كثير
kathīr
The Arabic word for 'many' is كثير (kathīr).
The word is used as a determiner to indicate an indefinite large number of.
Meaning: an indefinite large number of (det)
Which one should you use?
The word كَثِيرٌ is a formal way to say 'many' in Arabic. When used as a substantive (a pronoun meaning 'many people'), the word can take the masculine plural form كثيرون.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In various dialects, such as Egyptian or Gulf Arabic, the term كَتِير is commonly used instead of كَثِير.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective takes the feminine form كثيرة when describing a feminine plural noun. Additionally, you can use the construction كثير من to mean 'many of' or 'a lot of' before a noun.
How do you pronounce it?
kathīr
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often forget to change the gender of كثير to match the noun it modifies, such as using كثيرة for feminine nouns.
Did you know?
- In some Levantine dialects, the word كتير (ktīr) is often used as an adverb to mean 'very' or 'extremely', such as saying 'very beautiful' instead of just 'many beautiful things'.
- To express 'too many', speakers often use كثير جداً, but in some dialects, simply stressing the vowel in كثير can convey that a limit has been exceeded.
- The root of كثير (K-Th-R) is inherently linked to the concept of 'abundance' and 'growth' in Arabic linguistic thought, not just a static number.
Examples in context
- هل لديه كتب كثيرة؟Does he have many books?This sentence is useful for asking about the quantity of books using كثير.Tatoeba #431127 by saeb, translation #303780 by CK
- تسبّب سامي بمشاكل كثيرة.Sami created many problems.This sentence is useful for describing the amount of problems using كثير.Tatoeba #6968429 by OsoHombre, translation #6715525 by OsoHombre
- ستواجهك كثير من الصعوبات.You will be up against many difficulties.This sentence is useful for demonstrating the construction كثير من used with difficulties.Tatoeba #620005 by Samer, translation #15922 by Zifre
- عندي كَثِيرٌ من الأصدقاء في الجامعة.I have many friends at the university.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yousef and Nour are talking in a crowded market.
- يوسف Youssefلماذا يوجد كثير من الناس اليوم؟limādhā yūjad kathīr min al-nās al-yawm?Why are there so many people today?
- نور Nourلأن السوق مليء بالبضائع الجديدة.li'anna al-sūq malī' bil-badā'i' al-jadīdah.Because the market is full of new goods.
- يوسف Youssefهل رأيتِ الكثير من التخفيضات؟hal ra'ayti al-kathīr min al-takhfī dāt?Did you see many discounts?
- نور Nourنعم، هناك كثير من العروض.na'am, hunāka kathīr min al-'urūd.Yes, there are many offers.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
