في
fī/fiː/
The English word "in" is translated into Arabic as في (fī).
في is a preposition used to indicate location, time or a state of being, functioning similarly to the English "in".
Meaning: contained by (prep)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /fiː/ (fī).
Did you know?
- In spoken Arabic, في is often used as a shorthand for 'there is' or 'there are'.
- The preposition في may share an ancient root with the concept of a 'mouth' or an 'entrance', suggesting that being 'in' something originally implied being inside an opening.
- In many Arabic dialects, the phrase في شو or في إيه is used to ask 'what is happening' or 'what is the matter'.
Examples in context
- في يدها شيء ما.She has something in her hand.This sentence demonstrates the use of في to indicate physical containment in a hand.Tatoeba #376203 by saeb, translation #314869 by CK
- أنا واقع في حبكI'm in love with you.This sentence shows how في can be used to express a state of being, such as being in love.Tatoeba #6679744 by marhabaan, translation #499751 by saeb
- هي تعمل في بنك.She works in a bank.This sentence illustrates using في to indicate a place of employment.Tatoeba #10644227 by ANANASA, translation #313334 by CK
- هو يعمل في المستشفى.He works in the hospital.
- لقد درستُ في جامعة القاهرة.I studied at Cairo University.
- أنا في البيت.I am at home.
- لا تقف في الشارع.Don't stand in the street.
- أنا شايف حاجة مهمة فيه.I see something important in there.
- الكتاب فيه معلومات مفيدة.The book has useful information in it.
- عايش عند عمه في دمشق.Living at his uncle's in Damascus.
- 2464 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Omar and Leila are looking for a missing pen in the room.
- عمر Omarهل القلم في الحقيبة؟Hal al-qalam fi al-haqiba?Is the pen in the bag?
- ليلى Laylaلا، ليس في الحقيبة.La, laysa fi al-haqiba.No, it is not in the bag.
- عمر Omarربما هو في الصندوق.Rubbama huwa fi al-sanduq.Maybe it is in the box.
- ليلى Laylaنعم، وجدته في الصندوق!Naam, wajadtu-hu fi al-sanduq!Yes, I found it in the box!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry في, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries في, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
