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Deny
أنكر (ankara) is a verb meaning 'to deny' or 'to reject' in Arabic. It conveys the act of refusing to acknowledge, recognize, or accept something as true. This word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to express disagreement, disavowal, or the rejection of claims, responsibilities, or facts.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
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أنكر الرجل تهمة السرقة بشدة.
Ankara ar-rajul tahmat as-sariqah bi-shiddah.
The man strongly denied the theft accusation.
لا يمكنك أن تنكر الحقائق العلمية.
La yumkin anak an tunkir al-haqaiq al-ilmiyyah.
You cannot deny scientific facts.
أنكرت الحكومة المسؤولية عن الحادث.
Ankarit al-hukumah al-mas'uliyyah aan al-hadith.
The government denied responsibility for the incident.
هل تنكر أنك رأيت هذا من قبل؟
Hal tunkirk annaka ra'ayt hadha min qabl?
Do you deny that you've seen this before?
أنكر الشاهد شهادته السابقة في المحكمة.
Ankara ash-shahid shahadatah as-sabiqah fi al-mahkamah.
The witness denied his previous testimony in court.
In Arabic legal and formal contexts, the word أنكر carries significant weight and is frequently used in court proceedings, official statements, and diplomatic communications. The concept of denial is deeply woven into Arabic discourse, from religious discussions about acknowledging God's oneness to everyday social interactions. Understanding this word is essential for comprehending modern news, political debates, and formal correspondence in the Arab world.
Remember that أنكر typically requires an object (what is being denied) and is conjugated based on the subject performing the action. Pay attention to context—while it can mean simple disagreement, it can also convey stronger emotional undertones of rejection or disavowal. Practice using it with different tenses and subjects to master both its grammatical structure and appropriate usage in conversation.
The Arabic verb أنكر (ankara) is a fundamental word in the Arabic language, meaning 'to deny,' 'to reject,' or 'to refuse to acknowledge.' This word carries significant weight in both everyday conversation and formal contexts, making it essential for learners to understand its proper usage and nuances.
أنكر is a regular verb in the past tense form. The present tense conjugations follow standard patterns:
The verb can take various forms including the reflexive form استنكر, meaning 'to disapprove of' or 'to condemn,' which adds a layer of emotional judgment to the denial.
أنكر is widely used in legal proceedings, news reports, political statements, and personal conversations. When someone wants to deny an accusation, they would say "أنكر التهمة" (ankara at-tahimah - denied the accusation). In disputes, one might hear "أنكر الدين" (ankara ad-dayn - denied the debt), and in family matters, "أنكر الأبوة" (ankara al-abuwwah - denied paternity).
While أنكر means 'to deny,' it differs slightly from similar words:
Understanding these distinctions helps learners choose the most appropriate word for their context.
In Arab culture, denial (الإنكار - al-inkar) is a significant concept across multiple domains. Religiously, acknowledging or denying God's oneness is central to Islamic theology. Socially, admitting mistakes versus denying them reflects on one's honor and reputation. Legally, criminal denials are taken very seriously in Arab courts, and the burden of proof varies depending on the nature of the denial.
When learning this word, practice using it with different objects and in various tenses. Notice how it functions in news broadcasts, legal documents, and informal debates. Pay attention to how native speakers emphasize denial—whether they use it once definitively or repeat it for emphasis.
The noun form الإنكار (al-inkar) refers to 'denial' as a concept or state. The adjective منكر (munkar) can describe something 'denied' or 'unrecognized.' These related forms expand your ability to discuss denial in different grammatical contexts.
Mastering أنكر and its variations opens doors to more sophisticated Arabic communication, whether in formal settings or everyday discourse.