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Adopt
تبنّى (tabannā) is an Arabic verb meaning 'to adopt' in the sense of taking a child as one's own, or more broadly, to accept, embrace, or take up a cause, belief, or policy. It conveys the idea of assuming responsibility for something or someone as if they were naturally yours. The word can be used in both literal contexts (adopting a child) and figurative contexts (adopting an idea or stance).
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
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تبنّى الرجل الطفل اليتيم وأحبّه كأنه ابنه.
Tabannā ar-rajulu al-tifl al-yatīm wa-aḥabbahu ka-annahu ibnuhu.
The man adopted the orphan child and loved him as if he were his own son.
تبنّت الشركة سياسة جديدة للاستدامة البيئية.
Tabannat ash-sharika siyāsa jadīda li-al-istidāma al-bī'iya.
The company adopted a new policy for environmental sustainability.
الحكومة تبنّت مشروعاً طموحاً لتطوير البنية التحتية.
Al-ḥukūma tabannat mashru'an ṭamūḥan li-taṭwīr al-bunya at-taḥtiya.
The government adopted an ambitious project to develop infrastructure.
تبنّيت آراءه السياسية بعد سماع خطابه.
Tabannaitu ārā'ahu as-siyāsiya ba'da samā' khiṭābihi.
I adopted his political views after hearing his speech.
المنظمة الدولية تبنّت قرارات جديدة لحماية حقوق الإنسان.
Al-munazzama ad-duwaliya tabannat qarārāt jadīda li-ḥimāya ḥuqūq al-insān.
The international organization adopted new resolutions to protect human rights.
In Islamic and Arabic cultural contexts, adoption (تبنّي) has historical and religious significance. Pre-Islamic Arabia practiced a form of adoption, but Islamic law introduced specific rules about adoption to preserve lineage and inheritance rights. While a child adopted under Islamic law maintains their biological lineage and inheritance from their biological parents, they are treated with all the love and care of a biological child. The concept of 'تبنّي' has evolved in modern Arabic to encompass adopting policies, ideas, and causes, reflecting the dynamism of the language in contemporary usage.
Remember that تبنّى is a Form V verb (derived from the root ب-ن-ي), which means it takes specific conjugation patterns. When using it literally for adopting a child, it's formal and respectful. In modern contexts, it's commonly used in news and policy discussions when referring to adopting new strategies or positions. Pay attention to the object: you 'adopt' a child (طفل), a policy (سياسة), or an idea (فكرة), so ensure proper noun-verb agreement.
The Arabic verb تبنّى (tabannā) is a Form V derived verb that carries the meaning 'to adopt' in English. This word is essential for anyone learning Arabic, as it appears frequently in both contemporary news, policy discussions, and personal narratives. Understanding its various applications will enhance your ability to comprehend and participate in Arabic conversations.
In its most literal sense, تبنّى refers to the act of legally and socially adopting a child. This is particularly significant in Arabic and Islamic culture, where the practice of adoption has deep historical roots. When someone تبنّى a child (تبنّى طفلاً), they are accepting full responsibility for that child's upbringing, care, and often their legal rights and inheritance status, subject to Islamic or civil law regulations.
Example: "تبنّى الرجل الطفل اليتيم" (The man adopted the orphan child) demonstrates the basic usage of this verb in its most direct form.
Beyond child adoption, تبنّى has expanded significantly in modern Arabic to mean 'to adopt' in a broader sense. Organizations, governments, and individuals regularly تبنّى new policies (تبنّت سياسة جديدة), strategic plans, ideas, and public positions. This usage is particularly common in news media, business contexts, and political discourse.
For example:
تبنّى is a Form V verb (الفعل الخماسي), which means it follows specific conjugation patterns in Arabic. It is conjugated as follows:
Past Tense:
Present Tense:
Understanding the family of words related to تبنّى will deepen your comprehension:
In Islamic tradition, adoption carries specific legal and cultural implications. While a child may be adopted and raised within a family with love and care, Islamic law preserves the biological lineage for inheritance and other legal purposes. This reflects the Islamic principle of maintaining clear family structures and rights.
In contemporary Arabic-speaking societies, تبنّى continues to be used both in this traditional sense and increasingly in modern organizational and governmental contexts, reflecting the evolution of the language to meet contemporary needs.
When learning to use تبنّى, remember:
Choose the correct object: You adopt a child (طفل), a policy (سياسة), a position (موقف), or an idea (فكرة). Ensure the object is grammatically compatible.
Register matters: In formal writing (news articles, official documents), تبنّى is the standard choice. In casual conversation, it's equally appropriate.
Active voice preference: This verb is typically used in the active voice, as in "الشركة تبنّت سياسة جديدة" (The company adopted a new policy) rather than passive constructions.
Temporal context: When discussing policy adoption in news, use the appropriate tense (past: تبنّت, present: تتبنّى) to match the actual timing of the adoption.
The verb تبنّى is a versatile and important addition to your Arabic vocabulary. Whether you're reading about family matters, organizational decisions, or political developments, understanding this word and its various applications will significantly enhance your Arabic comprehension and expression skills. By practicing its conjugations and considering its cultural context, you'll be well-equipped to use this verb confidently in both spoken and written Arabic.