Swear words in Saudi Arabia

Public swearing can bring real legal trouble in the Gulf. Look, don’t say.

The 10 most-used swear words in Saudi Arabia, ranked from nuclear to Grandma-safe. Tap “Hear it” to hear each one, or tap a red bar to reveal a word.

1. 1
   kus ummakكس أمك KUSS OOM-makYour mother’s c***.
   Nuclear ▶ Hear it
2. 2
   ibn al-gahbaابن القحبة IBN al-GAH-baSon of a whore.
   Nuclear ▶ Hear it
3. 3
   gahbaقحبة GAH-baWhore.
   Very rude ▶ Hear it
4. 4
   zibزب ZIBDick.
   Very rude ▶ Hear it
5. 5
   la’nat Allah ’alaykلعنة الله عليك LA-nat al-LAH a-LAYKGod’s curse on you.
   Rude ▶ Hear it
7. 6
   ibn al-kalbابن الكلب IBN al-KALBSon of a dog.
   Rude ▶ Hear it
8. 7
   ya hayawanيا حيوان ya hay-a-WANYou animal!
   Mild ▶ Hear it
9. 8
   kharaخرا KHA-raShit.
   Mild ▶ Hear it
10. 9
    tizطيز TIZAss.
    Mild ▶ Hear it
11. 10
    ya ghabiيا غبي ya gha-BEEYou idiot!
    Grandma-safe ▶ Hear it