Understanding the Arabic Verb for “Convince”
In Arabic, the verb “convince” can be translated to “أقنع” (aqnaʿ).
This verb, like others in Arabic, changes its form based on tense, subject, and number. Let’s explore its various forms:
| Quick Summary: Translate Convince in Arabic | Male |
| Past | أقنع (aqnaʿa) |
| Present | يقنع (yuqniʿu) |
| Command | أقنع (uqniʿ) |
How to say Convince in Arabic?
1. Past Tense (الماضي)
The past tense varies based on the gender and number of the subject.
- Singular Male: أقنع (aqnaʿa) – “He convinced”
- Example: أقنع محمد والده بالفكرة. (Aqnaʿa Muhammad walidahu bil-fikrah) – “Muhammad convinced his father of the idea.”
- Singular Female: أقنعت (aqnaʿat) – “She convinced”
- Example: أقنعت فاطمة صديقتها بالخطة. (Aqnaʿat Fatimah sadiqataha bil-khattah) – “Fatimah convinced her friend of the plan.”
2. Present Tense (المضارع)
The present tense is marked by specific prefixes and sometimes suffixes.
- Singular Male: يقنع (yuqniʿu) – “He convinces”
- Example: يقنع علي أخاه بالذهاب. (Yuqniʿu Ali akhahu bil-dhahab) – “Ali convinces his brother to go.”
- Singular Female: تقنع (tuqniʿu) – “She convinces”
- Example: تقنع سميرة أمها بالرأي. (Tuqniʿu Samira ummaha bil-ra’ye) – “Samira convinces her mother of the opinion.”
3. Future Tense (المستقبل)
The future tense in Arabic is usually formed by adding “سوف” or the prefix “س-” to the present tense form.
- Singular Male: سيقنع (sayuqniʿu) – “He will convince”
- Example: سيقنع كريم مديره بالمشروع. (Sayuqniʿu Karim mudirahu bil-mashru’) – “Karim will convince his manager of the project.”
- Singular Female: ستقنع (satuqniʿu) – “She will convince”
- Example: ستقنع ليلى زميلاتها بالفكرة. (Satuqniʿu Layla zamilataha bil-fikrah) – “Layla will convince her colleagues of the idea.”
4. Command Form (الأمر)
The imperative is used for giving commands or making requests.
- For Male: أقنع (uqniʿ) – “Convince!” (when speaking to a male)
- Example: أقنع صديقك بالمجيء. (Uqniʿ sadiqaka bil-maji’) – “Convince your friend to come.”
- For Female: أقنعي (uqniʿi) – “Convince!” (when speaking to a female)
- Example: أقنعي أختك بالمشاركة. (Uqniʿi ukhtuki bil-musharakah) – “Convince your sister to participate.”
New Words to Learn from the Sentences:
- idea- Fikra فكرة
- his father- Walidahu والده
- her friend- Sadiqataha صديقتها
- plan- khattah خطة
- his brother- akhahu أخاه
- her mother- ummaha أمها
- opinion- ra’ye رأي
- his manager-mudirahu مديره
- project- mashru’ مشروع
- her colleagues- zamilataha زميلاتها
- come- maji مجيء
- your sister (f)- ukhtuki أختك
- participate- musharaka مشاركة
Conclusion
The verb “convince” in Arabic demonstrates the language’s intricate system of verb conjugation, reflecting the speaker’s intent with precision and clarity.
These diverse forms allow for nuanced and expressive communication in Arabic, highlighting the language’s rich linguistic heritage.