كثير
kathiran
The English phrase "a lot" is translated into Arabic as كثير (kathiran).
It can function as an adjective to describe a noun or as an adverb to modify a verb.
Meaning: very much (adv)
Which one should you use?
The form كثير is used as an adjective to mean "many" or "much" when describing a noun. In contrast, the adverbial form كثيراً is used to describe the intensity of an action.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adjective to describe a noun, the word is كثير and it must agree with the noun in gender and number.
How do you pronounce it?
kathiran
Did you know?
- In some contexts, saying كثير can be used as a polite way to decline an offer, implying that the generosity provided is already 'more than enough'.
- When expressing that you like something 'a lot', a common idiomatic way is to say you love it 'to the extreme' by using للغاية (lil-ghaya), which refers to reaching a limit or end point.
- In some Gulf dialects, the word حيل (hayl) is used as an adverb to mean 'a lot' or 'very', such as in the phrase 'ahibbik hayl' meaning 'I love you a lot'.
Examples in context
- لقد عانى جمال كثيرا.Jamal suffered quite a lot.This sentence shows how to use كثير to describe the intensity of suffering.Tatoeba #5830283 by OsoHombre, translation #5828757 by OsoHombre
- هم أحبوا صورك كثيرا.They like your photos a lot.This sentence demonstrates using كثير to show how much something is liked.Tatoeba #7986162 by km7561f, translation #6862512 by kaiperkins271
- يشبه توم أخاه كثيرا.Tom looks a lot like his brother.This sentence illustrates using كثير to describe the degree of resemblance.Tatoeba #8347094 by Amastan, translation #3422025 by CK
- لَدَيْكَ كَثِيرٌ من العملYou have a lot of work.
- أنا مُشغولٌ جِدًاI am very busy.
- 57 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Layla and Youssef are talking about a movie they just watched.
- ليلى Laylaهل أعجبك الفيلم؟Hal a'jabaka al-film?Did you like the movie?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، لقد أحببته كثيراً.Na'am, laqad ahbabtuhu kathiran.Yes, I liked it a lot.
- ليلى Laylaأنا أيضاً، لقد ضحكت كثيراً.Ana aydan, laqad dahiktu kathiran.Me too, I laughed a lot.
- يوسف Youssefكان فيلماً ممتعاً حقاً.Kana filman mumti'an haqqan.It was truly an enjoyable movie.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
