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B1 verb #4,700 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

يتنافس

yatanáfas
Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces يتنافس en 30 secondes
Explication يتنافس in your Level:
At the A1 level, you don't need to know all the complex grammar of 'يتنافس', but you should recognize it as a word for 'compete' or 'play against'. Think of it like playing a game with friends. In simple sentences, we use it to talk about sports. For example, 'The two teams play' can be said more specifically as 'The two teams compete'. It is a long word, so practice breaking it down: ya-ta-naa-fas. The 'ya' at the start means 'he' or 'it' (masculine), and the rest of the word carries the meaning of competition. At this level, just remember that competition is something that happens between two or more people. You might see it in simple stories about a race or a soccer match. Focus on the sound and the basic idea of a contest.
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At the A2 level, you can start using 'يتنافس' to describe simple activities and hobbies. You should know that it often takes the preposition 'مع' (with) to show who you are playing against. For example, 'I compete with my brother in the game'. You also begin to see the plural form 'يتنافسون' (they compete). This is useful when talking about your favorite sports teams or school competitions. You should be able to distinguish it from the word 'يلعب' (plays). While 'plays' is general, 'يتنافس' implies that there is a winner and a loser, or at least a goal everyone is trying to reach. It's a great word to add to your vocabulary to make your descriptions of hobbies more interesting and precise.
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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'يتنافس' in various contexts, including school, sports, and simple business situations. You should understand that it is a Form VI verb, which means it describes an action that people do together. You should also learn the preposition 'على' (for/over) to describe the prize. For example, 'Students compete for the prize'. You can now use the word to talk about more abstract things, like companies competing for customers or countries competing in the Olympics. At this level, you should also be careful not to confuse it with 'يتنفس' (to breathe), as the spelling is very similar. You are moving beyond simple descriptions into explaining the 'why' and 'how' of a competition.
At the B2 level, you can use 'يتنافس' to discuss complex topics like economics, politics, and social issues. You understand the nuance that this word implies a healthy or structured rivalry. You can use it in the passive sense or as a verbal noun 'تَنَافُس' (competition) to discuss 'global competition' or 'market competition'. You should be able to use it in complex sentence structures, such as 'The degree to which companies compete determines the price of products'. You also start to recognize the word in literature and news reports, understanding that it can have a positive connotation of 'striving for excellence'. Your vocabulary should now include related words like 'متنافس' (competitor) and 'تنافسي' (competitive).
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At the C1 level, you use 'يتنافس' with precision and stylistic flair. You understand its etymological roots in 'nafs' (soul/self) and can appreciate its use in classical poetry and religious texts. You can use it to describe philosophical concepts, like the 'competition of ideas' or the 'rivalry of civilizations'. You are aware of its synonyms and choose 'يتنافس' specifically when you want to emphasize the reciprocal and process-oriented nature of the struggle. You can analyze the use of the word in political rhetoric to see how it frames international relations. Your mastery of the verb allows you to use it in all tenses and moods, including the jussive and subjunctive, with ease in formal writing and academic debates.
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At the C2 level, 'يتنافس' is a tool for nuanced expression in high-level discourse. You can use it to discuss the intricacies of game theory, evolution (where species compete for survival), and complex economic models. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its role in the development of the Arabic language. You can use it to create metaphors and sophisticated analogies in your writing. You are also sensitive to the cultural weight of the word, such as the concept of 'Al-Tanaafus fi al-Khair' (competing in goodness) and its impact on Islamic ethics. You can effortlessly switch between the verb and its various derivatives to maintain a high level of academic and professional eloquence, recognizing the subtle differences between it and Form III or Form V variants.
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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

يتنافس en 30 secondes

  • A Form VI verb meaning 'to compete' or 'to vie with one another' in various fields.
  • Commonly used with prepositions 'ala' (for the prize) and 'ma'a' (with the opponent).
  • Essential for discussing sports, business, politics, and academic achievements in Arabic.
  • Derived from the root N-F-S, implying a struggle for something precious or valuable.

The Arabic verb يتنافس (yatanaafasu) is a sophisticated and essential term for anyone looking to describe dynamics of rivalry, ambition, and mutual effort. At its core, it means 'to take part in a competition' or 'to vie with one another.' It belongs to Verb Form VI (tafāʿala), a grammatical structure in Arabic that inherently denotes reciprocity or action occurring between two or more parties. Unlike a simple action performed by one person on another, tanaafus implies a shared arena where multiple actors are striving for the same goal, whether that goal is a trophy, a market share, or the favor of a particular audience.

Etymological Root
The word is derived from the root ن-ف-س (n-f-s), which is the same root for 'nafs' (soul or self) and 'nafees' (precious or valuable). This suggests that true competition is an engagement of the soul and occurs only for things of high value.
Social Context
In modern Arabic-speaking societies, this verb is used across sports, business, and education. It carries a generally positive or neutral connotation, often associated with growth and excellence rather than bitter enmity.
Grammatical Pattern
As a Form VI verb, it follows the pattern يَتَفَاعَلُ. This pattern often implies that the subjects are doing the action to each other, emphasizing the 'mutual' aspect of competing.

يتنافس اللاعبون بكل قوتهم للفوز بالميدالية الذهبية في الأولمبياد.
The players compete with all their strength to win the gold medal in the Olympics.

Understanding the nuance of this word requires looking at its sisters. While يُسابق (yusaabiq) means 'to race' in a literal physical sense, يتنافس is broader. It can describe two tech giants competing for dominance in the artificial intelligence sector, or two students vying for the highest grade in a chemistry class. It captures the spirit of the 'struggle for excellence' that is central to many human endeavors. The preposition usually associated with this verb is على (on/for) to indicate the prize, and مع (with) or ضد (against) to indicate the opponent.

تتنافس الشركات الكبرى على كسب ثقة المستهلكين الجدد.
Major companies compete to earn the trust of new consumers.

In academic writing and news broadcasts, you will frequently encounter the verbal noun form, تَنَافُس (tanaafus - competition). For example, the phrase 'التنافس الدولي' (international competition) is a staple of political science and economic analysis. Because the verb is in the present tense (imperfect), it suggests an ongoing process. If you want to talk about a past event, you would use تَنَافَسَ (tanaafasa). The verb is highly versatile and fits comfortably in both formal (Fusha) and semi-formal contexts. It avoids the harshness of 'siraa' (conflict) while maintaining the intensity of 'musaabaqa' (contest).

يتنافس العلماء لاكتشاف علاج جديد لهذا المرض المزمن.
Scientists compete to discover a new treatment for this chronic disease.

Mastering the use of يتنافس involves understanding its relationship with prepositions and its subject-verb agreement. Since it is a Form VI verb, it typically takes a plural subject or a singular subject followed by the preposition 'مع' (with). If you say 'يتنافس أحمد', the listener will immediately expect to hear 'مع من؟' (with whom?) or 'على ماذا؟' (for what?). The structure of the sentence dictates the flow of information regarding the rivals and the objective of the rivalry.

Preposition: على (ʿalā)
Used to specify the object of competition (the prize or goal). Example: 'يتنافسون على المركز الأول' (They compete for the first place).
Preposition: مع (maʿa)
Used to specify the competitor. Example: 'يتنافس الفريق مع خصمه' (The team competes with its opponent).
Preposition: في (fī)
Used to specify the field or domain. Example: 'يتنافسون في مجال التكنولوجيا' (They compete in the field of technology).

One of the most common ways to use this verb is in the plural form يتنافسون (yatanaafasoon). This emphasizes the collective nature of the competition. For instance, in a sports broadcast, you might hear 'يتنافس اللاعبون في المضمار' (The players compete on the track). The verb can also be used figuratively. For example, 'تتنافس الأفكار في عقلي' (Ideas compete in my mind), which personifies abstract concepts to show internal struggle or brainstorming.

يتنافس المرشحون في الانتخابات لكسب أصوات الناخبين.
The candidates in the election compete to win the voters' voices.

In business Arabic, this verb is indispensable. You will see it in headlines regarding market competition. 'تتنافس البنوك على تقديم أفضل الخدمات' (Banks compete to provide the best services). Note how 'تتنافس' is conjugated in the feminine singular because 'البنوك' (banks) is a non-human plural. This is a crucial grammatical point for learners: non-human plurals take feminine singular verbs in Arabic.

لا يتنافس الصديقان الحقيقيان على المال بل على الوفاء.
Two true friends do not compete for money, but for loyalty.

Finally, consider the emotional weight the verb can carry. In poetry or romantic literature, it might be used to describe suitors competing for a beloved's heart. 'يتنافس الشعراء في وصف جمال الطبيعة' (Poets compete in describing the beauty of nature). This shows that the verb is not limited to aggressive or commercial settings but extends to the aesthetic and spiritual realms of human life.

If you turn on an Arabic news channel like Al Jazeera or Al Arabiya, you are almost guaranteed to hear يتنافس within the first thirty minutes. It is a staple of political commentary, especially during election cycles or international summits. News anchors use it to describe the geopolitical 'tug-of-war' between nations. For example, 'تتنافس القوى العظمى على النفوذ في المنطقة' (Great powers compete for influence in the region). The word provides a professional, analytical tone to the reporting.

Sports Broadcasting
Commentators use it to describe teams in a league or athletes in a race. It sounds more formal and 'high-stakes' than just saying they are 'playing'.
Business Reports
Economic analysts use it to describe market dynamics, price wars, and innovation races between tech firms.
Documentaries
Nature documentaries often use the verb to describe animals competing for resources or territory.

In a classroom setting, a teacher might encourage students by saying, 'أريدكم أن تتنافسوا في الخير' (I want you to compete in doing good). This is a common cultural phrase in the Arab world, rooted in religious tradition, which encourages 'positive competition' where the goal is self-improvement and helping others rather than just defeating an opponent. This 'tanaafus' is seen as a healthy catalyst for societal progress.

في هذا البرنامج، يتنافس الطهاة لتحضير أفضل طبق تقليدي.
In this program, chefs compete to prepare the best traditional dish.

You will also hear it in the context of job interviews or career advice. A career coach might say, 'أنت تتنافس مع مئات المتقدمين' (You are competing with hundreds of applicants). Here, it highlights the reality of the labor market. The word is powerful because it implies that the competition is active and ongoing. It is not a static state but a dynamic process of striving.

تتنافس الدول على استضافة الألعاب الأولمبية القادمة.
Countries compete to host the next Olympic Games.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using يتنافس is confusing it with the verb for breathing, يَتَنَفَّس (yatanaffasu). While they look nearly identical in script (only a shadda on the 'fa' and a different vowel on the 'na' distinguish them in pronunciation), their meanings are worlds apart. 'Yatanaafasu' is to compete, while 'Yatanaffasu' is to breathe. Mixing these up in a business meeting could lead to some very confused looks!

Spelling & Pronunciation
Compete: Ya-ta-naa-fa-su (long 'aa' after 'n'). Breathe: Ya-ta-naf-fa-su (double 'f' sound, short 'a' after 'n').
Preposition Errors
Using 'li' (for) instead of 'ala' (on/for). While 'li' can sometimes work, 'ala' is the standard preposition for the object of competition.
Form Confusion
Using Form III 'naafasa' instead of Form VI 'tanaafasa'. 'Naafasa' means to rival someone, but 'tanaafasa' is the more common way to express the general act of competing.

Another error is forgetting the plural conjugation. Because competition usually involves multiple people, the verb is often plural. Beginners often default to the singular 'يتنافس' even when the subject is 'اللاعبون' (the players). Remember: اللاعبون يتنافسون (The players compete) is the correct word order if the subject comes first. If the verb comes first, it remains singular: يتنافس اللاعبون.

A subtle mistake involves the register. While يتنافس is perfect for sports and business, using it for a casual game of cards might sound a bit too formal. In very informal Arabic, people might use 'بيلعبوا ضد بعض' (they are playing against each other) or 'بيتسابقوا' (they are racing). However, as a B1 learner, using 'يتنافس' correctly will significantly elevate the quality of your speech and writing, making you sound more educated and precise.

خطأ: يتنافس المريض بصعوبة. (The patient competes with difficulty - Wrong!)
صح: يتنفس المريض بصعوبة. (The patient breathes with difficulty - Correct!)

To truly master the concept of competition in Arabic, you should be able to distinguish يتنافس from its synonyms. Each alternative carries a slightly different 'flavor' or is used in a specific context. By learning these, you can avoid repetitive language and describe situations with greater accuracy.

يتسابق (yatasabaq)
Meaning: To race. Use this when speed is the primary factor, like in a 100-meter dash or a car race.
يُباري (yubaari)
Meaning: To match or rival. Often used in sports (mubaaraah = match) or in poetry (mubaaraah shi'riyyah).
يُصارع (yusaari')
Meaning: To struggle or wrestle. This is much more intense and physical than 'tanaafusa'. It implies a fight for survival or dominance.
يُزاحم (yuzaahim)
Meaning: To crowd or jostle. Used when competition is about space or limited resources, literally 'pushing' others out of the way.

While 'يتنافس' is about the act of competing, 'يُنافس' (Form III) is about being a rival to someone. For example, 'هذا المنتج ينافس المنتجات العالمية' (This product rivals international products). Here, the focus is on the quality of the product being equal to others. 'يتنافس', on the other hand, focuses on the process: 'الشركات تتنافس' (Companies are competing). Choosing between Form III and Form VI depends on whether you want to focus on the status of being a rival or the action of the competition itself.

بدلاً من أن نتصارع، يجب أن نتنافس بشرف.
Instead of struggling/fighting, we should compete honorably.

In a poetic or literary sense, you might find يساجل (yusaajil), which refers specifically to competing in speech or poetry, like a 'rap battle' of the ancient world. Understanding these distinctions helps you navigate different genres of Arabic literature. For a B1 learner, 'يتنافس' remains the most useful and widely applicable term for any general competitive situation.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The root N-F-S also gives us the word 'Nafees' (precious). In ancient times, competition was only considered worthy if the prize was 'Nafees' (valuable). Thus, the act of competing is linguistically tied to the value of the object being sought.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ja.ta.naː.fa.su/
US /jæ.tæ.nɑː.fæ.su/
On the long syllable 'naa' (the third syllable).
Rime avec
يتقاعس (yataqaa'asu - to hesitate) يتجانس (yatajaanasu - to be homogeneous) يتلامس (yatalaamasu - to touch each other) يتناجس (yatanajasu - to become impure) يتمارس (yatamaarasu - to practice with each other) يتنافس (itself) يتجالس (yatajaalasu - to sit together) يتفارس (yatafaarasu - to act like knights together)
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Pronouncing it as 'yatanaffasu' (with a shadda on the 'f'), which means 'he breathes'.
  • Shortening the long 'aa' vowel, making it sound like 'yatanafasu'.
  • Misplacing the stress on the first or last syllable.
  • Confusing the 't' with a heavy 'T' (Tah). It should be a soft 't' (Taa).
  • Failing to pronounce the final 'u' in formal settings.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

The word is long but follows a regular Form VI pattern. Recognition is easy once the root is known.

Écriture 4/5

Spelling the long 'alif' and the 'aa' sound correctly while avoiding the 'shadda' of 'breathe' is tricky.

Expression orale 4/5

Requires correct syllable stress and clear distinction between 'n' and 'f' sounds.

Écoute 5/5

Very easy to confuse with 'yatanaffasu' (breathe) in fast speech.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

نفس (Soul) لعب (Play) فاز (Win) مع (With) على (On/For)

Apprends ensuite

مباراة (Match) خصم (Opponent) جائزة (Prize) تفوق (Excel) تحدي (Challenge)

Avancé

استراتيجية (Strategy) هيمنة (Hegemony) احتكار (Monopoly) مضمار (Track/Field) سجال (Debate/Rivalry)

Grammaire à connaître

Form VI Verb Reciprocity

يتنافس (Tafa'ala) implies the action is shared between subjects.

Non-Human Plural Agreement

الشركات تتنافس (Singular feminine verb for plural non-human subject).

Subjunctive with 'An'

يجب أن يتنافسوا (The 'noon' is dropped in the plural subjunctive).

Prepositional Usage

يتنافس على (Compete for) vs يتنافس مع (Compete with).

Verb-First Sentence Structure

يتنافس اللاعبون (Verb remains singular when it precedes a plural subject).

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Exemples par niveau

1

يتنافس الولدان في الجري.

The two boys compete in running.

Dual subject requires the verb to be singular if it comes first.

2

الفريقان يتنافسان اليوم.

The two teams are competing today.

Verb is dual (ends in -aan) because the dual subject comes first.

3

هو يتنافس مع صديقه.

He competes with his friend.

Singular present tense.

4

البنات يتنافسن في الرسم.

The girls compete in drawing.

Feminine plural present tense.

5

نحن نتنافس في المدرسة.

We compete in school.

First person plural 'na-' prefix.

6

هل تتنافس في الرياضة؟

Do you compete in sports?

Second person singular masculine.

7

يتنافس الكلب والقط.

The dog and the cat compete.

Verb is singular because it precedes the compound subject.

8

هم يتنافسون على الكرة.

They compete for the ball.

Masculine plural present tense.

1

يتنافس الطلاب على جائزة أفضل مشروع.

Students compete for the best project prize.

Use of 'ala' for the prize.

2

تتنافس الفرق في الدوري المحلي.

Teams compete in the local league.

Feminine singular verb for non-human plural 'firaq'.

3

أحب أن أتنافس مع الآخرين.

I like to compete with others.

Subjunctive mood after 'an'.

4

يتنافس أخي معي في ألعاب الفيديو.

My brother competes with me in video games.

Preposition 'ma'i' (with me).

5

لماذا يتنافس هؤلاء الناس؟

Why are these people competing?

Interrogative sentence.

6

يتنافس السباحون في المسبح الكبير.

The swimmers compete in the big pool.

Plural subject after the verb.

7

تتنافس المدن على نظافة الشوارع.

Cities compete for the cleanliness of the streets.

Abstract goal of competition.

8

لا يتنافس اللاعبون في وقت الراحة.

Players do not compete during break time.

Negative 'la' with present tense.

1

تتنافس الشركات الكبيرة على حصة أكبر في السوق.

Large companies compete for a larger market share.

Economic context.

2

يتنافس المرشحون في الانتخابات الرئاسية.

Candidates compete in the presidential elections.

Political context.

3

من الضروري أن يتنافس الشباب في العلم والإبداع.

It is necessary for youth to compete in science and creativity.

Subjunctive mood after 'an'.

4

يتنافس الموظفون للحصول على الترقية.

Employees compete to get the promotion.

Professional context.

5

تتنافس الدول لاستضافة كأس العالم.

Countries compete to host the World Cup.

Global context.

6

يتنافس الشعراء في المهرجان الثقافي.

Poets compete in the cultural festival.

Literary context.

7

لا يجب أن يتنافس الإخوة على حب والديهم.

Brothers should not compete for their parents' love.

Modal 'la yajib an'.

8

يتنافس العلماء لاكتشاف أسرار الفضاء.

Scientists compete to discover the secrets of space.

Scientific context.

1

تتنافس القوى الإقليمية لفرض نفوذها السياسي.

Regional powers compete to impose their political influence.

Advanced political terminology.

2

يتنافس المصنعون على تقليل تكلفة الإنتاج.

Manufacturers compete to reduce production costs.

Industrial/Economic context.

3

تتنافس القنوات الفضائية على جذب أكبر عدد من المشاهدين.

Satellite channels compete to attract the largest number of viewers.

Media context.

4

يتنافس الباحثون لنشر دراساتهم في المجلات المرموقة.

Researchers compete to publish their studies in prestigious journals.

Academic context.

5

تتنافس التطبيقات الذكية في تقديم ميزات مبتكرة.

Smart applications compete in providing innovative features.

Technology context.

6

يتنافس الروائيون على الفوز بالجوائز الأدبية العالمية.

Novelists compete to win international literary awards.

Literary/Professional context.

7

تتنافس البنوك المركزية في ضبط معدلات التضخم.

Central banks compete (or strive) in controlling inflation rates.

Macroeconomic context.

8

يتنافس المصممون في أسبوع الموضة بباريس.

Designers compete in Paris Fashion Week.

Artistic/Industry context.

1

تتنافس النظريات الفلسفية في تفسير طبيعة الوعي البشري.

Philosophical theories compete in explaining the nature of human consciousness.

Abstract philosophical context.

2

يتنافس المبدعون في صياغة رؤى جديدة للمستقبل.

Creators compete in formulating new visions for the future.

Conceptual context.

3

تتنافس الأجندات السياسية المتضاربة داخل البرلمان.

Conflicting political agendas compete within the parliament.

Internal political dynamics.

4

يتنافس التاريخ والأسطورة في تشكيل الهوية الوطنية.

History and legend compete in shaping national identity.

Sociological/Historical context.

5

تتنافس المصالح الاقتصادية مع القيم الأخلاقية في هذا المشروع.

Economic interests compete with moral values in this project.

Ethical dilemma context.

6

يتنافس الذكاء الاصطناعي والذكاء البشري في حل المعضلات المعقدة.

Artificial intelligence and human intelligence compete in solving complex dilemmas.

Technological/Philosophical context.

7

تتنافس الروايات التاريخية على إعادة بناء الذاكرة الجماعية.

Historical narratives compete to reconstruct collective memory.

Historiographical context.

8

يتنافس الفنانون في كسر القواعد التقليدية للفن.

Artists compete in breaking the traditional rules of art.

Avant-garde artistic context.

1

تتنافس المدارس الفكرية في تأويل النصوص الدينية القديمة.

Schools of thought compete in interpreting ancient religious texts.

Hermeneutic context.

2

يتنافس الصمت والكلام في التعبير عن عمق المأساة.

Silence and speech compete in expressing the depth of the tragedy.

Literary/Existential metaphor.

3

تتنافس النماذج الاقتصادية في التنبؤ بمسار الأزمات العالمية.

Economic models compete in predicting the course of global crises.

High-level technical context.

4

يتنافس الوجود والعدم في مخيلة الفيلسوف الوجودي.

Being and nothingness compete in the imagination of the existentialist philosopher.

Ontological context.

5

تتنافس القوى الجيوسياسية على إعادة رسم خارطة التحالفات.

Geopolitical forces compete to redraw the map of alliances.

Strategic political context.

6

يتنافس الضوء والظل في خلق هذا المشهد السينمائي الفريد.

Light and shadow compete in creating this unique cinematic scene.

Cinematographic/Aesthetic context.

7

تتنافس الأنساق الثقافية في فرض هيمنتها على الفضاء الرقمي.

Cultural paradigms compete to impose their hegemony on the digital space.

Sociocultural/Digital context.

8

يتنافس الموت والحياة في ساحات الوغى.

Death and life compete on the battlefields.

Epic/Poetic context.

Collocations courantes

يتنافس بشدة
يتنافس بشرف
يتنافس على اللقب
يتنافس في السوق
يتنافس مع الزمن
يتنافس على المركز الأول
يتنافس في صمت
يتنافس دولياً
يتنافس على النفوذ
يتنافس وجهاً لوجه

Phrases Courantes

يتنافس في الخير

— To compete in doing good deeds and helping others.

المؤمنون يتنافسون في الخير.

سوق يتنافس فيه الجميع

— A market where everyone is competing; highly competitive market.

نحن نعيش في سوق يتنافس فيه الجميع.

يتنافس على كسب القلوب

— To compete to win people's affection or support.

الزعيم يتنافس على كسب قلوب الشعب.

لا أحد يتنافس معه

— No one can compete with him; he is the best.

هو عبقري، لا أحد يتنافس معه.

يتنافسون كالوحوش

— They compete like beasts; very aggressive competition.

في هذا المجال، يتنافسون كالوحوش.

يتنافس على الفتات

— To compete for crumbs; to fight over small, insignificant things.

من المحزن أن يتنافسوا على الفتات.

يتنافس في مضمار واحد

— To compete in the same field or track.

نحن جميعاً نتنافس في مضمار واحد.

يتنافس بروح رياضية

— To compete with sportsmanship.

أتمنى أن يتنافس الجميع بروح رياضية.

يتنافس على السلطة

— To compete for power.

الأحزاب تتنافس على السلطة في البلاد.

يتنافس على الصدارة

— To compete for the lead or top position.

الفريق يتنافس على الصدارة في الدوري.

Souvent confondu avec

يتنافس vs يتنفس (yatanaffasu)

Means 'to breathe'. It has a shadda on the 'f' and no long 'aa'.

يتنافس vs ينافس (yunaafisu)

Form III, means 'to rival'. Often used when comparing the quality of two things.

يتنافس vs يتقاعس (yataqaa'asu)

Means 'to hesitate' or 'to be lazy'. It sounds similar but has the opposite spirit.

Expressions idiomatiques

"وفي ذلك فليتنافس المتنافسون"

— A Quranic expression meaning for such high goals, let people strive and compete.

الجنة غالية، وفي ذلك فليتنافس المتنافسون.

Religious/Formal
"يتنافس مع خياله"

— To compete with one's own shadow/imagination; to be so good that one's only rival is oneself.

إنه عداء سريع جداً، كأنه يتنافس مع خياله.

Literary
"نار التنافس"

— The fire of competition; the intense heat or passion of rivalry.

اشتعلت نار التنافس بين المرشحين.

Metaphorical
"حلبة التنافس"

— The arena of competition.

دخلت الشركات الصينية حلبة التنافس بقوة.

Journalistic
"يتنافس على كسب الرهان"

— To compete to win the bet; to strive to prove one's success.

الجميع يتنافس على كسب الرهان في هذه الصفقة.

Business/Informal
"روح التنافس"

— Competitive spirit.

يجب غرس روح التنافس في نفوس الطلاب.

Educational
"سباق التنافس"

— The race of competition.

نحن في سباق التنافس التكنولوجي.

Modern
"يتنافس في حلبة مغلقة"

— To compete in a closed arena; limited competition.

هؤلاء التجار يتنافسون في حلبة مغلقة.

Political/Economic
"خارج دائرة التنافس"

— Outside the circle of competition; not a threat or not participating.

بعد الإصابة، أصبح اللاعب خارج دائرة التنافس.

Sports
"يتنافس على لا شيء"

— To compete over nothing; useless rivalry.

توقفوا عن الجدال، أنتم تتنافسون على لا شيء.

Informal

Facile à confondre

يتنافس vs يتنفس

Visual similarity in script.

Yatanaafasu (compete) has an Alif (ا) and no shadda. Yatanaffasu (breathe) has a shadda (ّ) and no Alif.

يتنفس الهواء (breathes air) vs يتنافس على الفوز (competes to win).

يتنافس vs يتسابق

Both involve competition.

Yatasabaq is specifically for speed and racing. Yatanaafasu is for any kind of rivalry or excellence.

يتسابقون بالسيارات (racing with cars) vs يتنافسون في الرياضيات (competing in math).

يتنافس vs يتباري

Both used in sports.

Yubaari is often used for a specific match or duel. Yatanaafasu is the general act of competing.

يتباري الفريقان غداً (the teams play a match tomorrow).

يتنافس vs يُنافس

Same root and similar meaning.

Yunaafisu is Form III (Action on another). Yatanaafasu is Form VI (Reciprocal action).

هو ينافسني (He rivals me) vs نحن نتنافس (We compete with each other).

يتنافس vs يُكافح

Both involve effort.

Yukafih is 'to struggle' or 'fight against' (like a disease or poverty). Yatanaafasu is 'to vie' for something.

يكافح المرض (struggles against disease) vs يتنافس على المركز (competes for the position).

Structures de phrases

A1

[Subject] + يتنافس + في + [Sport]

أحمد يتنافس في الجري.

A2

يتنافس + [Plural Subject] + على + [Prize]

يتنافس الطلاب على الكأس.

B1

[Non-human Plural] + تتنافس + في + [Market/Field]

الشركات تتنافس في السوق.

B2

من المهم أن + يتنافس + [Subject] + بـ + [Adverb]

من المهم أن يتنافس الجميع بشرف.

C1

تتنافس + [Abstract Noun] + مع + [Abstract Noun]

تتنافس القيم مع المصالح.

C2

في حلبة + [Context] + يتنافس + [Subjects]

في حلبة الفكر يتنافس الفلاسفة.

B1

لا يتنافس + [Subject] + إلا مع + [Self]

لا يتنافس الناجح إلا مع نفسه.

A2

هل + تتنافس + مع + [Person]؟

هل تتنافس مع أخيك؟

Famille de mots

Noms

تَنَافُس (Competition)
مُتَنَافِس (Competitor)
مُنَافَسَة (Contest/Competition)
نَفَاسَة (Preciousness)

Verbes

تَنَافَسَ (Competed - Past)
نَافَسَ (To rival - Form III)
نَفُسَ (To be precious)

Adjectifs

تَنَافُسِيّ (Competitive)
نَفِيس (Precious/Valuable)
مُتَنَافِس (Competing)

Apparenté

نَفْس (Self/Soul)
تَنَفُّس (Breathing)
أَنْفَس (Most precious)
مُنَافِس (Rival)
نَفَس (Breath)
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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in media, sports, and business; moderate in daily casual speech.

Erreurs courantes
  • يتنفس اللاعبون على الكأس. → يتنافس اللاعبون على الكأس.

    The first sentence says 'The players breathe on the cup'. You must use the long 'aa' (Alif) for competition.

  • يتنافس أحمد الجائزة. → يتنافس أحمد على الجائزة.

    You need the preposition 'على' (on/for) to indicate the object of competition.

  • الشركات يتنافسون في السوق. → الشركات تتنافس في السوق.

    Non-human plurals (like companies) usually take a feminine singular verb.

  • نحن يتنافس في المدرسة. → نحن نتنافس في المدرسة.

    The verb must agree with the subject 'نحن' (we) by using the prefix 'na-'.

  • يتنافس الرجل مع نفسه. → يتنافس الرجل مع نفسه. (Correct, but often misunderstood)

    While correct, ensure you use 'مع' to show that the competition is 'with' someone/something.

Astuces

Form VI Mastery

Remember that Form VI verbs like 'يتنافس' always imply that more than one person is involved in the action. It's the 'together' form of the verb.

Root Connection

Link 'يتنافس' to 'nafs' (soul). Real competition is when you put your soul into winning something precious.

The Long AA

Exaggerate the 'naaa' sound slightly when practicing. This helps distinguish it from 'yatanaffasu' (breathe).

Business Arabic

In business letters, use 'القدرة التنافسية' to talk about 'competitiveness'. It sounds very professional.

Context Clues

If you hear 'Olympic' or 'Market', the word is definitely 'compete', even if the pronunciation is fast.

Positive Rivalry

Use this word to encourage friends. 'نتنافس في الدراسة' sounds like a healthy challenge between friends.

The 'Nafis' Prize

Associate 'tanaafus' with 'nafees' (precious). You only compete for what is precious.

Sports First

Start by using it for sports. It's the easiest context to master before moving to abstract business terms.

Passive Voice

While rare, the verbal noun 'تَنَافُس' is much more common than the passive verb. Use 'هناك تنافس' (There is competition).

No Shadda!

Remind yourself: 'Compete' has an Alif, 'Breathe' has a Shadda. Alif for Ambition, Shadda for Stress (breathing).

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Net-Fast'. To win the competition on the 'Net', you must be 'Fast'. Ya-ta-NAA-fas.

Association visuelle

Imagine two runners reaching for a precious diamond (Nafees) with their souls (Nafs) visible as they strive.

Word Web

Nafs (Soul) Nafees (Precious) Tanaafus (Competition) Mutanaafis (Competitor) Yatanaffas (Breathe) Munaafasa (Contest) Anfas (Most Valuable) Tanaafusi (Competitive)

Défi

Try to use 'يتنافس' in three different sentences today: one about a sport, one about a business, and one about a personal goal.

Origine du mot

The word comes from the Arabic root N-F-S (ن ف س). This root is primarily associated with 'breath' and the 'self' (nafs). The development of the meaning 'to compete' comes from the idea of two people desiring the same precious thing so much that they are 'panting' or 'striving with their whole soul' for it.

Sens originel : To desire something precious or to strive for excellence.

Semitic (Arabic).

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using it in political contexts; ensure it doesn't imply illegal or hostile rivalry unless intended.

In English, 'compete' can sometimes sound aggressive. In Arabic, 'tanaafus' is often used more inspirationally in educational and spiritual settings.

The Quranic verse: 'وفي ذلك فليتنافس المتنافسون' (Surah Al-Mutaffifin). Classical poetry 'Naqa'id' between Jarir and al-Farazdaq. Modern Arabic business journals like 'Forbes Middle East' frequently use 'Al-Tanaafusiyyah' (Competitiveness).

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Sports

  • يتنافس على الميدالية
  • يتنافس في البطولة
  • يتنافس بروح رياضية
  • يتنافس وجهاً لوجه

Business

  • يتنافس على حصة السوق
  • يتنافس في الأسعار
  • يتنافس لتقديم الأفضل
  • ميزة تنافسية

Education

  • يتنافس على المنحة
  • يتنافس في المسابقة العلمية
  • يتنافس الطلاب
  • تحدي التنافس

Politics

  • يتنافس على الأصوات
  • يتنافس في الانتخابات
  • يتنافس على النفوذ
  • أجندات متنافسة

Nature

  • تتنافس الحيوانات على الغذاء
  • تتنافس الأشجار على الضوء
  • صراع البقاء
  • التنافس الطبيعي

Amorces de conversation

"هل تحب أن تتنافس في الألعاب الرياضية أم تفضل التعاون؟"

"في رأيك، هل تتنافس الشركات في بلدك بشكل عادل؟"

"على ماذا يتنافس الشباب في هذه الأيام برأيك؟"

"هل سبق لك أن تنافست على جائزة كبيرة؟ ماذا حدث؟"

"كيف يمكننا أن نتنافس في الخير ونساعد المجتمع في نفس الوقت؟"

Sujets d'écriture

اكتب عن وقت شعرت فيه بضغط كبير وأنت تتنافس مع الآخرين.

هل تعتقد أن التنافس في المدارس مفيد للطلاب أم يسبب لهم القلق؟

صف سوقاً تجارياً تتنافس فيه الشركات بقوة، وما هي استراتيجياتهم؟

تخيل مستقبلاً يتنافس فيه البشر مع الروبوتات على الوظائف. كيف سيكون ذلك؟

اكتب رسالة إلى صديق تشجعه فيها على أن يتنافس بشرف في مسابقته القادمة.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Generally, yes. It implies striving for excellence or a prize. However, in political contexts, it can describe intense and sometimes difficult rivalries. It is much more positive than 'yusaari' (struggle) or 'yuqaatil' (fight).

Form VI (يتنافس) emphasizes the mutual nature of the competition between multiple parties. Form III (يُنافس) often focuses on one party being a rival to another or the quality of a product rivaling another. 'The companies compete' is 'الشركات تتنافس'.

The word for competitor is 'مُتَنَافِس' (mutanaafis) for a person participating in a competition, or 'مُنَافِس' (munaafis) for a rival/opponent in general.

Yes, in nature documentaries or biological contexts, it is used to describe animals competing for food, territory, or mates. For example: 'تتنافس الأسود على الفريسة'.

The verbal noun (Masdar) is 'تَنَافُس' (tanaafus), meaning 'competition' or 'rivalry'. It is very common in business and news.

In many dialects, Form VI is used but might be pronounced slightly differently (e.g., 'yitnaafas'). However, in casual talk, people might just say 'بيسابقوا' or 'بيلعبوا ضد بعض'.

Grammatically, yes, if followed by 'مع' (with). 'يتنافس اللاعب مع نفسه' (The player competes with himself). This is a common way to talk about self-improvement.

Look for the Alif! 'يتنافس' has an 'aa' sound. Also, look at the context. You don't 'compete air' and you don't 'breathe for a trophy'.

Use 'في' (in). For example: 'يتنافسون في التكنولوجيا' (They compete in technology).

Yes, the root and the Form VI command appear in the context of striving for paradise, giving the word a high spiritual status in Arabic.

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Teste-toi 180 questions

writing

Write 'I compete with my friend' in Arabic.

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writing

Write 'The students compete for the prize'.

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writing

Write a sentence about two companies competing.

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writing

Explain why competition is important in business using 'يتنافس'.

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writing

Write a paragraph about the 'competition of ideas'.

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writing

Write 'They compete' (masculine plural).

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writing

Write 'Do you (masc.) compete in soccer?'

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writing

Write 'We should compete in doing good'.

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writing

Write 'The country competes to host the games'.

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writing

Use 'يتنافس' in a sentence about philosophy.

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writing

Write 'She competes'.

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writing

Write 'The two teams compete'.

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writing

Write 'The candidates compete for votes'.

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writing

Describe a competitive environment.

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writing

Write about competing for influence.

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writing

Write 'We play and compete'.

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writing

Write 'He does not compete'.

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writing

Write 'The bank competes with other banks'.

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writing

Write about competing with time.

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writing

Write about the beauty of competition.

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speaking

Say 'I compete' in Arabic.

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speaking

Say 'We compete in soccer'.

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speaking

Say 'They compete for the prize'.

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speaking

Say 'The companies compete in the market'.

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speaking

Explain the phrase 'يتنافس في الخير'.

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speaking

Say 'He competes'.

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speaking

Say 'Do you compete?'.

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speaking

Say 'We should compete honorably'.

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speaking

Say 'A competitive advantage'.

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speaking

Say 'Ideas compete in my mind'.

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speaking

Pronounce 'Ya-ta-naa-fa-su'.

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speaking

Say 'The two boys compete'.

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speaking

Say 'The candidates compete'.

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speaking

Say 'Global competition'.

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speaking

Say 'Competing for influence'.

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speaking

Say 'She competes in drawing'.

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speaking

Say 'I like to compete'.

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speaking

Say 'Poets compete'.

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speaking

Say 'Competitive environment'.

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speaking

Say 'History and myth compete'.

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listening

Listen and write the verb: 'يتنافس'.

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listening

Listen and identify the subject: 'يتنافس الطلاب'.

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listening

Listen and identify the preposition: 'يتنافسون على الكأس'.

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listening

Listen and identify the field: 'تتنافس الشركات في التكنولوجيا'.

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listening

Listen for the difference: 'يتنفس' vs 'يتنافس'. Which one is 'compete'?

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listening

Listen: 'نحن نتنافس'. Who is competing?

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listening

Listen: 'يتنافسان'. Is it one or two people?

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listening

Listen: 'يتنافس المرشحون'. What is the event?

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listening

Listen: 'ميزة تنافسية'. Translate 'miza'.

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listening

Listen: 'سجال تنافسي'. What does it mean?

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/ 180 correct

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