أنا أعمل
'anā 'a'mal
In Arabic, "I work" is said as أنا أعمل ('anā 'a'mal).
The phrase is used to state that you have a job or are currently performing a task.
What does it mean word for word?
أنا is the independent personal pronoun for "I", and أعمل is the first-person singular present tense form of the root meaning "to work" or "to do".
Is it said differently in some regions?
أنا بشتغل is used for "I work" in Levantine Arabic, which includes dialects from Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria. In Egypt, the expression أنا شغال is used in most regions to indicate work.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb أعمل covers both the simple present "I work" and the present continuous "I am working" in Arabic.
How do you pronounce it?
'anā 'a'mal
Did you know?
- The pronoun أنا can be omitted entirely in a sentence because the verb أعمل already contains the 'I' within its conjugation.
- The word for 'I' أنا is a linguistic relative to the Coptic word ⲁⲛⲟⲕ, the final stage of the ancient Egyptian language.
- While أنا أعمل is standard, the Egyptian phrase أنا شغال uses a word that literally means 'I am functioning' or 'I am operating'.
Examples in context
- أنا أعمل في مخبز.I work at a bakery.This sentence is useful for saying where you work.Tatoeba #10951035 by ANANASA, translation #6274346 by CK
- أنا أعمل هنا. لست زائرا.I work here, I'm not a guest.This sentence is useful for clarifying that you are an employee rather than a guest.Tatoeba #2882514 by Amastan, translation #3452855 by Ealdwimor
- أنا أعمل في قسم الصّحّة.I work for the department of health.This sentence is useful for stating your employer or department.Tatoeba #7016249 by OsoHombre, translation #6396361 by OsoHombre
- أنا أعمل في مجال التسويق.I work in the field of marketing.
- أنا موظف في شركة كبيرة.I am an employee in a big company.
- أنا بشتغل في ورشة السيارات.I work at the car workshop.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A casual conversation between two acquaintances meeting at a café.
- أحمد Ahmedأهلاً سارة، ماذا تفعلين الآن؟Ahlan Sara, matha taf'aleena al-aan?Hello Sara, what are you doing now?
- سارة Saraأنا أعمل على مشروع جديد.Ana a'malu 'ala mashrou' jadeed.I am working on a new project.
- أحمد Ahmedهل أنتِ مشغولة جداً؟Hal anti mashghoola jiddan?Are you very busy?
- سارة Saraنعم، أنا أعمل بجد هذه الأيام.Na'am, ana a'malu bi-jid hadhihi al-ayyam.Yes, I am working hard these days.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries أعمل, أنا, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
