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غريب الأطوار

English translation: odd/peculiar fellow

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Arabic term or phrase:غريب الأطوار
English translation:odd/peculiar fellow
Entered by: Lamine Boukabour

14:34 Jun 25, 2023
Arabic to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature
Arabic term or phrase: غريب الأطوار
Hi everyone,

This is from an Iraqi text.

Does it mean creepy or odd? Or more just like a strange man? I'm trying to figure out how negative it is to say this about someone.

ليس لدينا أقارب أو أصدقاء في هذا البلد، سوى أحد معارف أبي، وهو رجل هزيل البنية وغريب الأطوار.

Thanks!
Saliha18
Local time: 06:36
odd/peculiar fellow
Explanation:
Odd: This is a straightforward and neutral term that simply describes someone as unusual or different. For example, "He's an odd fellow with eccentric habits."

Peculiar: This word describes something or someone that is strange, unusual, or peculiar in a distinct way. It often implies a sense of distinctiveness or oddity. For example, "She has a peculiar way of speaking that makes her stand out."


Selected response from:

Lamine Boukabour
Algeria
Local time: 06:36
Grading comment
Thanks!
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +2eccentric
Yassine El Bouknify
5Weird
Seifeddine Jlali
5an odd duck / a weirdo
Mowafak Mohamed
5crank (informal)/eccentric (formal)
Mahmoud Elsayed
4odd/peculiar fellow
Lamine Boukabour


  

Answers


2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Weird


Explanation:
-

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Note added at 4 mins (2023-06-25 14:38:57 GMT)
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Creepy might include fear and weirdness. So, it's not a good option

Seifeddine Jlali
Spain
Local time: 07:36
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic
PRO pts in category: 4
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6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
an odd duck / a weirdo


Explanation:
Odd Duck: An unusual person, especially an individual with an idiosyncratic personality or peculiar behavioral characteristics
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/odd_duck

Weirdo: a person who is extraordinarily strange or eccentric
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weirdo

Mowafak Mohamed
Egypt
Local time: 08:36
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic
PRO pts in category: 120
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9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
eccentric


Explanation:
The term "غريب الأطوار" in Arabic can be translated as "eccentric" or "peculiar." It is used to describe someone who has unconventional or odd behaviors, habits, or mannerisms. While it does indicate strangeness, it doesn't necessarily carry a strongly negative connotation. It implies that the person has unique or unusual traits that set them apart from others.

In the context of the sentence you provided, it describes the physical appearance of a man who is thin and has peculiar or eccentric ways. It doesn't necessarily imply that he is creepy or negative, but rather highlights his distinctiveness or quirkiness.

So, the sentence would be translated as:

"We don't have any relatives or friends in this country, except for one of my father's acquaintances, who is a thin man and eccentric."
Or
In this country, apart from one of my father's acquaintances, who is a thin and eccentric man, we have no relatives or friends.


Yassine El Bouknify
Morocco
Local time: 06:36
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic
PRO pts in category: 185
Notes to answerer
Asker: This is very helpful! Thank you for going into such depth. I really appreciate it.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Mahmoud Elsayed
1 hr
  -> Thanks, Mahmoud
agree  Youssef Chabat: Took time to explain all that. Highly appreciated!
3 hrs
  -> Thank you Mr. Youssef
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
شخص غريب الأطوار
odd/peculiar fellow


Explanation:
Odd: This is a straightforward and neutral term that simply describes someone as unusual or different. For example, "He's an odd fellow with eccentric habits."

Peculiar: This word describes something or someone that is strange, unusual, or peculiar in a distinct way. It often implies a sense of distinctiveness or oddity. For example, "She has a peculiar way of speaking that makes her stand out."




Lamine Boukabour
Algeria
Local time: 06:36
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic
PRO pts in category: 94
Grading comment
Thanks!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
crank (informal)/eccentric (formal)


Explanation:
crank1 / kræŋk / noun [count]
1 INFORMAL someone whose ideas or behavior are very strange

Mahmoud Elsayed
Egypt
Local time: 08:36
Native speaker of: Arabic
PRO pts in category: 14
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