علّم
'allama
The English verb 'teach' is translated into Arabic as علّم ('allama).
The verb refers to the act of passing on knowledge to someone else.
Meaning: to pass on knowledge (verb)
Which one should you use?
Do not confuse the verb for teaching, علّم, with the related verb تعلّم, which means 'to learn'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb changes depending on the tense and subject. The past tense form for 'I taught' is علّمْتُ. In the present tense, 'he teaches' is يُعلّم. The form تُعلّم can mean either 'you (masculine) teach' or 'she teaches' depending on the context of the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
'allama
Did you know?
- In Arabic, the word for 'teacher' معلّم is the same word used to describe a master craftsman or a foreman in a trade.
- The root ع ل م connects 'teach' to the word for 'world' عالم and 'scientist' عالم, suggesting that the world is a place of knowledge.
- In some Arabic dialects, the word معلّم can be used colloquially to describe a 'boss' or a 'tough guy' in a neighborhood.
Examples in context
- ليس بإمكانك أن تُعلّم كلباً عجوزاً حركات جديدة.You can't teach an old dog new tricks.This sentence uses علّم to demonstrate a common English idiom regarding an old dog.Tatoeba #416919 by suhaib, translation #282199 by CK
- أنا أُدَرِّسُ العربية في الجامعة.I teach Arabic at the university.
- أريد أن أُعلّم اللغة العربية للأطفال.urīdu an u'allima al-lughata al-'arabiyyata lil-atfāl.I want to teach the Arabic language to children.
- هل يمكنك أن تُعلّمني كيف أطبخ؟hal yumkinuka an tu'allimanī kayfa aṭbukhu?Can you teach me how to cook?
Example conversation
At home, a sister asks her brother for help with a skill.
- سارة Saraيا عمر، هل يمكنك أن تُعلّم هذه الطريقة لي؟yā 'Umar, hal yumkinuka an tu'allima hādhihi al-ṭarīqata lī?Omar, can you teach this method to me?
- عمر Omarبالطبع، سأُعلّمكِ كل شيء ببطء.bi-ṭab', sa'u'allimuki kullu shay' bi-buṭ'Of course, I will teach you everything slowly.
- سارة Saraشكراً لك، أنت مُعلّم رائع.shukran laka, anta mu'allim rā'i'.Thank you, you are a great teacher.
- عمر Omarلا داعي للشكر، يا أختي.lā dā'iya lil-shukr, yā ukhtī.No need to thank me, sister.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
