أنت تكذب
anta takdhib
In Arabic, "you're lying" is said as أنت تكذب (anta takdhib).
This phrase is used to tell someone that they are not telling the truth.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the subject pronoun أنت (you) and the verb تكذب (you lie/are lying).
Which one should you use?
If you want to say "you're joking" instead of "you're lying", use أنت تمزح.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form أنت تكذب is used when addressing a male. When addressing a group of people, the phrase changes to أنتم تكذبون.
How do you pronounce it?
anta takdhib
Did you know?
- Directly telling someone أنت تكذب in a social setting can be seen as a direct challenge to their honor. While English speakers might use 'you're lying' casually among friends, in Arabic it can be an extreme escalation.
- In many Arabic dialects, people replace the formal phrase أنت تكذب with the single word كذاب, meaning 'liar'. Using this noun as a direct label often carries a much heavier emotional weight than using the verb.
- Arabic allows a speaker to subtly change the nuance of an accusation by shifting the verb's aspect. This allows them to distinguish between 'lying' as a temporary action in the moment and 'lying' as a habitual character trait.
Examples in context
- أنت تكذب، أليس كذلك؟You're lying, aren't you?This sentence shows how to use أنت تكذب in a question.Tatoeba #1569082 by Amastan, translation #435198 by CK
- أنت تكذب عليّ.anta takdhib 'alayya.You are lying to me.
Example conversation
Omar and Sarah are arguing about a lost key.
- عمر Omarلقد ضاع المفتاح يا سارة.Laqad da'a al-miftah ya Sarah.The key is lost, Sarah.
- سارة Saraأنا لم ألمسه أبداً!Ana lam almassahu abadan!I never touched it!
- عمر Omarأنت تكذب، رأيتك معه.Anti takdhibin, ra'aytuki ma'ahu.You're lying, I saw you with it.
- سارة Saraهذا غير صحيح يا عمر.Hadha ghayru sahih ya Omar.That is not true, Omar.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
