رَكَضَ
rakaḍa
The English verb 'run' can be translated into Arabic as رَكَضَ (rakaḍa) or جَرَى.
Meaning: to move quickly on two feet (verb)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| رَكَضَ | rakaḍa |
| جَرَى | jarā |
Both verbs describe moving quickly on two feet. However, رَكَضَ is specifically used to emphasize the physical act of running or sprinting on foot, while جَرَى is a more versatile term.
Which one should you use?
رَكَضَ focuses strictly on the physical exertion of running on foot. In contrast, جَرَى can mean to run (such as in a race or running away), but it is also used to describe the flowing of liquids, such as water or blood.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are using the first verb, the present tense form is يَرْكُضُ (he runs / is running) and the verbal noun for the act of running is رَكْض. If you are using the second verb, the present tense form is يَجْرِي (he runs / is running).
How do you pronounce it?
rakaḍa
Did you know?
- The root of جَرَى is shared with the word for 'bold' or 'daring' (جَرِيء), suggesting a connection between running forward and bravery.
- In many Arabic dialects, the word جَرى can also mean 'to happen' or 'to occur' when asking what 'ran' or happened in a certain situation.
- The verb جَرَى is used to describe the 'run' of a fabric or the way a garment hangs and flows on the body.
Examples in context
- أَنَا أَتَدَرَّبُ لِسَبَاقِ الْمَارَاثُونِ، فَيَجِبُ عَلَيَّ أَنْ أَرْكُضَ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ.I am training for a marathon, so I need to run every day.
- هِيَ تُديرُ عَمَلًا نَاجِحًا.She runs a successful business.
- رَكَضَ الطِّفْلُ فِي الحَدِيقَةِ.rakaḍa aṭ-ṭiflu fī l-ḥadīqati.The child ran in the garden.
- رَكَضَ الوَلَدُ نَحْوَ المَدْرَسَةِ.rakaḍa l-waladu naḥwa l-madrasati.The boy ran towards the school.
- رَكَضَ الرَّجُلُ لِلِحَاقِ بِالحَافِلَةِ.rakaḍa r-rajulu li-l-iḥāqi bi-l-ḥāfilati.The man ran to catch the bus.
Example conversation
Omar and Nour are talking about a boy they saw at the park.
- عمر Omarهَلْ رَكَضَ الوَلَدُ بَعِيدًا؟hal rakaḍa l-waladu ba'īdan?Did the boy run far away?
- نور Nourنَعَمْ، رَكَضَ بِسُرْعَةٍ كَبِيرَةٍ.na'am, rakaḍa bi-sur'atin kabīratin.Yes, he ran very quickly.
- عمر Omarكَانَ يَبْدُو سَعِيدًا.kāna yabdu sa'īdan.He seemed happy.
- نور Nourرَكَضَ لِيَلْعَبَ مَعَ الكَلْبِ.rakaḍa li-yal'aba ma'a l-kalbi.He ran to play with the dog.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “run” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
