أريد أن أتحدث معك
urīdu an ataḥaddatha ma'ak
I want to talk to you in Arabic is أريد أن أتحدث معك (urīdu an ataḥaddatha ma'ak).
What does it mean word for word?
أريد (urīdu) means I want, أن (an) means to, أتحدث (ataḥaddatha) means I speak and معك (ma'ak) means with you.
Which one should you use?
The verb ataḥaddatha suggests a more structured conversation than atakallama, to speak or talk.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
More formal options are أودّ أن أتحدّث إليك, I would like to speak to you and أتمنى أن أتحدّث معك, I hope to speak with you.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Levantine dialects such as Lebanese or Syrian, people usually say بدي أحكي معك in daily conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
معك is for a man. To a woman say أريد أن أتحدث معكِ, and to a group أريد أن أتحدث معكم.
Did you know?
- While أريد أن أتحدث معك is for general speaking, Arabic has a unique word مناجاة ('munājāt') that describes a private, secret conversation or a spiritual dialogue with God.
- The word حديث ('hadīth'), which shares a root with the verb 'to talk' used in this phrase, specifically refers to a 'tradition' or a recorded saying of the Prophet Muhammad.
- The particle أن ('an'), used to link 'want' and 'talk', likely shares a root with هَمّ ('hamm'), meaning 'concern' or 'worry'.
Examples in context
- أودّ أن أتحدّث إليك بخصوص المشروعI would like to talk to you about the project
- بدي أحكي معك عن مشكلتيI want to talk to you about my problem
- عايز أحكي معاك عن موضوع مهمI want to talk to you about an important matter
- أريد أن أتحدث معك الآن.Urīdu an ataḥaddatha ma'aka al-ān.I want to talk to you now.
- أريد أن أتحدث معك في موضوع هام.Urīdu an ataḥaddatha ma'aka fī mawḍū' hām.I want to talk to you about an important matter.
- أريد أن أتحدث معك، هل لديك وقت؟Urīdu an ataḥaddatha ma'aka, hal ladayka waqt?I want to talk to you, do you have time?
Example conversation
Ahmed approaches Layla at the office.
- أحمد Ahmedليلى، أريد أن أتحدث معكِ.Layla, ureedu an atahaddatha ma'aki.Layla, I want to talk to you.
- ليلى Laylaبالطبع يا أحمد، تفضل.bit-tab' ya Ahmad, tafaddal.Of course, Ahmed, go ahead.
- أحمد Ahmedهل لديكِ وقت قصير؟hal ladayki waqt qaseer?Do you have a little time?
- ليلى Laylaنعم، أنا أسمعك.na'am, ana asma'uka.Yes, I am listening to you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries أن, CC BY-SA 4.0.
