anhā
to finish
أنهى (anhā) is the past tense form of the verb ينهي (yunhī), meaning 'to finish' or 'to complete.' It is a transitive verb commonly used in both formal and informal Arabic to indicate the completion of an action, task, or state. This verb can also mean 'to end' or 'to terminate' depending on context.
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أنهى محمد واجباته المدرسية قبل الغروب.
Anhā Muhammad wājibātahu al-mudrassa qabla al-ghurūb.
Muhammad finished his homework before sunset.
أنهيت القراءة بسرعة جداً.
Anhaytu al-qirā'a bi-sur'a jiddan.
I finished reading very quickly.
أنهى الاجتماع في الساعة الثالثة مساءً.
Anhā al-ijtimā' fī al-sā'a al-thālitha masā'an.
He ended the meeting at three o'clock in the afternoon.
هل أنهيتم المشروع؟
Hal anhaytu al-mashrū'?
Did you (plural) finish the project?
أنهت الشركة عقودها مع الموردين.
Anhat al-sharika 'uqūdaha ma'a al-muwāridīn.
The company terminated its contracts with suppliers.
In Arabic-speaking cultures, the concept of finishing tasks and completing work is deeply tied to both personal responsibility and formal obligations. The verb أنهى is frequently used in business, education, and administrative contexts, reflecting the importance of task completion in Arab society. The word is neutral in tone and can be used in both casual conversations and formal documents.
Remember that أنهى is the past tense form—if you need the present tense, use ينهي (yunhī). As a transitive verb, it requires a direct object (what you're finishing). Be aware that antonyms like بدأ use similar conjugation patterns, so practicing both will help reinforce grammar. The verb is often used with time expressions to indicate when something was completed.
The word أنهى (anhā) is the third person masculine singular past tense form of the verb ينهي (yunhī), which means 'to finish,' 'to complete,' or 'to end.' As a transitive verb in Arabic, أنهى requires a direct object, indicating that someone finished or completed something specific. This is one of the most commonly used verbs in everyday Arabic and formal contexts alike.
أنهى follows the regular pattern of Arabic verbs in the past tense. The verb root is ن-ه-ي (n-h-y), which carries the semantic meaning of completion or termination. Understanding the conjugation patterns helps learners use this verb correctly:
The verb أنهى is used across various contexts in Arabic-speaking communities. In academic settings, students use phrases like "أنهيت الامتحان" (I finished the exam). In business contexts, managers might say "أنهينا المشروع" (We finished the project). The verb is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal written Arabic and casual spoken dialects, though some regional variations may exist.
One critical aspect of أنهى is its transitive nature. Unlike the intransitive verb انتهى (intahā), which means 'it finished' or 'it ended' without requiring an object, أنهى must be followed by the thing being finished. For example:
This distinction is crucial for English speakers, as it differs from how finish can be used in English without an object.
Several phrases incorporating أنهى are frequently heard in Arabic:
أنهى is frequently used with time markers to specify when something was completed:
While أنهى means 'to finish,' several related verbs convey similar meanings with subtle differences:
The opposite concepts are expressed through these verbs:
In Arab professional and educational cultures, completing tasks is highly valued. The verb أنهى reflects this cultural emphasis on responsibility and follow-through. Business meetings, academic submissions, and project deliverables are often discussed using this verb, making it essential vocabulary for anyone engaged in Arabic-speaking professional environments.
When learning to use أنهى effectively, remember that it always requires a direct object. Practice constructing sentences with different objects to build fluency. Additionally, distinguishing between أنهى (transitive, 'he finished') and انتهى (intransitive, 'it finished') is crucial for grammatical accuracy. Listening to native speakers use these verbs in context will help develop intuition for appropriate usage.
The verb أنهى is fundamental to Arabic communication, appearing regularly in conversations about work, school, and daily activities. Mastering its conjugation, understanding its transitive nature, and recognizing its synonyms will significantly enhance your Arabic language skills and fluency.