Arabic Separate Object Pronouns: Emphasizing 'YOU'
iyyā + suffix to emphasize the object or give a stern warning.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'iyya' (إيا) followed by a suffix to emphasize the object, like saying 'It is YOU that I love.'
- Use 'iyyaka' (إياك) to emphasize 'you' (masculine singular).
- Place the pronoun before the verb to create strong emphasis.
- Never attach these pronouns directly to the verb; they stand alone.
Overview
In Arabic, object pronouns typically attach directly to the end of a verb or preposition, becoming an integral part of the word. For example, in رَأَيْتُكَ (ra'aytuka – "I saw you"), the -ka suffix directly signifies "you" as the object. However, what if you need to place particular emphasis on the object, making it stand out from the rest of the sentence?
This is where Separate Object Pronouns come into play. These pronouns do not attach to other words; instead, they stand alone, often at the beginning of a clause, to convey emphasis, exclusivity, or a strong warning. They are crucial for adding nuance and force to your Arabic expressions, allowing you to highlight the recipient of an action rather than the action itself.
At the A1 level, understanding separate object pronouns introduces you to the concept of emphasis through word order, a key feature of Arabic syntax. While less frequent than their attached counterparts, these pronouns are essential for grasping complete expressions like the fundamental Islamic declaration إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ (iyyāka na'budu – "It is You alone we worship"), demonstrating their deep cultural and linguistic significance. Mastering them allows you to convey specific nuances that simple attached pronouns cannot achieve, making your communication more precise and impactful from the outset.
How This Grammar Works
إِيَّا (iyyā). Think of إِيَّا as an accusative marker or a placeholder for an object pronoun. It does not carry a meaning on its own; its sole grammatical function is to introduce and signify an emphasized or separated object.إِيَّا. This structure effectively detaches the object from the verb, allowing it to occupy a prominent position in the sentence, typically at the beginning.ضَرَبْتُهُ (ḍarabtuhu – "I hit him") focuses on the act of hitting. Conversely, إِيَّاهُ ضَرَبْتُ (iyyāhu ḍarabtu – "It was him I hit") shifts the focus dramatically to هُ (hu – "him"), implying that he specifically was the one hit, perhaps to the exclusion of others.إِيَّا itself is indeclinable (مَبْنِيٌّ – mambnī) in Arabic grammar, meaning its form never changes regardless of its grammatical context, always remaining إِيَّا. It functions as a pronoun in the accusative case (مَفْعُولٌ بِهِ مُقَدَّمٌ – mafʿūlun bihi muqaddam – a fronted object).إِيَّا lies in its ability to liberate the object pronoun from its typical position. By providing a standalone vehicle for the object suffix, Arabic gains a powerful tool for emphasizing specific individuals or groups as the recipients of actions. This separation allows for intricate control over sentence focus, enabling speakers to highlight who or what is critically involved in a situation.Formation Pattern
إِيَّا (iyyā) and the standard object pronoun suffixes. You simply combine إِيَّا with the appropriate suffix for the person, number, and gender you wish to emphasize. The particle إِيَّا remains constant; only the suffix changes. This consistent structure makes them relatively easy to learn and apply.
إِيَّايَ | iyyāya | Me |
إِيَّانَا | iyyānā | Us |
إِيَّاكَ | iyyāka | You (m.s.) |
إِيَّاكِ | iyyāki | You (f.s.) |
إِيَّاكُمَا | iyyākumā | You (m.d.) |
إِيَّاكُمَا | iyyākumā | You (f.d.) |
إِيَّاكُمْ | iyyākum | You (m.pl.) |
إِيَّاكُنَّ | iyyākunna | You (f.pl.) |
إِيَّاهُ | iyyāhu | Him |
إِيَّاهَا | iyyāhā | Her |
إِيَّاهُمَا | iyyāhumā | Them (m.d.) |
إِيَّاهُمَا | iyyāhumā | Them (f.d.) |
إِيَّاهُمْ | iyyāhum | Them (m.pl.) |
إِيَّاهُنَّ | iyyāhunna | Them (f.pl.) |
-ya (ـايَ) instead of the -ni (ـنِي) you might expect from attached pronouns to verbs (e.g., رَآنِي – ra'ānī – "he saw me"). This is because إِيَّا already ends in an Alif (ـا), a long vowel sound. Attaching -ya (ـايَ) directly creates a smoother phonetic flow compared to inserting an additional ن (nūn) for protection, which is typically required when attaching -ī to a verb ending in a consonant. Consider إِيَّايَ رَأَيْتَ (iyyāya ra'ayta – "It was me you saw") as a prime example of this formation in action, starkly emphasizing "me" as the object of your sight. Another example is إِيَّاكَ سَأَلْتُ (iyyāka sa'altu – "It was you I asked"), where إِيَّاكَ clearly highlights the person addressed.
When To Use It
- 1Emphasis and Exclusivity (
الحَصْرُ– al-ḥaṣr):
- Direct Contrast: Consider the verb
نَعْبُدُ(na'budu – "we worship"). If you attach the pronoun, you getنَعْبُدُكَ(na'buduka – "we worship you"). This is a neutral statement. However, when you sayإِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ(iyyāka na'budu – "It is You alone we worship"), theإِيَّاكَ(iyyāka) explicitly states that the worship is directed only to "You," emphasizing monotheism. This profound example comes directly from the opening chapter of the Quran (الفَاتِحَة– al-Fātiḥah).
- Focus on the Object: If someone asks who saw a particular event, and you want to strongly state, "It was him I saw," you would say
إِيَّاهُ رَأَيْتُ(iyyāhu ra'aytu). This contrasts with the less emphaticرَأَيْتُهُ(ra'aytuhu – "I saw him"), which just states the fact without the same level of focus on "him."
- Clarification in Ambiguity: In situations where the context might be unclear, or you want to prevent misinterpretation, the separate pronoun clarifies the intended object. For instance,
إِيَّانَا قَصَدُوا(iyyānā qaṣadū – "They meant us [specifically]") ensures that no other group is mistaken as the target of their intention.
- 1Warnings and Admonition (
التَّحْذِيرُ– at-taḥdhīr):
إِيَّاكَ (iyyāka) for a masculine singular addressee, followed by the conjunction وَ (wa – "and"), and then the noun or concept one should beware of. The logic is "You, and X (be separate from each other)!"- Formula:
إِيَّاكَ وَ + (Noun in Accusative).
- Example 1: To warn a friend about lying, you would say
إِيَّاكَ وَالْكَذِبَ!(iyyāka wa al-kadhiba! – "Beware of lying!" or "Don't lie!"). Here,الْكَذِبَ(al-kadhiba – "lying") is in the accusative case (مَنْصُوبٌ– manṣūb).
- Example 2: If you want to caution someone about a dangerous person, you might say
إِيَّاكَ وَالشَّخْصَ الْمَشْبُوهَ!(iyyāka wa ash-shakhṣa al-mashbūha! – "Beware of the suspicious person!"). This form is highly common in everyday spoken and written Arabic for delivering firm advice or warnings.
- 1After the Particle
إِلَّا(illā – "except" / "but"):
إِلَّا (illā) is used in a negative context to express exclusivity, and the following word is an object pronoun, it must be a separate object pronoun. This reinforces the idea of "none other than."- Example:
لَا نَعْبُدُ إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ(lā na'budu illā iyyāhu – "We worship none but Him"). Here,إِيَّاهُ(iyyāhu) is mandatory afterإِلَّاbecause it is the object of the verbنَعْبُدُ(na'budu) and is being emphasized as the sole object of worship.
- Important Note: This usage specifically applies when
إِلَّاis part of a "negative + except" construction (نَفْيٌ وَاسْتِثْنَاءٌ– nafyun wa istithnā'un) that functions to convey emphasis, not just a simple exception. The separate object pronoun ensures the exclusive focus on the mentioned entity.
Common Mistakes
- 1Confusing with Subject Pronouns: This is perhaps the most frequent error. Learners often mistakenly use a separate subject pronoun (like
أَنَا– anā – "I") when an emphasized object pronoun (إِيَّايَ– iyyāya – "me") is required. Remember, separate object pronouns always refer to the recipient of an action, not the performer.
- Incorrect:
أَنَا ضَرَبْتَ(anā ḍarabta) – (Literally: "I you hit") – This is grammatically nonsensical, asأَنَاis a subject. - Correct:
إِيَّايَ ضَرَبْتَ(iyyāya ḍarabta) – "It was me you hit." (Emphasizing "me" as the object). - Correct (non-emphatic):
ضَرَبْتَنِي(ḍarabtanī) – "You hit me." (Using an attached pronoun).
- 1Overuse of Separate Pronouns: Separate object pronouns carry strong emphasis. Using them in every sentence where an object pronoun appears makes your speech sound unnatural, overly dramatic, or even aggressive. They are special-purpose tools.
- Incorrect: Asking "Did you see me?" as
هَلْ إِيَّايَ رَأَيْتَ؟(hal iyyāya ra'ayta?) in a neutral context. This sounds like you are challenging the person's perception. - Correct:
هَلْ رَأَيْتَنِي؟(hal ra'aytanī?) – "Did you see me?" (Simple, natural question). - When overuse is appropriate: If you were the only person in a crowd and wanted to confirm if you were seen specifically, the emphatic form would be relevant:
هَلْ إِيَّايَ رَأَيْتَ بَيْنَ الْجُمُوعِ؟(hal iyyāya ra'ayta bayna al-jumūʿi? – "Was it me you saw among the crowds?")
- 1Incorrect Warning Structure (
إِيَّاكَ وَ...): Learners sometimes forget the crucialوَ(wa – "and") in the warning idiomإِيَّاكَ وَ...or fail to put the subsequent noun in the accusative case.
- Incorrect:
إِيَّاكَ الْكَذِبُ(iyyāka al-kadhibu) – (Missingوَ, noun in nominative). - Correct:
إِيَّاكَ وَالْكَذِبَ!(iyyāka wa al-kadhiba!) – "Beware of lying!" (Nounالْكَذِبَis accusative).
- 1Misunderstanding
إِيَّا's Role: Some learners might incorrectly perceiveإِيَّاas meaning "he" or "she" by itself. Remember,إِيَّاis merely the accusative marker or base; the actual pronominal meaning comes from the suffix attached to it.إِيَّاonly functions as an object, never a subject.
- 1Using
ـنِيinstead ofـايَfor First Person Singular: While the attached pronoun for "me" often includesن(nūn) (ـنِيorـي), the separate object pronoun usesـايَ(iyyāya).
- Incorrect:
إِيَّانِي(iyyānī). - Correct:
إِيَّايَ(iyyāya).
Real Conversations
While separate object pronouns might initially seem formal or primarily confined to classical texts, their usage, particularly for warnings and strong emphasis, is very much alive in modern Arabic. You will encounter them across various communication channels, from formal speeches to casual advice, and even in digital interactions. Understanding these real-world applications helps you internalize their meaning beyond mere grammatical rules.
Warnings and Advice (إِيَّاكَ وَ...): This is arguably the most common daily use. Parents warn their children, friends advise each other, and public service announcements employ this structure.
- A mother to her son: إِيَّاكَ وَالتَّأْخِيرَ يَا وَلَدِي! (iyyāka wa at-ta'khīra yā waladī! – "Don't be late, my son!"). The tone is firm and direct.
- A friend advising another: إِيَّاكَ وَهَذَا الشَّخْصَ، لَيْسَ جَيِّدًا. (iyyāka wa hādhā ash-shakhṣa, laysa jayyidan. – "Beware of this person, he's not good."). This conveys serious caution.
Emphasis in Debates and Discussions: When speakers want to assert a strong point or correct a misunderstanding, they often use separate object pronouns to highlight the specific entity they are referring to.
- In a political discussion: إِيَّاهُمْ نَتَّهِمُ، لَا غَيْرَهُمْ. (iyyāhum nattahimu, lā ghayrahum. – "It is them we accuse, not others."). This removes any ambiguity about the target of the accusation.
- Responding to a claim: إِيَّانَا تَقْصِدُ بِهَذَا الْكَلامِ؟ (iyyānā taqṣidu bi hādhā al-kalāmi? – "Do you mean us with this talk?"). This challenges the speaker directly, emphasizing "us" as the intended audience.
Literary and Formal Contexts: While this article targets A1, it's important to recognize that classical and formal Arabic frequently employ separate object pronouns for rhetorical effect, establishing a foundation for advanced learners. The Quranic إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ is the quintessential example, but similar structures appear in poetry, religious texts, and eloquent speeches to magnify the object's significance.
- A poet might write: إِيَّاهَا أَهْوَى رُوحِي (iyyāhā ahwā rūḥī – "It is her my soul desires"), elevating the beloved to a singular focus.
Social Media and Texting (less frequent for pure emphasis, but present for warnings): In informal digital communication, the إِيَّاكَ وَ... warning can appear, often for quick, impactful advice. Other emphatic uses might be replaced by emojis or capitalization in Arabic (e.g., "YOU!") or simply by context and intonation.
- A quick text warning: إِيَّاكَ وَنِسْيَانَ الْمَوْعِدِ! (iyyāka wa nisyāna al-mawʿidi! – "Don't forget the appointment!").
These examples illustrate that separate object pronouns are versatile tools for expressing precise meanings in Arabic, from the sacred to the mundane. Learning to recognize them in various contexts will significantly enhance your comprehension and ability to convey nuanced messages.
Quick FAQ
- Q: Can
إِيَّا(iyyā) be used as a subject pronoun? - A: Absolutely not.
إِيَّاis exclusively an object marker. It always indicates the recipient of an action, never the performer. Subject pronouns in Arabic are either attached to verbs (e.g., theتُinكَتَبْتُ– katabtu – "I wrote") or standalone (أَنَا– anā – "I").
- Q: Is
إِيَّاa verb, a noun, or something else? - A: From a grammatical perspective,
إِيَّاis classified as a particle (حَرْفٌ– ḥarf) or, more specifically, an indeclinable object pronoun (ضَمِيرُ نَصْبٍ مُنْفَصِلٌ– ḍamīru naṣbin munfaṣilun). It always functions as an object in the accusative case, but it doesn't inflect like a verb or a noun.
- Q: Why don't we always use separate pronouns for emphasis?
- A: Overusing separate object pronouns sounds unnatural and overly dramatic in everyday conversation. Emphasis should be a deliberate choice for specific situations where you want to highlight the object's importance or exclusivity. In most neutral contexts, attached object pronouns are the standard and expected form.
- Q: What's the difference between
إِيَّايَ(iyyāya) andلِي(lī)? - A: These serve entirely different grammatical functions.
إِيَّايَmeans "me" as a direct object, often with emphasis (e.g.,إِيَّايَ رَأَيْتَ– "It was me you saw").لِي(composed of the prepositionلِـ– li- "to/for" + the pronounي– -ī "me") means "to me" or "for me" (e.g.,لِي كِتَابٌ– lī kitābun – "I have a book" or "A book is for me"). They are not interchangeable.
- Q: Does
إِيَّاchange its form based on grammatical case? - A: No,
إِيَّاitself is indeclinable (مَبْنِيٌّ). Its formإِيَّاnever changes. The pronominal suffixes attached to it indicate the person, number, and gender of the object. Grammatically,إِيَّاis always considered to be in the accusative case (مَنْصُوبٌ).
- Q: How common are separate object pronouns in daily spoken Arabic (dialects)?
- A: The warning idiom
إِيَّاكَ وَ...(iyyāka wa...) is quite common and widely understood across many Arabic dialects, maintaining its formal structure. However, the purely emphatic use ofإِيَّا(e.g.,إِيَّاهُ رَأَيْتُ) is generally less frequent in casual spoken dialects, often replaced by other emphatic particles, specific intonation, or alternative sentence structures to convey emphasis.
- Q: Can
إِيَّاbe used with nouns instead of pronouns? - A: No.
إِيَّاis strictly for pronouns. You cannot sayإِيَّا الرَّجُلَ(iyyā ar-rajula) for "the man." If you want to emphasize a noun as an object, you typically place it at the beginning of the sentence and the verb later, withoutإِيَّا(e.g.,الرَّجُلَ رَأَيْتُ– ar-rajula ra'aytu – "It was the man I saw").
Separate Pronoun Forms
| Person | Pronoun | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
|
1st Sing
|
إياي
|
Me (emphatic)
|
|
2nd Masc
|
إياك
|
You (emphatic)
|
|
2nd Fem
|
إياكِ
|
You (emphatic)
|
|
3rd Masc
|
إياه
|
Him (emphatic)
|
|
3rd Fem
|
إياها
|
Her (emphatic)
|
|
1st Plural
|
إيانا
|
Us (emphatic)
|
|
2nd Plural
|
إياكم
|
You all (emphatic)
|
|
3rd Plural
|
إياهم
|
Them (emphatic)
|
Meanings
These pronouns are used to isolate and emphasize the object of a sentence, often implying 'it is [person] and no one else'.
Exclusive Emphasis
Used to highlight the object exclusively.
“إياك أحب”
“إياها سألت”
Warning/Prohibition
Used in warnings, often followed by 'min' (from).
“إياك والكذب”
“إياكم والسرعة”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Iyya + Suffix + Verb
|
إياك أحب
|
|
Negative
|
Iyya + Suffix + La + Verb
|
إياك لا أحب
|
|
Question
|
Iyya + Suffix + Verb?
|
إياي تقصد؟
|
|
Warning
|
Iyya + Suffix + Wa + Noun
|
إياك والكذب
|
|
Exclusive
|
Iyya + Suffix + ... + La Ghayrak
|
إياك لا غيرك
|
Formality Spectrum
إياك والتهاون. (Advice)
احذر من التهاون. (Advice)
دير بالك من التهاون. (Advice)
انتبه يا زلمة. (Advice)
The 'Iyya' Family
Singular
- إياي Me
- إياك You
Plural
- إيانا Us
- إياكم You all
Attached vs Separate
When to use Iyya
Is it just a normal object?
Usage Scenarios
Formal
- • Speeches
- • Legal
Advice
- • Warnings
- • Proverbs
Examples by Level
إياك
You (beware)!
إياي
Me!
إياها
Her!
إياهم
Them!
إياك أحب
It is you I love.
إياك والكذب
Beware of lying.
إياها رأيت
It is her I saw.
إياهم سألت
It is them I asked.
إياك أن تفعل ذلك
Don't you dare do that.
إياي تقصد؟
Is it me you mean?
إياهم نختار للعمل
It is them we choose for the job.
إياك من التدخين
Beware of smoking.
إياك نعبد وإياك نستعين
You alone we worship, and you alone we ask for help.
إياها اخترنا للمهمة
It is her we selected for the mission.
إياكم والتهاون في العمل
Beware of negligence at work.
إياي لا تلم
Do not blame me.
إياك فليحذر الجميع
Let everyone beware of you.
إياهم قصدت بكلامي
It is them I intended with my words.
إياها أردت أن أصل
It is that which I wanted to reach.
إياي لا تستثنِ
Do not exclude me.
إياك والظلم فإنه ظلمات
Beware of injustice, for it is darkness.
إياها كانت الغاية
It was that which was the goal.
إياهم لا غيرهم ننتظر
It is them, and no one else, we are waiting for.
إياي لا يخدع أحد
No one can deceive me.
Easily Confused
Learners use them interchangeably.
Both can be used to point out.
Learners mix up 'Ana' (I) and 'Iyyaya' (Me).
Common Mistakes
أحب إياك
إياك أحب
إياك أحبك
إياك أحب
إياك كتاب
إياك والكتاب
إياي هو
إياي
إياك أن تذهب
إياك من الذهاب
رأيت إياك
رأيتك
إياها أحبها
إياها أحب
إياهم سألتهم
إياهم سألت
إياي لا أحب
إياي لا أحب
إياكم من الفشل
إياكم والفشل
إياك أن تفعل
إياك أن تفعل
إياها كانت
إياها كانت
إياهم لا يذهبون
إياهم لا يذهبون
Sentence Patterns
إياك ___
إياك و ___
إياها ___
إياهم ___
Real World Usage
إياك تتأخر!
إياكم والظلم.
إياكم أريد أن أعمل معهم.
إياك من هذا الطريق.
إياك أن تنسى الطلب.
إياكم نناشد.
Use sparingly
Don't attach
Focus on 'Iyya'
Religious context
Smart Tips
Use 'Iyya' + suffix at the start.
Use 'Iyya' + suffix + 'wa' + noun.
Use the emphatic pronoun.
Use these to front objects.
Pronunciation
Iyya
The 'ya' is doubled (shadda). Pronounce it clearly.
Suffixes
The suffix must match the person/gender.
Emphatic Stress
إياكـ (stress on Iyya)
Highlights the object.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Iyya' as 'I-Yeah!', like you are shouting 'I-Yeah, it's YOU!'
Visual Association
Imagine a spotlight hitting one person in a crowd. The spotlight is the 'Iyya' pronoun.
Rhyme
Iyya is the star, it travels far, to the front of the sentence, like a shiny car.
Story
A king stands before his court. He points at his advisor and says 'Iyyaka!' (It is YOU!). The advisor freezes. The king then warns him 'Iyyaka wal-kidhb!' (Beware of lying!).
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences today using 'Iyyaka' to emphasize something you really care about.
Cultural Notes
Often used in daily warnings to children.
Common in formal poetry and speeches.
Less common in daily speech, more in formal media.
Derived from the root 'a-w-y' (to shelter/support), acting as a support for the pronoun.
Conversation Starters
إياي تقصد؟
إياك والتدخين، هل توافق؟
إياهم تختار للعمل؟
إياك نعبد، ماذا يعني هذا؟
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
___ أحب (It is you I love).
Find and fix the mistake:
أحب إياك.
Which is the emphatic form for 'me'?
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Beware of lying.
Answer starts with: إيا...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
What is 'Us' (emphatic)?
Separate pronouns are attached to verbs.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises___ أحب (It is you I love).
Find and fix the mistake:
أحب إياك.
Which is the emphatic form for 'me'?
أحب / إياك
Beware of lying.
Match 'Him' (emphatic).
What is 'Us' (emphatic)?
Separate pronouns are attached to verbs.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercises___ aqṣidu. (It is HIM I mean.)
Which implies 'Beware of the dog'?
Match the Arabic to English
Translate: Beware of lying (using 'You' masc.)
Iyyā al-kitāb (The book alone).
Arrange to say: 'It is YOU we ask.'
___ yureedoon. (It is US they want.)
In 'Iyyāka wa al-ḥufrah', what is the purpose?
___ wa al-thaldj! (Beware of the ice! - to a female)
Iyyāka al-kidhb (Beware lying).
Which means 'Her specifically'?
Match situation to phrase
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
Yes, but only for emphasis or warnings.
The 'a' is part of the suffix.
Yes, they are standard Arabic.
It might sound incomplete.
No, it is a base for pronouns.
No, only for objects.
Use 'Iyyaya'.
It is formal and emphatic.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
A ti te...
Spanish uses 'a' + pronoun; Arabic uses 'iyya' + suffix.
C'est toi que...
French uses a copula 'c'est'; Arabic uses direct fronting.
Dich meine ich.
German relies on case marking; Arabic relies on the 'iyya' base.
Anata o...
Japanese uses particles; Arabic uses a separate pronoun base.
Shi ni...
Chinese uses a verb 'to be'; Arabic uses a pronominal base.
Damir Munfasil
None, this is the rule itself.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Videos
Related Grammar Rules
Relative Pronouns for Two (Al-Ladhān / Al-Latān)
Overview Arabic grammar often demands a level of precision not always found in other languages. While English might simp...
Attached Pronouns: Mine, Yours, His (-i, -ka, -hu)
Overview Arabic, a language renowned for its elegant efficiency, frequently consolidates multiple pieces of information...
Arabic Relative Pronouns: Who, Which, That (الذي، التي)
Overview Arabic, like many languages, requires precise methods to connect and elaborate on ideas within sentences. When...
Arabic Relative Pronouns (al-ladhi, al-lati)
Overview Arabic relative pronouns are the linguistic bridges that connect a definite noun to a subsequent clause describ...
Arabic Relative Pronouns: The one who (alladhi, allati)
Overview In Arabic, just like in English, you often need to combine two related ideas into a single, more descriptive se...
