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Admits
يعترف (ya'tarif) is a verb meaning 'admits' or 'confesses,' used when someone acknowledges something previously denied or hidden, or voluntarily discloses information. This word carries implications of honesty, acceptance, or reluctant revelation depending on context. It's commonly used in both formal and informal situations involving confession, recognition, or acknowledgment of truth.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
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اعترف الرجل بأنه ارتكب الخطأ.
E'taraf ar-rajul bi-annahu irtakaba al-khata'.
The man admitted that he made the mistake.
تعترف الحكومة بمسؤوليتها عن المشكلة.
Ta'tarif al-hukuma bi-mas'uliyyatiha 'an al-mushkila.
The government admits its responsibility for the problem.
يعترف الطالب بأنه لم يدرس للامتحان.
Ya'tarif at-talib bi-annahu lam yadrus lil-imtihan.
The student admits that he didn't study for the exam.
اعترفت بحبها له بعد سنوات من الصمت.
E'tarafat bi-hubbiha lahu ba'da sinawat min as-samt.
She admitted her love for him after years of silence.
يعترفون بأهمية التعليم في المجتمع.
Ya'tarifun bi-ahammiyyat at-ta'lim fi al-mujtama'.
They acknowledge the importance of education in society.
In Arab culture, admitting mistakes or faults is often viewed as a sign of integrity and moral character, particularly in religious and legal contexts. The concept of اعتراف (admission/confession) holds significant weight in Islamic jurisprudence and is considered a form of repentance (توبة). In modern Arabic, the word is frequently used in news media, legal proceedings, and everyday conversations about responsibility and accountability.
Remember that يعترف is typically followed by the preposition 'ب' (bi-) meaning 'with/of' when the object is a noun, as in 'اعترف بالخطأ' (admitted the mistake). When followed by a clause, use 'أن' (anna) meaning 'that,' as in 'اعترف أنه مخطئ' (admitted that he was wrong). Pay attention to context—اعترف can range from casual acknowledgment to serious legal confession.
The Arabic verb يعترف (ya'tarif) is commonly translated as "admits" or "confesses" in English. This verb expresses the act of acknowledging something previously denied, hidden, or unknown. It carries the weight of truthfulness and accountability, making it an important word in both casual and formal Arabic communication.
The root of this word comes from the three-letter root ع-ت-ر-ف ('-t-r-f), which fundamentally relates to the concept of recognition and admission. When someone يعترف, they are essentially making public or private acknowledgment of something, whether it's a mistake, truth, responsibility, or feeling.
يعترف is a third-person masculine singular present tense form of the verb اعترف (i'taraf) in the past tense. The verb conjugates as follows:
When using يعترف, there are two primary grammatical patterns:
Pattern 1: With Preposition ب (bi-): When the object is a noun, يعترف is followed by the preposition ب, as in:
Pattern 2: With أن (anna): When followed by a complete clause or fact, use أن:
In Arabic-speaking cultures, admitting fault or acknowledging truth is deeply connected to concepts of honor, integrity, and moral responsibility. The word اعتراف (i'tiraf - admission/confession) has particular significance in Islamic jurisprudence, where a voluntary confession can have legal implications. In religious contexts, اعتراف often relates to repentance (توبة - tawba), which is considered a positive spiritual act.
In modern usage, يعترف appears frequently in news reporting, political discourse, and legal proceedings. It's used when organizations, officials, or individuals take responsibility for actions or acknowledge facts.
While يعترف is the most direct way to express admission, related verbs include:
Legal Context: في المحكمة، اعترف المتهم بارتكاب الجريمة (fi al-mahkama, e'taraf al-muttaham bi-irtikab al-jarima) - In court, the defendant admitted to committing the crime.
Personal Responsibility: أعترف بأنني أخطأت وأسف عن ذلك (a'tarif bi-annani akhta't wa-asif 'an dhalika) - I admit that I made a mistake and I'm sorry about that.
Political/Public Acknowledgment: اعترفت الحكومة بمسؤوليتها عن الأزمة (e'tarafat al-hukuma bi-mas'uliyyatiha 'an al-azma) - The government admitted its responsibility for the crisis.
اعترف بالحقيقة (e'taraf bil-haqiqa) - admitted the truth; this phrase emphasizes the truthfulness of the admission.
معترف به رسمياً (mu'taraf bihi rasmiyyan) - officially recognized; this phrase uses the passive form to indicate formal acknowledgment.
اعترف بالذنب (e'taraf bil-dhanb) - confessed to the sin/guilt; this is commonly used in both religious and legal contexts.
When learning يعترف, remember that it often carries emotional weight—admission can be difficult or shameful in many contexts. The verb can range from simple acknowledgment to solemn confession, so context is crucial.
Practice the two main construction patterns separately, as they are essential to using this verb correctly. Also, note that اعتراف (the noun form) is very commonly used in media and formal contexts, so familiarizing yourself with both the verb and noun forms will significantly improve your comprehension and communication skills.
Finally, pay attention to how يعترف is used in authentic Arabic media, such as news articles and interviews, to gain a deeper understanding of its nuances and appropriate usage in various situations.