أريد أن أتعلم
urīdu an ata‘allam
The English phrase "I want to learn" is expressed in Arabic as أريد أن أتعلم (urīdu an ata‘allam).
This phrase is used to express a desire to acquire a new skill or knowledge.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of urīdu (I want), an (that/to) and ata‘allam (I learn).
Which one should you use?
The phrase uses the verb ata‘allam, which focuses on learning or acquiring a skill, rather than adrus, which is used for academic study.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Levantine dialects, you can use the informal phrase بدي أتعلم عربي to mean "I want to learn Arabic". In Egyptian contexts, the informal expression عايز أتعلم العربي can be used to say "I want to learn Arabic" and عايز أتعلم اللغة المصرية is used to say "I want to learn the Egyptian language".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase أريد أن أتعلم, the verb ata‘allam is in the first-person singular present tense to match the subject "I".
How do you pronounce it?
urīdu an ata‘allam
Did you know?
- The root of the verb أتعلم (ata‘allam) is shared with the word for 'teacher', معلم (mu‘allim), which is formed by adding a prefix to the same root.
- The word for 'want' in the Levantine dialect, بدي (biddi), is a contraction of a phrase meaning 'my desire is'.
- In the Egyptian dialect, the word for 'want' changes to عايز (ayiz) for men and عايزة (ayiza) for women.
Examples in context
- أريد أن أتعلم كيف.I want to learn how.This sentence is useful for practicing how to express wanting to learn a specific method or way of doing something using أريد أن أتعلم.Tatoeba #7743139 by MisterBrown, translation #2011491 by CK
- أريد أن أتعلم السباحة.I want to learn to swim.This sentence shows how to use أريد أن أتعلم with a specific activity like swimming.Tatoeba #2602887 by Samer, translation #2230425 by eternica
- أريد أن أتعلم تلك الأغنية.I want to learn that song.This sentence demonstrates using أريد أن أتعلم when referring to learning a song.Tatoeba #9667293 by YasinLa, translation #2258830 by _undertoad
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nour and Ahmad are talking about a new hobby at a cafe.
- نور Nourأريد أن أتعلم اللغة العربية.urīdu an ata'allama al-lughata al-'arabiyyah.I want to learn the Arabic language.
- أحمد Ahmedهذا رائع يا نور، هل تبدئين الآن؟hādhā rā'i'un yā Nūr, hal tabda'īna al-ān?That is wonderful, Nour, are you starting now?
- نور Nourنعم، أريد أن أتعلم بسرعة.na'am, urīdu an ata'allama bi-sur'ah.Yes, I want to learn quickly.
- أحمد Ahmedسأساعدكِ يا نور في رحلتكِ.sa-usa'iduki yā Nūr fī rihlatiki.I will help you, Nour, in your journey.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
