أحتاج إليك
ahtaju ilayk
The English phrase "I need you" is translated into Arabic as أحتاج إليك (ahtaju ilayk).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb أحتاج (I need) and the prepositional phrase إليك (to you/towards you).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes depending on whom you are addressing. Use أحتاج إليكِ when addressing a female and أحتاج إليكم when addressing a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
ahtaju ilayk
Did you know?
- If you are asking for help, it is often more culturally appropriate to say 'I have a need' (عندي حاجة) rather than 'I need you', as the latter can sound too personal or intense.
- The root of the verb أحتاج is related to the concept of 'poverty' or 'lack' in classical Arabic, suggesting that needing someone is a state of being in want.
- Because Arabic is a pro-drop language, the 'I' in أحتاج is built into the verb itself, meaning the word 'I' is implied and does not need a separate pronoun.
Examples in context
- أحتاج إليك.I need you.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase أحتاج إليك.Tatoeba #617062 by saeb, translation #17735 by CK
- أنا أحتاجكَ لإكمال العمل بنجاح.I need you to complete the work successfully.
- أحتاجك لأنني لا أستطيع القيام بذلك وحدي.I need you because I can't do it alone.
- أحس بحاجتك لمساندتي في هذه الأوقات.I feel I need you to support me in these times.
- أحتاج إليك الآن حقاً.ahtāju ilayka al-ān ḥaqqan.I really need you now.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Layla is asking Omar for help with a difficult task.
- ليلى Laylaعمر، أحتاج إليك للمساعدة.ʿUmar, ahtāju ilayka lil-musāʿadah.Omar, I need you to help me.
- عمر Omarبالطبع، ماذا يمكنني أن أفعل؟Bi-ṭ-ṭabʿ, mādhā yumkinunī an afʿal?Of course, what can I do?
- ليلى Laylaأحتاج إليك لترتيب هذه الأوراق.ahtāju ilayka li-tartīb hadhihi al-awrāq.I need you to organize these papers.
- عمر Omarسأفعل ذلك فوراً.Sa-afʿalu dhālika fawran.I will do that immediately.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
