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A2 verb #4,500 más común 11 min de lectura

يضل

To lose one's way; to get lost.

yadill
At the A1 level, the word 'يضل' (yadillu) is introduced as a basic verb for 'getting lost.' Beginners focus on physical situations, like being in a new city or a large building. You will learn to use it in simple sentences like 'I am lost' or 'The boy is lost.' The emphasis here is on the primary meaning of not knowing where you are or how to get to your destination. You might encounter it in simple stories or survival Arabic dialogues where someone asks for directions. It's important at this stage to recognize the word when you hear it in a navigational context, such as 'Don't get lost' (لا تضل). You will also start to see its past tense 'ضلَّ' (dalla) in very basic reading passages. The goal is to associate the sound of the word with the feeling of needing a map or help.
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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'يضل' more actively in your own speech and writing. You learn to pair it with 'طريقه' (his way) or 'مساره' (his course). You also start to understand the grammatical nature of the verb—that it is a geminate verb with a doubled 'L' sound. You will practice conjugating it in the present tense for different subjects (I, you, we). At this stage, you also learn to distinguish it clearly from the verb 'يظل' (to stay), which is a very common point of confusion. You might use 'يضل' to describe a traveler in the desert or a character in a simple folk tale who loses their way in the woods. You are now expected to understand sentences like 'The tourist loses his way in the old city' and to use the word correctly in your own descriptions of travel or movement.
At the B1 level, the usage of 'يضل' expands into more abstract and metaphorical territories. You will encounter the word in news articles, social discussions, and intermediate literature. You start to see how it is used to describe losing focus on a goal or 'straying' from a set of rules or principles. For example, you might read about a student who 'strays from his studies' or a person who 'strays from the truth.' You will also be introduced to the causative form 'أضلَّ' (to lead someone astray), which adds a new layer of complexity to your vocabulary. Your understanding of the preposition 'عن' (from) in conjunction with 'يضل' becomes more refined. You can now discuss more complex scenarios, such as the ethical implications of leading others astray or the mental state of someone who has lost their sense of purpose.
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At the B2 level, you delve into the stylistic and rhetorical uses of 'يضل.' You will see it in classical poetry, religious texts (like the Quran and Hadith), and sophisticated political commentary. You understand the historical and cultural weight the word carries, particularly its role in contrasting 'guidance' (Huda) with 'straying' (Dalal). You can analyze how authors use the word to create imagery of confusion or moral failure. You are comfortable with all its grammatical forms, including the jussive and subjunctive moods. You can also distinguish between synonyms like 'يضل' and 'ينحرف' or 'يتوه' with precision, choosing the one that best fits the formal or informal tone of your discourse. Your ability to use the word in academic essays about philosophy or sociology demonstrates a high degree of linguistic maturity.
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At the C1 level, your mastery of 'يضل' is nearly native-like. You appreciate the subtle nuances between different roots and how they interact in complex sentence structures. You can identify the word in archaic or highly specialized texts, such as medieval legal documents or intricate Sufi poetry, where 'straying' might have a specific mystical meaning. You understand the etymological roots and how the concept of 'Dalal' has evolved in Arabic thought. You can use the word in high-level debates, employing it to critique an opponent's logic or to describe the complexities of human error. Your pronunciation is perfect, clearly distinguishing the 'Daad' from other similar sounds, even in rapid speech. You can also play with the word's various forms to create sophisticated puns or metaphors in your own creative writing.
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At the C2 level, 'يضل' is a tool you wield with total precision and creativity. You have a comprehensive understanding of its place within the entire Arabic lexicon. You can discuss the word's semantic field in relation to other Semitic languages if needed. You are aware of every possible grammatical variation and rare usage found in the most ancient lexicons like 'Lisan al-Arab.' You can interpret the word's meaning in the most obscure literary contexts and provide detailed commentary on its usage in the Quranic sciences. In your own professional or academic work, you use 'يضل' to convey exact shades of meaning, whether you are writing a philosophical treatise, a legal brief, or a literary masterpiece. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a deeply understood concept that you can manipulate to express the finest details of the human condition.
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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

يضل en 30 segundos

  • يضل means to lose one's way or stray from a path, used both physically and metaphorically.
  • It is a geminate verb (root D-L-L) conjugated as يضل (yadillu) in the present tense.
  • Commonly confused with يظل (to stay), so pay attention to the 'Daad' sound.
  • Often used in religious and moral contexts to describe straying from truth or guidance.

The Arabic verb يضل (present tense of ضلَّ) is a fundamental word that every learner of Arabic should master, especially as they transition from beginner to intermediate levels. At its core, the word means to lose one's way, to stray from a path, or to become lost. However, like many Arabic roots, the concept of 'straying' extends far beyond the physical act of getting lost in a city or a desert. It encompasses intellectual, moral, and spiritual wandering. In the physical sense, you might use يضل when describing someone who has lost their GPS signal in a remote area or a traveler who took a wrong turn at a desert crossroads. The beauty of this word lies in its ability to bridge the gap between the concrete and the abstract.

Physical Navigation
Used when a person cannot find their destination or has deviated from the known route. It implies a state of confusion regarding one's location.

المسافر قد يضل طريقه في الغابة الكثيفة إذا لم يكن معه بوصلة.

The traveler might lose his way in the dense forest if he doesn't have a compass.

Beyond the physical, يضل is frequently used in philosophical and religious contexts. In the Quran and classical literature, it refers to straying from the 'Straight Path' (الصراط المستقيم). This doesn't just mean making a mistake; it suggests a deviation from truth or guidance. When used in this way, the word takes on a weightier, more serious tone. It describes a state where an individual is no longer guided by logic, ethics, or divine instruction. For a student of Arabic, understanding this duality is key. While you might use it casually to say you got lost looking for a cafe, you will also encounter it in high-level discussions about philosophy and theology.

Metaphorical Straying
Refers to losing focus on a goal, adopting incorrect beliefs, or failing to follow a logical argument to its proper conclusion.

من يتبع الإشاعات يضل عن الحقيقة.

Whoever follows rumors strays from the truth.

In modern daily life, you might hear this word in news reports about missing persons or in navigational warnings. It is also common in literature to describe a character's internal confusion. The verb is intransitive when it means 'to get lost' (ضلَّ الطريق), but it can be used in causative forms (أضلَّ) to mean 'to lead someone astray.' Understanding يضل provides a window into the Arabic worldview, where 'guidance' (Huda) and 'straying' (Dalal) are central concepts of the human experience.

Common Contexts
Travel, navigation, religious sermons, moral debates, and academic critiques of flawed logic.

لا يضل من استشار الخبراء.

One who consults experts does not lose his way.

الطفل يضل في الزحام إذا ترك يد أمه.

The child gets lost in the crowd if he lets go of his mother's hand.

العقل يضل أحياناً في فهم الألغاز المعقدة.

The mind sometimes strays when trying to understand complex riddles.

Using the verb يضل correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical structure and the prepositions that often accompany it. As a geminate verb (muda'af), its conjugation follows specific patterns that are essential for A2 learners to grasp. In the present tense, for the third-person masculine singular, it is يضلُّ (yadillu). When you are using it to mean 'getting lost,' it is often followed by the word 'طريقه' (his way) or a prepositional phrase indicating where the straying occurred.

With Direct Object 'Way'
Commonly paired with 'طريق' (way/path) to specify what exactly is being lost. Example: يضل طريقه (He loses his way).

السائح يضل طريقه في أزقة المدينة القديمة.

The tourist loses his way in the alleys of the old city.

Another frequent usage involves the preposition عن (from/away from). This is particularly common in metaphorical or moral contexts. When someone 'strays from' the truth, a principle, or a specific goal, يضل عن is the standard construction. This emphasizes the deviation from a starting point or a standard. For example, 'يضل عن الحق' means 'he strays from the truth.' This construction is vital for reading news editorials or religious texts.

Prepositional Use (عن)
Used to indicate the path or standard from which someone is deviating. It highlights the distance between the person and the correct course.

لا تجعل الغضب يجعلك تضل عن الصواب.

Do not let anger make you stray from what is right.

In negative sentences, يضل is often used to reassure or to state a fact about guidance. Using 'لا يضل' (he does not stray) implies stability and correctness. This is a common pattern in proverbs and wisdom literature. For instance, 'الذي يقرأ الخريطة لا يضل' (He who reads the map does not get lost). This simple structure is perfect for A2 learners to practice subject-verb agreement and basic negation.

Negation Patterns
Using 'لا' for habitual negation or 'لن' for future negation to express that someone will not lose their way.

بوجود المرشد، لن يضل الفريق في الجبال.

With the guide's presence, the team will not get lost in the mountains.

كيف يضل من يملك كل هذه المعلومات؟

How can someone who possesses all this information lose their way?

أخشى أن يضل القارب في الضباب.

I fear that the boat will lose its way in the fog.

The word يضل resonates through various layers of Arabic society, from the most ancient texts to modern digital navigation. One of the most common places you will hear this word is in the context of travel and exploration. In the Arab world, where vast deserts and intricate old cities (Medinas) are common, the concept of losing one's way is a frequent topic of conversation. You might hear a taxi driver in Cairo or a hiker in the Atlas Mountains use it when discussing directions or the dangers of traveling without a guide.

News and Media
Reports on missing hikers, ships losing their course at sea, or even political analyses of a party 'losing its way' from its original platform.

ذكرت الأنباء أن السفينة بدأت تضل مسارها بسبب العاصفة.

News reported that the ship began to lose its course because of the storm.

Another significant sphere is religious and ethical discourse. In Friday sermons (Khutbah) or religious educational programs, يضل is a keyword. It is used to warn against moral corruption or intellectual confusion. Because the root D-L-L is so prominent in the Quran (e.g., in Surah Al-Fatiha, 'ولا الضالين' - nor of those who go astray), every Arabic speaker is intimately familiar with its spiritual connotations. When a scholar speaks about modern challenges, they might use يضل to describe how people might lose their traditional values in a rapidly changing world.

Religious Discourse
Emphasis on spiritual guidance and the dangers of deviating from established religious or ethical paths.

الخطيب حذر من أن الشباب قد يضل بسبب الأفكار الغريبة.

The preacher warned that youth might go astray due to strange ideas.

In literature and poetry, يضل is a powerful tool for imagery. A poet might describe a lover 'losing his way' in the beauty of his beloved's eyes, or a philosopher 'losing his way' in a sea of doubts. This versatility makes it a favorite for authors who want to convey a sense of being overwhelmed or unmoored. Even in modern Arabic pop songs, you'll find the word used to describe the feeling of being lost after a breakup or when searching for one's purpose in life.

Literary and Artistic Use
Used to evoke emotions of confusion, longing, and the search for truth or love.

في هذه القصيدة، الشاعر يضل في ذكريات الماضي.

In this poem, the poet gets lost in the memories of the past.

بدون خريطة واضحة، المشروع سوف يضل أهدافه.

Without a clear map, the project will lose its objectives.

هل تعتقد أننا سوف نضل إذا سلكنا هذا الطريق؟

Do you think we will get lost if we take this road?

The most pervasive mistake learners make with يضل is confusing it with the phonetically similar verb يظل (to stay/remain). This is a classic 'false friend' situation in Arabic phonology. While yadillu (يضل) uses the heavy 'Daad' (ض), yathallu (يظل) uses the emphatic 'Thaa' (ظ). Mixing these up can completely flip the meaning of a sentence. For example, 'يضل في البيت' (he gets lost in the house) vs. 'يظل في البيت' (he stays in the house). The former sounds nonsensical in most contexts, while the latter is a very common phrase.

The D vs. Th Confusion
Mixing up 'ض' and 'ظ'. This is especially common for speakers whose native languages do not distinguish between these two heavy dental/alveolar sounds.

خطأ: هو يظل طريقه (بمعنى تاه). صح: هو يضل طريقه.

Error: Using 'stay' when you mean 'lose the way'.

Another error involves the conjugation of geminate verbs. Some learners mistakenly try to 'un-double' the root letters when they shouldn't, or they fail to double them when they should. In the present tense يضل, the two 'L' sounds are merged (idgham). Learners might try to say 'يضلل' (yadlul) in standard contexts, which is actually a different form (Form II or the un-merged classical variation) and might sound archaic or incorrect in modern speech. Stick to the merged form يضل for general use.

Conjugation Errors
Incorrectly expanding the double root letters (ض ل ل) in the present tense or misplacing the vowels on the first root letter.

خطأ: المسافر يُضِلّ (بضم الياء) نفسه. صح: المسافر يَضِلّ (بفتح الياء).

Error: Confusing the active voice (he gets lost) with the causative voice (he leads astray).

Lastly, learners often struggle with the preposition choice. Using في (in) when عن (from) is required for metaphorical straying is common. While 'يضل في الغابة' (he gets lost in the forest) is correct for physical location, 'يضل في الحق' is confusing. It should be 'يضل عن الحق' (he strays from the truth). Precision with prepositions is what separates an A2 learner from a B1 learner. Paying attention to these nuances will significantly improve your fluency and accuracy.

Preposition Pitfalls
Over-relying on 'in' (في) for all contexts of being lost, instead of using 'from' (عن) for abstract deviations.

لا تضل عن هدفك الأساسي في الحياة.

Do not stray from your primary goal in life.

من السهل أن يضل المرء في هذه القوانين المعقدة.

It is easy for one to get lost in these complex laws.

انتبه، لا تضل الطريق عند المنعطف القادم.

Watch out, don't lose the way at the next turn.

While يضل is a powerful and versatile verb, Arabic offers several other words to describe the state of being lost, each with its own specific nuance. Understanding these alternatives will help you choose the most natural-sounding word for any given situation. The most common synonym you will encounter in daily spoken Arabic is يضيع (yaḍī'). While يضل often implies straying from a path, يضيع is more general and is frequently used for lost objects (like keys) as well as lost people. In many dialects, يضيع is more common than يضل for physical lost-ness.

يضل vs. يضيع
يضل: Specific to losing a path or route, often with a moral/spiritual undertone.
يضيع: General 'to be lost' or 'to waste' (e.g., wasting time). Used for people and objects.

أنا أضيع وقتي في البحث عن المفاتيح، بينما المسافر يضل في الصحراء.

I am wasting my time looking for keys, while the traveler is getting lost in the desert.

Another important alternative is يتوه (yatūh). This verb is very common in Egyptian and Levantine dialects. It carries a sense of being dazed, confused, or wandering aimlessly. If someone is physically lost in a big city and feels overwhelmed by the crowds and signs, يتوه is the perfect word. It describes the mental state of confusion that accompanies being lost, whereas يضل focuses more on the deviation from the correct track.

يضل vs. يتوه
يضل: Formal, path-oriented, moral/spiritual.
يتوه: Informal/Dialectal, mental confusion, wandering aimlessly.

لا تتوه في التفاصيل الصغيرة وتنسى الصورة الكبيرة.

Don't get lost in the small details and forget the big picture.

Finally, consider the verb ينحرف (yanḥarif). This means 'to deviate' or 'to swerve.' It is more technical and physical than يضل. You might use it for a car swerving off the road or a beam of light refracting. In a moral sense, it implies a more active, sharp turn away from the norm compared to the 'straying' of يضل. By comparing these words, you can see that يضل occupies a unique middle ground: formal enough for literature, specific enough for navigation, and deep enough for philosophy.

يضل vs. ينحرف
يضل: To lose the way (often unintentionally or through lack of guidance).
ينحرف: To deviate or swerve (often implying a sharper or more mechanical change in direction).

السيارة تنحرف عن الطريق، بينما السائق يضل وجهته.

The car deviates from the road, while the driver loses his destination.

نحن لا نريد أن يضل الطلاب في هذا البحث الصعب.

We don't want the students to get lost in this difficult research.

من يضل سبيله يحتاج إلى المساعدة.

Whoever loses his way needs help.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"يضل البحث العلمي عن أهدافه إذا افتقر للمنهجية."

Neutral

"يضل السائح في شوارع المدينة."

Informal

"لا تضل وأنت راجع للبيت."

Child friendly

"الكتكوت الصغير يضل في المزرعة."

Jerga

"إنت شكلك بتضل في شبر مية!"

Dato curioso

The term 'ولا الضالين' at the end of the first chapter of the Quran is one of the most recited phrases in the Arabic language, making the root D-L-L universally known.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /jaˈdˤɪl.lu/
US /jɑˈdɪl.lu/
The stress is typically on the second syllable (dil), which contains the doubled consonant.
Rima con
يقل (yaqillu) يحل (yahillu) يمل (yamallu) يصل (yasillu - though different root) يدل (yadullu) يطل (yatullu) يغل (yaghillu) يصل (yasillu)
Errores comunes
  • Pronouncing 'ض' (Daad) as a regular English 'd'. It must be emphatic.
  • Confusion with 'يظل' (yathallu), which uses the 'ظ' sound.
  • Failing to double the 'L' sound (shadda).
  • Using a long 'i' (ee) sound instead of the short 'i' (kasra).
  • Misplacing the stress on the first syllable.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 3/5

Easy to recognize in text, but can be confused with similar roots.

Escritura 4/5

Requires knowledge of geminate verb conjugation and the 'Daad' letter.

Expresión oral 4/5

Pronunciation of the 'Daad' and 'Shadda' is challenging for beginners.

Escucha 3/5

Clear sound, but must be distinguished from 'يظل'.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

طريق ذهب مدينة أين لا

Aprende después

أضل هداية مستقيم انحرف تيه

Avanzado

غواية سراب ارتياب فطرة صراط

Gramática que debes saber

Geminate Verbs (Muda'af)

ضلَّ (past) -> يَضِلُّ (present)

Subjunctive with 'أن'

يجب ألا يضلَّ (The shadda remains)

Jussive with 'لم'

لم يَضِلَّ (The shadda remains, takes fatha)

Active Participle (Ism al-Fa'il)

ضالّ (one who strays)

Causative Form IV

أضلَّ (to lead astray)

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Ejemplos por nivel

1

الولد يضل في الحديقة.

The boy gets lost in the park.

Simple subject-verb-prepositional phrase structure.

2

أنا أخشى أن أضل.

I am afraid to get lost.

Use of 'أن' followed by the present tense verb.

3

هل يضل السائح هنا؟

Does the tourist get lost here?

Question formation with 'هل'.

4

القط يضل في الليل.

The cat gets lost at night.

Simple present tense usage.

5

لا تضل يا صديقي.

Don't get lost, my friend.

Negative imperative using 'لا'.

6

هو يضل الطريق دائماً.

He always loses the way.

Adverb 'دائماً' (always) placed after the verb phrase.

7

نحن لا نضل في مدرستنا.

We don't get lost in our school.

First-person plural negation.

8

أين يضل الناس عادة؟

Where do people usually get lost?

Question with 'أين' (where).

1

المسافر يضل طريقه في الصحراء الكبيرة.

The traveler loses his way in the big desert.

Adding a direct object 'طريقه' (his way).

2

يضل الطفل إذا ابتعد عن والديه.

The child gets lost if he moves away from his parents.

Conditional sentence using 'إذا' (if).

3

السائق يضل المسار بسبب الضباب.

The driver loses the path because of the fog.

Using 'بسبب' (because of) to show cause.

4

لماذا يضل الناس في هذه المدينة؟

Why do people get lost in this city?

Question with 'لماذا' (why).

5

يضل الغريب في الأزقة الضيقة.

The stranger gets lost in the narrow alleys.

Adjective-noun agreement: 'الأزقة الضيقة'.

6

أعتقد أن الفريق سوف يضل في الغابة.

I think the team will get lost in the forest.

Future tense with 'سوف'.

7

لا يضل من يتبع الخريطة بدقة.

He who follows the map accurately does not get lost.

Relative clause with 'من' (he who).

8

يضل القارب مساره في العاصفة.

The boat loses its course in the storm.

Possessive suffix '-ه' on 'مسار'.

1

قد يضل الباحث في بحر المعلومات.

The researcher might get lost in the sea of information.

Use of 'قد' (might) with the present tense.

2

يضل المرء عن الحق إذا اتبع هواه.

One strays from the truth if he follows his desires.

Metaphorical usage with the preposition 'عن'.

3

لا يضل العقل الذي يفكر بمنطق.

The mind that thinks logically does not go astray.

Relative clause with 'الذي'.

4

يضل الطالب أهدافه إذا لم ينظم وقته.

The student loses his goals if he doesn't organize his time.

Abstract object 'أهدافه' (his goals).

5

يضل الإنسان أحياناً في فهم مشاعره.

A person sometimes gets lost in understanding his feelings.

Gerund 'فهم' (understanding) used as an object.

6

نخشى أن يضل المجتمع عن قيمه الأصيلة.

We fear that society will stray from its authentic values.

Subjunctive mood after 'أن'.

7

يضل الكتاب في تفاصيل غير مهمة.

The writer gets lost in unimportant details.

Prepositional phrase 'في تفاصيل'.

8

من السهل أن يضل المبتدئ في هذا العلم.

It is easy for a beginner to get lost in this science.

Impersonal construction 'من السهل أن'.

1

يضل الفيلسوف في دهاليز الفكر العميق.

The philosopher gets lost in the corridors of deep thought.

Use of 'دهاليز' (corridors) as a metaphor.

2

لا يضل من جعل الضمير مرشده.

He who makes conscience his guide does not go astray.

Complex relative clause.

3

يضل البحث العلمي مساره إذا غابت الدقة.

Scientific research loses its course if precision is absent.

Conditional with 'إذا' and a verbal sentence.

4

يضل المتحدث عن الموضوع الأساسي بسبب الانفعال.

The speaker strays from the main topic due to emotion.

Noun phrase 'الموضوع الأساسي'.

5

يضل الفن عندما يصبح مجرد تجارة.

Art goes astray when it becomes mere commerce.

Temporal clause with 'عندما'.

6

يضل التاريخ في روايات المنتصرين.

History gets lost in the narratives of the victors.

Passive-like meaning in an active verb.

7

أحياناً يضل القلب ما لا يضله العقل.

Sometimes the heart strays where the mind does not.

Comparison between heart and mind.

8

يضل المشروع إذا لم تتوفر له الميزانية.

The project goes astray if the budget is not available for it.

Passive verb 'تتوفر' in the condition.

1

يضل النقد الأدبي إذا انحاز للمؤلف لا للنص.

Literary criticism goes astray if it biases toward the author rather than the text.

Sophisticated literary terminology.

2

يضل المرء في تيه الأفكار المتضاربة.

One gets lost in the wilderness of conflicting ideas.

Use of 'تيه' (wilderness/labyrinth) for emphasis.

3

لا يضل من استضاء بنور الحكمة التاريخية.

He who is enlightened by the light of historical wisdom does not go astray.

Metaphorical verb 'استضاء' (to be enlightened).

4

يضل القلم عندما يكتب تحت وطأة الخوف.

The pen goes astray when it writes under the weight of fear.

Personification of 'القلم' (the pen).

5

يضل العدل إذا تدخلت فيه المصالح الشخصية.

Justice goes astray if personal interests interfere in it.

Abstract concept 'العدل' as subject.

6

يضل اللسان في وصف جمال لا يوصف.

The tongue loses its way in describing an indescribable beauty.

Idiomatic use of 'يضل اللسان'.

7

يضل المنطق في مواجهة العواطف الجياشة.

Logic loses its way in the face of overwhelming emotions.

Advanced adjective 'الجياشة' (overflowing).

8

يضل السلوك البشري عن الفطرة السليمة أحياناً.

Human behavior sometimes strays from sound natural instinct.

Theological/Philosophical term 'الفطرة'.

1

يضل التأويل حينما يغفل عن السياق التاريخي.

Interpretation goes astray when it overlooks the historical context.

Academic term 'التأويل' (hermeneutics).

2

يضل الوعي في غياهب النسيان المتعمد.

Consciousness gets lost in the depths of intentional forgetting.

Literary term 'غياهب' (depths/darkness).

3

لا يضل من سبر أغوار الذات بصدق.

He who probes the depths of the self with sincerity does not go astray.

Idiomatic 'سبر أغوار' (to probe the depths).

4

يضل الخطاب السياسي في متاهات الشعارات الجوفاء.

Political discourse gets lost in the labyrinths of hollow slogans.

Metaphor 'متاهات' (labyrinths).

5

يضل الجمال معناه إذا جرد من الروح.

Beauty loses its meaning if it is stripped of spirit.

Complex conditional with 'إذا جرد'.

6

يضل البحث الفلسفي إذا لم ينطلق من تساؤل حقيقي.

Philosophical research goes astray if it does not stem from a genuine question.

Negative condition 'لم ينطلق'.

7

يضل الشوق صاحبه في دروب الحنين.

Longing leads its owner astray in the paths of nostalgia.

Poetic subject-object relationship.

8

يضل الإبداع عندما يسجن في قوالب جاهزة.

Creativity goes astray when it is imprisoned in ready-made molds.

Passive metaphor 'يسجن' (is imprisoned).

Colocaciones comunes

يضل طريقه
يضل عن الحق
يضل مساره
يضل السبيل
يضل أهدافه
يضل في الزحام
يضل في الغابة
يضل عن الصواب
يضل في الضباب
يضل وجهته

Frases Comunes

ضل الطريق

لا يضل ولا يشقى

ضل سعيه

يضل عن المنطق

يضل في بحر من...

من يضل؟

لن يضل أبداً

يضل عن رشده

ضل ظلالاً بعيداً

يضل في التفاصيل

Se confunde a menudo con

يضل vs يظل

Means 'to stay' or 'to remain'. Phonetically similar but with a 'Thaa' (ظ).

يضل vs يذل

Means 'to humiliate'. Uses the 'Thal' (ذ) sound.

يضل vs يدل

Means 'to point out' or 'to guide'. Opposite meaning, same root letters but different vowels (yadullu).

Modismos y expresiones

"ضل في تيه"

To be lost in a wilderness or a state of utter confusion.

يضل الفكر في تيه الفلسفة.

Literary

"يضل عن الدرب"

To stray from the path (often used for life's journey).

لا تضل عن درب آبائك.

Poetic

"يضل في غابة من الرموز"

To be lost in a forest of symbols (metaphor for complex semiotics).

يضل القارئ في غابة من الرموز.

Academic

"يضل في وادي غير ذي زرع"

To be lost in a barren valley (metaphor for a hopeless situation).

يضل البحث في وادي غير ذي زرع.

Classical

"يضل خيط الحكاية"

To lose the thread of the story.

يضل السامع خيط الحكاية الطويلة.

Neutral

"يضل بوصلته"

To lose one's compass (moral or physical).

يضل القائد بوصلته الأخلاقية.

Modern

"يضل في شبر ماء"

To get lost in an inch of water (idiom for someone who gets confused by very simple things).

هو يضل في شبر ماء من سهولة الأمر.

Informal

"يضل عن جادة الصواب"

To stray from the path of correctness.

يضل الحكم عن جادة الصواب أحياناً.

Formal

"يضل في غياهب الجهل"

To be lost in the depths of ignorance.

يضل الناس في غياهب الجهل بدون تعليم.

Literary

"يضل عن عينه"

To lose sight of something (metaphorical).

يضل الهدف عن عينه بسبب الطمع.

Poetic

Fácil de confundir

يضل vs يظل

Phonetic similarity.

يضل (yadillu) means to get lost; يظل (yathallu) means to stay/remain. The difference is the letter 'ض' vs 'ظ'.

يضل في الغابة (gets lost) vs يظل في الغابة (stays in).

يضل vs يدل

Same root letters (D-L-L).

يضل (yadillu) is Form I meaning to stray. يدل (yadullu) is Form I meaning to show/guide. The vowel on the first letter changes everything.

هو يدلني على الطريق (He shows me the way).

يضل vs يُضِل

Vowel difference (Active vs Causative).

يَضِل (yadillu) is 'he strays' (intransitive). يُضِل (yudillu) is 'he leads astray' (transitive/Form IV).

يُضِل الناس (He leads people astray).

يضل vs يضيع

Synonym.

يضيع is more common for objects and general lost-ness. يضل is more specific to paths and moral error.

يضيع المفتاح (loses the key).

يضل vs يذل

Phonetic similarity.

يذل (yathillu) means to humiliate or lower. يضل (yadillu) means to stray.

يذل عدوه (He humiliates his enemy).

Patrones de oraciones

A1

[Subject] + يضل

هو يضل.

A2

[Subject] + يضل + [Object]

المسافر يضل طريقه.

A2

[Subject] + يضل + في + [Place]

أنا أضل في السوق.

B1

[Subject] + يضل + عن + [Abstract Noun]

هو يضل عن الحق.

B1

قد + يضل + [Subject]

قد يضل الطالب.

B2

لا + يضل + من + [Verb phrase]

لا يضل من يقرأ.

C1

يضل + [Subject] + في + تيه + [Noun]

يضل الفكر في تيه الشك.

C2

يضل + [Subject] + مساره + إذا + [Condition]

يضل البحث مساره إذا غاب الدليل.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

Verbos

Adjetivos

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

High, especially in written and formal spoken Arabic.

Errores comunes
  • Using 'يظل' instead of 'يضل'. → يضل

    Confusion between 'ض' and 'ظ'. 'يظل' means to stay.

  • Saying 'يضل الوقت'. → يضيع الوقت

    You waste (يضيع) time, you don't 'stray' time.

  • Saying 'يضلل' in the present tense. → يضل

    In Form I, the root letters merge. 'يضلل' is Form II or an archaic variation.

  • Using 'في' for moral straying. → يضل عن الحق

    Metaphorical deviation uses the preposition 'عن' (from).

  • Mispronouncing the 'Daad' as a light 'd'. → يضل (heavy D)

    A light 'd' can make it sound like 'يذل' (to humiliate).

Consejos

Watch the Shadda

The double 'L' in يضل is crucial. Make sure you hold the 'L' sound slightly longer to indicate the shadda. This is a hallmark of geminate verbs.

The Heavy Daad

The 'ض' in يضل is what distinguishes it from other words. Practice making it 'dark' and 'heavy' to avoid confusion with 'يظل'.

Formal vs Informal

Use 'يضل' in your essays and formal presentations. For a casual chat with friends about getting lost in a mall, 'تاه' is more natural.

Pair with 'Way'

A great way to remember the word is to always learn it as a pair: 'يضل طريقه'. This anchors the meaning in your mind.

Moral Straying

Don't forget the metaphorical use. If you're reading an editorial, 'يضل' likely refers to a policy or an idea going in the wrong direction.

Listen for 'An'

If you hear 'يضل عن', prepare for an abstract concept like 'the truth' or 'the goal' to follow.

The Root D-L-L

Knowing the root D-L-L (ض ل ل) helps you recognize related words like 'ضلال' (error) and 'مضلل' (misleading) instantly.

The Fork in the Road

Think of the 'ض' as a person turning away from the straight line. That turning away is 'Dalal'.

Religious Literacy

Understanding 'يضل' is a shortcut to understanding many religious and philosophical discussions in Arabic.

Reassurance

Use 'لن تضل' (You won't get lost) to reassure someone when giving them directions. It sounds very encouraging.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Imagine a 'Double-L' (لل) forming a fork in the road. When you take the wrong one, you 'Dill' (يضل) - you stray from the 'D'irection.

Asociación visual

Visualize a compass needle spinning wildly. This state of 'no direction' is exactly what 'يضل' describes.

Word Web

Way (طريق) Error (خطأ) Confusion (حيرة) Desert (صحراء) Guide (مرشد) Truth (حق) Straying (ضلال) Lost (تاه)

Desafío

Try to use 'يضل' in three different contexts today: once for a physical location, once for a moral choice, and once for a complicated task.

Origen de la palabra

From the Proto-Semitic root D-L-L, which generally relates to wandering, straying, or being lost. It is a common root across many Semitic languages.

Significado original: The primary sense was physical: a sheep wandering from the flock or a traveler losing the desert track.

Semitic -> Afroasiatic

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using 'يضل' in a religious context, as it can imply a serious moral failing or heresy (ضلالة).

English speakers often use 'get lost' as an insult. In Arabic, 'يضل' is rarely used this way; it is more descriptive of a state of error or confusion.

Surah Al-Fatiha (ولا الضالين) Classical poetry by Imru' al-Qais Modern novels by Naguib Mahfouz

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Driving/Navigation

  • يضل الطريق
  • يضل المسار
  • لا تضل عند الدوار
  • يضل بسبب الجي بي إس

Moral/Religious

  • يضل عن الحق
  • الضلال والهدى
  • لا يضل المؤمن
  • يضل عن سبيل الله

Academic/Logic

  • يضل البحث
  • يضل المنطق
  • يضل عن الموضوع
  • يضل في التفاصيل

Stories/Fables

  • ضل في الغابة
  • الطفل الضال
  • يضل في تيه
  • كيف يضل البطل؟

Emotions

  • يضل في ذكرياته
  • يضل في مشاعره
  • يضل عن رشده
  • القلب يضل

Inicios de conversación

"هل سبق وأن ضللت طريقك في مدينة غريبة؟"

"ماذا تفعل إذا رأيت طفلاً يضل في الزحام؟"

"هل تعتقد أن التكنولوجيا تجعلنا لا نضل أبداً؟"

"لماذا يضل بعض الناس عن أهدافهم في الحياة؟"

"كيف يمكن للمرشد أن يساعد السياح لكي لا يضلوا؟"

Temas para diario

اكتب عن مرة ضللت فيها طريقك وكيف شعرت.

هل تعتقد أن الضلال الفكري أصعب من الضلال المكاني؟ ولماذا؟

صف رحلة في الغابة حيث كاد الفريق أن يضل مساره.

كيف يمكن للإنسان أن يحمي نفسه من أن يضل عن قيمه؟

تخيل عالماً بدون خرائط، كيف سيعيش الناس دون أن يضلوا؟

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

The past tense is 'ضلَّ' (dalla). For example: ضلَّ المسافر طريقه (The traveler lost his way).

While it is understood, most dialects prefer 'تاه' or 'ضاع' for physical lost-ness. 'يضل' remains common in formal speech and religious contexts.

It is an emphatic 'd'. Place the sides of your tongue against your upper molars and produce a heavy sound, unlike the light English 'd'.

No, 'to waste' is usually 'يضيع' (time/money). 'يضل' is specifically about losing a path or direction.

يضل is to get lost or stray (often unintentionally), while ينحرف is to deviate or swerve (often a sharp or technical change in direction).

Yes, 'ضلال' (dalal) refers to the state of straying or error, and 'تيه' (tih) refers to the state of being lost in a labyrinth/wilderness.

No, for a lost phone, use 'ضاع' (ضاع هاتفي). 'يضل' is for people or things that follow a path.

It means 'nor of those who go astray.' It is the final phrase of the Fatiha, the opening chapter of the Quran.

It is typically intransitive (He gets lost), but it can take 'طريقه' as a cognate-like object or be used with 'عن'.

You would say 'أنا ضللت' (past tense) or more commonly 'أنا تائه' (using the participle).

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Ponte a prueba 180 preguntas

writing

Translate to Arabic: 'The traveler loses his way in the desert.'

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writing

Translate to Arabic: 'Do not stray from the truth.'

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writing

Translate to Arabic: 'The child might get lost in the crowd.'

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writing

Write a sentence using 'يضل' and 'خريطة'.

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writing

Translate to Arabic: 'The boat lost its course due to the storm.'

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writing

Translate to Arabic: 'He who follows guidance does not go astray.'

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writing

Write a sentence using 'يضل' and 'غابة'.

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writing

Translate to Arabic: 'I fear that I will get lost in this big city.'

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writing

Write a sentence using 'يضل' about a moral choice.

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writing

Translate to Arabic: 'The researcher gets lost in the details.'

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writing

Translate to Arabic: 'Why do you lose your way every time?'

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writing

Write a sentence using 'يضل' and 'بوصلة'.

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writing

Translate to Arabic: 'Logic sometimes goes astray.'

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writing

Translate to Arabic: 'The stars help travelers so they don't get lost.'

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writing

Write a sentence using 'يضل' and 'أزقة'.

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writing

Translate to Arabic: 'One should not stray from his goals.'

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writing

Translate to Arabic: 'The pen strays in describing beauty.'

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writing

Translate to Arabic: 'The heart strays where the mind does not.'

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writing

Write a sentence using 'يضل' and 'ضباب'.

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writing

Translate to Arabic: 'History gets lost in rumors.'

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speaking

Say in Arabic: 'I lost my way in the city.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say in Arabic: 'Don't get lost, the road is long.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say in Arabic: 'The traveler might get lost here.'

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speaking

Say in Arabic: 'He strays from the truth.'

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speaking

Say in Arabic: 'We will not get lost with this map.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Explain the difference between يضل and يظل.

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speaking

Say in Arabic: 'The child got lost in the market.'

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speaking

Say in Arabic: 'I don't want to lose my way.'

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speaking

Say in Arabic: 'Why did you get lost?'

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speaking

Say in Arabic: 'The boat loses its course.'

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speaking

Say in Arabic: 'He is lost in his thoughts.'

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speaking

Say in Arabic: 'The stars guide those who are lost.'

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speaking

Say in Arabic: 'Do not stray from your goal.'

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speaking

Say in Arabic: 'The dog got lost in the forest.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say in Arabic: 'It is easy to get lost here.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say in Arabic: 'The mind strays sometimes.'

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speaking

Say in Arabic: 'I will help you so you don't get lost.'

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speaking

Say in Arabic: 'The team lost its way to the village.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say in Arabic: 'Truth is a light, so we don't stray.'

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speaking

Say in Arabic: 'He who strays needs a guide.'

Read this aloud:

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listening

Listen and identify the verb: 'المسافر يضل طريقه.'

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listening

Listen and identify the meaning: 'لا تضل عن الحق.'

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
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listening

Listen and choose the correct word: 'يضل' or 'يظل'?

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listening

Listen and identify the subject: 'يضل الطفل في الزحام.'

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¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen and translate: 'قد يضل القارب في الضباب.'

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¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen and identify the preposition: 'يضل عن الصواب.'

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listening

Listen and identify the place: 'يضل السائح في أزقة المدينة.'

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen and complete: 'لن نضل مع هذه ____.'

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¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen and translate: 'يضل العقل في التفاصيل.'

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen and identify the tense: 'يضل' (Present/Past/Future)?

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listening

Listen and translate: 'لا يضل من استشار.'

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¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen and identify the object: 'يضل السائق مساره.'

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen and translate: 'أخشى أن أضل.'

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
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listening

Listen and choose: 'يضل' (stray) or 'يصل' (arrive)?

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listening

Listen and translate: 'يضل في تيه الشك.'

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/ 180 correct

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