أصعب
as'ab
The English word "harder" is translated into Arabic as أصعب (as'ab).
The phrase is used to describe something that requires more effort or is more difficult to do.
What does it mean word for word?
The word أصعب is formed by adding the prefix أ (a-) to the root meaning "difficult", which is the standard way to form comparatives in Arabic.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form أصعب functions as both the comparative "harder" and the superlative "hardest" in Arabic.
How do you pronounce it?
as'ab
Did you know?
- While English uses 'hard' for both 'solid' and 'difficult', in Arabic, أصعب is strictly for difficulty. To say a rock is 'harder', you would use a different root entirely.
- The root of أصعب is connected to the idea of a path or mountain being steep and rugged. In classical Arabic, it implies a terrain that is physically treacherous to traverse.
- In some Arabic dialects, when describing a person's temperament, calling someone صعب (the root of أصعب) suggests they are stubborn or difficult to please rather than just 'hard'.
Examples in context
- أصبحت دروس ليلى أصعب.Sami's classes have become harder.This sentence is useful for showing how the form أصعب is used to describe classes becoming more difficult.Tatoeba #7278269 by OsoHombre, translation #6107166 by OsoHombre
- هل سيجعل الإسلام حياتي أصعب؟Will Islam make my life harder?This sentence is useful for asking about the impact of a religion on the difficulty of life using أصعب.Tatoeba #11993752 by dididodo, translation #8414833 by Amastan
- هل اللغة الإنجليزية أصعب من اليابانية؟Is English harder than Japanese?This sentence is useful for comparing the difficulty of two languages using أصعب.Tatoeba #416818 by saeb, translation #416817 by saeb
- أصبح الامتحان أكثر صعوبةًThe exam became harder
- هذه المهمة أصعب من المهمة السابقةThis task is harder than the previous one
- هذا التمرين يصبح أصعبThis exercise is becoming harder
- التسلق يزداد صعوبةًThe climb is getting harder
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ziad and Nour are talking about their university exams.
- زياد Ziadهل كان امتحانك سهلاً يا نور؟Hal kana imtihanuki sahlan ya Nour?Was your exam easy, Nour?
- نور Nourلا، كان أصعب مما توقعت.La, kana as'ab mimma tawaqqa'tu.No, it was harder than I expected.
- زياد Ziadأنا أيضاً وجدت الأسئلة صعبة جداً.Ana ay-dan wajadtu al-as'ila sa'ba jiddan.I also found the questions very difficult.
- نور Nourأتمنى أن يكون الاختبار القادم أسهل.Atamanna an yakuna al-ikhtibar al-qadim ashal.I hope the next test will be easier.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
