Signification
It is impossible to foresee or forecast what will happen.
Contexte culturel
The concept of 'Al-Ghaib' (the unseen) is central. Humans are encouraged to plan but reminded that only God knows the future. Using 'la yumkinu al-takahhun' is a linguistically polite way to acknowledge this limitation. In Arab news media (Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya), this phrase is a staple. It provides an objective, neutral tone that avoids taking sides in political or economic debates. The root K-H-N refers to the 'Kahin' of the desert. Understanding this helps learners appreciate the 'weight' of the word—it's not just a guess; it's an attempt to see through the veil of time. In Gulf business culture, being overly certain about the future can be seen as arrogant. Using this phrase shows wisdom and a realistic grasp of market complexities.
The 'Bi' Rule
If you forget the 'bi', you'll sound like a beginner. Always glue 'Takahhun' to 'Bi'.
Don't over-use
If you use this for small things (like what's for lunch), you'll sound overly dramatic.
Signification
It is impossible to foresee or forecast what will happen.
The 'Bi' Rule
If you forget the 'bi', you'll sound like a beginner. Always glue 'Takahhun' to 'Bi'.
Don't over-use
If you use this for small things (like what's for lunch), you'll sound overly dramatic.
Pair with Insha'Allah
In many Arab countries, following this phrase with 'Insha'Allah' or 'Allah A'lam' makes you sound very culturally fluent.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing preposition.
لا يمكن التكهن ___ نتائج الانتخابات.
The verb 'takahhun' always takes the preposition 'bi'.
Which sentence is the most formal and appropriate for a news report?
To say 'The weather is unpredictable':
'La yumkinu al-takahhun' is the standard formal expression for unpredictability.
Match the Arabic phrase to its English equivalent.
Match the following:
Direct translation check.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form.
أحمد: هل تعتقد أن الأسهم سترتفع؟ خالد: في هذا السوق المتقلب، ___ .
Since 'Al-As-hum' (stocks) is a non-human plural, it takes the feminine singular pronoun 'ha'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesلا يمكن التكهن ___ نتائج الانتخابات.
The verb 'takahhun' always takes the preposition 'bi'.
To say 'The weather is unpredictable':
'La yumkinu al-takahhun' is the standard formal expression for unpredictability.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Direct translation check.
أحمد: هل تعتقد أن الأسهم سترتفع؟ خالد: في هذا السوق المتقلب، ___ .
Since 'Al-As-hum' (stocks) is a non-human plural, it takes the feminine singular pronoun 'ha'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsAlmost. 'Tanabbu'' is more like 'scientific prediction' (from Naba - news), while 'Takahhun' has a slightly more 'speculative' or 'analytical' feel.
Only if you are being funny or discussing something very serious. Otherwise, use 'ma hada bi'raf' (nobody knows).
Because the subject is the act of predicting (the masdar), which is singular masculine.
The root K-H-N is mentioned in the context of 'Kahin' (soothsayer), but this specific modern expression is not.
Expressions liées
لا يمكن التنبؤ بـ
synonymIt is impossible to predict.
ضرب من الخيال
similarA figment of imagination.
في علم الغيب
cultural equivalentIn the knowledge of the unseen (only God knows).
مجهول الهوية
contrastUnknown identity.
