khasira
to lose
خسر (khasira) is a common Arabic verb meaning 'to lose' or 'to suffer a loss.' It can refer to losing physical objects, competitions, money, or intangible things like time or opportunities. The word is frequently used in both formal and colloquial Arabic contexts and carries the sense of deprivation or missing out on something.
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خسرت المباراة أمس
Khasiratu al-mubaara ams
I lost the match yesterday.
خسر الفريق بثلاث نقاط
Khasira al-fariq bi-thalath niqat
The team lost by three points.
لا تخسر وقتك مع هذا الشخص
La takhsir waqtaka maa hadha ash-shakh
Don't waste (lose) your time with this person.
خسرنا الكثير من الأموال في الاستثمار
Khasarna al-kathir min al-amwal fi al-istiathmar
We lost a lot of money in the investment.
من يخسر في هذه اللعبة؟
Man yakhsar fi hadhihi al-laiba?
Who loses in this game?
In Arabic-speaking cultures, the concept of خسر extends beyond literal losses to philosophical and spiritual contexts. The word appears frequently in Quranic verses discussing worldly losses versus spiritual gains, reflecting Islamic values about what truly matters. In modern daily life, Arabs use this word extensively in sports commentary, business discussions, and casual conversations about missed opportunities.
Remember that خسر is a regular past tense verb—when used in present tense or with different subjects, the conjugation changes (e.g., يخسر for he loses, تخسرين for you feminine lose). Be careful not to confuse it with فقد (faqada), which emphasizes the state of being without something, while خسر emphasizes the action or event of losing. In context, خسر often implies a competitive loss or financial loss, while فقد can mean simply 'not having' something.
The Arabic verb خسر (khasira) is one of the most common verbs in spoken and written Arabic, expressing the concept of losing. Whether in sports, business, relationships, or personal circumstances, this word is essential for anyone learning Arabic.
خسر fundamentally means 'to lose' or 'to suffer a loss.' It can apply to:
The verb conveys not just the absence of something but the active experience or event of losing it. This distinguishes it from similar words like فقد (faqada), which emphasizes being without something, or ضاع (daa), which suggests something has become lost or disappeared.
As a regular Arabic verb, خسر follows standard conjugation patterns:
Understanding related words enriches your vocabulary:
Arabic speakers use خسر in various idiomatic expressions:
In Arabic-speaking cultures, the concept of loss extends beyond the material realm. Islamic teachings often discuss worldly losses (خسارة الدنيا) versus spiritual gains, reflecting values about what truly matters in life. This philosophical dimension appears in classical literature, poetry, and religious texts.
In modern contexts, خسر appears constantly in sports broadcasting, business news, and everyday conversations. Arab media frequently uses this verb when discussing elections, competitions, and financial markets.
When learning خسر, remember:
While several Arabic verbs express losing, each has nuances:
The opposite of خسر includes:
Examining خسر in various contexts helps solidify understanding. In sports: 'خسرت المباراة بصعوبة' (I lost the match with difficulty). In business: 'خسرنا الكثير من الأموال' (We lost a lot of money). In personal matters: 'خسرت صديقا جيدا' (I lost a good friend). In abstract contexts: 'لا تخسر وقتك' (Don't waste your time).
Mastering خسر is crucial for Arabic learners because it appears in everyday conversations, media, literature, and formal writing. Understanding its various applications, conjugations, and related expressions will significantly enhance your Arabic communication skills and cultural comprehension.