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A2 verb #4,000 le plus courant 6 min de lecture

يعطف

ya'tifu Top 4,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces يعطف en 30 secondes

Explication يعطف in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'يعطف' as a word that describes being nice or kind. Think of it as 'showing love' to someone who needs it, like a small child or a pet. You will mostly use it in simple sentences with 'على' (on). For example: 'The man is kind to the boy.' It is a good word to use when talking about family and animals. Focus on the present tense 'يعطف' (he is kind) and 'تعطف' (she is kind). It helps you describe good people in your life. You don't need to worry about the complex grammar yet; just remember 'Verb + على + Person/Animal'. This word helps you express basic empathy in Arabic, which is a key part of the culture.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'يعطف' to talk about social habits and common behaviors. You can describe how people in your community help each other. You should be able to conjugate the verb for different people: 'أعطف' (I show kindness), 'نعطف' (we show kindness). You will learn that this word is often used with 'الفقراء' (the poor) and 'الأيتام' (orphans). At this level, you can start to form sentences about why someone is kind. For example: 'He is kind to the poor because he is a good person.' You are also learning to distinguish this word from simple 'liking' (حب). 'يعطف' is specifically about that feeling of wanting to help and be gentle with someone who is weaker or in need.

At the B1 level, you should understand the deeper meaning of 'يعطف' as 'sympathizing' or 'having affection for.' You can use it in more complex sentence structures, such as using it with 'أن' (that) or in conditional sentences. You will notice it in short stories and news clips about charity. You should also be aware of the noun 'عطف' (kindness) and how it is used as a subject or object. At this level, you might explore the idea of 'Atf' in Arabic grammar, where it means 'conjunction,' and see the logical link between 'connecting words' and 'connecting hearts.' You can start using adverbs to describe the kindness, like 'يعطف عليهم كثيراً' (he is very kind to them).

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At the B2 level, you can use 'يعطف' to discuss abstract social issues and moral philosophy. You might debate the importance of 'Atf' in modern society compared to institutional welfare. You should be comfortable using all forms of the verb, including the imperative 'اعطف' (be kind!). You will understand the nuance between 'يعطف' and its synonyms like 'يشفق' (to pity) or 'يتلطف' (to be gentle). You can analyze literature where a character's 'Atf' leads to a significant plot change. You are also expected to use the word in formal writing, such as an essay about humanitarian work or the role of the family in Arab culture. Your vocabulary should include collocations like 'عطف أبوي' (paternal kindness).

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At the C1 level, you explore the stylistic and rhetorical uses of 'يعطف'. You will see how poets use this verb to personify nature or to describe the complex emotions of a lover. You understand the root's connection to 'bending' and 'inclination' and how this informs the word's usage in classical texts. You can discuss the theological implications of 'Atf' in Islamic scholarship. You should be able to use the word with precision, choosing it over 'يرحم' or 'يحن' to convey a specific type of emotional leaning. You can also recognize and use derived forms like 'عطوف' (affectionate - adjective) and 'تعاطف' (empathy/solidarity), understanding the subtle shifts in meaning and intensity.

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At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of 'يعطف' and its entire lexical family. You can appreciate the word's use in ancient pre-Islamic poetry where it might describe a she-camel's tenderness toward her calf, and link it to modern sociological discourse. You can use it to create nuanced, high-level prose that plays on the word's multiple meanings (kindness vs. physical bending/turning). You understand its role in the 'Atf' (conjunction) rules of Arabic grammar in extreme detail. You can interpret the most subtle shades of meaning in diplomatic or legal contexts where 'inclination' might imply bias or favor. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, utilizing it to express the most delicate emotional states.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

يعطف en 30 secondes

A verb meaning to show kindness or sympathy.
Always used with the preposition 'على' (ala).
Describes an emotional 'bending' or tenderness toward others.
Commonly used for orphans, the poor, and children.

The Arabic verb يعطف (ya'tif) is a beautiful and evocative term that captures the essence of human kindness, sympathy, and emotional inclination. At its linguistic core, the root letters A-T-F (ع-ط-ف) originally signify the act of bending, folding, or turning. In a metaphorical and emotional sense, when someone يعطف on another, they are essentially 'bending' their heart or their will toward that person in a gesture of care and compassion. This word is most frequently used to describe the protective and loving attitude of a stronger or more fortunate person toward someone who is vulnerable, such as a child, an orphan, a pet, or the poor. It implies a sense of tenderness that goes beyond mere pity; it is an active manifestation of affection. In daily life, you will hear it used in religious, social, and familial contexts to encourage people to be softer and more supportive of those around them.

Linguistic Root: The root is associated with flexibility. Just as a branch bends without breaking, a person who displays 'Atf' shows emotional flexibility and softness rather than rigid indifference.

المؤمن يعطف على الضعفاء دائماً في كل وقت ومكان.

Emotional Nuance: Unlike the word 'Rahma' (mercy), which can be from a superior to an inferior, 'Atf' often carries a sense of leaning in, a physical or emotional inclination that suggests warmth and closeness.

الأم تعطف على صغيرها بحنان بالغ.

Social Context: In Arab society, 'Atf' is considered a high moral virtue. It is the social glue that ensures that the wealthy look after the poor and the strong protect the weak, creating a cohesive community.

يجب أن نعطف على الفقراء في هذا الشتاء البارد.

هو رجل غني لكنه يعطف على جيرانه المحتاجين.

المعلم الناجح هو من يعطف على طلابه ويشجعهم.

Using the verb يعطف requires an understanding of its grammatical structure and the emotional weight it carries. Primarily, it is a Form I verb in the present tense (the past being عطف - 'atafa). The most critical rule for English speakers is the use of the preposition ala (على). You do not simply 'kindness someone'; you 'show kindness *upon* someone.' For example, if you want to say 'He is kind to the cat,' you say 'هو يعطف على القطة.' The verb changes based on the subject: أعطف (I show kindness), تعطف (you/she show kindness), نعطف (we show kindness). It is often paired with adverbs of manner like بشدة (strongly) or دائماً (always) to emphasize the depth of the feeling. In more formal writing, you might see it in the context of humanitarian aid or social justice, where the state or an organization يعطف on certain demographics.

Subject-Verb Agreement: Make sure to conjugate correctly. For a group of men, use 'يعطفون' (ya'tifuna). For a group of women, use 'يعطفن' (ya'tifna).

الأب يعطف على أبنائه ويوفر لهم كل شيء.

هل تعطف على الحيوانات الضالة في الشارع؟

Tense Shifts: While the present tense 'يعطف' is common for habitual actions, the past tense 'عطف' is used for a specific instance where kindness was shown.

نحن نعطف على كل من يطلب المساعدة منا.

الشعب الكريم يعطف على اللاجئين الفارين من الحروب.

You will encounter يعطف in a wide variety of settings, ranging from classical literature to modern television dramas. In the mosque, an Imam might deliver a sermon (khutbah) emphasizing how a believer يعطف on the orphan, citing religious texts that place great value on this trait. In Arabic literature, particularly romantic or social novels, the word describes the softening of a character's heart toward a protagonist. On the news, you might hear it in reports about charitable foundations that يعطف on the elderly or the disabled. It is also a staple in educational settings; teachers use it to teach children about empathy. Interestingly, in the legal or administrative realm, a pardon or a 'softening' of a stance might be described using related forms of this root. If you are watching a soap opera, a mother might use the word when pleading with a father to be less harsh with their son, saying 'يعطف عليه' (be kind to him/show him some affection).

Religious Sermons: Frequent use in moral exhortations to promote social welfare and compassion.

قال الخطيب: 'إن الله يعطف على عباده الرحماء'.

في الرواية، البطل يعطف على الفقيرة ويقرر مساعدتها.

Daily Conversations: Used when discussing family dynamics or how one should treat animals and the less fortunate.

الجيران يعطفون على الأرملة التي تعيش وحيدة.

One of the most frequent errors learners make with يعطف is forgetting the preposition على (ala). In English, 'to show kindness' or 'to sympathize' might not always require a specific preposition that maps directly, but in Arabic, 'يعطف' is almost always transitive through 'على'. Another mistake is confusing it with 'يرحم' (yarham - to have mercy). While similar, 'mercy' often implies a power imbalance where one has the right to punish but chooses not to, whereas 'يعطف' is more about an emotional leaning or tenderness. Additionally, learners sometimes confuse the present tense 'ya'tif' with the noun 'Atf' (kindness/conjunction) in sentence structure. It's also important not to confuse it with 'ينعطف' (yan'atif), which means 'to turn' (like a car turning a corner), though they share the same root. Mixing these up can lead to confusing sentences like 'He turned on the poor' instead of 'He was kind to the poor'.

Preposition Error: Incorrect: هو يعطف الفقير. Correct: هو يعطف على الفقير.

لا تنسَ حرف الجر 'على' بعد فعل يعطف.

الرجل يعطف على الطفل (Kindness), الطريق ينعطف يميناً (Turning).

Semantic Confusion: Don't use 'يعطف' when you mean 'to love' (يحب) in a romantic sense exclusively; 'يعطف' is specifically about tenderness and sympathy.

Arabic is rich with synonyms for kindness and compassion, each with a slightly different flavor. Understanding these will help you choose the right word for the right situation. While يعطف focuses on the 'bending' or 'leaning' of the heart, other words focus on different aspects of care. For instance, يرحم (yarham) focuses on mercy and forgiveness. يشفق (yushfiq) implies a sense of pity or anxiety for someone's well-being, often used when someone is in a truly dire state. يحن (yahinn) conveys a deep, nostalgic longing or a very tender yearning, like a mother's longing for her child. يتلطف (yatalattaf) means to act kindly or gently in a more behavioral, polite sense.

يعطف vs. يرحم: 'Atf' is tenderness and emotional inclination; 'Rahma' is a broader concept of mercy, often encompassing protection and sustenance.

يعطف vs. يشفق: 'Ishfaq' has an element of fear or worry for the other person's safety, whereas 'Atf' is purely about the warmth of the heart.

هو يعطف على القطة، لكنه يشفق على المريض (He is kind to the cat, but pities/worries for the sick).

الأم تحن إلى ابنها وتعطف عليه في مرضه.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word for 'coat' in some dialects or old contexts is 'me'taf' (معطف) because it is something you 'fold' or 'wrap' around yourself, coming from the same root.

Guide de prononciation

UK /jaʕ.tˤif/

US /jaʕ.tˤɪf/

The stress is on the first syllable 'ya'.

Rime avec

يقطف (yaqtif) يوصف (yuwasif) ينصف (yunsif) يعرف (ya'rif) يغرف (yaghrif) يصرف (yasrif) يقذف (yaqdhif) يعزف (ya'zif)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 't' as a soft English 't' instead of the thick Arabic 'T' (ط).
Failing to pronounce the 'Ain' (ع) correctly.
Using 'a' instead of 'i' in the second syllable.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

The word is common and easy to recognize in text.

Écriture 3/5

Requires remembering the preposition 'على'.

Expression orale 3/5

The 'Ain' and 'Ta' sounds require practice for non-natives.

Écoute 2/5

Clear pronunciation usually makes it easy to hear.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

على فقير طفل قلب حب

Apprends ensuite

رحمة شفقة حنون تصدق لطيف

Avancé

تعاطف استعطاف عطف بيان تراحم تودد

Grammaire à connaître

Prepositional Linkage

يعطف + على (ya'tif 'ala)

Form I Verb Conjugation

أعطف، تعطف، يعطف، نعطف

Noun of Place/Instrument

معطف (Me'taf) - Coat (something that wraps/bends)

Intensive Adjective Pattern

عطوف (Atuf) on the pattern Fa'ul

Masdar (Verbal Noun)

عطف (Atf)

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Exemples par niveau

الولد يعطف على القطة الصغيرة.

The boy is kind to the small cat.

Present tense verb + preposition 'ala'.

هي تعطف على أخيها الصغير.

She is kind to her little brother.

Feminine singular conjugation 'ta'tif'.

أنا أعطف على الحيوانات.

I am kind to animals.

First person singular 'a'tif'.

هل تعطف على الفقراء؟

Are you kind to the poor?

Question form with 'hal'.

نحن نعطف على جيراننا.

We are kind to our neighbors.

First person plural 'na'tif'.

المعلم يعطف على الطلاب.

The teacher is kind to the students.

Masculine singular 'ya'tif'.

الأم دائماً تعطف على أولادها.

The mother is always kind to her children.

Use of 'da'iman' (always) for frequency.

هو لا يعطف على أحد.

He is not kind to anyone.

Negative form using 'la'.

يجب أن يعطف الغني على الفقير.

The rich must be kind to the poor.

Modal phrase 'yajibu an' followed by the verb.

المسلم يعطف على اليتيم.

The Muslim is kind to the orphan.

Specific cultural/religious context.

كان الجد يعطف على أحفاده كثيراً.

The grandfather used to be very kind to his grandchildren.

Past continuous sense using 'kana' + present verb.

لماذا لا تعطف على هذا الكلب الجائع؟

Why don't you show kindness to this hungry dog?

Negative question 'limadha la'.

هم يعطفون على كل من يحتاج المساعدة.

They show kindness to everyone who needs help.

Masculine plural 'ya'tifuna'.

تعطف الممرضة على المرضى في المستشفى.

The nurse is kind to the patients in the hospital.

Subject-verb agreement (feminine).

الرجل الكريم يعطف بماله وقلبه.

The generous man is kind with his money and his heart.

Using 'bi' to show means of kindness.

نحن نعطف على العصافير في الشتاء.

We show kindness to the birds in winter.

Plural conjugation.

من الضروري أن نعطف على كبار السن.

It is necessary that we show kindness to the elderly.

Formal 'min al-daruri an' construction.

يعطف القلب على من يحب.

The heart inclines/is kind toward the one it loves.

Metaphorical use of 'the heart' as the subject.

لقد بدأ يعطف على جاره بعد أن عرف ظروفه.

He started to show kindness to his neighbor after learning his circumstances.

Compound verb 'bada'a ya'tif'.

لا يعطف الحاكم الظالم على شعبه.

The unjust ruler does not show kindness to his people.

Political/social context.

إن الله يعطف على التائبين.

Indeed, God is kind to those who repent.

Theological use with 'inna'.

يعطف المدير على الموظفين المجتهدين.

The manager is kind/supportive to the hardworking employees.

Professional context.

تعودت أن أعطف على الضعيف منذ صغري.

I got used to being kind to the weak since my childhood.

Habitual past 'ta'awwadtu an'.

المجتمع القوي هو الذي يعطف أفراده على بعضهم.

A strong society is one whose members are kind to each other.

Relative clause 'aladhi'.

علينا أن نعطف على البيئة ونحميها.

We must show kindness to (care for) the environment and protect it.

Metaphorical use for environmental care.

يعطف الكاتب في روايته على الشخصيات المظلومة.

The author in his novel sympathizes with the oppressed characters.

Literary analysis context.

هل يمكن للقانون أن يعطف على من ارتكب خطأً بسيطاً؟

Can the law show kindness (be lenient) to someone who committed a simple mistake?

Abstract legal context.

يعطف الأب على ابنه رغم أخطائه الكثيرة.

The father is kind to his son despite his many mistakes.

Contrastive 'raghma' (despite).

إنها تعطف على الحيوانات لدرجة أنها افتتحت ملجأً لها.

She is so kind to animals that she opened a shelter for them.

Result clause 'li-darajat anna'.

يعطف التاريخ أحياناً على القادة الذين خدموا شعوبهم.

History sometimes looks kindly upon leaders who served their people.

Personification of 'history'.

لا يعطف الزمن على من يضيع الفرص.

Time does not show kindness (pity) to those who waste opportunities.

Philosophical personification of 'time'.

يعطف الغريب على الغريب في بلاد الغربة.

A stranger shows kindness to a stranger in a foreign land.

Repetition for rhetorical effect.

يعطف النسيم على الزهور في الصباح الباكر.

The breeze caresses (is kind to) the flowers in the early morning.

Poetic/Metaphorical usage.

من شيم الكرام أن يعطفوا على من أساء إليهم.

It is a trait of the noble to show kindness to those who mistreated them.

High-level moral discourse.

يعطف الناقد على العمل الفني إذا وجد فيه صدقاً.

The critic looks kindly upon the artwork if he finds sincerity in it.

Professional/Intellectual context.

لا يعطف المنطق دائماً على المشاعر الإنسانية.

Logic does not always sympathize with human emotions.

Abstract philosophical contrast.

يعطف القاضي على المتهم نظراً لظروفه القاسية.

The judge shows leniency/kindness to the accused in view of his harsh circumstances.

Formal legal 'nazaran li' (in view of).

يعطف القوي على الضعيف ليزيده قوة لا ذلاً.

The strong shows kindness to the weak to increase his strength, not his humiliation.

Complex purpose clause 'li-yazidahu'.

كأن الطبيعة تعطف على تعبنا بهذا المنظر الجميل.

It is as if nature is kind to our fatigue with this beautiful view.

Simile using 'ka'anna'.

يعطف المصلح الاجتماعي على الفئات المهمشة في المجتمع.

The social reformer sympathizes with the marginalized groups in society.

Sociological terminology 'al-fi'at al-muhammasha'.

يعطف البيان على المعنى فيجمله ويبرزه.

The eloquence (of speech) inclines toward the meaning, beautifying and highlighting it.

Rhetorical/Linguistic personification.

قد يعطف القدر على المرء في لحظة لم يتوقعها.

Destiny may show kindness to a person in a moment they did not expect.

Philosophical use of 'al-qadar' (destiny).

يعطف النص على نصوص سابقة في تناصٍ بديع.

The text 'inclines' toward previous texts in a wonderful intertextuality.

Literary theory context (Intertextuality).

لا يعطف الموت على صغير ولا كبير.

Death shows no kindness (mercy) to the young or the old.

Existential statement.

يعطف الفيلسوف على تساؤلات العقل البشري.

The philosopher looks kindly (with understanding) upon the questions of the human mind.

Epistemological context.

يعطف اللحن على الكلمات فيمنحها روحاً جديدة.

The melody inclines toward the words, granting them a new soul.

Artistic personification.

يعطف الضوء على الظلال فيكشف أسرار الزوايا.

The light 'inclines' toward the shadows, revealing the secrets of the corners.

Visual/Poetic description.

يعطف التواضع على العلم فيزيده وقاراً.

Humility inclines toward knowledge, increasing its dignity.

Abstract moral synthesis.

Collocations courantes

يعطف على الأيتام

يعطف على الفقراء

يعطف على الصغير

يعطف على الحيوان

قلب يعطف

يعطف بحنان

يعطف بشدة

يعطف على المساكين

يعطف على المريض

يعطف على الغريب

Phrases Courantes

يعطف عليه

— He shows him kindness.

المدير يعطف عليه لأنه مجتهد.

لا يعطف على أحد

— He is heartless/unkind to everyone.

هذا الرجل القاسي لا يعطف على أحد.

يعطف بقلبه

— He sympathizes with his heart.

هو لا يملك مالاً لكنه يعطف بقلبه.

يعطف على الضعيف

— He protects/is kind to the weak.

البطل الحقيقي هو من يعطف على الضعيف.

يعطف على من حوله

— He is kind to those around him.

يجب أن تعطف على من حولك لتنال حبهم.

يعطف على المحتاجين

— He shows kindness to the needy.

الجمعية الخيرية تعطف على المحتاجين.

يعطف على الحيوانات الضالة

— He is kind to stray animals.

هي تعطف على الحيوانات الضالة وتطعمها.

يعطف على كبار السن

— He is kind to the elderly.

الشباب الواعي يعطف على كبار السن.

يعطف على أسرته

— He is affectionate toward his family.

هو أب صالح يعطف على أسرته.

يعطف على طلابه

— He is kind to his students.

المعلم الذي يعطف على طلابه ينجح في تعليمهم.

Souvent confondu avec

يعطف vs ينعطف

Means 'to turn' (physically), while 'يعطف' means to show kindness.

يعطف vs يرحم

Mercy/Forgiveness vs. Tenderness/Inclination.

يعطف vs يحب

General love vs. specific sympathy/kindness.

Expressions idiomatiques

"عطف عليه قلبه"

— His heart softened toward him.

عندما رأى دموعها، عطف عليه قلبه.

Literary

"حجر لا يعطف"

— A heart of stone (does not show kindness).

قلبه مثل الحجر لا يعطف على أحد.

Informal

"يعطف عليه الدهر"

— Fortune/Time smiled upon him.

أخيراً عطف عليه الدهر وأصبح غنياً.

Literary

"بساط العطف"

— The 'carpet' of kindness (spread of kindness).

بسط عطفه على كل المحتاجين.

Poetic

"نظرة عطف"

— A look of sympathy.

رمقه بنظرة عطف قبل أن يرحل.

General

"يد العطف"

— The hand of kindness/charity.

مد يد العطف إلى جاره الفقير.

Formal

"عطف الأبوة"

— Paternal affection.

عامله بعطف الأبوة رغم أنه ليس ابنه.

General

"عطف الملوك"

— Royal favor/kindness.

نال عطف الملوك بصدقه وأمانته.

Historical

"في كنف عطفه"

— Under his kind protection.

عاش اليتيم في كنف عطف خاله.

Formal

"عطفاً على ما سبق"

— In connection to/Building upon what was said.

عطفاً على ما سبق، سنبدأ المشروع غداً.

Academic/Grammar

Facile à confondre

يعطف vs ينعطف

Shared root A-T-F.

Form VII (physical turn) vs Form I (emotional kindness).

السيارة تنعطف يساراً، والقلب يعطف على الفقير.

يعطف vs يشفق

Both involve feeling for others.

Ishfaq includes worry/pity; Atf is tenderness/affection.

أشفق على مريض، وأعطف على طفل.

يعطف vs يتعاطف

Very similar meaning.

Ta'atuf is more about mutual empathy/solidarity; Atf is the act of kindness.

نحن نتعاطف مع قضيتهم، ونعطف على أطفالهم.

يعطف vs يحن

Both are tender emotions.

Hanan is more about longing and nostalgia; Atf is about protective kindness.

يحن المسافر لبيته، ويعطف الغني على الفقير.

يعطف vs يلطف

Both mean being nice.

Lutf is being gentle in manner/action; Atf is the internal emotional inclination.

لطف الجو، وعطف الرجل.

Structures de phrases

Subject + يعطف على + Object

أنا أعطف على القطة.

Subject + دائماً + يعطف على + Object

هو دائماً يعطف على الفقراء.

يجب أن + نعطف على + Object

يجب أن نعطف على اليتيم.

Subject + يعطف على + Object + رغم + Noun

يعطف الأب على ابنه رغم خطئه.

من شيم + Noun + أن + يعطف على...

من شيم الكرام أن يعطفوا على الضعفاء.

يعطف + Abstract Subject + على + Abstract Object

يعطف البيان على المعنى.

Mixed

Subject + لا + يعطف على + أحد

هو رجل قاسي لا يعطف على أحد.

Mixed

هل + Subject + يعطف على + Object؟

هل تعطف على المساكين؟

Famille de mots

Noms

عطف (Atf) - Kindness

عاطفة (Atifa) - Emotion/Affection

تعاطف (Ta'atuf) - Empathy

استعطاف (Isti'taf) - Appeal for sympathy

Verbes

عطف ('Atafa) - To show kindness/To bend

تعاطف (Ta'atafa) - To empathize

استعطف (Ista'tafa) - To seek sympathy

Adjectifs

عطوف (Atuf) - Very kind/Affectionate

عاطفي (Atifi) - Emotional

متعاطف (Muta'atif) - Sympathetic

Apparenté

رحمة (Rahma)

حنان (Hanan)

شفقة (Shafaqa)

لين (Lin)

مودة (Mawadda)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in daily speech, literature, and religious contexts.

Erreurs courantes

يعطف الفقراء → يعطف على الفقراء
Missing the required preposition 'على'.
يعطف إلى → يعطف على
Using 'to' instead of 'upon'.
ينعطف على اليتيم → يعطف على اليتيم
Using the verb for 'turning a corner' instead of 'showing kindness'.
أعطفه → أعطف عليه
Trying to make the verb directly transitive with a pronoun suffix.
عطفاً من → عطفاً على
Using 'from' in the idiomatic expression 'building upon'.

Astuces

The 'Ala' Rule

Always pair 'ya'tif' with 'ala'. It's like 'sympathize with' in English, but the preposition is fixed as 'on/upon' in Arabic.

Root Connections

Remember that A-T-F means bending. A kind person 'bends' toward others. A coat 'wraps' around you. A conjunction 'links' words.

Emphatic T

Make sure you pronounce the 'Ta' (ط) as a heavy, emphatic sound. If you say it like a regular 't', it might sound like a different word.

Social Virtue

In Arab culture, showing 'Atf' to orphans is one of the highest moral deeds. Mentioning this can show deep cultural knowledge.

Using Adjectives

Instead of just saying 'He is kind,' use the adjective 'Atuf' (عطوف) to describe a person's personality permanently.

Animal Care

Use 'ya'tif' when talking about animal welfare; it's the most natural word for being gentle with pets or strays.

The Flexible Branch

Visualize a branch bending (Atf) to help someone. This links the physical and emotional meanings perfectly.

Listen for the Masdar

You will often hear 'al-atf' (the kindness) in news reports about humanitarian aid. Recognising the noun helps understand the verb.

Atf vs Ishfaq

Use 'Atf' for warmth and 'Ishfaq' for pity. 'Atf' is generally more positive and less about the other person's suffering.

Poetic Usage

In poetry, 'ya'tif' can describe the wind or light. This personification is a sign of high-level Arabic.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Atf' as 'A Tender Feeling'. When you 'ya'tif', you have a tender feeling that makes you bend down to help someone.

Association visuelle

Imagine a tall tree bending its branches down to give shade to a small flower. That 'bending' is 'Atf'.

Word Web

Kindness Bending Sympathy Preposition: Ala Root: A-T-F Noun: Atifa Adjective: Atuf Opposite: Qaswa

Défi

Try to use 'ya'tif' in three different sentences today: one about an animal, one about a family member, and one about a stranger.

Origine du mot

From the Semitic root A-T-F, which carries the primary meaning of bending, folding, or inclining.

Sens originel : To bend or twist a physical object.

Afroasiatic / Semitic / Arabic.

Contexte culturel

While 'Atf' is positive, be careful not to use it in a way that sounds condescending; it should imply genuine warmth, not just superior pity.

In English, we might say 'have a soft spot for' or 'be kind to,' but 'ya'tif' has a more formal, moral weight.

Used in various Hadiths regarding the treatment of orphans. Common in the poetry of Ahmad Shawqi regarding social mercy. Found in classical grammar books (Al-Ajrumiyya) as 'Harf Atf'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Charity

يعطف على الفقراء
يعطف على المساكين
يعطف بماله
يعطف على الأيتام

Family

يعطف على أبنائه
تعطف على إخوتها
عطف الأبوة
عطف الأمومة

Animals

يعطف على القطط
يعطف على الحيوان
الرفق والتعاطف
لا يعطف على الكلب

Religion

الله يعطف على عباده
حث الدين على العطف
ثواب من يعطف
قلب مؤمن يعطف

Literature

عطف قلبه
نظرة عطف
في كنف عطفه
فاض عطفه

Amorces de conversation

"هل تعتقد أن الناس في مدينتك يعطفون على الفقراء؟"

"متى كانت آخر مرة شعرت فيها أن شخصاً يعطف عليك؟"

"لماذا من المهم أن نعطف على الحيوانات الضالة؟"

"كيف يمكننا أن نعلم الأطفال أن يعطفوا على زملائهم؟"

"هل يعطف المدير في عملك على الموظفين عندما يمرضون؟"

Sujets d'écriture

اكتب عن موقف رأيت فيه شخصاً يعطف على شخص آخر في الشارع.

كيف تشعر عندما يعطف عليك والدك أو والدتك؟

صف شخصاً تعرفه بأنه 'عطوف' جداً ولماذا.

هل تعتقد أن القانون يجب أن يعطف على الناس في بعض الأحيان؟

اكتب رسالة إلى شخص لم يعطف عليك في موقف صعب.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

In Form I, it primarily means to show kindness or sympathy. However, its root meaning is 'to bend,' so in some classical contexts, it can refer to physical bending, though 'yan'atif' is more common for that today.

'Yarham' (mercy) is often used when there is a power gap or a mistake involved (forgiveness), while 'ya'tif' is a general tenderness and leaning of the heart toward anyone vulnerable.

Generally, no. To show kindness *to* someone, you must use 'يعطف على'. Without it, the sentence is grammatically incomplete in this context.

The adjective form 'Atif' (عاطف) is a common male name, and 'Atifa' (عاطفة) is a common female name, both reflecting the quality of being affectionate.

You use the past tense 'عطف' ('atafa). For example: 'عطف على المسكين' (He was kind to the poor man).

Yes! A coat (معطف) is something that wraps or 'bends' around the body, coming from the same root A-T-F.

It's not the primary word for romantic love (like 'yuhib'), but it can describe the tender, affectionate side of a relationship.

It is a conjunction (like 'and' - 'wa'). It is called 'Atf' because it 'bends' or 'connects' the second word to the first one's grammatical state.

While the specific present tense form 'ya'tif' is not prominent, the root and concepts of 'Atf' are central to Islamic ethics found in the scriptures.

The most direct opposite is 'yaqsu' (يقسو), which means to be harsh or cruel.

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