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Acquisite
حصل على (haṣala ʿalā) is a phrasal verb meaning 'to acquire,' 'to obtain,' or 'to get.' It consists of the verb حصل (haṣala, to happen/occur) combined with the preposition على (ʿalā, on/upon), and is used to express the action of gaining possession of something, achieving a goal, or obtaining information. This is one of the most commonly used expressions in Arabic for indicating acquisition in various contexts.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
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حصلت على درجة عالية في الامتحان
Haṣaltu ʿalā darajah ʿāliyah fī al-imtiḥān
I got a high grade on the exam.
هل حصلت على الموافقة من مديرك؟
Hal haṣaltu ʿalā al-muwāfaqah min mudīrik?
Did you get approval from your boss?
يريد أن يحصل على وظيفة جديدة
Yurīd an yaḥṣal ʿalā wazīfah jadīdah
He wants to get a new job.
كيف حصلت على هذه المعلومات؟
Kayf haṣaltu ʿalā hādhih al-maʿlūmāt?
How did you obtain this information?
حصلنا على تخفيض في السعر
Haṣalnā ʿalā takhfīḍ fī al-siʿr
We got a discount on the price.
The phrase حصل على is deeply embedded in Arabic communication and is used across all levels of society, from casual conversations to formal business and academic settings. In Arab cultures, the concept of acquiring knowledge, education, and opportunities is highly valued, making this verb particularly prevalent in discussions about personal and professional development. The phrase reflects the importance of achievement and progress in Arabic-speaking societies.
Remember that حصل على requires the preposition على (on/upon) and cannot be used without it. The verb conjugates like a regular verb, so you'll see forms like حصلت (feminine), حصلوا (plural), سيحصل (future tense). This phrase works with a wide range of objects including abstract nouns (information, permission, grades) and concrete nouns (items, jobs), making it highly versatile in everyday speech.
The Arabic phrasal verb حصل على (haṣala ʿalā) is one of the most frequently used expressions in modern Arabic. It literally translates to 'to obtain' or 'to acquire,' and is used to express the action of gaining possession of something, achieving a goal, or obtaining information. The phrase combines the verb حصل (haṣala), which originally means 'to happen' or 'to occur,' with the preposition على (ʿalā), meaning 'on' or 'upon.'
The structure of حصل على follows the pattern of compound verbs in Arabic. The main verb حصل conjugates according to person, tense, and gender, while the preposition على remains constant. For example:
This flexibility allows the phrase to be used in various tenses and with different subjects, making it applicable to most conversational contexts.
The phrase حصل على is remarkably versatile and can be used with numerous types of objects:
Educational Context: حصل على درجة عالية (got a high grade), حصل على شهادة (obtained a diploma)
Professional Context: حصل على وظيفة (got a job), حصل على ترقية (got a promotion)
Social and Personal Context: حصل على موافقة (got permission), حصل على إجازة (took leave), حصل على تصريح (obtained a permit)
Information Context: حصل على معلومات (obtained information), حصل على أخبار (got news)
Financial Context: حصل على خصم (got a discount), حصل على راتب (received a salary)
In daily conversation, you might hear: "كيف حصلت على هذه الفرصة؟" (How did you get this opportunity?) or "أريد أن أحصل على تذاكر للحفل" (I want to get tickets for the concert). In academic settings, teachers and students frequently use this phrase when discussing grades and achievements.
While حصل على is the most common expression, speakers may occasionally use alternatives such as نال (nāla), أخذ (akhidha), or امتلك (amtalaka), though these have slightly different connotations. نال (nāla) is more formal and often used in written Arabic, while أخذ (akhidha) is simpler and means 'to take.' امتلك (amtalaka) specifically means 'to possess' and implies ownership.
In Arab cultures, the concept of acquiring education, skills, and opportunities is highly valued. The phrase حصل على reflects this cultural emphasis on achievement and self-improvement. It appears frequently in discussions about personal goals, career advancement, and academic success, showing its importance in everyday communication across all levels of society.
English speakers learning Arabic should remember that حصل على is inseparable—the preposition على must always follow the verb. Additionally, this phrase works with both concrete and abstract nouns, making it one of the most flexible and useful expressions to master. Practice using it with different objects and in various tenses to build confidence in using this essential verb phrase.