How to say "forbidden, unlawful (haram)" in Arabic
CognateMeaningforbidden, unlawful (haram)
Arabic · Modern Standard Arabic
حَرَام
ḥarāmחראם
حرام
Hebrew · Modern Hebrew
אסור
asurأَسُور
How the two words are related
Cognate
Same Semitic root, same meaning — you already know this word.
Arabic root
ح-ر-مHebrew root
ח-ר-םOne of the oldest documented Semitic roots: ḥ-r-m, 'set apart, off-limits.' Hebrew חרם is a ban or something consecrated for destruction; Arabic ḥarām is anything forbidden — and ḥaram, same root, is a sacred sanctuary. Set apart can mean holy or banned in both languages.
Related Hebrew word:חרםkheremخِرِم
Learn it
In a phrase
أَكْل لَحْم الْخِنْزِير حَرَام
akl laḥm al-khinzīr ḥarāmאכל לחם אל-ח'נזיר חראםeating pork is forbidden