What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb a‘rifu (I know), al-lughata (the language) and al-‘arabiyyah (the Arabic).
Which one should you use?
While أعرف اللغة العربية is a direct way to express this, you can also use more specific phrases depending on your level of ability. For instance, أنا متقن للغة العربية means 'I am proficient in Arabic' and أستطيع التحدث بالعربية بطلاقة means 'I can speak Arabic fluently'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The informal expression أنا فاهم عربي (I understand Arabic) is commonly used in certain dialects, particularly Levantine and Egyptian Arabic.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb a‘rifu is in the first-person singular present tense. For a more concise and common way to express the same idea, you can omit the word al-lughata (the language) and simply say أعرف العربية.
How do you pronounce it?
a‘rifu al-lughata al-‘arabiyyah
Did you know?
- Because Arabic uses a root-system, the word for 'Arabic' itself, العربية, is built from the same linguistic foundation as words meaning 'to explain' or 'to express'.
- Because of the vast difference between spoken dialects and Modern Standard Arabic, saying أعرف العربية may prompt a native speaker to ask which specific regional version you know.
- In Arabic, the words for 'knowing' أعرف and 'defining' تعريف share the same linguistic core.
Examples in context
- أعرف اللغة العربية جيداً.A'rifu al-lughata al-'arabiyyata jayyidan.I know the Arabic language well.
- أعرف اللغة العربية ولكن قليلاً.A'rifu al-lughata al-'arabiyyata wa lakin qalilan.I know the Arabic language, but only a little.
Example conversation
Yousef asks Maryam about her language skills at a cafe.
- يوسف Youssefهل تعرف اللغة العربية؟Hal ta'rifu al-lughata al-'arabiyyata?Do you know the Arabic language?
- مريم Maryamنعم، أعرف اللغة العربية.Na'am, a'rifu al-lughata al-'arabiyyata.Yes, I know the Arabic language.
- يوسف Youssefهذا رائع جداً يا مريم.Hadha ra'i'un jiddan ya Maryam.That is very wonderful, Maryam.
- مريم Maryamشكراً لك يا يوسف.Shukran laka ya Yousef.Thank you, Yousef.
