أعتقد
a'taqidu
In Arabic, "I think" is expressed as أعتقد (a'taqidu).
The phrase is used to express a personal opinion or a belief about something.
Which one should you use?
While أعتقد expresses a firm belief or conviction, أظن is used for a weaker, more speculative version of "I think" or "I suppose."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
أعتقد is a formal way to say "I think" and is appropriate for both formal writing and standard spoken Arabic (MSA). Other formal options include أظن, which means "I suppose" and أرى, which conveys the idea of "I see" or "I think" in a more opinionated way. For a more casual or colloquial tone, you can use بظن.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb أعتقد is often followed by the particle أن (that) to introduce a subordinate clause. To negate the phrase and say "I don't think", place the particle لا directly before the verb.
How do you pronounce it?
a'taqidu
Did you know?
- The root of أعتقد is the same as the word for 'knot' or 'bond' عقد, suggesting that to think or believe something is to tie a knot of conviction in the mind.
- The phrase أعتقد is conceptually linked to the idea of a 'contract' عقد, implying that a belief is a binding agreement one makes with a fact.
- Because أعتقد carries a weight of conviction, using it for very trivial matters can sometimes make a speaker sound unintentionally dramatic or overly serious.
Examples in context
- هذا ما أعتقد حدث.That's what I think happened.This sentence shows how to use أعتقد to describe a past event.Tatoeba #11978955 by dididodo, translation #4355746 by Amastan
- لا أعتقد أنه سيأتي.I think he won't come.This sentence demonstrates how to negate أعتقد to say "I don't think".Tatoeba #399196 by saeb, translation #399185 by blay_paul
- أعتقد أنك ذهبت بعيدا.I think you went too far.This sentence uses أعتقد to express a thought regarding someone's actions.Tatoeba #1597811 by Amastan, translation #434087 by blay_paul
- أظن أنه من الضروري التعاون في هذا المشروع.I think it is necessary to cooperate on this project.
- أرى أن هذا القانون غير عادل.I think this law is unfair.
- 59 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sara and Ahmed are discussing a movie they just watched.
- سارة Saraأعتقد أن الفيلم كان مملاً.a'taqidu anna al-filma kana mumillan.I think the movie was boring.
- أحمد Ahmedلا أعتقد ذلك، كان ممتعاً!la a'taqidu dhalika, kana mumti'an!I don't think so, it was fun!
- سارة Saraهل أعجبك أداء الممثل؟hal a'jabaka ada' al-mumathil?Did you like the actor's performance?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، أعتقد أنه موهوب جداً.na'am, a'taqidu annahu mawhubun jiddan.Yes, I think he is very talented.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
