Loading...
Adject
يلحق (yilḥaq) is a verb meaning 'to catch up,' 'to join,' or 'to attach.' It's commonly used to express the action of reaching someone or something, either physically catching up to them or joining a group or activity. The word can also mean 'to be attached to' or 'to follow' depending on context.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
Get a new Arabic word delivered to your inbox every day — with pronunciation, meaning, and cultural context.
أستطيع أن ألحق بالقطار قبل أن يغادر
Astataʿ an alḥaq bil-qiṭār qabl an yaghādir
I can catch the train before it departs.
هل يمكنك أن تلحق بنا في الحفلة؟
Hal yamukinuk an talḥaq binā fil-ḥafla?
Can you join us at the party?
يلحق الطالب بزملائه في الفصل
Yilḥaq aṭ-ṭālib bizumlāʾih fil-faṣl
The student catches up with his classmates in the classroom.
الضرر يلحق بالاقتصاد من جراء هذه السياسة
Ad-darār yilḥaq bil-iqtiṣād min jarāʾ hadhih as-siyāsa
Damage is inflicted on the economy as a result of this policy.
يلحق الخجل بالطفل عندما يسقط أمام الجميع
Yilḥaq al-khajal bit-ṭifl ʿindamā yasquṭ amām al-jamīʿ
Shame catches up with the child when he falls in front of everyone.
يلحق is frequently used in everyday Arabic conversation, particularly in contexts involving transportation, education, and social gatherings. In Arab culture, the concept of 'catching up' or 'joining' is deeply embedded in communal activities, from catching buses to joining family gatherings. The word also carries weight in legal and formal contexts when discussing damage or harm inflicted, reflecting the language's nuanced approach to causation and consequences.
Remember that يلحق can have different meanings depending on context: physical catching up, joining a group, or causing damage/harm. Pay attention to the object that follows—if it's a person or vehicle, it usually means 'to catch up with'; if it's abstract like 'damage,' it means 'to inflict.' The verb pairs well with prepositions like ب (with), من (from), and في (in) to modify meaning.
The Arabic verb يلحق (yilḥaq) is a highly versatile word that carries multiple related meanings depending on its context of use. The primary meanings include 'to catch up with,' 'to join,' 'to attach,' or 'to inflict' (particularly in the phrase 'to inflict damage'). This verb is part of the Form I (ف-ع-ل) verb family and is conjugated regularly in most tenses, making it accessible for learners at intermediate levels.
يلحق is the present tense third person singular masculine form of the root ل-ح-ق (L-H-Q). The verb conjugates as follows:
The past tense form is لحق (laḥaq), and the imperative form is الحق (ilḥaq). Understanding these conjugations is essential for proper usage across different time frames and subjects.
One of the most common uses of يلحق is to describe physically catching up with a person or vehicle that is ahead. For example, "يلحق برقم السيارة" (catches up with the car) or "يلحق بأصدقائه" (catches up with his friends). This usage is particularly prevalent in transportation contexts, where the phrase "ألحق بالقطار" (I caught the train) demonstrates the verb's application to time-sensitive situations.
Another major usage of يلحق is in the context of joining groups, institutions, or activities. The phrase "التحق بالجامعة" (he enrolled in/joined the university) is extremely common in academic contexts across the Arab world. Similarly, students might say "ألحق بالنادي" (I joined the club) or "التحقت بفريق الكرة" (she joined the soccer team). This usage emphasizes the social and institutional aspects of Arab culture, where joining groups and communities is central to daily life.
In more formal or legal contexts, يلحق takes on a more abstract meaning related to causing or inflicting something, particularly damage or harm. The phrase "إلحاق الضرر" (inflicting damage) is common in legal, business, and formal discourse. For instance, "يلحق الضرر بالاقتصاد" (causes damage to the economy) demonstrates this usage. Similarly, emotions or conditions can 'befall' someone: "يلحق به الخزي" (shame befalls him) or "يلحق به العار" (disgrace catches up with him).
Understanding the word family around يلحق enhances comprehension:
While يلحق has specific connotations, several synonyms can serve as alternatives depending on context:
Each synonym carries slightly different nuances and may be more appropriate in specific contexts.
In Arab culture, the concept expressed by يلحق reflects the importance of community and timely participation. Missing a bus, failing to join a group, or being unable to 'catch up' academically all carry social significance. The verb is therefore deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of Arabic-speaking societies.
For English speakers learning Arabic, it's crucial to practice يلحق in various contexts to fully internalize its multiple meanings. Start with the physical 'catching up' sense, which is most intuitive, then progress to social contexts like joining groups, and finally to more abstract legal or formal usage.
When encountering يلحق in texts or conversations, pay close attention to what follows the verb. The object or prepositional phrase that follows will clarify which meaning is intended. Additionally, noting whether the usage is literal or figurative will aid in comprehension. Practice the verb with different prepositions (ب, ل, من, في) as these significantly alter the nuance of the expression.