بالتأكيد
bi-t-ta'kīd
To say absolutely in Arabic, meaning yes or certainly, use بالتأكيد (bi-t-ta'kīd).
بالتأكيد is used to agree strongly with someone or to answer a request with a firm yes. It can stand alone as a reply or sit inside a sentence.
Meaning: yes, certainly (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
بالتأكيد is made of the preposition bi, meaning with and the noun al-ta'kīd, meaning the certainty. Taken literally it means with certainty.
Which one should you use?
أكيد (akīd) is the short, casual way to say sure or definitely, common in spoken dialects. بالطبع means of course and also works as a firm yes. يقينًا and بدون شك, meaning without doubt, are more formal ways to express complete certainty.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
بالتأكيد is the more formal, standard choice. In relaxed conversation people often drop the start and just say أكيد.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In spoken dialects across the Arab world, أكيد is the everyday form, while بالتأكيد belongs to standard Arabic.
How do you pronounce it?
Say it as bi-t-ta'kīd, with a long ee sound in the last syllable.
Did you know?
- In Arabic grammar, there is a formal concept called 'tawkid' which refers to the deliberate use of redundant words to strengthen a sentence and remove any doubt.
- While بالتأكيد is standard, using it in a casual setting like a market can make a speaker sound like a news anchor due to its high formality.
- If you want to express certainty in a religious or philosophical context, you might use the word يقينًا, which shares a root with the concept of absolute truth.
Examples in context
- أوافقك الرأي بالتأكيد.I agree with you absolutely.Here بالتأكيد comes at the end of the sentence to make the agreement stronger.Tatoeba #3659926 by Alaakhalid, translation #321772 by CK
- هل ترغب بالانضمام إلينا في الرحلة؟ – طبعاً.Would you like to join us on the trip? – Absolutely.
- هل يمكنني استدانة قلمك؟ – أكيد.Can I borrow your pen? – Absolutely.
- سأحضر الحفلة بالتأكيد.sa-ahdur al-hafla bil-ta'keed.I will certainly attend the party.
- هذا العمل مهم بالتأكيد.hadha al-'amal muhim bil-ta'keed.This work is certainly important.
Example conversation
Yousef and Nour are discussing a plan for dinner.
- يوسف Youssefهل يمكنكِ تحضير العشاء الليلة يا نور؟Hal yumkinuki tahdir al-asha al-layla ya Nour?Can you prepare dinner tonight, Nour?
- نور Nourبالتأكيد، سأفعل ذلك.Bi-ta'kid, sa-af'alu dhalik.Absolutely, I will do that.
- يوسف Youssefشكراً جزيلاً لكِ.Shukran jazilan laki.Thank you very much.
- نور Nourعلى الرحب والسعة يا يوسف.Ala al-rahbi wa al-si'a ya Yousef.You are welcome, Yousef.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
