لا تثق بأحد
The English phrase "trust no one" is translated into Arabic as لا تثق بأحد.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The standard Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) way to express this command is لا تثق بأحد, suitable for writing or formal speech. In informal settings, you might use ما تثقش في حدا to say "Don't trust anyone," ما توثقش في حدا for "Don't put your trust in anyone," or ما تثقاش في حدا to mean "Don't believe/trust anyone." Additionally, some colloquial dialects use ما تثق في أحد to mean "don't trust anyone."
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the informal expression for "Don't trust anyone" is متثقش في حد.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a group of people, the imperative form changes from the singular to the plural لا تثقوا بأحد.
Did you know?
- In Arabic, the concept of trust is closely linked to the root و ث ق, which also describes the physical act of tying a knot or securing a rope tightly.
- The word أحد in the phrase usually means 'anyone', but in certain theological contexts in Arabic, it refers specifically to the absolute oneness of God.
- The root of the verb in لا تثق is و-ث-ق, which is also the root for the word 'document' or 'certificate' in Arabic.
Examples in context
- لا تثق بأحد في هذا العمل.lā tathiq bi-aḥad fī hādhā al-'amal.Trust no one in this work.
- عليك أن لا تثق بأحد هنا.ʿalayka an lā tathiq bi-aḥad hunā.You must trust no one here.
- القاعدة هي: لا تثق بأحد.al-qāʿida hiya: lā tathiq bi-aḥad.The rule is: trust no one.
Example conversation
Layla warns Ahmed about a suspicious person at a meeting.
- ليلى Laylaيا أحمد، لا تثق بأحد هناك.yā aḥmad, lā tathiq bi-aḥad hunāka.Ahmed, trust no one there.
- أحمد Ahmedلماذا تقولين هذا يا ليلى؟limādhā taqūlīna hādhā yā laylā?Why do you say this, Layla?
- ليلى Laylaالجميع يحاولون الحصول على أسرارك.al-jamīʿu yuḥāwilūna al-ḥuṣūla ʿalā asrārika.Everyone is trying to get your secrets.
- أحمد Ahmedفهمت، سأكون حذراً جداً.fuhimtu, sa-akūnu ḥadhiran jiddan.I understood, I will be very careful.
