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Allowed
The Arabic verb سمح (samaḥa) means 'to allow' or 'to permit,' expressing the act of granting permission or enabling someone to do something. It conveys consent, tolerance, and facilitation in various contexts, from formal permissions to casual allowances. This verb is commonly used in everyday Arabic to request or grant permissions.
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والداي سمحا لي بالذهاب إلى الحفلة.
Wālidāya samaḥā lī bi-al-dhihāb ilā al-ḥafla.
My parents allowed me to go to the party.
هل تسمح لي بدخول الغرفة؟
Hal tasmaḥ lī bi-dukhūl al-ghurfa?
Will you allow me to enter the room?
المعلم سمح للطلاب بمغادرة الفصل مبكراً.
Al-muʿallim samaḥa li-al-ṭullāb bi-mughaādarat al-faṣl mubakirān.
The teacher allowed the students to leave the classroom early.
الظروف لا تسمح بإكمال المشروع الآن.
Al-ẓurūf lā tasmaḥ bi-ikmal al-mashruʿ al-ān.
The circumstances do not allow for completing the project now.
إذا سمحت الصحة، سأسافر الأسبوع القادم.
Idhā samaḥat al-ṣiḥḥa, sa-asāfir al-usbūʿ al-qādim.
If health permits, I will travel next week.
In Arab culture, asking for permission through the verb سمح reflects respect for authority figures such as parents, teachers, and elders. The concept of seeking permission is deeply embedded in social etiquette and family hierarchies. In Islamic contexts, this word also appears frequently in discussions of what is lawful (halal) versus prohibited (haram), making it important for understanding religious discourse.
Remember that سمح is typically followed by the preposition ل (li-) when indicating who receives permission. Use the present tense يسمح when describing what is generally allowed or in habitual contexts. Pay attention to whether you're requesting permission formally (هل تسمح لي؟) or informally, as this affects the conjugation and politeness level.
The verb سمح (samaḥa) is one of the most frequently used verbs in Arabic when expressing permission, allowance, or the act of granting consent. Whether in formal settings, educational environments, or casual daily interactions, this verb is essential for learners to master.
سمح (samaḥa) literally means 'to allow' or 'to permit,' but its usage extends beyond simple permission. It can mean 'to enable,' 'to facilitate,' or 'to grant access to.' The verb carries a sense of active facilitation rather than passive acceptance, indicating that someone with authority or ability is granting another person the ability to do something.
For example, when a parent says "سمحت بذهابك" (samaḥat bi-dhihābik), they are not just saying 'yes' but actively allowing or permitting the action to occur. This active sense is important in understanding the nuance of the verb.
سمح is a regular Arabic verb belonging to the second form. It conjugates as follows:
When used with the preposition ل (li-), meaning 'to,' the structure becomes 'سمح لـ' (samaḥa li-), indicating to whom permission is granted. For instance, "سمح لي" (samaḥa lī) means 'he/she allowed me.'
In family contexts, سمح is used when parents, guardians, or elders grant permission to younger family members. This reflects the hierarchical respect structure in Arab culture where seeking and granting permission is a fundamental courtesy.
Teachers frequently use this verb to manage classroom behavior and permissions. Phrases like "هل تسمح لي بالخروج؟" (hal tasmaḥ lī bi-al-khurūj?) meaning 'Do you allow me to leave?' are common in schools throughout the Arab world.
In workplaces, supervisors and managers use سمح when approving requests from employees. This formal application reflects the hierarchical nature of professional relationships.
The verb is also used metaphorically to indicate whether circumstances or conditions permit something. For example, "الطقس لا يسمح بالسفر" (al-ṭaqs lā yasmaḥ bi-al-safar) means 'the weather does not allow for travel.'
Understanding related words helps deepen comprehension:
While سمح is the most common word for 'allow,' other verbs can be used in specific contexts:
These synonyms often have slightly different connotations, with أذن being more formal and official, while سمح is more commonly used in everyday speech.
In Arab culture, the concept of seeking and granting permission is deeply intertwined with respect and social hierarchy. The use of سمح reflects not just the act of allowing something but also the deference shown to authority figures. This is particularly evident in family structures where children ask parents for permission using this verb.
In Islamic contexts, the verb also appears in religious discussions about what Allah permits (yasmaḥ) or allows in Islamic law. Understanding whether something is سماح (allowed/permissible) is central to Islamic jurisprudence and daily religious practice.
When learning to use سمح effectively:
Remember the preposition ل: The most common construction is 'سمح لـ' to indicate who receives the permission.
Watch verb conjugation: The verb changes form depending on the subject (who is doing the allowing), so practice regular conjugations.
Consider formality levels: When requesting permission, "هل تسمح لي؟" is polite and formal, while "تسمح؟" is more casual.
Use in conditional sentences: The verb frequently appears in conditional phrases like "إن سمحت..." (if it permits...), which is useful for expressing possibility or contingency.
Distinguish from agreement: While سمح means 'to allow,' it's different from وافق (to agree). You can allow something you don't agree with.
The verb سمح is fundamental to Arabic communication, appearing in countless daily interactions from family homes to workplaces to official institutions. Its proper usage reflects cultural awareness and respect for social hierarchies. By mastering this verb and its various conjugations and uses, learners significantly enhance their ability to communicate naturally and appropriately in Arabic-speaking environments.