إطلاقاً
itlaaqan
The English phrase "absolutely not" can be translated into Arabic as إطلاقاً (itlaaqan).
إطلاقاً is a strong way to say no or to express complete disagreement. While it can stand alone as a forceful "no", it is most commonly used alongside a negative verb or particle to emphasize the negation.
What does it mean word for word?
The word إطلاقاً comes from a root meaning to release or set free. In this adverbial form, it functions to mean "completely" or "absolutely".
Which one should you use?
The form لا، إطلاقاً is a common way to express a forceful "absolutely not" by combining the word for "no" with إطلاقاً. For a more formal expression, you can use بالتأكيد لا. In informal situations, specifically to mean "absolutely not" in the sense of "I swear I don't want", the expression والله ما بدي is used.
How do you pronounce it?
itlaaqan
Did you know?
- In some regional dialects, an emphatic 'absolutely not' can be signaled by a sharp, short sound or a specific clicking of the tongue, which carries more weight than the words themselves.
- The word إطلاقاً shares its root with the modern Arabic term for 'launching' a rocket or 'releasing' a press statement.
- Because Arabic culture highly values indirectness and hospitality, using إطلاقاً can be perceived as unexpectedly blunt or rude.
Examples in context
- إطلاقاً، لا يمكنني فعل ذلك.itlaqan, la yumkinuni fa'lu dhalik.Absolutely not, I cannot do that.
- هو لا يحب هذا النوع من الطعام إطلاقاً.huwa la yuhibbu hadha al-naw' min al-ta'am itlaqan.He absolutely does not like this kind of food.
- لا أوافق على هذا الاقتراح إطلاقاً.la uwafiqu 'ala hadha al-iqtirah itlaqan.I absolutely do not agree with this proposal.
Example conversation
Sarah and Ziad are discussing a risky plan.
- سارة Saraهل تعتقد أن هذا سيعمل؟hal ta'taqid anna hadha say'amal?Do you think this will work?
- زياد Ziadنعم، أعتقد ذلك.na'am, a'taqid dhalik.Yes, I think so.
- سارة Saraأنا أرفض هذه الفكرة إطلاقاً.ana arfud hadhihi al-fikra itlaqan.I absolutely reject this idea.
- زياد Ziadحسناً، سنبحث عن حل آخر.hasanan, sanabhath 'an hall akhar.Okay, we will look for another solution.
