الاعتناء بـ
al-i‘tinā’ bi-
The English phrase "take care of" is translated into Arabic as الاعتناء بـ (al-i‘tinā’ bi-).
الاعتناء بـ is used to express the act of looking after someone or something, specifically implying physical or practical care and maintenance.
Meaning: look after (verb)
Which one should you use?
While الاعتناء بـ implies physical or practical care, the related phrase الاهتمام بـ is used when one wants to say they are paying attention to or are interested in something.
How do you pronounce it?
al-i‘tinā’ bi-
Did you know?
- In many Arabic dialects, if you want to tell someone to 'take care' of themselves as a warm parting wish, you wouldn't use الاعتناء بـ. Instead, you might say دير بالك على حالك (dīr bālak ‘alā ḥālak), which literally means 'keep your mind/attention on yourself'.
- The root of الاعتناء is related to the word for 'fattening' or 'enriching'. In an ancient context, taking care of someone meant ensuring they were well-fed and prosperous.
- If you are 'taking care of' a person's feelings, you might switch to the verb راعي (rā‘ī), which implies 'respecting' or 'observing' their status. Using الاعتناء for feelings might sound like you are performing a maintenance task on them.
Examples in context
- خد بالك من السلم، مش عاوزين حد يقع.Take care of the stairs, we don't want anyone to fall.
- يجب الاعتناء بـالقطة يوميًا.yajibu al-i'tina' bi-l-qitta yawmiyan.One must take care of the cat daily.
- الاعتناء بـالمرضى عمل نبيل.al-i'tina' bi-l-marda 'amal nabil.Taking care of the sick is a noble act.
Example conversation
Nour and Ahmed are talking about their pets.
- نور Nourهل يمكنك الاعتناء بـ كلبي غداً؟hal yumkinuka al-i'tina' bi- kalbi ghadan?Can you take care of my dog tomorrow?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، سأقوم بذلك بكل سرور يا نور.na'am, sa-aqumu bi- dhalika bi-kulli surur ya Nour.Yes, I will do that with pleasure, Nour.
- نور Nourأنا أثق بك جداً يا أحمد.ana athiqu bika jiddan ya Ahmad.I trust you very much, Ahmed.
- أحمد Ahmedلا تقلقي، سأهتم به جيداً.la taqlaqi, sa-ahtammu bihi jayyidan.Don't worry, I will look after him well.
