قبل
qabla
The English word 'before' is translated into Arabic as قبل (qabla).
The word قبل is used to indicate that something happens in advance of the time when.
Meaning: in advance of the time when (conj)
How does it change in a sentence?
When using قبل as a preposition followed by a noun, it is often followed by the definite article 'al-' (الـ) if the noun is definite. If you are using it as a conjunction to introduce a clause with a verb, it is typically followed by the particle 'an' (أن), forming قبل أن. To mean 'before' or 'previously' in the context of a point in time or a past experience, the phrase من قبل is used.
How do you pronounce it?
qabla
Did you know?
- Depending on the vowel on the last letter, قبل can mean 'before' or قُبَل can refer to 'kisses' in the plural form.
- The root of قبل relates to the concept of 'facing' or 'confronting' something, which is why it is used to describe things happening in front of you in space as well as in time.
- The word قبل is a root that also relates to the concept of 'acceptance' or 'receiving', as seen in the word for 'accept' (قبل), though they are distinguished by vowel sounds.
Examples in context
- كنت هنا من قبل.I've been here before.The first sentence uses قبل to express having been somewhere previously.Tatoeba #448409 by saeb, translation #440092 by Scott
- فكر قبل أن تفعل!Think before you act!The second sentence uses قبل to suggest thinking prior to acting.Tatoeba #597757 by saeb, translation #597602 by FeuDRenais2
- لم أقابله من قبل.I haven't met him before.The third sentence uses قبل to indicate not having met someone in the past.Tatoeba #617387 by saeb, translation #284863 by CK
- تناولت العشاء قَبْلَ أَنْ أنامI had dinner before sleeping.
- قرأت الكتاب مِن قَبْلِ أَنْ أَذْهَبَ إِلى العَمَلِ.I read the book before going to work.
- 137 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ahmed and Noor are discussing their plan for dinner.
- أحمد Ahmedهل نطلب الطعام قبل أن نصل؟Hal natlub al-ta'am qabla an nasil?Shall we order the food before we arrive?
- نور Nourنعم، هذا سيكون أفضل بكثير.Na'am, hadha sayakun afdal bika-thir.Yes, that would be much better.
- أحمد Ahmedسأقوم بالطلب قبل عشر دقائق.Sa-aqum bil-talab qabla 'ashr daqa'iq.I will place the order ten minutes before.
- نور Nourحسناً يا أحمد، شكراً لك.Hasanan ya Ahmad, shukran lak.Okay Ahmed, thank you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
