تعلم العربية
ta'allam al-'arabiyyah
To learn arabic in Arabic, you say تعلم العربية (ta'allam al-'arabiyyah).
The phrase is an instruction or command telling someone to acquire knowledge of the Arabic language.
What does it mean word for word?
The word تعلم (ta'allam) is a verb meaning 'to learn' or 'to study'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase بَدِّي أَتَعَلَّم عَرَبي is used in some dialects, particularly in the Levant region.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form تعلم العربية can function as an imperative command meaning 'Learn Arabic!'
How do you pronounce it?
ta'allam al-'arabiyyah
Did you know?
- The root 'a-l-m' in the verb تعلم is the same root used for the word 'flag' or 'landmark' (عَلَم), as both concepts involve 'marking' or 'making something known'.
- While the command تعلم العربية is grammatically perfect, using it with a stranger in a Middle Eastern market might sound like a harsh order rather than a friendly suggestion.
- The root system used to build تعلم allows the language to create a whole family of words from the same three letters, such as معلم (teacher) and علم (science), making the vocabulary a logical web rather than a list of separate words.
Examples in context
- أريد تعلم العربية.I want to learn Arabic.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to use the form تعلم العربية.Tatoeba #7743157 by MisterBrown, translation #4519924 by maydoo
- صَاحِب: "شو عم تِعْمَلْ هَالْفَتْرَةْ؟" أَنْت: "شايف حالي قاعد بِتَعَلَّم عَرَبي. صَعْبَة بَسْ حَلْوَة!"Friend: 'What have you been up to lately?' You: 'I'm currently learning Arabic. It's challenging but exciting!'
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their study plans in a cafe.
- أحمد Ahmedهل ستتعلم العربية هذا العام؟hal sata'allamu al-'arabiyyata hadha al-'am?Will you learn Arabic this year?
- مريم Maryamنعم، أريد تعلم العربية من أجل العمل.na'am, uridu ta'alluma al-'arabiyya min ajli al-'amal.Yes, I want to learn Arabic for work.
- أحمد Ahmedهذا قرار رائع يا مريم.hadha qarar ra'i' ya Maryam.That is a great decision, Maryam.
- مريم Maryamشكراً لك يا أحمد.shukran laka ya Ahmad.Thank you, Ahmad.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
