يعاني
yu'ani
The English phrase 'struggling' can be translated into Arabic in several ways depending on the context. The default form is يعاني (yu'ani).
The term for 'struggling' changes based on whether the struggle is passive suffering or an active, persistent effort. Use يعاني to describe someone enduring or suffering through a hardship. When you want to specify the cause of the struggle, the verb يعاني is almost always followed by the preposition من (struggling with or suffering from). For example, the phrase يعاني من الصعوبات means 'struggling with difficulties'.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinct difference between the nuances of the verbs used. يعاني implies a passive struggle, such as suffering or enduring a hardship. In contrast, يُكافح conveys a more active, heroic or persistent struggle, often translated as 'striving' or 'fighting' against an obstacle.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb يعاني is the third-person singular masculine present tense, meaning 'he suffers' or 'he is struggling'. To refer to a female, use the feminine singular form تعاني ('she suffers' or 'she is struggling').
How do you pronounce it?
yu'ani
Did you know?
- The concept of 'struggle' in Arabic includes جهاد, which describes an internal 'greater struggle' against one's own impulses and ego rather than an external enemy.
- The word مكافح is an adjective derived from the verb for active struggle, and calling someone this is a high compliment meaning they are a 'self-made' or 'determined' person.
- The root of the word يعاني is linked to terms for 'care' and 'concern', implying that the capacity to suffer is tied to the capacity to care.
Examples in context
- أنا أعاني في دراستيI am struggling with my studies.
- هي تعاني من صعوبات ماليةShe is struggling with financial difficulties.
- هم يكافحون لتجاوز حاجز اللغةThey are struggling to overcome the language barrier.
- احنا بنعاني من مشروعنا الجديد، ساعدنا من فضلكWe're struggling with our new business, please help us.
- هو يعاني من آلام الظهر.huwa yu'ani min aalam al-zahr.He is struggling with back pain.
- يعاني الطلاب من صعوبة الامتحان.yu'ani al-tullab min su'ubat al-imtihan.The students are struggling with the difficulty of the exam.
Example conversation
Maryam and Omar are discussing a friend's difficult situation.
- مريم Maryamهل سمعت عن أحمد؟ هو يعاني كثيراً.Hal sami'ta 'an Ahmad? Huwa yu'ani kathiran.Have you heard about Ahmad? He is struggling a lot.
- عمر Omarنعم، لماذا يعاني الآن؟Na'am, limadha yu'ani al-an?Yes, why is he struggling now?
- مريم Maryamيعاني من ضغوط العمل الكبيرة.Yu'ani min dughut al-'amal al-kabira.He is struggling with great work pressure.
- عمر Omarيجب أن نساعده في هذا الوقت.Yajib an nusai'dahu fi hadha al-waqt.We should help him at this time.
