أبداً
abadan
The English word "never" is translated into Arabic as أبداً (abadan).
The word أبداً means "at no time".
Meaning: at no time (adv)
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverb, أبداً typically appears at the end of the clause it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
abadan
Did you know?
- While أبداً is used for the future, the word قط is used specifically to mean 'never' when referring to the past.
- In certain classical contexts, the word أبداً can actually be used to mean 'forever' or 'always' if the sentence is affirmative rather than negative, creating a complete reversal of its usual meaning.
- While أبداً is the standard word for 'never', in many spoken dialects, people use the word عمر (life/age) combined with a negative to express that something has 'never' happened in one's lifetime.
Examples in context
- لا تلعب هنا أبداً.Never play here.This sentence shows how to use أبداً in a negative command.Tatoeba #376214 by saeb, translation #62585 by CM
- لن ينتهي ذلك أبداً.This is never going to end.This sentence demonstrates the use of أبداً to describe a continuous state that will not end.Tatoeba #400795 by saeb, translation #1287 by CK
- لا تستخفَّ بتوم أبداً.Never underestimate Tom.This sentence illustrates how to use أبداً with a command involving a person.Tatoeba #5067796 by Hosam, translation #2235867 by CK
- أنا لن أنسى هذا أبدًا.I will never forget this.
- ما حكى معي من يوم. والله.He never spoke to me. I swear.
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Youssef and Nour are talking about their travel preferences.
- يوسف Youssefهل تريد السفر إلى الجبال؟Hal tureed as-safar ila al-jibaal?Do you want to travel to the mountains?
- نور Nourلا، أنا لا أحب البرد أبداً.La, ana la uhib al-bard abadan.No, I never like the cold.
- يوسف Youssefلكن المناظر هناك رائعة جداً.Lakin al-manazir hunak ra'i'a jiddan.But the views there are very wonderful.
- نور Nourمع ذلك، لن أذهب إلى هناك أبداً.Ma'a dhalik, lan adhab ila hunak abadan.Regardless, I will never go there.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
