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A2 verb #4,000 le plus courant 7 min de lecture

يَتَأَلَّم

yata'allam
Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces يَتَأَلَّم en 30 secondes
Explication يَتَأَلَّم in your Level:
At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to express basic needs and feelings. The word 'يَتأَلَّم' (yata'allam) might be a bit advanced for a total beginner, but it is very useful for explaining that someone is hurt. Imagine you are at a doctor's office or helping a friend who fell. You can use the simple form 'أنا أتألم' (Ana ata'allam) to say 'I am in pain.' It is important to remember that this word is a verb, so it describes an action or a state that is happening right now. You don't need complicated grammar to use it; just knowing the basic present tense forms like 'هو يتألم' (He is in pain) or 'هي تتألم' (She is in pain) will help you communicate your physical state in an emergency. Think of it as a step up from just saying 'آخ' (Ouch!). By learning this word, you can tell people when you are not feeling well, which is a vital skill for traveling in Arabic-speaking countries. Focus on the sound 'ya-ta-al-lam' and try to associate it with a picture of someone holding their arm after a fall. This helps build a visual connection to the meaning without needing complex translations.
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At the A2 level, you are expanding your ability to describe your health and emotions. You should now be able to use 'يَتأَلَّم' (yata'allam) with the preposition 'من' (min) to specify where the pain is coming from. For example, 'أنا أتألم من بطني' (I am suffering from my stomach). This level is about building sentences. You can now use the word in simple stories or descriptions of your day. If you are tired or have a headache, 'يتألم' is the perfect verb to use. You should also start to recognize the difference between 'يتألم' (he feels pain) and 'يؤلم' (it hurts). At A2, you are expected to handle basic social interactions, so being able to ask someone 'هل تتألم؟' (Are you in pain?) shows that you can care for others in Arabic. You will also see this word in basic reading materials, like health brochures or children's stories where a character might be sick. Practicing the conjugation for 'we' (نتألم) and 'you' (تتألم) is key here, as it allows you to participate in group conversations about shared experiences or to help a friend in distress.
At the B1 level, you are moving beyond just physical descriptions and starting to use 'يَتأَلَّم' (yata'allam) for emotional and social contexts. You can now describe how someone might be 'suffering in silence' (يتألم في صمت) or how a community might be suffering from a social problem. Your vocabulary is becoming more nuanced. You can compare 'يتألم' with synonyms like 'يُعاني' (yu'ani - to suffer/struggle) and understand that 'يتألم' is often more about the immediate sensation of pain, while 'يُعاني' might be about a long-term struggle. You should be comfortable using the verb in different tenses, such as the past tense 'تألم' (ta'allama - he suffered). For example, 'تألم كثيراً بعد الحادث' (He suffered a lot after the accident). At this level, you can also start using the active participle 'متألم' (muta'allim) as an adjective, which is very common in newspapers and books. You are now able to participate in more detailed conversations about health, news, and personal feelings, making 'يتألم' a core part of your expressive toolkit. You might also encounter it in songs or poetry, where it describes the pain of love or longing, giving you a deeper look into Arabic culture.
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At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of the morphological structure of 'يَتأَلَّم' (yata'allam) as a Form V verb and how this affects its meaning. You understand that the 'ta-' prefix and the doubled middle letter signify a state that the subject is undergoing or a reflexive action. You can use this word in complex sentences with multiple clauses, such as 'يتألم المريض لدرجة أنه لا يستطيع النوم' (The patient is suffering to the point that he cannot sleep). Your use of the word is now precise; you can distinguish between different types of suffering and use 'يتألم' to add a sense of empathy or drama to your speech and writing. You are also likely to encounter the word in more formal contexts, such as academic articles about psychology or social issues, where it describes the human condition. You can use it to discuss abstract concepts, like 'suffering for the sake of a cause' or 'the suffering of a nation.' Your ability to conjugate the verb in all its forms, including the jussive and subjunctive, should be solid, allowing you to express nuance such as 'I don't want him to suffer' (لا أريده أن يتألم).
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At the C1 level, your understanding of 'يَتأَلَّم' (yata'allam) is near-native. You appreciate the rhetorical power of the word in classical and modern literature. You can analyze how authors use this verb to create atmosphere or to develop a character's internal monologue. You are aware of the subtle differences between 'يتألم' and more obscure synonyms like 'يتوجع' (yatawajja') or 'يتململ' (yatamalmala - to writhe in pain). You can use 'يتألم' in sophisticated metaphorical ways, such as describing a decaying building or a failing economy as 'suffering.' Your writing incorporates the word seamlessly in formal essays, and you can debate complex topics like the ethics of pain management or the representation of suffering in art using this vocabulary. You also understand the cultural weight of the word, particularly in the context of 'Sabr' (patience) and how 'suffering' is viewed in Islamic and Arab philosophy. You can switch between registers, knowing when 'يتألم' is appropriate versus when a more specialized medical or philosophical term is required. Your pronunciation is perfect, including the subtle glottal stop of the Hamza and the rhythmic doubling of the Lam.
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At the C2 level, you have mastered 'يَتأَلَّم' (yata'allam) to the point of being able to use it with the same nuance and cultural depth as a highly educated native speaker. You can engage with the most complex classical texts, such as the works of Al-Ghazali or modern philosophical treatises, where the concept of 'Al-Alam' (pain/suffering) and the verb 'yata'allam' are explored in depth. You can use the word in high-level diplomatic, medical, or legal discourse, understanding its implications for human rights or medical ethics. You are also capable of using the word in creative writing to evoke specific, subtle emotions, perhaps using it in an ironic or understated way to achieve a particular literary effect. You have a full command of the word's etymology and its relationship to other words in the Semitic family, and you can discuss the linguistic evolution of the root. At this level, 'يتألم' is not just a word you know; it is a tool you use with precision and artistry to communicate the deepest aspects of the human experience across different Arabic dialects and formal MSA.
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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

يَتَأَلَّم en 30 secondes

  • A versatile Arabic verb meaning 'to feel pain' or 'to suffer,' covering both physical and emotional distress across various contexts.
  • Categorized as a Form V verb, it focuses on the internal experience of the person suffering rather than the cause of the pain.
  • Commonly paired with the preposition 'min' (from) to identify the source of the ache, such as a body part or a situation.
  • Essential for medical, social, and literary communication, distinguishing between 'feeling pain' and 'causing pain' (yu'lim).

The Arabic verb يَتَأَلَّم (yata'allam) is a profound and essential term used to describe the act of experiencing pain, whether that pain is physical, emotional, or psychological. It is the Form V (تَفَعَّلَ) derivation of the root أ-ل-م (A-L-M), which inherently carries the meaning of 'pain' or 'ache.' In Arabic linguistics, Form V often implies a state of being or a reflexive process, suggesting that the subject is internally undergoing the sensation of suffering. This word is indispensable for anyone reaching an A2 level of proficiency because it allows for the expression of personal well-being and empathy toward others. Unlike simple adjectives for 'hurt,' this verb captures the process of suffering as it happens.

Grammatical Category
Present tense verb (Mudari'), third-person masculine singular. It changes based on the subject (e.g., أَتَأَلَّم for 'I suffer').
Core Nuance
While 'يُؤْلِم' (yu'lim) means 'it hurts/causes pain,' 'يَتَأَلَّم' (yata'allam) focuses on the person feeling that pain. It is the internal experience of the sufferer.

المريض يَتَأَلَّم كثيراً اليوم بسبب الجرح القديم.

Translation: The patient is suffering a lot today because of the old wound.

In a clinical setting, a doctor might ask 'هل تتألم؟' (Are you in pain?) to gauge a patient's condition. In literature, it is frequently used to describe the internal struggle of a character facing heartbreak or loss. The beauty of this verb lies in its versatility; it bridges the gap between the visible physical injury and the invisible emotional scar. Because it follows the tafa''ala pattern, it conveys a sense of continuity—the pain isn't just a momentary prick, but a state the person is currently enduring.

Social Context
Using this word shows a high degree of empathy. If you say 'أنا أتألم لألمك' (I suffer for your pain), it is a powerful expression of solidarity.

Mastering the usage of يَتَأَلَّم requires understanding its prepositional requirements and its conjugation patterns. Most commonly, the verb is paired with من (min) to indicate the body part or the situation causing the distress. For example, يتألم من ظهره means 'he suffers from his back.' It is also important to note that the verb is intransitive, meaning it doesn't take a direct object; you suffer *from* something, you don't 'suffer something' directly in the same way you would 'eat an apple.'

الطفل الصغير يَتأَلَّم في صمت ولا يشتكي لأحد.

Translation: The small child suffers in silence and does not complain to anyone.
Physical Usage
Used for injuries, illnesses, or chronic conditions. Example: 'يتألم من وجع الأسنان' (He suffers from toothache).
Emotional Usage
Used for grief, sadness, or disappointment. Example: 'يتألم لفراق صديقه' (He suffers because of his friend's departure).

When conjugating for different subjects, remember the prefix and suffix changes: تتألم (she suffers), نتألم (we suffer), and يتألمون (they suffer). The emphasis on the double 'l' (shadda on the lam) is crucial for correct pronunciation and to distinguish it from other forms of the root. In everyday conversation, you might hear people use the active participle متألم (muta'allim) as an adjective to mean 'in pain' or 'suffering person.'

نحن نَتَأَلَّم عندما نرى الظلم في العالم.

Translation: We suffer when we see injustice in the world.

You will encounter يَتَأَلَّم in a variety of real-life scenarios, ranging from the mundane to the highly dramatic. In modern healthcare environments across the Arab world, from Cairo to Dubai, this verb is the standard way to describe a patient's state. Nurses and doctors use it in their reports, and families use it to describe a relative's condition. It is more formal than the word 'وجع' (waja'), which is often used as a noun or a simpler verb in dialects, but يتألم remains the gold standard in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) media and literature.

في الأخبار: 'الشعب يَتَأَلَّم من نقص الغذاء والماء.'

Translation: In the news: 'The people are suffering from a shortage of food and water.'

Furthermore, in the realm of Arabic soap operas (Musalsalat) and films, this verb is a staple for expressing heartache. When a character is betrayed or loses a loved one, the dialogue often revolves around their suffering. It is also a frequent term in religious and philosophical discourses, discussing the nature of human suffering and patience (Sabr). In these contexts, يتألم is portrayed as a test of character or a shared human experience that necessitates compassion.

News Media
Used to describe the plight of refugees or victims of natural disasters.
Medical Drama
Commonly heard when a character is in the hospital.

الشاعر يقول: 'قلبي يَتَأَلَّم لذكرى الماضي.'

Translation: The poet says: 'My heart suffers at the memory of the past.'

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with يَتَأَلَّم is confusing it with its causative counterpart, يُؤْلِم (yu'lim). While they share the same root, their grammatical roles are opposite. يُؤْلِم means 'to cause pain' or 'to hurt' (transitive), where the subject is the thing causing the pain. For example, 'رأسي يؤلمني' (My head hurts me). In contrast, يَتَأَلَّم is intransitive and refers to the person who is feeling the pain. You cannot say 'الجرح يتألمني'—this is grammatically incorrect. You must say 'أنا أتألم من الجرح' (I suffer from the wound).

Mistake #1: Subject/Object Confusion
Using 'يتألم' to mean 'to cause pain.' Correct: 'يُؤْلِم' causes pain, 'يَتَأَلَّم' feels pain.
Mistake #2: Preposition Omission
Forgetting the preposition 'من' (min). You don't 'suffer a headache' directly; you 'suffer from' it.

خطأ: رأسي يَتَأَلَّم. صح: أنا أَتَأَلَّم من رأسي.

Correction: Don't say 'My head suffers.' Say 'I suffer from my head' or 'My head hurts me.'

Another common error is the pronunciation of the Hamza (أ) in the middle of the word. Because it is a Form V verb, the Hamza is seated on an Alif and follows the 'ta' prefix. Learners often gloss over the 'a' sound or fail to double the 'l' (lam). The correct rhythm is ya-ta-'al-lam. Missing the shadda on the lam can change the meaning or make the word unrecognizable to native speakers. Finally, ensure you don't confuse this with يَتَعَلَّم (yata'allam - to learn), which is spelled almost identically but has an 'Ain (ع) instead of a Hamza (أ). This is a classic 'false friend' in Arabic spelling.

While يَتَأَلَّم is a very versatile word, Arabic offers a rich palette of synonyms that can specify the type or intensity of the pain. Choosing the right one can make your Arabic sound more natural and sophisticated. For instance, يُعاني (yu'ani) is a frequent alternative that means 'to suffer' or 'to struggle with,' often used for long-term conditions or abstract problems. Another common verb is يَتَوَجَّع (yatawajja'), which is almost identical in meaning but often carries a slightly more physical, 'aching' connotation.

يُعاني (Yu'ani)
Focuses on the struggle or the burden of a condition. Often used for 'suffering from poverty' or 'suffering from a disease.'
يَتَوَجَّع (Yatawajja')
More common in spoken dialects. It specifically refers to physical pain that makes one moan or cry out.
يَقاسي (Yuqasi)
A more intense verb meaning 'to endure' or 'to undergo great hardship.' High formal register.

بدلاً من قول 'يتألم'، يمكن قول 'يُعاني' إذا كان الألم مستمراً لفترة طويلة.

Usage: Use 'yu'ani' for long-term suffering like a chronic illness.

If you want to describe emotional pain specifically, you might use يَحْزَن (yahzan - to be sad) or يَنْفَطِر قَلْبُه (yanfatir qalbuhu - his heart is breaking). However, يَتَأَلَّم remains the most direct way to say someone is in pain without specifying the cause. In medical contexts, you might also see يَشْكو من (yashku min), which literally means 'to complain of,' used when a patient describes their symptoms to a physician. Understanding these nuances helps you navigate different social and professional environments in the Arabic-speaking world.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The root A-L-M is used in the Quran to describe 'Adhabun Alim' (a painful punishment). The transition to Form V (yata'allam) adds a layer of 'becoming' or 'experiencing,' making the pain a part of the subject's current state.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ja.ta.ʔal.lam/
US /jæ.tæ.ʔæl.læm/
The primary stress is on the third syllable 'al', where the shadda (doubling) of the 'l' occurs.
Rime avec
يَتَعَلَّم (yata'allam - learns) يَتَكَلَّم (yatakallam - speaks) يَتَسَلَّم (yatasallam - receives) يَتَقَدَّم (yataqaddam - advances) يَتَبَسَّم (yatabassam - smiles) يَتَرَنَّم (yatarannam - chants) يَتَحَطَّم (yatahattam - shatters) يَتَلَعْثَم (yatal'atham - stutters)
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Pronouncing it as 'yata'alam' without the double 'l'.
  • Confusing the Hamza (ʔ) with 'Ain (ʕ), making it sound like 'learning'.
  • Failing to pronounce the glottal stop clearly after the 'ta'.
  • Shortening the vowels too much, making it sound like 'yatlam'.
  • Confusing the prefix 'ya' with 'yu' (which would change it to Form II causative).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize once the root and Form V pattern are known.

Écriture 3/5

Requires correct placement of Hamza and Shadda.

Expression orale 3/5

Needs practice with the glottal stop and doubling the 'l'.

Écoute 2/5

Distinctive sound makes it relatively easy to hear.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

ألم (pain) وجع (ache) مريض (sick) يشعر (feels) من (from)

Apprends ensuite

يُعاني (suffers/struggles) يَشْفي (heals) دَواء (medicine) مُسَكِّن (painkiller) صِحَّة (health)

Avancé

يَتَوَجَّع (to ache) يَتَمَلْمَل (to writhe) يَقاسي (to endure) تَفَعَّلَ (Form V pattern)

Grammaire à connaître

Form V Verb Pattern (تَفَعَّلَ)

يَتَأَلَّم follows the pattern of reflexive or intensive states.

Preposition 'Min' with Verbs of Feeling

Always use 'min' to indicate the source of pain: يتألم من...

Present Tense Conjugation (Mudari')

Prefixes: a- (I), na- (we), ya- (he), ta- (she/you).

Intransitive Verbs

يَتأَلَّم does not take a direct object (Maf'ul Bihi).

The Shadda (Doubling Consonants)

The 'L' in yata'allam is doubled, which is essential for the meaning.

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Exemples par niveau

1

أنا أتألم.

I am in pain.

First person singular present tense.

2

هو يتألم الآن.

He is in pain now.

Third person masculine singular.

3

هل تتألم؟

Are you in pain?

Second person masculine singular question.

4

الطفل يتألم.

The child is in pain.

Noun + Verb agreement.

5

هي تتألم من يدها.

She is in pain from her hand.

Use of 'min' to show source of pain.

6

نحن نتألم.

We are in pain.

First person plural present tense.

7

القط يتألم.

The cat is in pain.

Verbs can be used for animals too.

8

لا تتألم يا صديقي.

Don't be in pain, my friend.

Negative imperative/suggestion.

1

يتألم المريض من رأسه كثيراً.

The patient suffers from his head a lot.

Adverb 'kathiran' used to show intensity.

2

لماذا تتألم البنت الصغير؟

Why is the little girl in pain?

Question word 'Limadha'.

3

أخي يتألم بعد لعب كرة القدم.

My brother is in pain after playing football.

Temporal preposition 'ba'da' (after).

4

هل تتألمين من البرد؟

Are you (fem.) suffering from the cold?

Second person feminine singular conjugation.

5

الرجل العجوز يتألم من ظهره.

The old man suffers from his back.

Common physical ailment context.

6

أتألم عندما آكل الحلويات.

I suffer (get pain) when I eat sweets.

Conditional 'indama' (when).

7

هم يتألمون من الجوع.

They are suffering from hunger.

Third person plural conjugation.

8

لا يتألم الطفل بعد الدواء.

The child does not feel pain after the medicine.

Negation with 'la'.

1

يتألم القلب لفراق الأحبة.

The heart suffers from the separation of loved ones.

Metaphorical use for emotional pain.

2

كان يتألم بصمت طوال الليل.

He was suffering in silence all night long.

Past continuous with 'kana' + present verb.

3

المجتمع يتألم من غلاء الأسعار.

Society is suffering from high prices.

Collective noun subject.

4

أرى أنك تتألم، هل يمكنني المساعدة؟

I see that you are suffering, can I help?

Complex sentence with 'anna' (that).

5

لا أحد يعرف كيف يتألم الفقراء.

No one knows how the poor suffer.

Relative clause 'kaifa' (how).

6

تتألم الأم عندما يمرض طفلها.

The mother suffers when her child gets sick.

General truth/habitual action.

7

بدأ يتألم بمجرد أن لمس الجرح.

He started to feel pain as soon as he touched the wound.

Verb 'bada'a' (started) + present verb.

8

هل تتألم من هذه المشكلة النفسية؟

Are you suffering from this psychological problem?

Psychological context.

1

يتألم الضمير عندما نرتكب الأخطاء.

The conscience suffers when we commit mistakes.

Abstract subject 'conscience'.

2

قد يتألم الإنسان من الوحدة أكثر من المرض.

A human might suffer from loneliness more than disease.

Use of 'qad' for possibility.

3

لم يتألم كثيراً بفضل المسكنات القوية.

He didn't suffer much thanks to strong painkillers.

Negation with 'lam' (past meaning).

4

يتألم الكاتب وهو يصف مأساة بلاده.

The writer suffers as he describes the tragedy of his country.

Hal clause (circumstantial clause).

5

من الطبيعي أن يتألم المرء بعد الفشل.

It is natural for one to suffer after failure.

Subjunctive mood after 'an'.

6

تتألم الأشجار من قسوة الشتاء.

The trees suffer from the harshness of winter.

Personification in literature.

7

كانت تتألم من الظلم الذي تعرضت له.

She was suffering from the injustice she was subjected to.

Passive relative clause.

8

لا تجعل الآخرين يتألمون بسبب أفعالك.

Do not make others suffer because of your actions.

Causative structure with 'ja'ala'.

1

يتألم الوجود الإنساني من وطأة اللاشيء.

Human existence suffers from the weight of nothingness.

Philosophical/Existential register.

2

تتألم الحروف بين يديه وهو يكتب رسالة الوداع.

The letters suffer in his hands as he writes the farewell letter.

Highly poetic personification.

3

إنما يتألم النبلاء بصمت كبرياءٍ.

Indeed, nobles suffer in a silence of pride.

Use of 'Innama' for emphasis/restriction.

4

يتألم المشهد السياسي من التخبط والفساد.

The political scene suffers from confusion and corruption.

Metaphorical use in journalism.

5

قد لا يتألم الجسد، لكن الروح تئن.

The body might not suffer, but the soul moans.

Contrastive structure.

6

يتألم التاريخ من تكرار المآسي البشرية.

History suffers from the repetition of human tragedies.

Grand historical subject.

7

من ذا الذي لا يتألم لرؤية هذا الدمار؟

Who is it that does not suffer upon seeing this destruction?

Rhetorical question 'Man dha'.

8

يتألم المبدع في مخاض ولادة فكرته الجديدة.

The creator suffers in the labor of giving birth to his new idea.

Metaphorical 'labor' context.

1

يتألم النص من فرط التأويل والتحريف.

The text suffers from excessive interpretation and distortion.

Academic/Literary criticism register.

2

في ملكوت الصمت، يتألم العارفون بما لا يقال.

In the kingdom of silence, the Gnostics suffer from what remains unsaid.

Sufi/Mystical philosophical register.

3

تتألم البنية التحتية من تقادم الزمن وإهمال الصيانة.

The infrastructure suffers from the aging of time and neglect of maintenance.

Technical/Administrative register.

4

يتألم الوعي الجمعي من صدمات الحروب المتتالية.

The collective consciousness suffers from the shocks of successive wars.

Sociological/Psychological terminology.

5

لعل الكون نفسه يتألم في توسعاته اللامتناهية.

Perhaps the universe itself suffers in its infinite expansions.

Speculative/Cosmological register.

6

يتألم النسق اللغوي عندما تُقحم فيه مفردات هجينة.

The linguistic system suffers when hybrid vocabulary is forced into it.

Linguistic theory register.

7

يتألم الكيان من تمزق الهوية بين ثقافتين.

The entity suffers from the tearing of identity between two cultures.

Post-colonial/Identity discourse.

8

ما برح يتألم حتى استحال الألم جزءاً من كينونته.

He continued to suffer until pain became a part of his being.

Classical literary 'Ma bariha' + present verb.

Collocations courantes

يتألم في صمت
يتألم من الجوع
يتألم من الفراق
يتألم كثيراً
يتألم من الصداع
يتألم من الظلم
يتألم لدرجة البكاء
يتألم من البرد
يتألم نفسياً
يتألم من جرحه

Phrases Courantes

لا أريدك أن تتألم

— I don't want you to suffer or be in pain.

خذ هذا الدواء، لا أريدك أن تتألم.

من يتألم يصرخ

— He who is in pain cries out (a common observation).

هذا طبيعي، فمن يتألم يصرخ.

يتألم قلبي عليك

— My heart suffers/aches for you (expression of sympathy).

يتألم قلبي عليك لما تمر به من ظروف.

أراك تتألم

— I see you are in pain.

أراك تتألم، هل نذهب إلى المستشفى؟

متى بدأت تتألم؟

— When did you start feeling pain?

سأل الطبيب: متى بدأت تتألم؟

يتألم بصورة مستمرة

— He suffers continuously.

المريض يتألم بصورة مستمرة منذ الصباح.

يتألم من أجل الآخرين

— He suffers for the sake of others.

هو رجل صالح يتألم من أجل الآخرين.

لا أحد يشعر بمن يتألم

— No one feels for the one who is suffering.

يقول المثل: لا أحد يشعر بمن يتألم إلا نفسه.

يتألم من الوحدة

— Suffering from loneliness.

العجوز يتألم من الوحدة في بيته الكبير.

يتألم من شدة الحرارة

— Suffering from the intensity of the heat.

العمال يتألمون من شدة الحرارة في الصيف.

Souvent confondu avec

يَتَأَلَّم vs يَتَعَلَّم

Spelled with 'Ain (ع) instead of Hamza (أ). Means 'to learn'. Very common mistake for beginners.

يَتَأَلَّم vs يُؤْلِم

Form IV causative. Means 'it hurts' (something else). The subject is the cause, not the sufferer.

يَتَأَلَّم vs يُعَلِّم

Means 'to teach'. Different root and meaning entirely, but looks similar to a novice eye.

Expressions idiomatiques

"يتألم بصمت"

— To suffer without complaining or letting others know.

البطل الحقيقي هو من يتألم بصمت.

Neutral
"يتألم قلبه دماً"

— Literally 'his heart suffers blood'; to be in extreme emotional agony.

يتألم قلبه دماً على حال بلده.

Literary
"يتألم من الوريد إلى الوريد"

— To suffer through and through; extreme pain.

بعد الخيانة، صار يتألم من الوريد إلى الوريد.

Poetic
"يتألم لألم غيره"

— To have deep empathy; to feel another's pain.

المؤمن يتألم لألم غيره.

Religious/Moral
"يتألم من وخز الضمير"

— To suffer from the pricking of conscience (guilt).

المجرم يتألم من وخز الضمير.

Formal
"يتألم من طعنة في الظهر"

— To suffer from a betrayal (stab in the back).

يتألم من طعنة في الظهر من أعز أصدقائه.

Informal/Metaphorical
"يتألم تحت وطأة الظلم"

— To suffer under the weight/pressure of injustice.

الشعب يتألم تحت وطأة الظلم الاستعماري.

Formal/Political
"يتألم في غياهب النسيان"

— To suffer in the depths of being forgotten.

الأسرى يتألمون في غياهب النسيان.

Literary
"يتألم من حرقة القلب"

— To suffer from heartbreak or intense grief.

تتألم الأم من حرقة القلب على ولدها الغائب.

Emotional
"يتألم من سكرات الموت"

— To suffer the agonies of death.

كان المريض يتألم من سكرات الموت.

Religious/Formal

Facile à confondre

يَتَأَلَّم vs يُؤْلِم

Same root (A-L-M).

Yata'allam is 'to feel pain' (intransitive), while Yu'lim is 'to cause pain' (transitive).

الجرح يؤلمني (The wound hurts me) vs أنا أتألم (I am in pain).

يَتَأَلَّم vs يَتَعَلَّم

Visual similarity in script.

The difference is the middle consonant: Hamza (أ) for pain, 'Ain (ع) for learning.

يتألم من الجرح (suffers from wound) vs يتعلم الدرس (learns the lesson).

يَتَأَلَّم vs يَتَكَلَّم

Similar Form V pattern.

Yatakallam means 'to speak'. The root is K-L-M.

يتكلم بصوت عالٍ (speaks loudly) vs يتألم بصوت عالٍ (cries out in pain).

يَتَأَلَّم vs يَتَوَجَّع

Synonymous meaning.

Yatawajja' is more physical and common in dialects; Yata'allam is more formal and versatile.

يتوجع من ضربة (aches from a hit).

يَتَأَلَّم vs يُعاني

Synonymous meaning.

Yu'ani implies a struggle or long-term suffering; Yata'allam is the immediate sensation of pain.

يعاني من الفقر (suffers from poverty).

Structures de phrases

A1

[Subject] + يتألم.

أبي يتألم.

A2

[Subject] + يتألم من + [Body Part].

أختي تتألم من أذنها.

B1

[Subject] + يتألم بسبب + [Cause].

هو يتألم بسبب خسارة ماله.

B1

[Subject] + يتألم + [Adverb].

المريض يتألم بصمت.

B2

أن + [Subject] + يتألم + [Result].

أن يتألم الطفل أمر محزن.

B2

كلما + [Action] + [Subject] + يتألم.

كلما مشى، يتألم من قدمه.

C1

[Abstract Noun] + يتألم من + [Metaphor].

الوطن يتألم من جراح الحروب.

C2

ما برح + [Subject] + يتألم + [Condition].

ما برح العالم يتألم من انعدام العدل.

Famille de mots

Noms

أَلَم Pain / Ache
تَأَلُّم The act of suffering (verbal noun)
آلام Pains / Sufferings (plural)

Verbes

أَلَّمَ To cause pain (Form II)
آلَمَ To hurt / To cause ache (Form IV)
تَأَلَّمَ To suffer pain (Past tense Form V)

Adjectifs

مُتَأَلِّم Suffering / In pain (Active Participle)
أَلِيم Painful / Grievous
مُؤْلِم Hurting / Causing pain

Apparenté

وَجَع (pain)
مُعاناة (suffering)
شَكْوى (complaint)
عِلاج (treatment)
دَواء (medicine)
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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Highly common in both written and spoken Modern Standard Arabic.

Erreurs courantes
  • رأسي يتألم → أنا أتألم من رأسي / رأسي يؤلمني

    In Arabic, the person suffers (yata'allam), the body part hurts (yu'lim). You don't say the body part 'suffers'.

  • يتعلم من الجرح → يتألم من الجرح

    Confusing 'yata'allam' (suffers) with 'yata'allam' (learns). One uses Hamza, the other 'Ain.

  • هو يتألم الجرح → هو يتألم من الجرح

    Missing the preposition 'min'. The verb is intransitive and needs 'from' to connect to the cause.

  • يَتألَم (with single L) → يَتأَلَّم (with double L)

    Failing to double the 'Lam'. This is a Form V verb; the middle radical must have a shadda.

  • يؤلم من المرض → يتألم من المرض

    Using 'yu'lim' (to cause pain) where 'yata'allam' (to feel pain) is needed.

Astuces

Master the Preposition

Always remember to use 'min' (من) when identifying the source of pain. English says 'suffer a headache,' but Arabic says 'suffer from a headache.'

The Glottal Stop

Make sure to pronounce the Hamza (أ) clearly. It's a quick catch in the throat. If you smooth it over, it might sound like a different word.

Learn the Root

Learning A-L-M (أ-ل-م) will help you unlock many related words like 'alam' (pain) and 'alim' (painful). Roots are the key to Arabic!

Empathy in Language

Using 'yata'allam' shows you recognize someone's internal state. It's a very empathetic verb to use when comforting a friend.

Shadda is Essential

In writing, the shadda on the Lam (لّ) is often omitted, but in your mind, you must 'hear' it to conjugate and pronounce the word correctly.

Internal vs External

Remember: 'Yata'allam' is internal (the person's feeling). 'Yu'lim' is external (the thing causing it). This keeps your sentences logical.

Context Clues

If you see 'yata'allam' in a news story, look for words like 'harb' (war) or 'faqr' (poverty) to understand the type of suffering described.

Rhythm of Form V

Form V verbs have a distinct 'ya-ta-fa-al-la' rhythm. Recognizing this rhythm helps you identify verbs even if you don't know the root yet.

Ask, Don't Assume

Asking 'هل تتألم؟' is a polite and caring way to check on someone's health in an Arabic-speaking environment.

The 'Ailment' Link

Link the Arabic root 'ALM' with the English word 'Ailment'. Both start with 'A-L' and both relate to being unwell.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of the word 'Ailment' in English. It sounds slightly like the root 'ALM.' When you have an ailment, you 'Yata'allam' (suffer pain).

Association visuelle

Imagine a person holding their head (Alif/Hamza) and their heart (Lam) while looking at a map (Mim) of their pain. The 'Ya-Ta' prefix is them pointing to themselves saying 'I am undergoing this.'

Word Web

ألم (Noun) يؤلم (Verb - causes pain) متألم (Adjective - suffering) أليم (Adjective - painful) تألم (Past tense) نتألم (We suffer) آلام (Plural noun) لا تتألم (Don't suffer)

Défi

Try to use 'yata'allam' in three sentences today: one about a physical ache, one about a sad news story, and one asking a friend how they feel.

Origine du mot

The word is derived from the Arabic tri-consonantal root A-L-M (أ-ل-م). This root has ancient Semitic origins, appearing in various forms across Afroasiatic languages to denote pain or punishment.

Sens originel : The core meaning of the root is 'pain' or 'to feel ache.' In Form I (rarely used as a verb in MSA), it refers to the basic sensation of hurting.

Semitic -> Central Semitic -> Arabic.

Contexte culturel

Be gentle when using this word about others' emotional states, as it acknowledges their deep suffering.

In English, we often use 'it hurts' (subject is the body part), but in Arabic, 'yata'allam' places the person as the subject, which can feel more personal.

Used in countless poems by Nizar Qabbani to describe the pain of love. Frequently appears in news headlines regarding the Palestinian struggle. A common theme in the 'Nahda' (Arabic Renaissance) literature exploring social suffering.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

At the Hospital

  • أين تتألم؟
  • أتألم هنا.
  • هل تتألم كثيراً؟
  • بدأت أتألم منذ ساعة.

Discussing Emotions

  • أتألم لحالك.
  • هو يتألم من الحزن.
  • لا تتألم، كل شيء سيكون بخير.
  • القلب يتألم بصمت.

Reading the News

  • الناس يتألمون من الفقر.
  • الأطفال يتألمون من الحرب.
  • العالم يتألم من الكوارث.
  • ضحايا الزلزال يتألمون.

Sports and Fitness

  • أتألم من عضلاتي.
  • هل تتألم بعد التمرين؟
  • ساقي تتألم من الجري.
  • توقف إذا كنت تتألم.

Daily Life

  • رأسي يتألم (informal usage).
  • أتألم من ضيق الحذاء.
  • لماذا تتألم يا أخي؟
  • أتألم من البرد.

Amorces de conversation

"هل تتألم من أي شيء اليوم؟ (Are you suffering from anything today?)"

"كيف تتعامل مع الشخص الذي يتألم أمامك؟ (How do you deal with someone suffering in front of you?)"

"هل تعتقد أن الحيوانات تتألم مثل البشر؟ (Do you think animals suffer like humans?)"

"ماذا تفعل عندما تتألم من الصداع؟ (What do you do when you suffer from a headache?)"

"هل سبق وأن تألمت من فراق صديق؟ (Have you ever suffered from the loss of a friend?)"

Sujets d'écriture

اكتب عن وقت شعرت فيه أنك تتألم جسدياً وكيف تعافيت. (Write about a time you felt physical pain and how you recovered.)

صف شعور شخص يتألم من أجل قضية يؤمن بها. (Describe the feeling of someone suffering for a cause they believe in.)

هل من الأفضل أن يتألم المرء بصمت أم يشتكي؟ ولماذا؟ (Is it better to suffer in silence or complain? Why?)

اكتب رسالة لشخص يتألم لتعزيه وتواسيه. (Write a letter to someone suffering to comfort them.)

كيف يمكن للتكنولوجيا أن تساعد من يتألمون؟ (How can technology help those who are suffering?)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, it is used for both physical and emotional pain. You can say someone is suffering from a broken leg or a broken heart using this same verb. In literature, it often refers to spiritual or psychological distress.

You say 'أنا أتألم' (Ana ata'allam). If you want to specify where, add 'min' and the body part, like 'أنا أتألم من رأسي' (I have a headache/my head is in pain).

This is a key distinction. 'Yata'allam' is what the person feels (I suffer), whereas 'yu'lim' is what the thing does (It hurts me). Example: 'رأسي يؤلمني' (My head hurts me) vs 'أنا أتألم من رأسي' (I suffer from my head).

Yes, but in many dialects (like Egyptian or Levantine), people might use 'beyitwa'ga' (from yatawajja') or 'bi'allim' (it hurts) more frequently for physical pain. 'Yata'allam' sounds more formal or 'Fusha'.

The past tense is 'تَأَلَّمَ' (ta'allama). For example, 'تألم المريض ليلة أمس' means 'The patient suffered last night.'

Yes, it is perfectly fine to use it for animals to describe their suffering, just as you would for humans.

It is spelled: Ya (ي), Ta (ت), Alif with Hamza (أ), Lam with Shadda (لّ), and Mim (م). Be careful not to use 'Ain (ع)!

The noun is 'أَلَم' (alam), which means 'pain.' The plural is 'آلام' (aalaam), meaning 'pains' or 'sufferings.'

Very common. It is a fundamental word for health, emotions, and news reporting in the Arabic language.

It is a Form V verb (Tafa''ala pattern). This form often indicates a state or a process the subject is going through.

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Teste-toi 180 questions

writing

Write a sentence using 'يتألم' and 'من'.

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writing

Translate: 'The patient is suffering in silence.'

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writing

Write a question asking a friend if they are in pain.

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writing

Use 'يتألم' in a sentence about emotional pain.

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writing

Conjugate 'يتألم' for the plural 'they'.

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writing

Describe a scene in a hospital using the word 'يتألم'.

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writing

Write a short paragraph (3 sentences) about why empathy is important for those who suffer.

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writing

Translate: 'I don't want you to suffer from the cold.'

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writing

Use the past tense 'تألم' in a sentence.

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writing

Explain the difference between 'يتألم' and 'يؤلم' in Arabic.

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writing

Create a sentence using 'متألم' as an adjective.

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writing

Translate: 'Does your heart suffer when you see injustice?'

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writing

Write a sentence about an animal suffering.

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writing

Use 'يتألم' in a formal news-style sentence.

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writing

Translate: 'He was suffering all night.'

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writing

Write a sentence using 'نتألم' (we suffer).

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writing

Translate: 'Why are you suffering?' (to a female).

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writing

Use 'يتألم' in a sentence about a historical tragedy.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'يتألم' and 'بسبب'.

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writing

Translate: 'Nobody knows how much I suffer.'

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speaking

Pronounce the word 'يَتَأَلَّم' correctly.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say 'I am in pain' in Arabic.

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speaking

Ask a doctor 'Where is the pain?' using a related word.

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speaking

Say 'He is suffering from his back.'

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speaking

Ask 'Why are you in pain?'

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speaking

Say 'We suffer together.'

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speaking

Say 'Don't suffer in silence.'

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speaking

Describe a toothache using 'يتألم'.

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speaking

Express sympathy: 'I feel your pain.'

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speaking

Say 'The child was suffering from the cold.'

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speaking

Ask 'How long have you been in pain?'

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speaking

Say 'My heart suffers for the victims.'

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speaking

Say 'He doesn't want to suffer anymore.'

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speaking

Use 'يتألم' to talk about a headache.

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speaking

Say 'Stop making her suffer.'

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speaking

Explain the importance of medicine for those in pain.

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speaking

Say 'The patient suffers every day.'

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speaking

Ask 'Do you suffer when you walk?'

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speaking

Say 'I suffer when I see my friend sad.'

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speaking

Pronounce 'آلام' and 'ألم' and 'يتألم'.

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listening

Listen to the sentence: 'المريض يتألم'. Who is in pain?

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listening

Listen: 'أتألم من رأسي'. Where is the pain?

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listening

Listen: 'هل تتألم؟'. Is this a question or a statement?

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listening

Listen: 'نتألم من الجوع'. Who is suffering?

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listening

Listen: 'تألم الطفل كثيراً'. When did it happen?

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listening

Listen: 'لا تتألم'. What is the speaker telling the person?

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listening

Listen: 'يتألم قلبي'. Is the pain physical or emotional?

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listening

Listen: 'المتألم يحتاج رعاية'. Who needs care?

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listening

Listen: 'يؤلمني رأسي'. Is the verb 'yata'allam' or 'yu'lim'?

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listening

Listen: 'يتألم بصمت'. How is the person suffering?

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listening

Listen: 'لماذا تتألم؟'. What is the speaker asking?

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listening

Listen: 'يتألمون من الظلم'. What is the cause?

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listening

Listen: 'آلام الظهر'. What does this mean?

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listening

Listen: 'متألم جداً'. How much pain is the person in?

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listening

Listen: 'نتألم لفراقك'. Why are they suffering?

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/ 180 correct

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