ajem

Ajem, often transliterated as ajam or ajem, is a historical term deriving from the Arabic word عجم, meaning "foreigner" or "non-Arab." In classical Arabic literature and early Islamic historiography, the word was used to designate peoples whose native language was not Arabic, including Persians, Turks, and others within the broader Islamic world.

Usage and connotations have varied by period and region. As an ethnonym, ajem functioned as a descriptor rather than a precise national identity, reflecting linguistic and cultural differences rather than a fixed ethnicity. In later contexts, the term can be considered archaic or potentially pejorative depending on tone and audience. In Persian, Urdu, and Turkish literary traditions, the word has appeared both as a descriptive label and as a cultural marker in discussions of language, identity, and intercultural relations.

Linguistic notes and transliteration variants are common. The form ajem is one of several spellings for the same Arabic root, and the term may be encountered in different languages with slight pronunciation shifts. In some expressions, ajem functions adjectivally to mean "foreign" or "non-native," reinforcing its rôle as a descriptor rather than a self-contained label.

Modern usage tends to avoid the historical term when referring to contemporary groups, favoring explicit identifiers such as nationality, ethnicity, or language. The term remains primarily of historical interest in discussions of medieval and early modern intercultural contact.

See also: Ajam (disambiguation).