Meaning
Indicating uncertainty or difficulty in providing a definitive answer.
Cultural Background
In the Levant, people often soften this further by adding 'والله' (By God) at the beginning: 'والله صعب قول'. It adds a layer of sincerity to the uncertainty. In professional Gulf environments, this phrase is often followed by 'لكن إن شاء الله خير' (But God willing, it will be good). This balances the uncertainty with cultural optimism. Egyptians might use 'مقدرش أقول' (I can't say) as a more active version of this phrase in daily life, though they use the standard version in writing. In the Maghreb, you might hear 'صعيب نقول' (S'ib nqool). The word 'Sa'b' becomes 'Sa'ib' in local pronunciation.
The 'Whether' Link
Pair this with 'ما إذا كان' (ma idha kana) to sound like a native news anchor.
Don't over-use
If you use it for every question, you will sound like you are hiding something!
Meaning
Indicating uncertainty or difficulty in providing a definitive answer.
The 'Whether' Link
Pair this with 'ما إذا كان' (ma idha kana) to sound like a native news anchor.
Don't over-use
If you use it for every question, you will sound like you are hiding something!
The 'Insha'Allah' alternative
In very casual settings, 'Insha'Allah' often replaces this phrase entirely.
Past Tense
Remember to add 'كان' (kana) at the very beginning to talk about past uncertainty.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to complete the formal expression.
من ______ القول إن الاقتصاد سيتحسن قريباً.
In this fixed MSA construction, we use the definite adjective 'الصعب'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'It's hard to say who won' in a news report?
اختر الجملة الصحيحة:
Option B uses the correct 'Min al-sa'b al-qawl' structure.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate response.
أحمد: هل تعتقد أننا سنصل في الوقت المحدد؟ سارة: ________، فالزحام شديد جداً.
Given the 'heavy traffic' (الزحام شديد), 'It's hard to say' is the logical answer.
Match the phrase to the correct context.
متى نستخدم 'من الصعب القول'؟
It is used for polite uncertainty.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Certainty Scale
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمن ______ القول إن الاقتصاد سيتحسن قريباً.
In this fixed MSA construction, we use the definite adjective 'الصعب'.
اختر الجملة الصحيحة:
Option B uses the correct 'Min al-sa'b al-qawl' structure.
أحمد: هل تعتقد أننا سنصل في الوقت المحدد؟ سارة: ________، فالزحام شديد جداً.
Given the 'heavy traffic' (الزحام شديد), 'It's hard to say' is the logical answer.
متى نستخدم 'من الصعب القول'؟
It is used for polite uncertainty.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but usually in a shortened form like 'Sa'b aqool'. The full MSA version is mostly for writing or formal speech.
No, use 'يصعب عليّ' for physical tasks.
The opposite is 'من السهل القول' (It is easy to say).
Yes, it is a very polite way to avoid giving a direct 'no' or admitting total ignorance.
No, but it defaults to the present. Use 'kana' for the past.
Yes, that is also correct and very common in speech.
It's a partitive structure in Arabic used for descriptions, literally 'From the category of difficult is the saying.'
Yes, it's a high-scoring phrase for CEFR B2/C1 writing tasks.
Yes: 'أعتقد أنه من الصعب القول...'
No, it's a noun (the saying), but it functions like a verb here.
Related Phrases
من المستحيل القول
specialized formIt is impossible to say
من السهل القول
contrastIt is easy to say
يصعب الجزم
synonymIt is hard to be certain
لا يمكن التنبؤ
similarIt is unpredictable
الله أعلم
similarGod knows best
