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Able
قادر (qādir) is an adjective meaning 'able' or 'capable,' describing someone who has the power, skill, or capacity to do something. It is commonly used in both formal and colloquial Arabic to express competence, possibility, or ability. The word can function as a predicative adjective (following a noun with 'to be') and agrees with its subject in gender and number.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
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أنا قادر على إنهاء هذا المشروع قبل الموعد النهائي.
Anā qādir ʿalā inhāʾ hādhā al-mashrūʿ qabla al-mawʿid al-nihāʾī.
I am able to finish this project before the deadline.
هل أنت قادر على مساعدتي في الدراسة؟
Hal anta qādir ʿalā musāʿadatī fī al-dirāsah?
Are you able to help me with studying?
الطالبات قادرات على تحقيق أحلامهن.
Al-tālibāt qādarāt ʿalā tahqīq aḥlāmihinn.
The female students are capable of achieving their dreams.
لن يكون قادراً على الحضور غداً.
Lan yakūn qādarān ʿalā al-hudūr ghadan.
He will not be able to attend tomorrow.
هم قادرون على تغيير العالم.
Hum qādarūn ʿalā taghyīr al-ʿālam.
They are capable of changing the world.
In Arabic culture, the concept of قادر extends beyond mere physical ability to encompass moral and spiritual capacity. The phrase 'والله قادر على كل شيء' (And God is capable of all things) reflects Islamic theological importance of divine omnipotence. In everyday Arabic conversations, قادر is frequently used to express readiness, willingness, and competence in professional and personal contexts.
Remember that قادر requires the preposition 'على' (on/upon) when followed by an action: قادر على (capable of). The word must agree in gender and number with its subject: قادر (masculine singular), قادرة (feminine singular), قادرون (masculine plural), and قادرات (feminine plural). It's often used with the present tense of 'to be' (كان) to form the past tense: كان قادراً.
The Arabic word قادر (qādir) is a fundamental adjective used to express ability, capability, or capacity. It's one of the most commonly used words in both modern standard Arabic and colloquial dialects, making it essential for learners to master.
قادر literally translates to "able" or "capable" and is used to describe someone who has the power, skill, or competence to perform an action or task. The word carries connotations of readiness, qualification, and strength. In Arabic, it's frequently employed in daily conversations, professional settings, and formal written communication.
As an adjective, قادر must agree with its subject in gender and number:
When expressing capability to do something specific, قادر is always followed by the preposition على (on/upon/over), which means the complete phrase becomes "قادر على" meaning "capable of" or "able to."
Example: قادر على العمل (able to work), قادرة على السباحة (able to swim)
To express past ability, قادر is combined with the past tense of the verb كان (to be):
For future capability, use the future marker سوف or س with the present tense of كان:
In Islamic tradition, the word قادر holds particular importance. One of the 99 Divine Attributes in Islam is Al-Qadir (The All-Powerful or The Capable), referring to Allah's omnipotence. The phrase "والله قادر على كل شيء" (And God is capable of all things) is commonly used in religious contexts and everyday speech, reflecting the deep cultural and religious roots of this word.
In modern Arabic society, saying someone is قادر is not merely a statement of physical ability but often extends to moral, intellectual, and professional competence. It's a word that carries weight and respect when applied to individuals.
In business contexts: إن فريقنا قادر على تحقيق الأهداف (Our team is capable of achieving the goals)
In educational settings: الطالب قادر على فهم الدرس (The student is able to understand the lesson)
In personal conversations: أنا قادر على مساعدتك (I am able to help you)
The noun form is قدرة (qudrah), meaning ability or power. Other related words include مستطيع (able), استطاع (was able to), and قوي (strong). Understanding these related terms helps learners express nuances of capability in various contexts.
Learners often forget to change the adjective ending based on gender and number. Remember that قادر is not invariable; it must agree with its subject. Additionally, don't forget the preposition على when expressing capability to do something specific.
Mastering the word قادر is crucial for any Arabic learner as it appears frequently in conversation, literature, and media. By understanding its proper conjugation, usage with prepositions, and cultural significance, you'll be able to express ideas of capability and readiness confidently in Arabic.