أقل
aqall
The English phrase 'less' is translated into Arabic as أقل (aqall).
أقل is an adverb used to indicate a smaller extent or degree. When you use it to compare quantities or time, it is almost always followed by the preposition من (than), forming the phrase أقل من (less than).
Meaning: to a smaller extent or degree (adv)
Which one should you use?
The word أقل is the direct antonym of أكثر (more).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
أقل is the comparative form of the adjective meaning 'small' (صغير) or 'few' (قليل).
How do you pronounce it?
aqall
Did you know?
- While أقل means 'less', the related word قليل can be used as a polite way to downplay a large gift or achievement, similar to saying 'it is but a little thing' to show humility.
- While English uses 'less' for uncountable nouns and 'fewer' for countable ones, Arabic uses أقل for both, regardless of whether you are talking about 'less water' or 'fewer people'.
- In Arabic, the comparative form أقل is known as the 'elative' because it performs the job of both the comparative 'less' and the superlative 'least' without changing its form.
Examples in context
- لقد أنهيت العمل في أقل من ساعةI finished the work in less than an hour.This sentence shows how to use أقل to describe a duration of time.Tatoeba #8797344 by mavimsi, translation #47613 by CK
- أنهى توم كتابة التقرير في أقل من ثلاث ساعات.Tom finished writing the report in less than three hours.This sentence demonstrates using أقل when referring to a specific number of hours.Tatoeba #4459107 by Safa_Alfulaij, translation #4198280 by CK
- عندما يكثر الطّعام، تصبح الدّببة أقلّ عدائية.When food is abundant, bears become less aggressive.This sentence shows the use of أقلّ to describe a decrease in a quality like aggressiveness.Tatoeba #6572759 by OsoHombre, translation #6331123 by OsoHombre
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nour and Omar are discussing a recipe in the kitchen.
- نور Nourهل نحتاج إلى ملح أقل؟Hal nahtaju ila milh aqall?Do we need less salt?
- عمر Omarنعم، أضف ملح أقل في المرة القادمة.Na'am, adif milh aqall fil marra al-qadima.Yes, add less salt next time.
- نور Nourسأفعل ذلك، شكراً يا عمر.Sa'af'al dhalika, shukran ya Omar.I will do that, thanks Omar.
- عمر Omarعلى الرحب والسعة.Ala al-rahb wa al-si'a.You are welcome.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
