هل تعرف العربية؟
hal ta'rifu al-'arabiyyah?
To ask "do you know arabic?" in Arabic, you say هل تعرف العربية؟ (hal ta'rifu al-'arabiyyah?).
This phrase is used to ask if someone has the ability to speak or understand the Arabic language.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down as follows: hal is a particle used to initiate a yes/no question, ta'rifu means 'you know' and al-'arabiyyah means 'the Arabic'.
Which one should you use?
While هل تعرف العربية؟ asks if you 'know' the language, هل تتحدث العربية؟ specifically asks if you 'speak' the language.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb changes depending on who you are addressing. Use هل تعرفين العربية؟ when addressing a woman, and use هل تعرفون العربية؟ when addressing a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
hal ta'rifu al-'arabiyyah?
Did you know?
- Because of a phenomenon called diglossia, asking هل تعرف العربية؟ often refers to Modern Standard Arabic, which is distinct from the regional dialects people use for daily conversation.
- The verb تعرف comes from a root used both for knowing a piece of information and for recognizing a person's face.
- The word هل is a historical blend of two ancient particles: one used to ask a question and another used to add emphasis or affirmation.
Examples in context
- يا أخي، هل تعرف العربية؟ya akhi, hal ta'rif al-'arabiyya?Brother, do you know Arabic?
Example conversation
Two people meeting for the first time at a cafe.
- ليلى Laylaمرحباً يا أحمد، هل تعرف العربية؟Marhaban ya Ahmad, hal ta'rif al-'arabiyyah?Hello Ahmad, do you know Arabic?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، أنا أتحدثها بطلاقة.Na'am, ana atahaddathuha bi-talaqah.Yes, I speak it fluently.
- ليلى Laylaهذا رائع جداً!Hadha ra'i' jiddan!That is very wonderful!
- أحمد Ahmedشكراً لكِ يا ليلى.Shukran laki ya Layla.Thank you, Layla.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries تعرف, هل, CC BY-SA 4.0.
