Meaning
To communicate feelings of worry or apprehension.
Cultural Background
In Arab diplomatic circles, 'expressing concern' is often the first step in a multi-stage process of formal disapproval. It allows for communication without immediate escalation. Arabic news channels (Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya) use this phrase so frequently that it has become a hallmark of the 'Media Arabic' (Fusha al-Asr) dialect. In Arab universities, students are taught to use 'A'raba 'an' to introduce critical perspectives in their theses to maintain an objective, academic tone. Official Arabic accounts of Western embassies (like the US or UK embassies in Riyadh or Cairo) use this phrase to communicate their home government's positions to the local public.
Use with Institutions
Always remember that 'The UN' or 'The Government' are feminine. Say 'A'rabat' not 'A'raba'.
Preposition Trap
Never forget the 'an'. Without it, the verb doesn't function as 'express'.
Meaning
To communicate feelings of worry or apprehension.
Use with Institutions
Always remember that 'The UN' or 'The Government' are feminine. Say 'A'rabat' not 'A'raba'.
Preposition Trap
Never forget the 'an'. Without it, the verb doesn't function as 'express'.
The Diplomatic Vibe
Use this phrase in your writing to sound like a professional analyst or journalist.
Intensifiers
Add 'al-baligh' (extreme) after 'qalaq' to sound even more like a native news anchor.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing preposition.
أعرب الوزير ___ قلقه من الأزمة.
The verb 'A'raba' always takes the preposition 'an'.
Choose the correct feminine form for an institution.
____ الأمم المتحدة عن قلقها.
Institutions like the UN are treated as feminine singular in Arabic.
Which situation is most appropriate for this phrase?
Where would you most likely hear 'أعرب عن قلقه'?
This is a formal, journalistic phrase.
Complete the formal statement.
المتحدث الرسمي: 'نحن ____ عن قلقنا البالغ إزاء التطورات.'
'Nu'ribu' is the correct formal verb for expressing a stance.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Preposition Power
Who uses this?
News
- • Anchors
- • Reporters
Politics
- • Ministers
- • Diplomats
Practice Bank
4 exercisesأعرب الوزير ___ قلقه من الأزمة.
The verb 'A'raba' always takes the preposition 'an'.
____ الأمم المتحدة عن قلقها.
Institutions like the UN are treated as feminine singular in Arabic.
Where would you most likely hear 'أعرب عن قلقه'?
This is a formal, journalistic phrase.
المتحدث الرسمي: 'نحن ____ عن قلقنا البالغ إزاء التطورات.'
'Nu'ribu' is the correct formal verb for expressing a stance.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's too formal. Use 'Ana qalaq' for small things.
'A'raba' is more formal and diplomatic; 'Abbara' is general.
Rarely. It's a Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) staple.
The verb 'A'raba' is lexically tied to 'an'. It's just how the collocation works.
Yes! The pattern works for other emotions too.
It is a noun meaning 'worry'.
أعربت الأمم المتحدة عن قلقها.
It means 'extreme' or 'profound'.
Yes, especially in modern novels and political essays.
Yes, if you are expressing concern about a professional challenge.
Related Phrases
أبدى قلقه
synonymTo show/demonstrate his worry
ساوره القلق
similarWorry beset him
أعرب عن شكره
builds onTo express his thanks
أثار القلق
similarTo raise/provoke concern
قلق مشروع
specialized formLegitimate concern
