استمع إلى
istama'a 'ila
To listen to in Arabic is استمع إلى (istama'a 'ila).
The phrase استمع إلى is used when you want to express the act of paying attention to a sound or a person who is speaking.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb استمع (to listen) and the preposition إلى (to).
Which one should you use?
While استمع إلى implies intentional listening or paying attention, the verb اسمع is more closely related to the act of hearing a sound.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the verb changes depending on who you are addressing. When addressing a female, use استمعي إلى. When addressing a group of people, use استمعوا إلى.
How do you pronounce it?
istama'a 'ila
Did you know?
- The verb استمع is derived from a root that implies a request or a search. In a linguistic sense, listening in Arabic is viewed as an active pursuit of information rather than a passive reception of sound.
- The root of the preposition إلى is linked to the concept of 'returning' or 'turning towards' something, which explains why it is used to point the direction of your attention.
- In many Arabic dialects, the formal phrase استمع إلى is replaced by the simpler اسمع for both hearing and listening, making the distinction a feature primarily of Modern Standard Arabic.
Examples in context
- استمع إلى تومListen to Tom.This sentence is useful for practicing the form استمع إلى.Tatoeba #6679521 by marhabaan, translation #1841481 by CK
- استمع إلى أمكListen to your mother.Tatoeba #6679785 by marhabaan, translation #3374724 by CK
- رجاءً، اصغِ إلى ما أقول.Please, listen to what I'm saying.
- اسمع، عندي قصة مضحكة لأخبرك بها.Listen, I have a funny story to tell you.
- اسمعوا هذه الأغنية الجديدة.Listen to this new song.
- استمع إلى الموسيقى الهادئة.istami' ilā al-mūsīqā al-hādiah.Listen to calm music.
Example conversation
In a quiet room, Sarah is trying to study.
- سارة Saraيا عمر، استمع إلى الشرح جيداً.yā 'umar, istami' ilā al-sharḥ jayyidan.Omar, listen to the explanation carefully.
- عمر Omarأنا أستمع إليه الآن.ana astami' ilayhi al-ān.I am listening to it now.
- سارة Saraهذا الدرس مهم جداً.hādhā al-dars muhim jiddan.This lesson is very important.
- عمر Omarحسناً، سأركز أكثر.hasanan, sa-urkizu akthar.Okay, I will focus more.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries إلى, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
