بالفعل
bilfa'l
The English phrase 'indeed' can be translated into Arabic using several forms, with the default form being بالفعل (bilfa'l).
While بالفعل can be used as an indication of agreement to mean 'indeed', it is most commonly used to mean 'actually' or 'already' to confirm that an action has taken place.
Meaning: indication of agreement (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase بالفعل is composed of the preposition 'bi-' (with/by) and the noun 'al-fi'l' (the act/deed).
Which one should you use?
بالفعل is used to mean 'indeed' or 'actually', while حقاً is used to express 'truly' or 'seriously'. In some contexts, في الواقع is used to mean 'in reality' or 'in fact'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase في الواقع is used in some Arabic-speaking countries to mean 'indeed', translating to 'in reality' or 'in fact'.
How do you pronounce it?
bilfa'l
Did you know?
- Depending on the tone of voice, بالفعل can be used sarcastically to mean 'oh, sure' when someone says something obvious.
- The word فعل inside بالفعل is the root of the Arabic word for 'verb'. In Arabic grammar, a verb is literally called 'an action'.
- In many spoken dialects, people might skip the formal بالفعل entirely and use a simple 'aywa' (yes) with a specific intonation to convey the same sense of 'indeed'.
Examples in context
- بالفعل إنه بليد لحدٍ ما, لكنه مُجتهد.Indeed he may be a little dull, but he is diligent.The sentence is useful for showing how to use بالفعل when describing someone's character.Tatoeba #10868552 by User105223, translation #21694 by User105223
- التقرير يظهر بالفعل نتائج مذهلة.The report does indeed show astonishing results.
- حقاً، قدمت عرضًا مقنعًا.Indeed, you presented a convincing argument.
- هل تريد أن نلتقي غدًا؟ – أكيد!Do you want to meet tomorrow? – Definitely!
- الشخص الفائز هو، في الواقع، أمين بن صالح.The winner is, indeed, Ameen bin Saleh.
- هو فنان بارع بالفعل.huwa fannān bāriʿ bil-fiʿl.He is indeed a talented artist.
- هذا الخبر صحيح بالفعل.hādhā al-khabar ṣaḥīḥ bil-fiʿl.This news is indeed true.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a recent movie they watched.
- نور Nourكان الفيلم ممتعاً جداً.kāna al-fīlm mumtiʿan jiddan.The movie was very enjoyable.
- عمر Omarبالفعل، لقد أعجبني كثيراً.bil-fiʿl, laqad aʿjabanī kathīran.Indeed, I liked it a lot.
- نور Nourهل تريد مشاهدته مرة أخرى؟hal turīd mushāhadatahu marra ukhrā?Do you want to watch it again?
- عمر Omarنعم، بكل سرور.naʿam, bikulli surūr.Yes, with pleasure.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
