يعجبني
yu'jibuni
In Arabic, "I like" is expressed as يعجبني (yu'jibuni).
The phrase is used to express that someone finds something pleasing or appealing.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb يعجب (to please) and the object suffix ني (me), which literally translates to "it pleases me".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the verb changes depending on the gender of the object you like. Use يعجبني (yu'jibuni) when the thing being liked is grammatically masculine, and use تعجبني (tu'jibuni) when the object being liked is grammatically feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
yu'jibuni
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use أنا أحب (ana uhibbu) for all contexts, whereas يعجبني is more natural for expressing that something is pleasing or appealing to one's taste.
Did you know?
- The verb stem in يعجبني comes from the root ع-ج-ب, which is closely related to the concept of 'wonder' or 'amazement'. When you say you like something, you are literally saying it 'wonders' or 'astonishes' you.
- Using the phrase أنا أحب (ana uhibbu) to say 'I like' can often sound far more intense than intended, as it carries the weight of 'I love'. It is often better suited for deep-seated passions or romantic-style declarations.
- Because يعجبني literally means 'it pleases me', the 'thing' being liked is actually the subject of the sentence, not the object. This flips the standard English sentence structure entirely.
Examples in context
- كلما وجدت شيئًا يعجبني، وجدته غاليا جدا.Whenever I find something I like, it's too expensive.This sentence shows how to express that things you like are often expensive using يعجبني.Tatoeba #569734 by Samer, translation #1372 by brauliobezerra
- هذا يعجبني.I like it.Tatoeba #1871666 by Asma, translation #1520245 by ABChessel
- يعجبني عرضك.I like your offer.This sentence uses يعجبني to express liking an offer.Tatoeba #1883108 by Asma, translation #1807342 by Eldad
- أُحِبُّ الفَنَّ.I like art.
- أُحِبُّ القِرَاءَةَ.I like reading.
- أَعْجَبَنِي الفِيلْمُ.I liked the movie.
- أَعْجَبَنِي التَّصْمِيمُ.I liked the design.
- أَعْجَبَنِي الأَكْلُ الشَّرْقِيُّ.I like Eastern food.
- بِحَبَّ الأَغَانِي.I like songs.
- بِحَبَّ الْكُتُبْ.I like books.
Example conversation
Nour and Omar are looking at a new piece of furniture in a shop.
- نور Nourيعجبني هذا الكرسي.yu'jibuni hadha al-kursi.I like this chair.
- عمر Omarحقًا؟ يعجبني لونه أيضًا.haqqan? yu'jibuni lawnuhu aydan.Really? I like its color too.
- نور Nourهل تعتقد أنه مريح؟hal ta'taqidu annahu murih?Do you think it is comfortable?
- عمر Omarنعم، يبدو مريحًا جدًا.na'am, yabdu murihan jiddan.Yes, it looks very comfortable.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
