قدّم
qaddama
The English verb "introduce" is translated into Arabic as قدّم (qaddama).
The verb is used to cause someone to be acquainted. To express the act of introducing one person to another, the verb is typically used with the preposition li (to) for the recipient, as in قدّم شخصاً لآخر.
Meaning: to cause someone to be acquainted (verb)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Levantine Arabic, the word for "introduce" might sound like بعرِّف (ba'arref).
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb قدّم is a Form II verb (doubled middle radical), which often implies an intensive or causative action. The form qaddama is the third-person masculine singular past tense form, meaning "he introduced".
How do you pronounce it?
qaddama
Did you know?
- The word قدّم is a polysemic verb that can also mean 'to present' a gift or 'to serve' a meal. In these contexts, the act of introducing someone is seen as presenting them to another person.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, when using قدّم to introduce someone, it is customary to highlight the person's title or professional achievement first to show respect.
- The word قدّم shares the same root as 'precedence' or 'priority' in many contexts, because the act of introducing someone is seen as 'putting them forward'.
Examples in context
- أريد أن أُعَرِّفَكُمْ إلى السيدة سارة.I want to introduce you to Mrs. Sara.
- هل لي أن أعرِّفَ نفسي لكم؟May I introduce myself to you?
- ممكن أعرفك على صديقي جميل؟Can I introduce you to my friend Jamil?
- ماذا عن أن تعرِّف نفسك؟How about you introduce yourself?
- أنا بقدم لكم صديقي جمال.I am introducing my friend Gamal to you.
Example conversation
Ahmed and Maryam are at a social gathering with a new guest.
- أحمد Ahmedمريم، اسمحي لي أن أقدّم لكِ سارة.Maryam, ismahī lī an uqaddima laki Sarah.Maryam, allow me to introduce Sarah to you.
- مريم Maryamأهلاً بكِ يا سارة، تشرفت بمعرفتك.Ahlan biki yā Sarah, tasharaftu bi-ma'rifatik.Welcome Sarah, it is nice to meet you.
- أحمد Ahmedسارة زميلة جديدة في العمل.Sarah zamīla jadīda fī al-'amal.Sarah is a new colleague at work.
- مريم Maryamيسعدني أن أحمد قدّمها لنا اليوم.Yus'idunī anna Ahmad qaddamahā lanā al-yawm.I am happy that Ahmed introduced her to us today.
