تعال معي
ta'ala ma'i
The English phrase "come with me" is translated into Arabic as تعال معي (ta'ala ma'i).
This phrase is used as an imperative to issue a request or a command for someone to accompany the speaker to another place.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of: تَعَالَ, which means "come" and acts as a command. مَعِي, which means "with me". And رَجَاءً, which means "please."
Which one should you use?
تعال معي is an imperative used to request action, which distinguishes it from a statement of fact such as "I am coming with you".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the verb changes depending on whom you are addressing. Use تعال معي when speaking to a male, تعالي معي when speaking to a female and تعالوا معي when addressing a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
ta'ala ma'i
Did you know?
- In formal Arabic, the command تعال is structurally unique because it originates from a root meaning 'to be high' or 'to ascend', suggesting a movement toward the speaker.
- The verb تعال is a 'suppletive' form, meaning it is a unique word used to replace the standard command form of the verb 'to come' because the original command was too difficult to pronounce.
- If you want to sound more inviting rather than commanding, you might use the word تفضل (please, go ahead) alongside the phrase to soften the tone.
Examples in context
- تعال معي إذا سمحت.Come with me, will you?This sentence is useful for practicing a polite request using تعال معي.Tatoeba #394969 by saeb, translation #27672 by CK
- تعال معي.Come with me.This sentence is a direct way to say تعال معي.Tatoeba #383321 by saeb, translation #434458 by lukaszpp
- رَجَاءً قُمْ بِمُرَافَقَتِي إِلَى قَاعَةِ الاِجْتِمَاعِPlease come with me to the conference room.
- تعال معي إلى المتجر.ta'al ma'i ila al-matjar.Come with me to the store.
Example conversation
Ahmed is asking Noor to help him find a store.
- أحمد Ahmedيا نور، تعال معي من فضلك.Ya Noor, ta'aal ma'ee min fadlik.Noor, come with me please.
- نور Nourإلى أين سنذهب يا أحمد؟Ila ayn sanadhhab ya Ahmed?Where are we going, Ahmed?
- أحمد Ahmedأريد الذهاب إلى المكتبة.Ureed al-dhahab ila al-maktaba.I want to go to the library.
- نور Nourحسناً، أنا جاهزة.Hasanan, ana jahiza.Okay, I am ready.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries تعال, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
