أكتب
The English phrase "i write" is translated into Arabic as أكتب.
Which one should you use?
The form أكتبُ can be used to mean either "I write" (simple present) or "I am writing" (present continuous) depending on the context.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the present tense form أكتبُ, the prefix أ (a-) is used to signify "I". To change the meaning to the future tense "I will write", you add the prefix سـ (sa-) to the form, resulting in سأكتبُ.
Did you know?
- In classical Arabic literature, the act of writing أكتب was often linked to the concept of 'destiny', as the 'Written' (المكتوب) refers to what is predestined by God.
- While أكتب means 'I write', the root letters ك-ت-ب create a whole family of words. For example, a 'book' is كتاب and a 'library' is مكتبة, all sharing the same core concept of writing.
- In Arabic, the verb أكتب is often used in a specialized way to mean 'I am registering' or 'I am enrolling' when referring to a school or a course.
Examples in context
- ما أكتبه هو شأني.What I write is my business.This sentence is useful for discussing the ownership of one's writing using أكتب.Tatoeba #11979518 by dididodo, translation #9761605 by Amastan
- ما أكتبه ليس إنجليزية.What I write is not English.This sentence is useful for identifying the language of one's writing using أكتب.Tatoeba #11978926 by dididodo, translation #1963569 by Amastan
- لماذا لا أكتب بالروسية؟Why don't I write in Russian?This sentence is useful for asking a question about writing in a specific language using أكتب.Tatoeba #11686981 by dididodo, translation #1798805 by Amastan
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ahmed and Nour are talking about their school projects.
- أحمد Ahmedأنا أكتب التقرير الآن.Ana aktub al-taqreer al-aan.I am writing the report now.
- نور Nourهل تحتاج إلى مساعدة يا أحمد؟Hal tahtaj ila musa'ada ya Ahmed?Do you need help, Ahmed?
- أحمد Ahmedلا، أنا أكتب بسرعة اليوم.La, ana aktub bi-sur'a al-yawm.No, I am writing quickly today.
- نور Nourجيد، سأنتظر حتى تنتهي.Jayyid, sa-antazir hatta tantahi.Good, I will wait until you finish.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
