looking for months now for an arabic tattoo design and i can’t find what i want nowhere.
Can you translate :
There is no progress without struggle
or
Without struggle there is no progress
please?
And how can I show the translation to my tattoo artist?
please please help me.
Thank You in advance
hi can someone translate Julian in Arabic please i want to get as tattoo is my sons name…if anyone can help
I want the correct translation of these quotes please:
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched, but are felt in the heart.”
& ” There is no foot so small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world”
& ” Some say you are too painful to remember, I say you are too PRECIOUS to forget”
Hi,
I want to know how to write “what doesn’t kill us, make us stronger” in Arabic, to make a tattoo.
Someone can help me?
Thank you
Hi, please can some one translate the writing below into arabic for me asap?
Laugh, love, live
Thanks =o)
Actually I decided on something different –
Live your dreams…
Can anyone help please?
Hiya how would you write the following ?
Little and broken but still good
thanks
Hi! Could you please translate “without struggle, there is no progress”
Thanks so much!!
Hey! Could you please translate “we aquire the strength we overcome” I’m getting that tattoed but I’m not sure how its written.
Thanks!
Could you please translate pops in Arabic if there is such a word or he words god bless you thankyou
Hello. I would like the words Allahu Akbar in Arabic tatted on me as well as Bismillah. How is it written properly in Arabic??
These words are not appropriate to write on your body..
I would like a tattoo that says “phenomenal woman” in Arabic. Can someone translate that for me please. Thank you
Hi there.
thank you.
I’d like to get ‘Not all who wander are lost’ in arabic.
Could you please translate
Hi! Can someone please translate for me:
“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost.”
Thank you so much!
What does this translate to? I want to make sure it’s right.
كل ما هو الذهب لا بريق
ليس كل أولئك الذين يهيمون على وجوههم تضيع
I would like the phrase:
Love, Laugh, Dance, and live life with no regrets in arabic
I would like this phrase translated to arabic:
Love, Laugh, Dance, and live life with no regrets
Hi
I would like to have a tattoo on my food
“my mom always told me to keep walking” in arabic
I saw it in a picture once of a girl making this tattoo,
but her’s was in libanese or maybe palastine,
becausse now when i get som arabic friends to write it for me it doesnt look the same.
Someone who can translate for me? or maybe see my pic and tell me what kinda arabic theres on the girls foot?
Thank you all soo much
Suzan
Can you please write in Arabic the word Believe. thank you
Can you please write in Arabic the word Believe. thank you
Can you please write in Arabic the word Believe. thank you
Live love laugh in Arabic. Thank you!
Hi. I was wondering how “one life to live” is written in Arabic . Thank you
Hi how do you write “where there’s no struggle, there’s no strength” I want it tattooed
Hi. Please translate “Nobody can hurt me without my permission.” in arabic.
How do you write brother in arabic? I have been told it’s pronounced Akh.
Also how do you write faith in arabic?
Thank you in advance.
Mr. Omar,
Please help me with this…i got my first arabic tattoo before…but when one arab guy read it he said..it was wrong..
i want this in arabic…ARD…my love, my life, my devotion…..(ARD initials of my wife)
Thanks a lot..
I am searching for the tranlation of a quote: “dream is destiny” in arabic for my new tattoo. I ve tryed many websites, but I dont think they were very reliable. Can someone pleeeease help me!!!!
Pls help! How do u write in arabic, be yourself always
hi, ive been wanting to get my daughters name tattooed for a while but i havent got it done because i want to make sure its writtem out correctly in the the arabic writing ! how would ” my love valentina” be in arabic ?