In 15 Seconds
- A direct way to say 'Give me' in Arabic.
- Add the object immediately after the phrase.
- Use 'Atini' for men and 'Atiniy' for women.
Meaning
This is your basic, direct way to ask for something. It is like saying 'hand it over' or 'let me have that' in a simple, straightforward manner.
Key Examples
3 of 6At a grocery store
أعطني كيساً من فضلك.
Give me a bag, please.
Asking a friend for a phone
أعطني هاتفك دقيقة.
Give me your phone for a minute.
In a formal meeting
أعطني رأيك في هذا المشروع.
Give me your opinion on this project.
Cultural Background
People often use 'Hati' (for females) or 'Hat' (for males) instead of 'A'tini' in very casual settings. It feels more like 'Hand it over.' The verb 'Iddi' is king. You will rarely hear 'A'tini' on the streets of Cairo. 'Iddeeni' is the standard. Hospitality is so high that often you don't even have to ask. But if you do, 'Atni' (dropping the Alif) is the common local pronunciation. In Morocco, 'Ara' is a very common alternative to 'A'tini' when asking someone to show or give you something quickly.
The Politeness Sandwich
Always put 'Min fadlak' or 'Law samaht' after 'A'tini' to sound like a native speaker who has good manners.
Gender Matters
If you say 'A'tini' to a woman, it's not a huge error, but 'A'teeni' (with the long 'ee') sounds much more natural.
In 15 Seconds
- A direct way to say 'Give me' in Arabic.
- Add the object immediately after the phrase.
- Use 'Atini' for men and 'Atiniy' for women.
What It Means
أعطني is the bread and butter of Arabic requests. It is a direct command form. It tells someone exactly what you want. Think of it as the verbal equivalent of reaching out your hand. It is simple, clear, and very common. You will hear it in markets, homes, and classrooms. It is the foundation for getting what you need in the Arabic-speaking world.
How To Use It
Using it is incredibly easy. You just say أعطني followed by the thing you want. If you want a book, say أعطني الكتاب. If you want water, say أعطني ماء. One small trick: this version is for talking to a man. If you are talking to a woman, add a small 'ee' sound at the end: أعطيني. It is like a Lego set. Just snap the noun onto the end and you are done. No complex grammar needed for basic needs.
When To Use It
Use this when the situation is clear and direct. Use it at a fruit stand while pointing at apples. Use it with a friend when you need their pen. It is perfect for fast-paced environments. At a restaurant, it works well for simple items like napkins. If you are texting a sibling to send a photo, أعطني (or the colloquial عطيني) is your best friend. It gets the job done without any fluff.
When NOT To Use It
Be careful with the 'command' vibe. In English, 'Give me' can sound a bit bossy. The same applies here. Do not use it with your boss or a total stranger without adding 'please'. Without من فضلك (please), it might sound like you are ordering them around. If you are at a very fancy gala, maybe skip the direct command. Use a softer phrase like 'Could I have' instead. Nobody likes a demanding guest!
Cultural Background
Arabic culture is built on a beautiful dance of generosity. When you say أعطني, the person often responds with تفضل (here you go/please take). This exchange is the heartbeat of Arabic hospitality. Interestingly, in many dialects, the 'a' at the start drops off. You will hear عطيني (Atini) more often in the streets of Beirut or Amman. It is a word that bridges the gap between a need and a gift.
Common Variations
As you travel, the sound changes slightly. In Egypt, you will hear إديني (Idini). In the Gulf or Levant, it is often عطيني (Atini). If someone is being slow, you might hear هات (Hat), which is a more forceful 'give' or 'bring'. If you want to be extra polite, always wrap it in لو سمحت (if you please). It turns a command into a request. It is the 'magic word' that opens doors.
Usage Notes
While grammatically a command, its politeness depends entirely on your tone of voice and whether you follow it with a 'please'. In Modern Standard Arabic, it is neutral, but in dialects, it is very informal.
The Politeness Sandwich
Always put 'Min fadlak' or 'Law samaht' after 'A'tini' to sound like a native speaker who has good manners.
Gender Matters
If you say 'A'tini' to a woman, it's not a huge error, but 'A'teeni' (with the long 'ee') sounds much more natural.
Body Language
When saying 'A'tini,' it's common to extend your right hand palm-up. Using the left hand is traditionally considered less polite in many Arab cultures.
Examples
6أعطني كيساً من فضلك.
Give me a bag, please.
Adding 'please' makes this standard request polite for a shopkeeper.
أعطني هاتفك دقيقة.
Give me your phone for a minute.
Very common among friends for quick favors.
أعطني رأيك في هذا المشروع.
Give me your opinion on this project.
Used here for abstract things like opinions, not just physical objects.
أعطني موقعك الآن.
Give me your location now.
Common in WhatsApp messages when meeting up.
أعطني الشوكولاتة وإلا!
Give me the chocolate, or else!
The 'or else' adds a playful, dramatic threat.
أعطني فرصة ثانية.
Give me a second chance.
Used in serious personal conversations to ask for forgiveness.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank to ask for 'the book' correctly.
_______ الكتاب من فضلك.
أعطني is the imperative form 'Give me.'
Which form should you use when speaking to a woman?
يا ليلى، _______ القلم.
The feminine imperative requires the 'ya' suffix: A'teeni.
Complete the restaurant dialogue.
الزبون: _______ الحساب لو سمحت. النادل: طبعاً، تفضل.
The customer is asking for the bill (Al-hisab).
Match the phrase to the situation.
Asking for a phone number.
Raqmuka means 'your number.'
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Gender Conjugation
Practice Bank
4 exercises_______ الكتاب من فضلك.
أعطني is the imperative form 'Give me.'
يا ليلى، _______ القلم.
The feminine imperative requires the 'ya' suffix: A'teeni.
الزبون: _______ الحساب لو سمحت. النادل: طبعاً، تفضل.
The customer is asking for the bill (Al-hisab).
Asking for a phone number.
Raqmuka means 'your number.'
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt can be if used alone. Always add 'min fadlak' (please) to make it a standard, polite request.
You add the object pronoun after 'ni', e.g., 'أعطني إياه' (A'tini iyyahu).
'A'tini' is more formal/standard, while 'Hat' is very casual, like 'Hand it over.'
Yes! 'أعطني غمرة' (A'tini ghamra) or 'أعطني حضناً' (A'tini hudnan).
It's the 'Nun of Protection' which separates the verb from the pronoun 'me' to keep the verb's sound stable.
Yes, variations of the root 'A-T-Y' appear frequently, usually referring to God giving to people.
Change 'ni' to 'na': 'أعطنا' (A'tina).
It's better to use 'يرجى تزويدي بـ' (Please provide me with) in formal business emails.
Use 'أعطه' (A'tihi).
The meaning is the same, but the pronunciation and preferred word (like 'Iddeeni' in Egypt) vary.
Related Phrases
هات
similarHand it over / Bring it
خذ
contrastTake
ناولني
specialized formHand me
تفضل
builds onHere you go / Please
