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'allama
to teach
علم ('allama) is a verb meaning "to teach" or "to instruct," derived from the root ع-ل-م which relates to knowledge and learning. It is commonly used in both formal educational contexts and everyday situations where one person imparts knowledge or skills to another. This verb is fundamental to Arabic discussions about education and is frequently used in religious and academic settings.
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المعلم يعلم الطلاب اللغة العربية كل يوم.
Al-mu'allim yu'allim al-tullab al-lughah al-'arabiyyah kull yawm.
The teacher teaches the students Arabic language every day.
والديّ علماني السباحة عندما كنت صغيراً.
Walidayyā 'allamānī al-sibāhah 'indamā kuntu saghīran.
My parents taught me swimming when I was young.
تعلم أن تعلم غيرك من أفضل الأعمال.
Ta'allam anna tu'allim ghayraka min afdal al-a'māl.
Learn that teaching others is one of the best deeds.
هذا الكتاب يعلمك كيفية الطبخ بسهولة.
Hādhā al-kitāb yu'allimuk kayfiyyat al-tabakh bi-suhuulah.
This book teaches you how to cook easily.
يجب على الآباء أن يعلموا أطفالهم القيم الأخلاقية.
Yajib 'alā al-āābā an yu'allimū atfālahum al-qiyam al-akhlāqiyyah.
Parents should teach their children moral values.
In Arabic culture and Islamic tradition, teaching (تعليم) holds a special significance as a noble profession and sacred duty. The concept is deeply rooted in Islamic values, where the Prophet Muhammad is revered as a teacher, and seeking and imparting knowledge is considered a fundamental religious obligation. Teaching is viewed not merely as an occupation but as a spiritual and social responsibility.
Remember that علم is a transitive verb requiring a direct object (what is being taught) and often an indirect object (to whom it is being taught). Use it in the form أعلم (a'allama) in the present tense for "he/she teaches." Be aware that the related noun علم (ilm) means "knowledge" rather than the act of teaching, so context is important. Practice conjugating this verb across different tenses since it's frequently used in both modern standard and spoken Arabic.
The Arabic verb علم ('allama) is one of the most fundamental verbs in the Arabic language, carrying the meaning "to teach" or "to instruct." It derives from the three-letter root ع-ل-م (ayn-lam-meem), which is deeply connected to concepts of knowledge, wisdom, and learning throughout the Arabic lexicon. This root appears in numerous related words that all share this fundamental connection to knowledge and education.
The root ع-ل-م is among the most productive roots in Arabic when it comes to educational and intellectual terminology. From this single root, we derive the noun علم (ilm) meaning "knowledge" or "science," the noun معلم (mu'allim) meaning "teacher," the noun تعليم (ta'lim) meaning "education" or "teaching," and the verb تعلّم (ta'allama) meaning "to learn." Understanding this interconnected family of words helps learners appreciate the cohesive nature of Arabic vocabulary and how meanings relate systematically through their shared roots.
As a regular Arabic verb, علم follows predictable conjugation patterns. In the present tense with a masculine third-person singular subject, the form is يعلم (yu'allim). For feminine subjects, it becomes تعلم (tu'allim). The past tense simple form is علم ('allama), and when you want to say "he taught," you use the same form since Arabic verb conjugation indicates tense and person through vowel changes and prefix/suffix modifications. The imperative form is علّم ('allim), used when directly commanding someone to teach.
When conjugating this verb, English speakers learning Arabic should pay careful attention to the doubled lam (the middle letter doubled: علّم), which is characteristic of this verb form and affects pronunciation, giving it a distinct, emphatic quality.
In Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha), علم is the primary verb used in formal, educational, and media contexts. You will encounter it frequently in news broadcasts discussing educational programs, in academic papers discussing teaching methodologies, and in formal correspondence about instructional matters. Schools post notices saying أساتذة يعلمون (asatidha yu'allimun) meaning "teachers teach," and educational institutions describe their missions using this verb.
Within Islamic culture, teaching holds profound spiritual significance. The Prophet Muhammad is traditionally described as a teacher, and Islamic tradition emphasizes that seeking knowledge ('ilm) and spreading it through teaching is a religious duty. The Quran contains numerous passages that reference teaching and learning, and Islamic scholars have historically been among the most respected members of society. When an Arabic speaker uses the verb علم in a religious or educational context, they are often invoking these deeper cultural values and traditions.
In daily life, you might hear علم used in various contexts: A parent might say أعلم طفلي القراءة (a'allimu tiflī al-qirā'ah) meaning "I teach my child reading." A university might announce تعلم جامعتنا اللغات الأجنبية (tu'allim jāmi'atunā al-lughāt al-ajnabiyyah) meaning "Our university teaches foreign languages." A mentor might promise أعلمك الحرفة (a'allamuk al-hirafah) meaning "I will teach you the craft."
To fully understand علم, learners should become familiar with related terms: The noun علم (ilm) means knowledge; المعلم (al-mu'allim) is the teacher; التعليم (al-ta'lim) refers to education or the teaching process; المتعلم (al-mutallim) is the learner or student; الدرس (ad-dars) is a lesson; and المدرسة (al-madrasa) is a school. Each of these words shares the same root and reinforces understanding of the semantic field surrounding education.
While علم is the most common verb for teaching, it has synonyms. The verb درّس (darrasa) is more specifically used in academic contexts and means to teach formally, as in teaching at a university. The verb أرشد (irshada) means to guide or direct someone's learning, implying mentorship. Understanding these distinctions helps learners choose the most appropriate verb for their specific context.
The expression من علمك هذا (man 'allamak hādhā?) meaning "Who taught you this?" is a common conversational phrase expressing surprise or questioning the origin of someone's knowledge or behavior. Another phrase, علم الله (ya'lam al-Allāh), literally means "God teaches" but is used idiomatically as "God knows," acknowledging that ultimate knowledge belongs to the divine.
As a transitive verb, علم requires a direct object (the knowledge being taught) and typically includes an indirect object (the person being taught). When constructing sentences, you must include both: the teacher (subject), the act of teaching (verb علم), the learner (often indicated by an indirect object pronoun), and the subject matter (direct object). This structure differs from English in some ways, so careful attention to Arabic sentence structure is important.
To truly master this verb, practice conjugating it across different tenses and persons, use it in sentences about various subjects, and pay attention to how native speakers use it in authentic materials like news articles, podcasts, and educational videos. The more you practice incorporating علم into your active vocabulary, the more natural your Arabic expression will become when discussing education, learning, and knowledge-sharing.