Loading...
Broken
انكسر (inkasara) is the past tense form of the verb كسر (kasara), meaning 'to break' or 'was broken.' It is commonly used to describe something that has become broken, shattered, or fractured, and can be used both literally (objects breaking) and figuratively (spirits being broken, hearts being shattered). The word conveys a sense of something transitioning from an intact state to a damaged or non-functional state.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11 — completely free
Get a new Arabic word delivered to your inbox every day — with pronunciation, meaning, and cultural context.
انكسرت الكأس عندما سقطت على الأرض
Inkasarat al-kā'as 'indamā saqatat 'alā al-arḍ
The glass broke when it fell to the ground.
انكسر قلبه عندما سمع الخبر السيء
Inkasara qalbuh 'indamā sami'a al-khabar al-sayyi'
His heart broke when he heard the bad news.
انكسرت العصا من الضغط
Inkasarat al-'aṣā min al-ḍaghṭ
The stick broke from the pressure.
انكسرت أحلامها عندما فشلت في الامتحان
Inkasarat aḥlāmuhā 'indamā fashilat fī al-imtiḥān
Her dreams shattered when she failed the exam.
انكسر الثلج تحت أقدامهم
Inkasara al-thalj taḥta aqdāmihim
The ice broke beneath their feet.
The word انكسر is deeply embedded in Arabic literature and poetry, often used metaphorically to describe emotional pain, disappointed hopes, or loss of dignity. In Arabic culture, broken objects are frequently repaired rather than discarded, reflecting values of resourcefulness and sustainability. The figurative use of 'breaking one's spirit' (انكسر روحه) is particularly common in discussions of resilience and personal struggle.
Remember that انكسر is the past tense (perfective aspect) form, used when an action of breaking has been completed. If you need the present tense, use يكسر (yaksir). This verb agrees with the subject in gender and number—use انكسرت for feminine singular subjects. When used figuratively with emotions, it often requires the possessive pronoun (e.g., قلبه 'his heart').
The Arabic word انكسر (inkasara) is the past tense singular form of the root verb كسر (kasara), which means 'to break' or 'to fracture.' This is one of the most commonly used verbs in Arabic, functioning both in literal and figurative contexts. Understanding this word is essential for English speakers learning Arabic, as it appears frequently in everyday conversations, literature, and media.
انكسر is a regular past tense verb that follows the pattern of Form I (الفعل الثلاثي المجرد) verbs in Arabic. The root letters are ك-س-ر (k-s-r), and the past tense adds the prefix ان- (prefix indicating passive voice or reflexive action) and uses the a-vowel pattern. The full conjugation varies based on subject:
In its most basic form, انكسر describes the physical action of something breaking or being broken. This can apply to:
For example: "انكسرت النافذة" (the window broke) or "انكسر السيف" (the sword broke).
Arabic speakers frequently use انكسر metaphorically to express emotional or psychological states. These figurative uses are incredibly common in literature, poetry, and daily speech:
These metaphorical applications demonstrate the flexibility of Arabic vocabulary and the cultural importance of emotional expression in the language.
انكسر is always used in the past tense (perfective aspect), indicating that the action of breaking has been completed. To express ongoing or habitual breaking, you would use the present tense يكسر (yaksir). The perfect aspect emphasizes that something WAS broken, that the action is finished.
When using انكسر with objects, the word directly precedes or follows the noun it describes. Agreement with the subject is crucial:
Arabic has several idiomatic expressions built around انكسر that go beyond literal translation:
Understanding انكسر is enhanced by learning related words:
While انكسر is the most common word for 'broke,' Arabic offers alternatives with slightly different connotations:
These synonyms allow for nuanced expression depending on the severity or type of breaking being described.
English speakers learning Arabic should remember several key points about انكسر:
انكسر is a versatile and essential Arabic verb that English learners must master. Its combination of literal and figurative meanings makes it one of the most culturally significant verbs in the language. By understanding both its grammatical conjugation and its metaphorical applications, learners can significantly improve their ability to understand and participate in authentic Arabic conversations.