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ḥāwala
to try
حاول (ḥāwala) is a common Arabic verb meaning 'to try' or 'to attempt.' It expresses the action of making an effort to do something, whether successful or not. This verb is fundamental in Arabic communication and is used across all dialects and formal contexts.
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حاولت أن أفهم الدرس لكنه كان صعباً جداً.
Ḥāwaltu an afhama ad-darsa lākinnahū kāna ṣa'ban jiddan.
I tried to understand the lesson, but it was very difficult.
هل حاولت الاتصال به أمس؟
Hal ḥāwalta al-ittiṣāla bih ams?
Did you try to call him yesterday?
نحن نحاول جاهدين لتحقيق أحلامنا.
Naḥnu nuḥāwilu jāhidīn litaḥqīq aḥlāminā.
We are trying hard to achieve our dreams.
حاولوا إصلاح الجهاز لكنهم فشلوا.
Ḥāwalū iṣlāḥ al-jihāz lākinnahum fashilū.
They tried to fix the device but failed.
سأحاول مرة أخرى غداً إن شاء الله.
Sa-aḥāwalu marrata ukhrā ghadan in shā' allāh.
I will try again tomorrow, God willing.
In Arabic culture, persistence and continuous effort are highly valued, and the verb حاول reflects this cultural emphasis on trying and attempting. The phrase 'إن شاء الله' (God willing) often accompanies future attempts, reflecting the Islamic principle of trusting in divine will while making human effort. This verb is essential in everyday Arabic communication, from casual conversation to formal contexts.
Remember that حاول can be used with or without success implied—simply trying is enough. When followed by an infinitive, use 'أن' (that) plus the subjunctive form: حاول أن + verb. The verb is regular in conjugation, making it easier to master. Pay attention to the tense context: past (حاول), present (يحاول), and future (سيحاول/سأحاول).
The Arabic verb حاول (ḥāwala) is one of the most commonly used verbs in the Arabic language, meaning "to try," "to attempt," or "to endeavor." This verb expresses the action of making an effort toward accomplishing a goal, regardless of the outcome. Whether the attempt is successful or unsuccessful, the verb حاول encompasses the entire concept of making an effort.
حاول is a regular Arabic verb (فعل ثلاثي) derived from the root ح-و-ل. It follows the standard conjugation pattern for regular verbs in both Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and various Arabic dialects.
Past Tense (Perfective):
Present Tense (Imperfective):
Future Tense:
When حاول is followed by another verb to express trying to do something, it requires the particle 'أن' (that) and the subjunctive form:
حاول + أن + verb (in subjunctive)
Examples:
Understanding related words enriches your command of the verb:
In Arabic-speaking cultures, the concept of trying and making effort holds significant importance. Phrases like "إن شاء الله" (God willing) frequently accompany expressions of future attempts, reflecting the Islamic principle of believing in divine will while maintaining human responsibility for effort. The verb حاول is deeply embedded in everyday Arabic communication, from encouraging someone to try again ("حاول مرة أخرى") to expressing persistence in the face of challenges.
The cultural value placed on persistence and continuous improvement means that حاول is not just a simple verb of action, but carries connotations of determination and hope. In both formal and informal contexts, using this verb demonstrates engagement and commitment.
Remember the Construction: Always use 'أن' when following حاول with another verb in the infinitive sense.
Emotional Nuance: The verb doesn't necessarily imply success; it emphasizes the action of attempting itself. This is important when describing situations where effort was made but results weren't achieved.
Frequency in Speech: This verb appears frequently in daily conversation, news broadcasts, and literature, making it essential to master for comprehension.
Encourage Others: Use محاولة (the noun form) when discussing attempts: "محاولة جديدة" (a new attempt).
Compound with Other Verbs: Practice combining حاول with various verbs to expand your expression range: حاول يفهم، حاول يركض، حاول يتعلم، etc.
The verb حاول is fundamental to Arabic communication and reflects cultural values of perseverance and effort. By mastering its conjugation patterns and usage with other verbs, learners gain a crucial tool for expressing intention, effort, and determination in Arabic. Whether in formal academic contexts or casual conversation, understanding and using this verb correctly is essential for any serious Arabic learner.