أنا
ana
In Arabic, the phrase "i" is translated as أنا (ana).
أنا is used as a personal pronoun to mean "I". In informal speech, you may encounter speakers doubling the word to أَنَا أَنَا to emphasize the personal nature of a statement or even tripling it to أَنَا أَنَا أَنَا to express strong emotions or a sense of self-importance.
Meaning: personal pronoun (pron)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The pronoun أنا is used by both masculine and feminine speakers.
How do you pronounce it?
ana
Did you know?
- While أنا is the standard word for 'I', Arabic grammar often allows the speaker to omit it entirely because the verb ending already indicates who is speaking.
- Some linguists suggest that the Arabic word أنا may be a semantic loan from the German word 'Ich', potentially traveling through the Latin 'ego'.
Examples in context
- لقد قلت أنا آسفI said I'm sorry.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use أنا when expressing an apology.Tatoeba #6679604 by marhabaan, translation #2405872 by CK
- أنا لا أسكن هناI don't live here.This sentence shows how to use أنا to describe your place of residence.Tatoeba #6679636 by marhabaan, translation #2271883 by CK
- أنا أعلم ما أحبI know what I like.This sentence demonstrates using أنا to express personal preferences.Tatoeba #6679673 by marhabaan, translation #4977844 by CK
- أَنَا طَالِبٌ.I am a student.
- نَحْنُ مُهَنْدِسُونَ.We are engineers.
- أَنَا أَتَكَلَّمُ العَرَبِيَّةَ.I speak Arabic.
- 706 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are introducing themselves at a small gathering.
- مريم Maryamأنا مريم، تشرفت بمعرفتك.ana maryam, tasharaftu bima'rifatik.I am Maryam, nice to meet you.
- أحمد Ahmedأنا أحمد، والفرصة سعيدة.ana ahmad, wal-fursa sa'ida.I am Ahmed, and the pleasure is mine.
- مريم Maryamهل أنت طالب هنا؟hal anta talib huna?Are you a student here?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، أنا طالب في الجامعة.na'am, ana talib fil-jami'a.Yes, I am a student at the university.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries أنا, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
