When learning a new language, one of the most exciting and challenging aspects is acquiring new verbs and understanding their usage. For English speakers learning Arabic, it’s essential to grasp the nuances of common verbs to communicate effectively. Two such verbs are يجري (Yajri) and يسبح (Yasbah), which translate to run and swim respectively. This article will delve into the meanings, conjugations, and contextual usage of these verbs, helping you to understand and use them correctly in conversation.
يجري (Yajri) – Run:
The verb يجري (Yajri) means to run. It is derived from the root ج-ر-ي (j-r-y), which encompasses the idea of movement or flow. In Arabic, verbs are conjugated based on tense, mood, and subject, and يجري is no exception.
Let’s start with the present tense conjugation of يجري:
– أنا أجري (ana ajri) – I run
– أنتَ تجري (anta tajri) – You (masculine) run
– أنتِ تجرين (anti tajreen) – You (feminine) run
– هو يجري (huwa yajri) – He runs
– هي تجري (hiya tajri) – She runs
– نحن نجري (nahnu najri) – We run
– أنتم تجرون (antum tajroon) – You (plural) run
– هم يجرون (hum yajroon) – They run
Now, for the past tense:
– أنا جريتُ (ana jaraytu) – I ran
– أنتَ جريتَ (anta jarayta) – You (masculine) ran
– أنتِ جريتِ (anti jarayti) – You (feminine) ran
– هو جرى (huwa jaraa) – He ran
– هي جرت (hiya jarat) – She ran
– نحن جرينا (nahnu jarayna) – We ran
– أنتم جريتم (antum jaraytum) – You (plural) ran
– هم جروا (hum jaraw) – They ran
The imperative form, used for giving commands, is:
– أنتَ اجرِ (anta ijri) – Run (to a male)
– أنتِ اجري (anti ijree) – Run (to a female)
– أنتم اجروا (antum ijroo) – Run (to a group)
Usage of يجري (Yajri):
يجري can be used in various contexts, from describing physical activity to metaphorical uses. For example:
– هو يجري بسرعة (huwa yajri bisur’a) – He runs fast.
– المشروع يجري بشكل جيد (al-mashroo’ yajri bishakl jayid) – The project is running smoothly.
يسبح (Yasbah) – Swim:
The verb يسبح (Yasbah) means to swim. It comes from the root س-ب-ح (s-b-h), which relates to the act of swimming or floating. Like يجري, يسبح also needs to be conjugated according to the subject and tense.
Let’s look at the present tense conjugation of يسبح:
– أنا أسبح (ana asbah) – I swim
– أنتَ تسبح (anta tasbah) – You (masculine) swim
– أنتِ تسبحين (anti tasbaheen) – You (feminine) swim
– هو يسبح (huwa yasbah) – He swims
– هي تسبح (hiya tasbah) – She swims
– نحن نسبح (nahnu nasbah) – We swim
– أنتم تسبحون (antum tasbahoon) – You (plural) swim
– هم يسبحون (hum yasbahoon) – They swim
For the past tense:
– أنا سبحتُ (ana sabahtu) – I swam
– أنتَ سبحتَ (anta sabahta) – You (masculine) swam
– أنتِ سبحتِ (anti sabahti) – You (feminine) swam
– هو سبح (huwa sabah) – He swam
– هي سبحت (hiya sabaht) – She swam
– نحن سبحنا (nahnu sabahna) – We swam
– أنتم سبحتم (antum sabahtum) – You (plural) swam
– هم سبحوا (hum sabahoo) – They swam
The imperative form is:
– أنتَ اسبح (anta isbah) – Swim (to a male)
– أنتِ اسباحي (anti isbahee) – Swim (to a female)
– أنتم اسبحوا (antum isbahoo) – Swim (to a group)
Usage of يسبح (Yasbah):
يسبح is primarily used in the context of swimming in water. However, it can also be used metaphorically in some contexts. For instance:
– هي تسبح كل يوم (hiya tasbah kulla yawm) – She swims every day.
– السمكة تسبح في الحوض (al-samakah tasbah fi al-hawd) – The fish swims in the tank.
Comparing يجري (Yajri) and يسبح (Yasbah):
Understanding the difference between يجري and يسبح is crucial for clear communication in Arabic. Both verbs describe forms of movement but in different environments. يجري is used for running, typically on land, while يسبح is used for swimming, which happens in water.
In terms of usage, both verbs can be used in literal and figurative contexts. For example:
– The project is running smoothly: المشروع يجري بشكل جيد (al-mashroo’ yajri bishakl jayid).
– He is swimming in a sea of problems: هو يسبح في بحر من المشاكل (huwa yasbah fi bahr min al-mashaakil).
Practice is key to mastering these verbs. Try using them in sentences, both in their literal and figurative senses, to become more comfortable with their meanings and conjugations.
In conclusion, يجري (Yajri) and يسبح (Yasbah) are essential verbs for any Arabic learner. By understanding their conjugations and contexts, you can enhance your vocabulary and improve your fluency in Arabic. Remember, the more you practice, the more natural these verbs will become in your daily conversations. Happy learning!




