قدّر
qaddara
To appreciate in Arabic is to use the verb قدّر (qaddara).
The verb قدّر is used to express valuing or appreciating the worth of something. A common way to express that you appreciate a specific action from someone is to say أقدّر لك ذلك, which means "I appreciate that from you".
Meaning: to be grateful for something (verb)
Which one should you use?
While قدّر means to value or appreciate the worth of something, the standard way to say "thank you" for a specific act is to use شكراً.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Gulf Arabic, the phrase الله يعطيك العافية is used, meaning "May God give you wellness".
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person masculine singular present tense form of قدّر is يُقدّر (he appreciates).
How do you pronounce it?
qaddara
Did you know?
- Depending on the vowels used, the same root قدّر can mean to appreciate someone or to underestimate them. The difference between praising someone and belittling them can be a single vowel change.
- The root of قدّر is shared with words meaning 'destiny' and 'fate'. In Arabic, to appreciate something is conceptually linked to recognizing its predetermined value or measure.
- The verb قدّر is also used in mathematics and science to mean 'to estimate' or 'to calculate'. When you appreciate the value of a situation, you are linguistically performing a mental calculation of its worth.
