Here are some ways to translate the word “absorb” into Arabic:
- امتصّ (imtattaṣa)
This verb means to suck up, soak up, or take in liquid or moisture. It carries a similar meaning and usage as “absorb” in contexts like a sponge absorbing water.
Example: امتصّت الأرض مياه الأمطار
Imtattaṣat al-arḍ miyāh al-amṭār
“The land absorbed the rainwater.”
- استيعب (istayʿaba)
This verb means to assimilate, internalize, or incorporate something into oneself. It can be used in a figurative sense similar to “absorb” ideas or information.
Example: استيعب الطالب المعلومات بسهولة
Istayʿaba al-ṭālibu l-maʿlūmāti bisahūlatin
“The student easily absorbed the information.”
- امتصاص (imtiṣāṣ)
This is the noun form derived from the verb امتصّ above. It means absorption, soaking up, or uptake.
Example: امتصاص الماء من قبل التربة
Imtiṣāṣu l-mā’i min qibali l-turabī
“The absorption of water by the soil.”
So in summary, while there is no single direct Arabic equivalent, امتصّ and استيعب are often used when translating the concept of “absorbing” something into Arabic.
Here are the conjugations of the Arabic verbs mentioned to translate “absorb”:
For the verb امتصّ (imtattaṣa):
Past: امتصَّ (imtattaṣa)
Present: يمتصُّ (yimtattaṣu)
Command: امتصَّ (imtattaṣ)
Verbal noun: امتصاص (imtiṣāṣ)
For the verb استيعب (istayʿaba):
Past: استيعب (istayʿaba)
Present: يستيعب (yastayiʿibu)
Command: استيعب (istayʿib)
Verbal noun: استيعاب (istiʿāb)
Some example sentences:
امتصَّت الأرض مياه الأمطار (Imtattaṣat al-arḍ miyāh al-amṭār)
“The land absorbed the rainwater”
يمتصُّ القماش السوائل بسهولة (Yimtattaṣu l-qimašu l-sawāʾilu bisahūlatin)
“The fabric easily absorbs liquids”
استيعب الطالب المعلومات (Istayʿaba l-ṭālibu l-maʿlūmāt)
“The student absorbed the information”
استيعبوا الدرس جيدا (Istayʿibū l-darsa jayyidan)
“Absorb the lesson well”