When learning Arabic, understanding how to express increases and decreases is essential for effective communication. Two of the most important verbs you will encounter are يقل (Yaql) meaning decrease and يزيد (Yazid) meaning increase. These verbs are fundamental in various contexts, such as economics, daily life, and even weather discussions. In this article, we will delve into the nuances of these two verbs, their conjugation, and practical examples to help you grasp their usage comprehensively.
يقل (Yaql) – Decrease:
The verb يقل (Yaql) is used to indicate a reduction or decrease in quantity, size, or intensity. It is derived from the root ق ل ل (Q-L-L), which generally implies a lessening or diminishing effect.
Conjugation of يقل (Yaql):
Understanding the conjugation of يقل is crucial for using it correctly in sentences. Here are the conjugations in the present tense:
– أنا أقل (Ana Aql) – I decrease
– أنت تقل (Anta Taql) – You (masc.) decrease
– أنت تقلين (Anti Taqleen) – You (fem.) decrease
– هو يقل (Huwa Yaql) – He decreases
– هي تقل (Hiya Taql) – She decreases
– نحن نقل (Nahnu Naql) – We decrease
– أنتم تقلون (Antum Taqloon) – You (pl.) decrease
– هم يقلون (Hum Yaqloon) – They decrease
Examples of يقل (Yaql):
To understand the usage of يقل (Yaql), let’s look at some practical examples:
1. يقل عدد السكان في هذه المدينة (Yaql adad al-sukkan fi hadhihi al-madina) – The population in this city is decreasing.
2. يقل مستوى المياه في النهر (Yaql mustawa al-miyah fi al-nahr) – The water level in the river is decreasing.
3. يقل استهلاك الكهرباء في الليل (Yaql istihlak al-kahraba fi al-layl) – Electricity consumption decreases at night.
As you can see, يقل is versatile and can be used in various contexts to denote a decrease in numbers, levels, or consumption.
يزيد (Yazid) – Increase:
On the other hand, the verb يزيد (Yazid) is used to indicate an increase or growth in quantity, size, or intensity. It is derived from the root ز ي د (Z-Y-D), which generally implies an adding or augmenting effect.
Conjugation of يزيد (Yazid):
Similarly, understanding the conjugation of يزيد is essential for proper usage. Here are the conjugations in the present tense:
– أنا أزيد (Ana Azeed) – I increase
– أنت تزيد (Anta Tazeed) – You (masc.) increase
– أنت تزيدين (Anti Tazeedeen) – You (fem.) increase
– هو يزيد (Huwa Yazid) – He increases
– هي تزيد (Hiya Tazeed) – She increases
– نحن نزيد (Nahnu Nazeed) – We increase
– أنتم تزيدون (Antum Tazeedoon) – You (pl.) increase
– هم يزيدون (Hum Yazeedoon) – They increase
Examples of يزيد (Yazid):
To understand the usage of يزيد (Yazid), let’s look at some practical examples:
1. يزيد عدد السكان في هذه المدينة (Yazid adad al-sukkan fi hadhihi al-madina) – The population in this city is increasing.
2. يزيد مستوى المياه في النهر (Yazid mustawa al-miyah fi al-nahr) – The water level in the river is increasing.
3. يزيد استهلاك الكهرباء في النهار (Yazid istihlak al-kahraba fi al-nahar) – Electricity consumption increases during the day.
Similar to يقل, يزيد is versatile and can be used in various contexts to denote an increase in numbers, levels, or consumption.
Contextual Usage:
The verbs يقل and يزيد are often used in similar contexts but convey opposite meanings. Understanding these contexts can help solidify your grasp of their usage.
1. Economics:
– يقل معدل البطالة (Yaql muaddal al-bitala) – The unemployment rate is decreasing.
– يزيد معدل النمو الاقتصادي (Yazid muaddal al-numu al-iqtisadi) – The economic growth rate is increasing.
2. Health:
– يقل وزن المريض بعد العلاج (Yaql wazn al-mareed baad al-ilaj) – The patient’s weight decreases after treatment.
– يزيد وزن المريض بعد العلاج (Yazid wazn al-mareed baad al-ilaj) – The patient’s weight increases after treatment.
3. Weather:
– يقل تساقط الأمطار في الصيف (Yaql tasakut al-amtaar fi al-saif) – Rainfall decreases in the summer.
– يزيد تساقط الأمطار في الشتاء (Yazid tasakut al-amtaar fi al-shita) – Rainfall increases in the winter.
Common Mistakes:
Language learners often make common mistakes when using يقل and يزيد. Here are a few tips to avoid them:
1. Context Confusion:
– Ensure you are using the correct verb for the context. For example, don’t say يزيد عدد الوفيات (Yazid adad al-wafayat) when you mean to say that the number of deaths is decreasing. The correct sentence would be يقل عدد الوفيات (Yaql adad al-wafayat).
2. Incorrect Conjugation:
– Pay attention to the subject of your sentence to conjugate the verb correctly. For example, if the subject is feminine, use تقل (Taql) or تزيد (Tazeed) instead of يقل (Yaql) or يزيد (Yazid).
3. Neglecting Singular and Plural Forms:
– Remember to adjust the verb based on whether the subject is singular or plural. For instance, يزيدون (Yazeedoon) for plural subjects and يزيد (Yazid) for singular subjects.
Conclusion:
Mastering the verbs يقل (Yaql) and يزيد (Yazid) is crucial for anyone learning Arabic. These verbs are not only commonly used but also essential for expressing changes in various aspects of life. By understanding their conjugation, usage, and common contexts, you can significantly improve your proficiency in Arabic. Practice using these verbs in different sentences, and soon you’ll find yourself more confident in discussing increases and decreases in any conversation.
