A2 Expression Neutral 3 Min. Lesezeit

الحجم مش مظبوط

The size is not right

Wörtlich: The size [is] not adjusted/exact

Use this phrase whenever a physical object doesn't fit its intended space or your body perfectly.

In 15 Sekunden

  • Use this when clothes or shoes don't fit your body correctly.
  • It literally means 'the size is not exact' or 'not right'.
  • Perfect for shopping, tailors, or discussing furniture and physical objects.

Bedeutung

You use this phrase when something physical, like a shirt or a piece of furniture, doesn't fit the space or your body correctly. It's the polite, standard way to say 'this isn't the right size' while shopping or at a tailor.

Wichtige Beispiele

3 von 7
1

In a clothing store fitting room

القميص حلو بس الحجم مش مظبوط.

The shirt is nice, but the size isn't right.

😊
2

Asking a shop assistant for help

يا فندم، الحجم مش مظبوط، فيه مقاس أكبر؟

Sir, the size isn't right, is there a larger size?

💼
3

Trying on shoes that are too tight

الجزمة دي ضيقة، الحجم مش مظبوط خالص.

These shoes are tight; the size isn't right at all.

😊
🌍

Kultureller Hintergrund

The word 'mazboot' comes from the root meaning 'to regulate' or 'to control.' In the Middle East, where bargaining and custom tailoring are common, being precise about your needs is a sign of a savvy consumer. The phrase reflects the cultural emphasis on things being 'just right,' whether it's the fit of a suit or the sweetness of your tea.

💡

The 'Mazboot' Secret

In Egypt, if you order coffee 'Mazboot', you'll get exactly one teaspoon of sugar. It's the gold standard for 'perfectly balanced'!

⚠️

Size vs. Measurement

While 'Hajm' works for general size, use 'Maqas' if you are talking specifically about numbers (like size 42 shoes).

In 15 Sekunden

  • Use this when clothes or shoes don't fit your body correctly.
  • It literally means 'the size is not exact' or 'not right'.
  • Perfect for shopping, tailors, or discussing furniture and physical objects.

What It Means

This phrase is your best friend when you are out shopping. It literally translates to 'the size is not right' or 'the size is not exact.' In Arabic, the word مظبوط (mazboot) is a powerhouse. It means something is perfect, precise, or exactly as it should be. When you add مش (mish) in front of it, you are saying the item is 'off.' It might be too tight, too loose, or just a weird cut. It is a very natural way to express dissatisfaction with a fit without being rude.

How To Use It

You can use this phrase as a standalone sentence or part of a request. If a shopkeeper asks how the jacket fits, just say الحجم مش مظبوط. If you want to be more specific, you can follow it up with 'I need a bigger size.' It works for almost anything physical. You can use it for clothes, shoes, hats, or even a rug for your living room. It is simple, effective, and makes you sound like a local who knows what they want.

When To Use It

Use it in the fitting room when the mirror tells you 'no.' Use it at the shoe store when your toes are pinching. It is also perfect for a tailor shop when they are measuring you for a suit. If you are buying a gift and realize it looks too small, you can tell the clerk الحجم مش مظبوط. It is even useful when moving furniture. If a table doesn't fit in the corner, this phrase works perfectly there too.

When NOT To Use It

Do not use this for abstract concepts. You wouldn't use it to describe a 'sizeable' problem or the 'size' of someone's personality. It is strictly for physical dimensions. Also, avoid using it to describe people's bodies directly, as that can be seen as insensitive. Stick to the objects or the clothing items themselves. If you are in a very high-end, extremely formal setting, you might use the word المقاس (al-maqas) instead of الحجم (al-hajm), but الحجم is rarely wrong.

Cultural Background

In many Arabic-speaking cultures, 'mazboot' is a way of life. You ask for your coffee قهوة مظبوط (qahwa mazboot), which means it has the perfect amount of sugar. Being 'mazboot' implies balance and correctness. Because tailoring and custom-made clothing are still very common in the Middle East, having a vocabulary for 'fit' is essential. People take pride in looking sharp, so saying the size isn't right is a respected observation of quality and style.

Common Variations

You will often hear المقاس مش مظبوط (al-maqas mish mazboot). المقاس specifically refers to clothing sizes like Small, Medium, or Large. Another variation is مش جاي مقاسي (mish gay maqasi), which means 'it's not coming [to] my size.' If something is way too small, you might say ضيق قوي (dayya' awi), and if it's too big, واسع قوي (waasi' awi). But الحجم مش مظبوط remains the most versatile 'catch-all' phrase for a bad fit.

Nutzungshinweise

This is a neutral-to-informal phrase. It is perfectly safe for use with strangers in a commercial setting, but it sounds natural and relaxed rather than stiff and academic.

💡

The 'Mazboot' Secret

In Egypt, if you order coffee 'Mazboot', you'll get exactly one teaspoon of sugar. It's the gold standard for 'perfectly balanced'!

⚠️

Size vs. Measurement

While 'Hajm' works for general size, use 'Maqas' if you are talking specifically about numbers (like size 42 shoes).

💬

Body Language

When saying this, Arabs often pinch the fabric of the clothing to show exactly where the fit is 'off'.

Beispiele

7
#1 In a clothing store fitting room
😊

القميص حلو بس الحجم مش مظبوط.

The shirt is nice, but the size isn't right.

A polite way to decline a purchase due to fit.

#2 Asking a shop assistant for help
💼

يا فندم، الحجم مش مظبوط، فيه مقاس أكبر؟

Sir, the size isn't right, is there a larger size?

Using 'ya fandem' adds a layer of professional politeness.

#3 Trying on shoes that are too tight
😊

الجزمة دي ضيقة، الحجم مش مظبوط خالص.

These shoes are tight; the size isn't right at all.

Adding 'khalas' (at all) emphasizes the discomfort.

#4 Texting a friend about an online order
🤝

الطلب وصل بس الحجم مش مظبوط، هعمل ترجيع.

The order arrived but the size isn't right, I'm going to do a return.

Common for modern e-commerce contexts.

#5 Trying to fit a rug in a small room
😊

السجادة كبيرة، الحجم مش مظبوط على الصالة.

The rug is big; the size isn't right for the living room.

Shows the phrase works for home decor too.

#6 A humorous moment trying on a tiny hat
😄

شكلي يضحك، الحجم مش مظبوط أبداً!

I look funny, the size is not right at all!

Using 'abadan' (never/at all) for comedic effect.

#7 A mother noticing her child outgrew clothes
💭

يا حبيبي، الحجم مش مظبوط عليك، كبرت بسرعة.

My dear, the size isn't right on you, you grew up fast.

Used affectionately regarding growth.

Teste dich selbst

You are at a tailor and the trousers are too long. What do you say?

لو سمحت، ___ مش مظبوط.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: الحجم

'الحجم' refers to size/fit, which is the issue here. 'اللون' is color and 'السعر' is price.

Complete the sentence to say the size is NOT right.

الحجم ___ مظبوط.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: مش

'مش' (mish) is the negation particle used in dialects to mean 'not'.

🎉 Ergebnis: /2

Visuelle Lernhilfen

Formality of 'الحجم مش مظبوط'

Casual

Talking to friends about a bad outfit choice.

يا صاحبي، الحجم مش مظبوط خالص!

Neutral

Talking to a shopkeeper in a mall.

لو سمحت، الحجم مش مظبوط.

Formal

Speaking to a professional tailor.

يا فندم، الحجم مش مظبوط، محتاج تعديل.

Where to use 'الحجم مش مظبوط'

The size is not right
👕

Clothing Store

Trying on a jacket that's too small.

👟

Shoe Shop

When the boots pinch your heels.

🪑

Furniture Store

When a table won't fit the kitchen.

✂️

Tailor Shop

During a final suit fitting.

📦

Online Shopping

Explaining why you are returning a package.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

11 Fragen

It means 'exact,' 'correct,' or 'adjusted.' It comes from the root for discipline and regulation.

It's primarily dialect (Egyptian/Levantine). In MSA, you would say الحجم ليس مناسباً (al-hajmu laysa munasiban).

Usually no. For food portions, you'd say الكمية قليلة (the quantity is small) or كتيرة (large).

Just remove the 'mish'! Say الحجم مظبوط (al-hajm mazboot).

Not at all. It's a standard part of the shopping process and helps them find you the right item.

Hajm is general volume/size, while Maqas is specifically for standardized sizes like shoe or dress sizes.

Yes, it works perfectly for jewelry fit as well.

You can say الحجم مش مظبوط، ده واسع قوي (The size isn't right, this is very wide/loose).

It's very common in Egypt, the Levant, and parts of the Gulf. In North Africa, they might use mashi or mush.

Technically yes, but people usually say المساحة (al-misaha) for digital space or file size.

Usually follow it with ممكن مقاس تاني؟ (Is another size possible?) to keep the conversation moving.

Verwandte Redewendungen

المقاس غلط

The size is wrong (more direct).

واسع شوية

A little bit wide/loose.

ضيق جداً

Very tight.

على قدي

It fits me perfectly (literally: 'on my size').

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