تعال إلي
ta‘āla ilayya
The Arabic phrase for "come to me" is تعال إلي (ta‘āla ilayya).
This phrase is a request or command for someone to move toward the speaker's current location.
What does it mean word for word?
The word إلي means "to me". It is a combination of the preposition ila (to) and the first-person suffix ya (me).
Which one should you use?
While تعال means "come", adding إلي specifies the destination as the speaker themselves.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form تعال إلي is the masculine singular imperative used when addressing one male.
How do you pronounce it?
ta‘āla ilayya
Did you know?
- In some cultural contexts, a hand gesture involving the palm facing down and fingers waving toward the speaker accompanies تعال, which is the opposite of the American 'come here' gesture.
- The root of the verb تعال is related to the concept of 'height' or 'rising', suggesting a movement toward a superior or a higher point.
- The word تعال is a special kind of command used because the standard grammatical forms for the verb 'to come' are considered too difficult or 'clumsy' to pronounce in their direct imperative forms.
Examples in context
- تعال إليCome to me.This example shows how to use the phrase تعال إلي.Tatoeba #5548321 by WaelAlwasel, translation #2245214 by CK
- تعال إلي بسرعة.ta'āl ilayya bi-sur'ah.Come to me quickly.
- يا صغير، تعال إلي.yā ṣagīr, ta'āl ilayya.Little one, come to me.
Example conversation
Leila is calling Omar from another room.
- ليلى Laylaتعال إلي يا عمر.Ta'al ilayya ya Omar.Come to me, Omar.
- عمر Omarالان الجئب يا ليلى.Al-aan al-ji' b ya Layla.I am coming now, Layla.
- ليلى Laylaالدولب المساعدة مهمة.Al-duwalub al-musa'ada muhimma.The help is important.
- عمر Omarأنا هنا.Ana huna.I am here.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries تعال, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
