اعتقد
i'taqada
To believe in Arabic is اعتقد (i'taqada).
اعتقد is used to express holding an opinion or accepting something as true. When you want to say 'to believe that' followed by a clause, you typically follow the verb with the particle أن.
Meaning: to accept as true (verb)
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between holding an opinion and having faith. While اعتقد means to hold an opinion or believe something is true, the verb آمن is used specifically for religious faith or believing in the existence of something.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb changes based on tense and person. The third-person masculine singular present tense of اعتقد is يعتقد (he believes), and the first-person singular past tense is اعتقدتُ (I believed).
How do you pronounce it?
i'taqada
Did you know?
- The root of اعتقد is ع-ق-د, which is the same root used for 'to tie a knot'. To believe something is linguistically framed as 'tying' a conviction in your mind.
- While اعتقد is for opinions, the word for religious faith, آمن, comes from the root meaning 'to be safe' or 'to be secure'. To have faith is seen as finding security.
- Arabic has a distinct verb for 'believing' in the sense of 'trusting' someone, وثق, which is entirely different from both اعتقد and آمن.
Examples in context
- أحمد يمتلك إيمانًا قويًا بالله.Ahmed has a strong belief in God.
- بصراحة، ما بآمن في هالخبر.Honestly, I don't believe this news.
- صدّقني، هذا الفيلم رائع جدًا.Believe me, this movie is really amazing.
Example conversation
Mariam and Youssef are discussing a movie plot.
- مريم Maryamاعتقد أن النهاية كانت مفاجئة جداً.a'taqid anna al-nihāyah kānat mufāji'ah jiddan.I believe the ending was very surprising.
- يوسف Youssefأنا أوافقك الرأي يا مريم.anā uwāfiquki al-ra'y yā Maryam.I agree with you, Mariam.
- مريم Maryamهل اعتقد يوسف أن الفيلم كان مملاً؟hal i'taqada Youssef anna al-fīlm kāna mumillan?Did Youssef believe the movie was boring?
- يوسف Youssefلا، لقد استمتعت به كثيراً.lā, laqad istamta'tu bihi kathīran.No, I enjoyed it a lot.
