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Accuse
اتّهم (ittahama) is a Form VIII Arabic verb meaning 'to accuse' or 'to charge someone with.' It is commonly used in legal, formal, and everyday contexts to describe the action of blaming or attributing a wrongdoing to someone. The word carries the sense of making an accusation, whether justified or unjustified.
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اتّهموه بالسرقة أمام المحكمة.
Ittahamoohu bi-al-sarriqah amama al-mahkamah.
They accused him of theft in front of the court.
لا يجب أن تتّهم صديقك دون دليل.
La yajibu an tattahima sadiqaka dun dalil.
You should not accuse your friend without evidence.
اتّهمت الشرطة المشبوه بجريمة القتل.
Ittahamat al-shorta al-mashbuh bi-jarimat al-qatl.
The police accused the suspect of the murder.
يتّهمون بعضهم البعض بالكذب.
Yattahimun ba'duhum al-ba'da bi-al-kidhb.
They accuse each other of lying.
اتّهمني بشيء لم أفعله.
Ittahamni bi-shay' lam af'alohu.
He accused me of something I didn't do.
In Arabic-speaking cultures, the verb اتّهم is frequently used in legal contexts, media reporting, and political discourse. The concept of accusation carries significant weight in Islamic legal tradition, where false accusations (qathf) are serious matters. This word appears regularly in Arabic news, courtroom proceedings, and everyday disputes, reflecting the importance of justice and proper evidence in Islamic and Arab cultural values.
Remember that اتّهم is typically followed by the preposition 'بـ' (bi-) when introducing the crime or wrongdoing, as in 'اتّهمه بالسرقة' (accused him of theft). The word is transitive and requires a direct object (the person being accused). In formal writing, you might encounter the noun تهمة (tahimah) meaning 'charge' or 'accusation,' which is derived from the same root.
The Arabic verb اتّهم (ittahama) is a Form VIII verb that means "to accuse" or "to charge someone with a wrongdoing." This verb is essential in legal, journalistic, and everyday Arabic communication. When you use اتّهم, you are attributing blame or fault to another person. The verb can be used in both literal legal contexts and metaphorical situations where someone is blamed for something.
اتّهم is a triliteral verb derived from the root ه-م-م (h-m-m), though in its Form VIII configuration (ittahama), it takes on this distinct meaning. The verb is typically conjugated as:
When using اتّهم, the preposition بـ (bi-) is typically employed to introduce the crime or wrongdoing:
اتّهم + person + بـ + crime/wrongdoing
For example:
تهمة (tahimah) - accusation or charge (noun) متّهم (muttaham) - accused person or defendant إدانة (idanah) - conviction or condemnation محاكمة (muhakamah) - trial دليل (dalil) - evidence or proof
In Arabic-speaking societies, the concept of accusation carries significant legal and social weight. Islamic jurisprudence (Sharia) takes accusations very seriously, particularly in cases of qathf (false accusation), which is considered a grave sin. The word اتّهم appears frequently in legal proceedings, news media, political discourse, and courtroom testimonies throughout the Arab world.
When someone is accused, they are referred to as a متّهم (muttaham). In formal legal contexts, multiple accusations are referred to as تهم (tuhum). The phrase "متّهم بتهمة..." (accused of a charge...) is common in legal and journalistic Arabic.
When learning to use اتّهم, remember these key points:
Always use بـ before the accusation: You cannot say "اتّهمه القتل" but rather "اتّهمه بالقتل."
Context matters: While اتّهم is used in formal legal contexts, it can also be used casually when someone blames another person in everyday disputes.
Be aware of the seriousness: In Arabic culture, making false accusations is treated seriously. The verb implies a degree of formal blame or legal charge.
Passive voice: The passive form يُتّهم (yuttaham) means "is accused" and is commonly used in news reports: "اُتّهم بالفساد" (He was accused of corruption).
While اتّهم is the primary verb for accusation, related verbs include:
The antonym would be برّأ (barra'a), meaning to acquit or exonerate someone.
The verb اتّهم is an essential word in Arabic for discussing legal matters, disputes, and blame. Understanding its proper usage with the preposition بـ and its cultural significance in Arab and Islamic contexts will enhance your Arabic comprehension and communication skills. Whether you're reading Arabic news, watching Arabic films, or engaging in debates, you'll frequently encounter this important verb.