يطارد

§ Understanding يطارد

The Arabic verb يطارد (pronounced: yuṭārid) means 'to pursue in order to catch or catch up with'. It's a common and practical verb to know, especially when talking about things like chasing someone, hunting, or even pursuing a goal. It's often used when there's an active effort to follow or go after something or someone with the intent of reaching them.

Let's look at its basic form and how it's conjugated for a better understanding.

Type

Form III verb (فَاعَلَ - fāʿala)

Root

ط ر د (ṭ-r-d)

Here are some common conjugations in the present tense:

• هو يطارد (huwa yuṭārid) - He pursues
• هي تطارد (hiya tuṭārid) - She pursues
• أنا أطارد (ana uṭārid) - I pursue
• نحن نطارد (naḥnu nuṭārid) - We pursue
• أنت تطارد (anta tuṭārid) - You (masc. singular) pursue
• أنتِ تطاردين (anti tuṭāridīn) - You (fem. singular) pursue

§ Examples of يطارد in sentences

Seeing the verb in context will help you grasp its meaning and usage even better. Pay attention to how it's used in different situations.

Hint

The police officer is chasing the thief in the street.

Hint

The lion is pursuing its prey in the forest.

Hint

The team is pursuing the ball to win the match.

Hint

Don't just pursue your dreams, but work hard to achieve them.

§ Similar words and when to use يطارد vs alternatives

Arabic has a rich vocabulary, and there are often several words that seem to have similar meanings. It's important to understand the nuances to use the correct word in the right context.

• لاحق (lāḥaq)

  This verb also means 'to follow' or 'to pursue'. It's very close in meaning to يطارد, but sometimes لاحق can imply simply following someone without necessarily an intent to catch them, or following a sequence of events. However, in many contexts, they can be used interchangeably, especially when referring to chasing someone or something.
  When to use يطارد: When there's a strong emphasis on actively chasing or pursuing with the goal of catching up or apprehending. It often implies a more energetic and determined pursuit.
  When to use لاحق: Can be used for general following, whether with intent to catch or just to go after something. It can be a bit more general than يطارد.

• طرد (ṭarad)

  This verb means 'to expel', 'to drive away', or 'to dismiss'. While it shares the same root letters (ط ر د), its meaning is quite different from يطارد.
  When to use يطارد: To describe the act of actively going after something or someone to catch them.
  When to use طرد: To describe forcing someone or something to leave a place or a situation.

• تعقب (taʿaqqab)

  This verb means 'to track', 'to trace', or 'to follow in the footsteps of'. It implies a more investigative or meticulous following, often looking for clues or a trail.
  When to use يطارد: For a direct, active chase.
  When to use تعقب: When the focus is on tracking someone or something's movement or progress, often with a sense of surveillance or investigation.

In summary, while some words might appear similar, يطارد is your go-to verb when you want to express the idea of actively pursuing something with the intent of catching or reaching it. It's a dynamic verb that conveys movement and purpose. Keep practicing with examples, and you'll get the hang of it!