أحتاج
aḥtāj
In Arabic, 'I need' is expressed by أحتاج (aḥtāj).
The phrase is used to express that someone requires something or feels a necessity for something.
Which one should you use?
The form أحتاج specifically means 'I need' (first person singular). In contrast, the form تحتاج (taḥtāj) means 'you need' or 'she needs'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
بدّي is an informal expression used in Levantine dialects such as Lebanese and Jordanian Arabic.
How does it change in a sentence?
In formal Arabic, the verb أحتاج is typically followed by the preposition إلى when followed by a noun or a verb phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
aḥtāj
Did you know?
- In many spoken dialects, the expression for 'I need' is actually 'it is upon me', which changes the nuance from a personal desire to an obligation.
- The informal Levantine version بدي is actually derived from the word for 'my desire' or 'my will', making 'I need' sound more like 'it is my wish'.
- While أحتاج focuses on necessity, Arabic speakers often use the word محتاج as an adjective to describe a person who is needy or in poverty.
Examples in context
- أحتاج إلى أن أدرس.I need to study.This sentence shows how to use أحتاج with a verb phrase.Tatoeba #422703 by saeb, translation #400128 by CK
- أحتاج إلى أن أركز.I need to concentrate.Tatoeba #2602682 by Samer, translation #2387587 by CK
- أحتاج قطا واحدا فقط.I need only one cat.This sentence shows how to use أحتاج with a noun.Tatoeba #1578407 by Amastan, translation #1572800 by fanty
- أحتاجُ إلى مزيدٍ من الوقت لإكمال هذا المشروع.I need more time to finish this project.
- محتاج مساعدة لحل هذه المشكلة.I need help to solve this problem.
- أحتاجُ إلى مزيدٍ من المعلومات حول هذا الموضوع.I need more information about this topic.
- 61 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ahmed and Layla are at a stationery store.
- أحمد Ahmedأحتاج قلماً جديداً من فضلك.Ahtaju qalaman jadidan min fadlak.I need a new pen, please.
- ليلى Laylaتفضل، هذا القلم رائع جداً.Tafaddal, hadha al-qalam ra'i' jiddan.Here you go, this pen is very great.
- أحمد Ahmedشكراً، وأحتاج أيضاً إلى دفتر.Shukran, wa ahtaju aydan ila daftar.Thanks, and I also need a notebook.
- ليلى Laylaالدفاتر موجودة في ذلك القسم.Al-dafatiru mawjuda fi dhalika al-qism.The notebooks are in that section.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
