When you're just starting out in Arabic, understanding how to express likes and dislikes is super useful. One important verb you'll come across is يعجب (ya'jab). This verb literally means 'to please' or 'to impress'.
The interesting thing about يعجب is that it works a bit differently than 'to like' in English. Instead of saying 'I like something,' you essentially say 'Something pleases me.' This might sound a little backward at first, but it's very common in Arabic and you'll get used to it quickly!
For example, if you want to say 'The book pleases me' or 'I like the book,' you'd use يعجبني الكتاب (ya'jabuni al-kitaab). Notice the 'ni' at the end of يعجب, which means 'me'.
When you're learning Arabic at an A2 level, understanding verbs like "يعجب" (ya’jub) is really useful. It means 'to please' or 'to impress,' and you'll often hear it when someone talks about liking something or being admired. For example, if you want to say 'The book pleased me,' you'd use a form of this verb. It's a key verb for expressing opinions and reactions in daily conversations. Mastering it helps you describe what you enjoy or what stands out to you.
When we use the Arabic verb يعجب (ya‘jab), it means that something is pleasing or impressive to someone. It's often used in a way where the thing doing the pleasing is the subject, and the person who is pleased is the object, often with the preposition لـ (li-).
For example, if you want to say "The book pleased me," you would say: أعجبني الكتاب (aʻiʻajanī al-kitāb) or الكتاب يُعجبني (al-kitāb yuʻjibunī). You can also use it to express admiration, as in أنا مُعجب بـ (ʾanā muʻjab bi-) meaning "I am impressed by..." or "I admire...".
When using the verb "يعجب" (ya'jub) in Arabic, it's important to remember that the structure often translates more literally as "something pleases someone" rather than "someone likes something." This means the thing being liked is the subject of the verb, and the person who likes it is the object (often introduced with the preposition "بـ" (bi-) or implicitly understood).
For example, if you want to say "I like the book," you would phrase it as "الكتاب يعجبني" (al-kitāb ya'jubunī), which literally means "The book pleases me." Here, "الكتاب" (the book) is the subject, and the "ـني" (nī) suffix indicates "me" as the object.
You can also use "يعجب بـ" (ya'jub bi-) to mean "to be impressed by" or "to admire." For instance, "أعجبت بالفيلم" (a'jabtu bil-fīlm) means "I was impressed by the movie."
Understanding this grammatical inversion is key to using "يعجب" correctly and naturally in your Arabic conversations.
When we use the word يعجب in Arabic, it's often to express that something is pleasing or impressive to someone. You'll typically see it in the form يُعجبني (yu'jibunī), which means 'it pleases me' or 'I like it.' It's a really useful verb for sharing your preferences or opinions about things, people, or experiences. Think of it as a way to say 'I am impressed by...' or 'I find... pleasing.' It's a common way to express positive feelings.
يعجب in 30 Seconds
- Use 'يعجب' when something pleases you.
- Often used in the form 'يعجبني' (it pleases me / I like it).
- It's about being impressed or liking something.
§ Understanding 'يعجب' in Context
When you're learning Arabic, understanding how verbs like 'يعجب' (ya'jibu) are used in everyday conversations is key. This verb is super common, and you'll hear it in many different situations, from casual chats to more formal settings. It means 'to please' or 'to impress,' and it's often used to talk about things people like or admire.
The tricky part for English speakers is that 'يعجب' works a bit differently than 'to like' or 'to be pleased by' in English. In Arabic, the thing that does the pleasing is the subject of the sentence. So, instead of 'I like the book,' you're essentially saying 'The book pleases me.' This grammatical structure is called an 'impersonal verb construction.' Don't worry, it becomes natural with practice.
§ 'يعجب' in Daily Conversations
Let's look at how you'd hear 'يعجب' in common situations. Imagine you're talking about a movie, a new car, or even a good meal. This verb is perfect for expressing your feelings about something.
الفيلم يعجبني كثيراً. (The movie pleases me a lot. / I like the movie a lot.)
Here, 'الفيلم' (the film) is the subject, and 'ني' (me) is the object. This is a common way to express liking something.
- Key Takeaway
- When using 'يعجب', think about what is doing the pleasing, not who is doing the liking.
§ At Work or School
In professional or academic settings, 'يعجب' can be used to express approval or admiration for an idea, a project, or someone's performance.
If your boss says:
عملك الجديد يعجبني كثيراً. (Your new work pleases me a lot. / I like your new work a lot.)
This is a compliment, meaning they are impressed with what you've done.
In a school setting, a teacher might say:
هذه الفكرة تعجبني حقاً. (This idea truly pleases me. / I really like this idea.)
Again, the idea is the subject, and the teacher is the one being pleased.
§ In the News or Formal Speech
Even in more formal contexts like news reports or speeches, 'يعجب' can appear. It's used to convey public approval or how a policy or event is perceived by a group.
- Example in News
- The new economic plan seems to be pleasing many citizens. / Many citizens are pleased with the new economic plan.
الخطة الاقتصادية الجديدة تعجب الكثير من المواطنين. (The new economic plan pleases many citizens.)
Notice here how 'الكثير من المواطنين' (many citizens) is the object, and 'الخطة الاقتصادية' (the economic plan) is the subject. This pattern is consistent across all uses of 'يعجب'.
§ Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to get comfortable with 'يعجب' is to practice using it. Try to form your own sentences about things that please you. Think about what pleases you and start building sentences around that concept.
My new phone pleases me. (هاتفي الجديد يعجبني)
Her idea pleases me. (فكرتها تعجبني)
The food pleases them. (الطعام يعجبهم)
By actively using these structures, you'll find that expressing likes and dislikes in Arabic becomes much more intuitive.
§ Mistakes people make with يعجب
Let's talk about some common pitfalls when using the Arabic verb يعجب (to please, to impress, to be admired). Even though it seems straightforward, its structure can be a bit tricky for English speakers. The biggest mistake is trying to translate directly from English. In Arabic, the 'thing that pleases' or 'person who impresses' is the subject of the verb, and the 'person who is pleased' or 'person who is impressed' is the object, often introduced with the preposition 'بـ' (bi-).
§ Mistake 1: Confusing Subject and Object
In English, we say "I like the book." Here, "I" is the subject, and "the book" is the object. But with يعجب, it's reversed. You literally say "The book pleases me." So, the book is the subject, and "me" is the object, usually attached to 'بـ'.
- Wrong example
- أنا أعجب بالكتاب. (Ana 'u'ajib bil-kitaab) - This would mean "I impress the book," which doesn't make sense.
- Correct example
- يعجبني الكتاب. (Yu'jibuni al-kitaab) - The book pleases me. (I like the book.)
يعجبني هذا الفيلم كثيراً. (This movie pleases me a lot. / I really like this movie.)
§ Mistake 2: Incorrect Preposition Usage
The verb يعجب typically uses the preposition 'بـ' (bi-) when referring to the person who is impressed or pleased, especially when using a noun after the verb. However, it's more common to attach the pronoun directly to the verb (e.g., يعجبني, يعجبك). When you want to specify who is impressed using a noun, 'بـ' is crucial.
- Wrong example
- هذا يعجب أخي. (Haatha yu'jib akhi) - While grammatically possible in some contexts, it's less natural when expressing "my brother likes this."
- Correct example
- يعجب هذا بأخي. (Yu'jib haatha bi-akhi) - This pleases my brother. (My brother likes this.)
هل يعجب هذا الفستان بأمك؟ (Does this dress please your mother? / Does your mother like this dress?)
§ Mistake 3: Overlooking the Passive Sense of Being Admired
While يعجب means "to please" or "to impress," it can also imply "to be admired by someone" when used in certain constructions. This is where the passive understanding comes in. If something or someone is يعجب someone else, the first entity is admired by the second.
- Common Misunderstanding
- Thinking that يعجب only means actively pleasing someone, not also being admired.
صوته يعجب الكثيرين. (His voice pleases many. / Many admire his voice.)
فكرته يعجب بها الجميع. (His idea is admired by everyone.)
§ Key Takeaways for Using يعجب
- The structure is often inverted compared to English "like." The thing that pleases is the subject.
- When attaching pronouns, they are direct objects (e.g., يعجبني).
- When referring to a person by a noun, use the preposition 'بـ' (bi-) before the noun (e.g., يعجب بـأحمد).
- It can mean "to please/impress" or "to be admired by."
Practicing with these structures will help you master يعجب and avoid these common mistakes. Pay close attention to who is doing the pleasing and who is being pleased, and you'll get it right!
§ Understanding 'يعجب' (yaʿjib)
The Arabic verb يعجب (yaʿjib) is very useful and commonly used. It means 'to please or impress' or 'to be admired by someone'. What's important to remember is how it's structured in a sentence, which is often different from how we think about 'liking' in English.
- DEFINITION
- To please or impress, to be admired by someone.
يعجبني هذا الكتاب.
لم يعجبه الفيلم.
§ Similar Arabic Verbs and When to Use Them
Arabic has several ways to express 'liking' or 'admiration', and choosing the right one depends on the nuance you want to convey. Let's look at some common alternatives and when to use يعجب versus these others.
أحب (uḥibb) - To love/like
This is a direct and very common way to say 'I like' or 'I love'. It's generally used when the feeling is strong and comes directly from the person.
أنا أحب القهوة.
While both يعجب and أحب can sometimes be used interchangeably for 'liking', أحب is more about a personal preference or affection. يعجب emphasizes that something is pleasing or impressive to someone, almost as if it's acting upon them.
يفضل (yufaḍḍil) - To prefer
When you want to express a preference between two or more options, يفصل is the verb to use. It doesn't necessarily mean you 'like' something, but rather that you favor it over others.
أنا أفضل الشاي على القهوة.
يستمتع بـ (yastamtiʿ bi) - To enjoy
This verb is specifically about enjoying an activity or an experience. It implies finding pleasure in something you are doing or experiencing.
أنا أستمتع بالقراءة.
أعجب بـ (aʿjab bi) - To be impressed by/admire
This is actually the passive form of يعجب when used with the preposition 'بـ' (bi). It explicitly means 'to be impressed by' or 'to admire'. This construction is more about the speaker being affected by something's quality or characteristic.
أعجبت بفكرته.
§ When to Prioritize 'يعجب'
You should lean towards using يعجب when:
You want to express that something is *pleasing* or *impressive* to someone, often highlighting a quality of the object itself.
You are talking about an opinion or a reaction to something, rather than a deep, personal affection.
The 'liking' is more about an aesthetic appreciation or a positive response to something's attributes.
For example, if a dish tastes good, you might say يعجبني هذا الطعام (This food pleases me). If you genuinely love someone, you'd use أحب. If you simply prefer one type of coffee over another, you'd use يفصل. And if you enjoyed the process of reading a book, you'd use يستمتع بالقراءة.
Practicing with these different verbs will help you naturally choose the right one for each situation. Pay close attention to the sentence structure, especially with يعجب, as it's often 'object pleases subject' in its underlying meaning, even if it feels like 'subject likes object' in English.
How Formal Is It?
"أعجبني العرض التقديمي."
"يعجبني هذا الكتاب."
"عجبني الفيلم كتير."
"عجبني اللعبة دي."
"كفّو يا معلم!"
Fun Fact
The root ʿ-J-B is shared with other Arabic words related to wonder and admiration, such as ʿajīb (strange, wonderful) and uʿjūbah (a marvel, a wonder).
Difficulty Rating
Common verb, straightforward pronunciation.
Standard Arabic script.
Can be tricky due to object pronouns. Practicing with 'me', 'you', 'him' is key.
Common usage, should be recognizable.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
When using 'يعجب' to mean 'to please' or 'to impress', the structure is typically: 'الفعل (subject) يعجب المفعول به (object).' The thing that is pleasing or impressive is the subject, and the person who is pleased or impressed is the object.
يعجبني هذا الكتاب. (This book pleases me. / I like this book.)
The verb 'يعجب' can also be used in the passive voice, 'يُعجب', to mean 'to be admired' or 'to be impressed.'
هو يُعجب بذكائها. (He is impressed by her intelligence.)
When expressing that something 'impresses' or 'pleases' a person, the object (the person) often takes the form of a pronominal suffix attached to the verb.
أعجبتها الفكرة. (The idea pleased her. / She liked the idea.)
To ask if something pleases someone, you can use the structure: 'هل يعجبك/يعجبكِ...؟'
هل يعجبك هذا الفيلم؟ (Do you like this movie? / Does this movie please you?)
The verb 'يعجب' can be followed by a noun or a verb (in the Masdar form) to specify what is pleasing.
يعجبني القراءة. (Reading pleases me. / I like reading.)
Examples by Level
يعجبني هذا الكتاب.
I like this book. (This book pleases me.)
Here 'يعجبني' means 'I like' and 'هذا الكتاب' is the subject.
هل يعجبك الشاي؟
Do you like tea? (Does tea please you?)
'هل' is used for yes/no questions. 'يعجبك' means 'you like'.
يعجبها الفستان الأحمر.
She likes the red dress. (The red dress pleases her.)
'يعجبها' means 'she likes'.
لا يعجبني الجو البارد.
I don't like cold weather. (Cold weather does not please me.)
'لا' is used for negation. 'الجو البارد' is the subject.
هذا الفيلم لا يعجبني.
I don't like this movie. (This movie does not please me.)
The word order can be flexible in Arabic. 'هذا الفيلم' is the subject.
يعجبنا الطعام العربي.
We like Arabic food. (Arabic food pleases us.)
'يعجبنا' means 'we like'.
ماذا يعجبك في مدينتنا؟
What do you like in our city?
'ماذا' means 'what'. 'مدينتنا' means 'our city'.
يعجبهم الصوت العالي.
They like the loud sound. (The loud sound pleases them.)
'يعجبهم' means 'they like'.
يعجبني هذا الكتاب.
This book pleases me. (I like this book.)
Here, 'يعجبني' (ya'jubuni) literally means 'it pleases me.' The object (the book) is the subject of the verb, and the person pleased is the object pronoun.
هل يعجبك الفيلم؟
Does the film please you? (Do you like the film?)
A question using 'هل' (hal) for 'does/do'. The 'ك' (ka) at the end of 'يعجبك' (ya'jubuka) refers to 'you' (masculine singular).
المعلمة يعجبها الطلاب المجتهدون.
Hardworking students please the female teacher. (The female teacher likes hardworking students.)
'يعجبها' (ya'jubuha) uses 'ها' (ha) for 'her' (the female teacher). The verb agrees with 'الطلاب' (al-ṭullāb), which is masculine plural.
لا يعجبني الطعام الحار.
Spicy food does not please me. (I don't like spicy food.)
'لا' (lā) is used for negation. The verb 'يعجبني' (ya'jubuni) remains the same.
أعجبني فستانها الجديد.
Her new dress pleased me. (I liked her new dress.)
This is the past tense form 'أعجبني' (a'jabani). Note the 'أ' prefix for past tense, and 'ني' (ni) for 'me'.
هل أعجبتك الهدية؟
Did the gift please you? (Did you like the gift?)
Past tense question. 'ك' (ka) for 'you' (masculine singular).
يعجبني أن أتعلم لغات جديدة.
It pleases me to learn new languages. (I like to learn new languages.)
Here, 'أن' (an) introduces a verb clause, meaning 'to' or 'that I'.
يعجبهم الجو المشمس.
The sunny weather pleases them. (They like the sunny weather.)
'يعجبهم' (ya'jubuhum) uses 'هم' (hum) for 'them' (masculine plural).
يعجبني هذا الكتاب كثيراً.
This book pleases me a lot. (I like this book a lot.)
The object pronoun attached to the verb indicates who is pleased. 'ني' means 'me'.
هل يعجبك الطعام؟
Does the food please you? (Do you like the food?)
The object pronoun 'ك' means 'you' (masculine singular).
أعجبني أداؤه في المسرحية.
His performance in the play pleased me. (I was impressed by his performance.)
The past tense of يعجب is أعجب. The 'ني' indicates 'me'.
لم يعجبها الفيلم الجديد.
The new movie did not please her. (She didn't like the new movie.)
The object pronoun 'ها' means 'her'. 'لم' negates the verb in the past.
يعجبهم العمل في فريق.
Working in a team pleases them. (They like working in a team.)
The object pronoun 'هم' means 'them'.
هذا اللون لا يعجبني.
This color does not please me. (I don't like this color.)
The 'لا' negates the present tense verb.
أعجبني ذكاؤها.
Her intelligence pleased me. (I was impressed by her intelligence.)
The 'ني' indicates 'me'.
هل أعجبكم العرض؟
Did the show please you (plural)?
The object pronoun 'كم' means 'you' (plural).
يعجبني حقًا هذا الكتاب، إنه ممتع للغاية.
I really like this book, it's very interesting.
لم تعجبني فكرة السفر في الشتاء.
I didn't like the idea of traveling in winter.
هل أعجبك الفيلم الذي شاهدناه أمس؟
Did you like the movie we watched yesterday?
يعجبها العمل في فريق لأنها تحب التعاون.
She likes working in a team because she loves collaboration.
لا يعجبني الطعام الحار جدًا.
I don't like very spicy food.
أعجبني كيف تعاملت مع الموقف بهدوء.
I liked how you handled the situation calmly.
يعجبهم قضاء الإجازة على الشاطئ كل عام.
They like spending their vacation on the beach every year.
ما الذي أعجبك أكثر في هذه المدينة؟
What did you like most about this city?
يعجبني في هذا الكتاب أسلوبه السلس والمعلومات القيمة التي يقدمها.
I like in this book its smooth style and the valuable information it provides.
The verb 'يعجب' (ya'jub) takes the object that is pleasing as its subject, and the person who is pleased as its indirect object, often with the preposition 'ني' (ni) meaning 'me'.
لم تعجبني فكرة السفر في الشتاء بسبب برودة الطقس.
The idea of traveling in winter didn't appeal to me due to the cold weather.
The negative particle 'لم' (lam) precedes the verb to negate past actions. The 'ني' (ni) suffix still indicates 'me'.
يعجبها العمل في المشاريع الإبداعية أكثر من الأعمال الروتينية.
She enjoys working on creative projects more than routine tasks.
The 'ها' (ha) suffix indicates 'her' as the indirect object.
هل أعجبك الفيلم الذي شاهدناه البارحة؟
Did you like the movie we watched yesterday?
The 'ك' (ka) suffix indicates 'you' (masculine singular) as the indirect object. The question particle 'هل' (hal) introduces a yes/no question.
تعجبنا كثيراً كرم الضيافة الذي تلقيناه في منزلهم.
We were very impressed by the hospitality we received at their house.
The 'نا' (na) suffix indicates 'us' as the indirect object. 'كثيراً' (katheeran) means 'a lot' or 'very much'.
قد يعجبهم التصميم الجديد للموقع، ولكني لست متأكداً.
They might like the new website design, but I'm not sure.
'قد' (qad) before a present tense verb indicates possibility. 'هم' (hum) suffix indicates 'them' (masculine plural) as the indirect object.
أعجبتني الطريقة التي شرح بها المعلم الدرس، كانت واضحة جداً.
I liked the way the teacher explained the lesson; it was very clear.
The past tense form 'أعجبتني' (a'jabani) is used here. The 'تاء التأنيث' (ta' al-ta'neeth) is present on the verb because the subject 'الطريقة' (al-tareeqa) is feminine.
لا يعجبني أن يتأخر الناس عن مواعيدهم باستمرار.
I don't like it when people are constantly late for their appointments.
The negative particle 'لا' (la) is used for negating present tense actions or general dislikes. The infinitive 'أن يتأخر' (an yata'akhkhar) functions as the subject.
يعجبني في هذا العمل دقة التفاصيل.
What pleases me in this work is the precision of the details.
Here, 'يعجبني' means 'I like' or 'it pleases me', and the object of liking is 'دقة التفاصيل'.
كان الأداء يعجب الجمهور كثيراً.
The performance pleased the audience greatly.
'يعجب' is used here in the past tense to describe an action that pleased the audience.
لا يعجبني أسلوبه في التعامل مع الآخرين.
I don't like his style in dealing with others.
The negative particle 'لا' (not) is used with 'يعجبني' to express dislike.
هل يعجبك هذا النوع من الموسيقى؟
Do you like this type of music?
This is a question asking about someone's preference, using the interrogative 'هل'.
يعجبها أن تقضي وقتها في قراءة الكتب.
She likes to spend her time reading books.
The suffix 'ها' indicates 'she' or 'her' as the one who is pleased.
يعجبنا تصميم هذا المنزل العصري.
We like the design of this modern house.
The suffix 'نا' indicates 'we' or 'us' as the ones who are pleased.
لم يعجبني القرار الذي اتخذوه.
I did not like the decision they made.
The negative particle 'لم' (did not) is used for past negation with 'يعجبني'.
أتمنى أن يعجبك الهدية التي اخترتها لك.
I hope you like the gift I chose for you.
'أتمنى أن' (I hope that) is followed by the subjunctive form of the verb 'يعجبك'.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
يعجبني هذا الأسلوب
I like this style.
هل يعجبك هذا الفستان؟
Do you like this dress?
يعجبني صوتها
I like her voice.
لا يعجبه السفر
He doesn't like traveling.
ما الذي يعجبك في هذا الفيلم؟
What do you like about this movie?
يعجبها الطبخ
She likes cooking.
هذا يعجبني كثيراً
This pleases me a lot / I like this very much.
لم يعجبني تصرفه
I didn't like his behavior.
ما رأيك، هل يعجبك؟
What do you think, do you like it?
يعجبني أنك صادق
I like that you are honest.
Often Confused With
More general term for 'to like' or 'to love', expressing affection or preference.
Similar to 'يعجبني' but often used for things that appeal to one's taste or mood, meaning 'it appeals to me'.
Meaning 'to prefer', indicating a choice between options rather than being impressed.
Idioms & Expressions
"أعجبه الأمر"
He liked it / It pleased him
أعجبه الأمر كثيراً. (He liked the matter very much.)
neutral"يعجبني أن..."
I like to...
يعجبني أن أقرأ الكتب. (I like to read books.)
neutral"أعجبني هذا الكتاب"
I liked this book
أعجبني هذا الكتاب كثيراً. (I liked this book a lot.)
neutral"يعجبها الطقس البارد"
She likes cold weather
يعجبها الطقس البارد أكثر من الحار. (She likes cold weather more than hot.)
neutral"أعجبني أسلوبه"
I was impressed by his style
أعجبني أسلوبه في الكتابة. (I was impressed by his writing style.)
neutral"لم يعجبني تصرفه"
I didn't like his behavior
لم يعجبني تصرفه في الاجتماع. (I didn't like his behavior in the meeting.)
neutral"ما يعجبني فيك هو..."
What I like about you is...
ما يعجبني فيك هو صدقك. (What I like about you is your honesty.)
neutral"أعجب الجمهور بالعرض"
The audience was impressed by the show
أعجب الجمهور بالعرض المسرحي الجديد. (The audience was impressed by the new play.)
neutral"إعجاب شديد"
Great admiration/liking
أبدى إعجاباً شديداً بفكرتها. (He showed great admiration for her idea.)
formal"نال إعجاب الجميع"
It won everyone's admiration / It pleased everyone
نال إعجاب الجميع بجهوده. (He won everyone's admiration with his efforts.)
formalEasily Confused
Often confused with 'يعجبني' (I like it) or 'أحب' (I love). However, 'أعجبني' specifically means 'it pleased/impressed me' or 'I admired it.'
'أعجبني' focuses on the impact something has on you (it impresses or pleases you), while 'أحب' is a more general expression of liking or loving. 'يعجبني' is the present tense of 'أعجبني'.
أعجبني الفيلم. (The movie impressed me. / I admired the movie.)
Sometimes mistakenly used as 'I like' but it means 'impressed with' or 'a fan of'.
This is an adjective and a preposition combination meaning 'impressed by' or 'a fan of'. It's not a verb meaning 'to like'.
أنا معجب بعملك. (I am impressed with your work. / I am a fan of your work.)
Looks similar to 'يعجب' but means 'to be surprised' or 'to wonder'.
While related to being pleased or impressed, 'استعجب' shifts the meaning to surprise or wonder, often implying a slight negative or unexpected reaction.
استعجبت من قراره. (I was surprised by his decision.)
Can be confused with 'something pleasing' but it means 'strange' or 'wonderful'.
This is an adjective meaning 'strange', 'odd', or 'wonderful', not directly related to 'to please' in the same way as 'يعجب'.
هذا أمر عجيب. (This is a strange matter. / This is a wonderful thing.)
As a standalone verb in the past tense, it means 'he pleased' or 'he impressed' someone, which can be confused with 'he liked'.
The focus is on the action of pleasing or impressing someone, rather than a feeling of liking. It's often used with an object pronoun.
أعجبني الكتاب. (The book pleased me. / The book impressed me.)
Word Family
Nouns
Adjectives
How to Use It
When you want to say that something pleases you or that you like something, you use the verb يعجب (yaʿjab). It's usually used with an indirect object pronoun attached to the end of the verb. For example:
- يعجبني (yaʿjabunī) - It pleases me / I like it.
- يعجبك (yaʿjabuka/i) - It pleases you / You like it.
- يعجبه (yaʿjabuhu) - It pleases him / He likes it.
The thing that is pleasing you is the subject of the verb.
You can also use it to say that someone admires someone else or finds them impressive.
- يعجبني أداءه (yaʿjabunī adāʾuhū) - His performance impresses me / I like his performance.
- يعجبني هذا الكتاب (yaʿjabunī hādhā al-kitāb) - This book pleases me / I like this book.
A common mistake is to try to translate directly from English and use أحب (uḥibb) for "I like" when you're talking about things that please you. While أحب means "I love" or "I like" for people or very strong preferences, يعجبني is more appropriate for general liking or finding something pleasing.
Another mistake is forgetting to use the indirect object pronoun. You can't just say يعجب أنا (yaʿjab anā). It must be يعجبني (yaʿjabunī).
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'ya'jub' like 'ya, it's a job' to please someone. It takes effort to please or impress.
Visual Association
Imagine a big, beautiful 'Y' shaped flower in a garden that everyone stops to admire and say 'ya'jub!' meaning 'it pleases me' or 'it's impressive!'
Word Web
Challenge
Try to say what pleases you or what you like using 'يعجبني'. For example, 'يعجبني الطقس الجميل.' (I like the beautiful weather.)
Word Origin
From the Proto-Semitic root ʿ-J-B.
Original meaning: To wonder, to be surprised, to admire.
Semitic.Cultural Context
<p>In Arab culture, showing admiration or being pleased by something is often expressed warmly. Using 'يُعْجِبُنِي' (yuʿjibunī - it pleases/impresses me) is a common way to express appreciation for someone's words, actions, or something you see.</p><p>It's a polite and direct way to convey that something resonates positively with you, and can also be used when complimenting someone's appearance or work.</p>
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThe core idea of 'يعجب' (ya'jab) is about something pleasing or impressing someone. It's often used when you like something or someone finds something appealing.
You don't say 'أنا أُعجِب هذا الكتاب' (I impress this book). Instead, you say 'يُعجِبني هذا الكتاب' (This book pleases me). The thing you like is the subject of the verb, and the person who likes it is the object.
Exactly! 'يُعجِبني' literally means 'it pleases me' or 'it impresses me.' This is the most common way to express liking something in Arabic.
Yes, you can! For example, 'تُعجِبني هذه الفتاة' means 'This girl pleases me' or 'I like this girl.' It implies you find her appealing or admirable.
The past tense is 'أعجب' (a'jaba). So, 'أعجبني الفيلم' means 'The movie pleased me' or 'I liked the movie.'
The future tense is 'سَيُعجِب' (sayu'jib) or 'سَوْفَ يُعجِب' (sawfa yu'jib). For example, 'سَيُعجِبكَ هذا المكان' means 'This place will please you' or 'You will like this place.'
Yes, there is. 'أحب' (uhibb) means 'I love' and is stronger than 'يعجبني' (it pleases me). 'يعجبني' is more like 'I like' or 'I find appealing.' You can 'يعجبني' (like) someone's ideas, but 'أحب' (love) your family.
Absolutely! For instance, 'هل يُعجِبك هذا الفستان؟' means 'Does this dress please you?' or 'Do you like this dress?'
You add the negation particle 'لا' (la) before the verb. So, 'لا يُعجِبني هذا' means 'This doesn't please me' or 'I don't like this.'
A very common one is 'يُعجِبني أن...' (yu'jibuni an...), meaning 'It pleases me that...' or 'I like that...' For example, 'يُعجِبني أنك هنا' means 'I'm pleased you're here.'
Test Yourself 144 questions
أنا ___ هذا الكتاب. (I like this book.)
The verb 'يعجب' (to please) is used with the object pronoun attached when referring to what one likes. 'يعجبني' means 'it pleases me' or 'I like it'.
هل ___ الفيلم؟ (Did the film please you?)
Here, 'يعجبك' means 'it pleases you'. The 'ك' is the object pronoun for 'you'.
هي ___ الطعام العربي. (She likes Arabic food.)
To say 'she likes it', we use 'يعجبها' where 'ها' is the object pronoun for 'her'.
نحن ___ هذا المكان. (We like this place.)
For 'we like it', the correct form is 'يعجبنا', with 'نا' as the object pronoun for 'us'.
البيت ___ أبي. (The house pleases my father.)
When the object is a noun, it follows the verb directly, like 'يعجب أبي' (it pleases my father).
هل ___ الكتب الجديدة؟ (Do you like the new books?)
Since 'الكتب' (books) is plural and feminine in Arabic (even though it refers to inanimate objects), the verb 'تعجب' (it pleases) is used, followed by the object pronoun 'ك' for 'you'.
Write a short sentence saying what food you like. Use 'يعجب'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
يعجبني الطعام الإيطالي.
Write a sentence about something that you find pleasing or impressive. Use 'يعجب'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
يعجبني هذا الكتاب لأنه جميل.
Imagine your friend showed you a new car. Write a sentence expressing that you like the car. Use 'يعجب'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
تعجبني هذه السيارة الجديدة.
ماذا يعجب المتحدث؟
Read this passage:
أحب القراءة كثيرًا. يعجبني قراءة القصص القصيرة في المساء. هذه القصص ممتعة جدًا.
ماذا يعجب المتحدث؟
The speaker likes reading short stories.
The speaker likes reading short stories.
ماذا يعجب أخت المتحدث؟
Read this passage:
أختي تحب السفر. يعجبها زيارة المدن التاريخية والتعرف على الثقافات المختلفة. هي تخطط لرحلة إلى مصر قريبًا.
ماذا يعجب أخت المتحدث؟
The speaker's sister likes traveling.
The speaker's sister likes traveling.
ماذا يعجب صديق المتحدث؟
Read this passage:
صديقي يحب تعلم اللغات. يعجبه التحدث باللغة الإنجليزية والفرنسية. هو يجد تعلم اللغات ممتعًا ومفيدًا.
ماذا يعجب صديق المتحدث؟
The speaker's friend likes learning languages.
The speaker's friend likes learning languages.
This sentence means 'I really like the movie.' In Arabic, the verb often comes before the subject, and 'يعجبني' (it pleases me) is a common way to say 'I like'.
This means 'Do you like coffee?' 'هل' introduces a question, and 'تعجبك' means 'it pleases you'.
This means 'The teacher impresses the students.' Here, 'يعجب' is used to show admiration or that someone is pleasing to others.
الفيلم الجديد ___ الجمهور كثيراً. (The new movie ___ the audience a lot.)
The verb 'يعجب' means 'to please or impress'. In this sentence, the movie is pleasing the audience.
هذه الأغنية ___ أمي كثيراً. (This song ___ my mother a lot.)
The feminine form of 'يعجب' is 'تعجب' for feminine subjects like 'الأغنية' (the song).
تصميم المنزل الجديد ___ الجميع. (The new house design ___ everyone.)
Here, 'يعجب' means the design is pleasing or impressing everyone.
هل ___ هذا الطعام؟ (Do you ___ this food?)
'يعجبك' means 'does it please you?' or 'do you like it?'
لم ___ني الكتاب كثيراً. (The book did not ___ me much.)
'لم يعجبني' means 'it did not please me' or 'I did not like it'.
ألوان اللوحة ___ني جداً. (The colors of the painting ___ me very much.)
'تعجبني' means 'they please me' or 'I like them'. 'ألوان' (colors) is plural, but the verb 'تعجب' is used here as if referring to a collective feminine subject 'the colors'.
Choose the correct translation for 'يعجبني هذا الكتاب'.
The verb 'يعجب' often translates to 'to like' when used with the suffix 'ني' (me).
Which sentence means 'She likes the new car'?
To say 'she likes', we use 'يعجبها'.
What is the correct form to say 'He likes the food'?
The suffix 'ه' indicates 'him', so 'يعجبه' means 'he likes'.
The sentence 'يعجبني الجو الجميل' means 'I like the beautiful weather'.
'يعجبني' means 'I like', and 'الجو الجميل' means 'the beautiful weather'.
If you want to say 'They like the music', you would use 'يعجبون الموسيقى'.
The correct form for 'they like' would be 'تعجبهم الموسيقى'. The verb 'يعجب' takes the suffix for the object (who is pleased).
The phrase 'يعجبني أن أتعلم العربية' means 'I like to learn Arabic'.
'يعجبني' means 'I like', and 'أن أتعلم' means 'to learn'.
This book greatly pleases me.
Does the movie please you?
Her work always impresses the manager.
Read this aloud:
يعجبني الجو المشمس.
Focus: Ya'jabunī al-jawwu al-mushmis.
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
لم يعجبني طعم القهوة.
Focus: Lam ya'jabunī ta'm al-qahwah.
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
ما الذي يعجبك في هذه المدينة؟
Focus: Mā al-ladhī ya'jabuka fī hādhihi al-madīnah?
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a short sentence describing something that impresses you using 'يعجب'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
يعجبني الفيلم الجديد كثيراً. (The new movie impresses me a lot.)
Form a sentence expressing that someone likes a certain food, using 'يعجب'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
يعجبها الطعام العربي جداً. (Arabic food really pleases her.)
Write a sentence about a beautiful place that impresses you, using 'يعجب'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
يعجبني المنظر الجميل من النافذة. (The beautiful view from the window impresses me.)
ما الذي يعجب أحمد في المدن الجديدة؟
Read this passage:
أحمد يحب السفر كثيراً. كلما زار مدينة جديدة، يعجب بالمباني القديمة والثقافة المختلفة. يعجبني حماسه الدائم لاستكشاف العالم.
ما الذي يعجب أحمد في المدن الجديدة؟
النص يذكر أن أحمد يعجب بالمباني القديمة والثقافة المختلفة.
النص يذكر أن أحمد يعجب بالمباني القديمة والثقافة المختلفة.
ما الذي يعجب سلمى في دراسة اللغة العربية؟
Read this passage:
سلمى تدرس اللغة العربية. يعجبها نطق الكلمات الجديدة والتحدث مع المتحدثين الأصليين. تقول إنها تجد اللغة جميلة جداً.
ما الذي يعجب سلمى في دراسة اللغة العربية؟
النص يوضح أن سلمى يعجبها نطق الكلمات الجديدة والتحدث مع المتحدثين الأصليين.
النص يوضح أن سلمى يعجبها نطق الكلمات الجديدة والتحدث مع المتحدثين الأصليين.
ما الذي يعجب الطلاب في الفيلم الوثائقي؟
Read this passage:
الطلاب في الصف يشاهدون فيلماً وثائقياً عن الحياة البحرية. يعجبهم كثيراً مشاهدة الأسماك الملونة والشعاب المرجانية. المعلم سعيد لأنهم يستمتعون بالدرس.
ما الذي يعجب الطلاب في الفيلم الوثائقي؟
النص يشير إلى أن الطلاب يعجبهم كثيراً مشاهدة الأسماك الملونة والشعاب المرجانية.
النص يشير إلى أن الطلاب يعجبهم كثيراً مشاهدة الأسماك الملونة والشعاب المرجانية.
The verb 'يعجبني' (it pleases me) comes first, followed by the subject 'الفيلم' (the film) and then the intensifier 'جدًا' (very much).
The negation 'لا' (no/not) precedes the verb 'يعجبه' (it pleases him). Then 'هذا الطعام' (this food) acts as the subject.
The question particle 'هل' (is it?) starts the sentence, followed by 'يعجبك' (it pleases you), then 'الطقس' (the weather) and 'اليوم' (today).
Choose the correct translation for: 'The movie pleased the audience.'
'يعجب' with a direct object means 'to please'. The subject (the movie) performs the action of pleasing the object (the audience).
Which sentence means 'She is admired by everyone'?
When 'يعجب' means 'to be admired by someone', it is often used with the preposition 'بـ' (bi) followed by the person who is admired.
Complete the sentence: 'المطعم الجديد ___ الزبائن بأطباقه الشهية.' (The new restaurant ___ the customers with its delicious dishes.)
The restaurant is the subject pleasing the customers (object). 'يعجب' without a preposition is used here.
The sentence 'أعجبتني فكرتك.' means 'Your idea impressed me.'
In this structure, 'أعجبني' means 'it pleased/impressed me', and 'فكرتك' (your idea) is the subject that is doing the pleasing.
If someone says 'أعجبتني القصة', they are saying 'I admired the story'.
'أعجبتني القصة' literally translates to 'The story pleased me', which in context means 'I liked/admired the story'.
The phrase 'هو يعجب بجمال الطبيعة' means 'He is pleased with the beauty of nature'.
Using 'يعجب بـ' indicates admiration or being pleased by something.
This book really pleases me.
Did the new movie impress you?
Your Arabic level truly pleases me.
Read this aloud:
تحدث عن شيء يعجبك في مدينتك.
Focus: يعجبك (ya'ajabuk)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
صف موقفًا أعجبك فيه تصرف شخص آخر.
Focus: أعجبك (a'ajabak)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
ما الذي يعجبك في تعلم اللغة العربية؟
Focus: يعجبك (ya'ajabuk)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
'يعجبني' (I like/it pleases me) is followed by the thing that pleases.
The question particle 'هل' (do/does) comes first, followed by 'يعجبك' (it pleases you) and then the subject 'هذا الكتاب' (this book).
'لم' (didn't) negates the verb. 'يعجب' (please) is followed by the subject 'الفيلم' (the film) and then the object 'أحمد' (Ahmed).
تصميم المنزل الجديد حقاً _______ الزوار.
The sentence is in the present tense, and 'تصميم' (design) is masculine singular, so 'يعجب' (pleases) is the correct form.
لم _______ الفيلم النقاد، فقد كان مملًا.
The verb 'يعجب' here is in the negative past tense, meaning 'did not please'. The direct object 'الفيلم' (the film) is the subject of 'يعجب' in this construction.
لقد _______ كثيراً أداء الفرقة الموسيقية الليلة الماضية.
The sentence indicates a past event ('الليلة الماضية' - last night) and the speaker is expressing being pleased, so 'أعجبني' (it pleased me) is correct.
أعتقد أن هذا الكتاب سوف _______ القراء الشباب.
The future tense is implied, and 'الكتاب' (the book) is masculine singular, so 'يعجب' (will please) is the appropriate form.
هل _______ فكرة السفر إلى الأردن في الصيف؟
The subject is 'فكرة' (idea), which is feminine singular, and the question is asking 'do you like it?', so 'تعجبك' (does it please you) is the correct form.
الطعام الذي أعدته أمي دائماً _______ جميع أفراد العائلة.
The subject is 'الطعام' (food), which is masculine singular, and the action is habitual, so 'يعجب' (pleases) is the correct present tense form.
اختر الجملة التي تستخدم الفعل 'يعجب' بشكل صحيح:
الفعل 'يعجب' غالبًا ما يستخدم بصيغة 'أعجبني' للتعبير عن الإعجاب بشيء ما. الخيارات الأخرى غير صحيحة نحويًا أو لا تعبر عن المعنى المقصود بوضوح.
ما هو أقرب مرادف لكلمة 'يعجب' في سياق 'لقد أعجبني أداؤه'؟
كلمة 'يعجب' تعني أن شيئًا ما قد أثار إعجابك أو استحسانك، و'أثار إعجابي' تعبر عن نفس المعنى بشكل مباشر.
أي من الجمل التالية تعبر عن الإعجاب بشخص ما؟
الفعل 'يعجب' يمكن أن يستخدم للإعجاب بشخص أو بصفاته، والجملة 'يعجبني هذا الرجل' تعبر عن ذلك مباشرة. الخيارات الأخرى تشير إلى الإعجاب بأشياء غير عاقلة أو أفعال.
يمكن أن تستخدم 'يعجب' للتعبير عن الاستمتاع بشيء ما.
نعم، يمكن استخدام 'يعجب' للتعبير عن الاستمتاع بشيء ما، فمثلاً 'يعجبني الطعام' يعني أنني أستمتع بالطعام.
الجملة 'أعجبت بالفيلم' صحيحة قواعديًا وتعني أن الفيلم نال إعجابي.
نعم، الجملة صحيحة قواعديًا و'أعجبت بالفيلم' تعبر عن أن الفيلم نال إعجاب المتحدث.
يُستخدم الفعل 'يعجب' دائمًا بصيغة المبني للمعلوم.
لا، يمكن استخدامه بصيغة المبني للمجهول أيضًا، مثل 'أعجبتُ' عندما يكون الفاعل هو المتكلم الذي وقع عليه الإعجاب (أو هو الذي قام بفعل الإعجاب).
This dress pleases me greatly.
Did the story impress you?
His behavior in the meeting did not please me.
Read this aloud:
ما الذي يعجبك في هذا الكتاب؟
Focus: يعجبك
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
صف شيئاً أعجبك مؤخراً.
Focus: أعجبك
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
كيف يمكن أن تعجب الآخرين بآرائك؟
Focus: تعجب
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you received an unexpected compliment. Describe the compliment and how it made you feel, using 'يعجب' at least once in your response.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
تلقيت اليوم رسالة من معلمي القديم يقول فيها إن أسلوب كتابتي يعجبه كثيرًا. شعرت بسعادة غامرة وفخر بما حققته.
Write a short paragraph about a piece of art (painting, sculpture, music, etc.) that you find particularly impressive. Explain what makes it impressive to you, using 'يعجب' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
تعجبني لوحة "ليلة النجوم" لفان جوخ. الألوان الزاهية والضربات الفرشاة المميزة تخلق إحساسًا بالحركة والعمق الذي يثير الدهشة. إنها لوحة تعكس مشاعره القوية وتجذب العين بشكل لا يصديم. أجد نفسي أتأملها لساعات.
Describe a personal achievement or skill that you are proud of, and how it has garnered admiration from others. Use 'يعجب' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
أنا فخور بقدرتي على تعلم اللغات بسرعة. هذا الأمر يعجب الكثير من أصدقائي وزملائي، حيث أنني أستطيع التواصل مع الناس من خلفيات مختلفة بسهولة. لقد فتح لي هذا الإنجاز الكثير من الأبواب وساعدني على بناء علاقات قوية.
ما الذي أعجب المدير في أعمال أحمد؟
Read this passage:
قال المدير: "أعمالك الأخيرة تعجبني كثيرًا يا أحمد. لقد أظهرت تفانيًا وابتكارًا لا مثيل لهما. أتوقع منك المزيد من الإنجازات في المستقبل القريب." شعر أحمد بالامتنان لهذه الكلمات المشجعة وقرر أن يبذل جهدًا أكبر.
ما الذي أعجب المدير في أعمال أحمد؟
النص يذكر أن المدير أعجب بتفاني أحمد وابتكاره.
النص يذكر أن المدير أعجب بتفاني أحمد وابتكاره.
ما سبب إعجاب الملايين بفيلم "الرسالة"؟
Read this passage:
فيلم "الرسالة" يعجب الملايين حول العالم بقصته العميقة وإخراجه المتقن. يعتبر هذا الفيلم علامة فارقة في تاريخ السينما العربية والعالمية على حد سواء، حيث نجح في تقديم رؤية تاريخية دقيقة ومؤثرة.
ما سبب إعجاب الملايين بفيلم "الرسالة"؟
الفقرة تشير إلى أن الفيلم يعجب الناس بقصته العميقة وإخراجه المتقن.
الفقرة تشير إلى أن الفيلم يعجب الناس بقصته العميقة وإخراجه المتقن.
لماذا أعجبت المخطوطة العلماء؟
Read this passage:
مخطوطة قديمة اكتُشفت مؤخرًا في مكتبة عريقة، وقد أعجبت العلماء لدقتها في وصف النجوم والكواكب. تُظهر هذه المخطوطة مدى تقدم الحضارات القديمة في علم الفلك، وتفتح آفاقًا جديدة للبحث والدراسة.
لماذا أعجبت المخطوطة العلماء؟
الفقرة توضح أن المخطوطة أعجبت العلماء لدقتها في وصف النجوم والكواكب.
الفقرة توضح أن المخطوطة أعجبت العلماء لدقتها في وصف النجوم والكواكب.
This sentence means 'Calm music pleases me very much.' The verb 'يعجب' (to please/impress) is used here with the object pronoun 'ني' (me) attached, indicating that the music is the one pleasing the speaker.
This means 'The actor's performance on stage did not impress me.' 'لم' negates the past tense verb, and 'أداء الممثل' (the actor's performance) is the subject that didn't impress.
This translates to 'Do you like the new documentary film?' 'هل' introduces a question, and 'يعجبك' (pleases you) asks if the film is pleasing to the listener.
أداء الفرقة الموسيقية في الحفل ___ الجمهور بشكل كبير.
The context implies that the band's performance pleased or impressed the audience greatly, which is the meaning of أعجب.
لم تكن الفكرة المطروحة في الاجتماع ___ المدير.
The sentence suggests that the idea presented did not impress or please the manager, which aligns with لم تعجب.
لقد ___ بمهاراته الفائقة في حل المشكلات المعقدة.
The phrase indicates being impressed by his superior skills, and أعجبت is the most suitable verb for 'I was impressed'.
تصميم المنزل الحديث ___ كل من زاره.
The modern design of the house impressed everyone who visited it. أعجب is the best fit.
ما الذي ___ في هذا الكتاب؟
The question is asking what about the book impressed or pleased the person, hence ما الذي أعجبك.
لم ___ أداء الممثل في الدور الجديد.
The sentence implies that the actor's performance in the new role did not impress or please the speaker. يعجبني means 'it didn't please/impress me'.
اختر الجملة التي تستخدم الفعل 'يعجب' بشكل صحيح للتعبير عن الإعجاب بشخص آخر:
الفعل 'أعجبني' في هذه الجملة يشير إلى إعجابي بكيفية تصرف شخص آخر في موقف معين، وهو الاستخدام الصحيح للفعل في سياق الإعجاب بشخص أو بفعله.
ما هي الجملة التي تُظهر أن شيئًا ما قد أثار إعجاب المتحدث بشكل سلبي أو غير متوقع؟
في هذه الجملة، استخدام 'أعجبني' مع 'لم أتوقع ذلك' يعكس نوعًا من الدهشة أو المفاجأة، التي قد تكون سلبية أو إيجابية بشكل غير متوقع، وهو استخدام متقدم للفعل يعبر عن الإعجاب المقترن بالدهشة.
أي من الخيارات التالية يُعبّر عن 'عدم الإعجاب' باستخدام صيغة الفعل 'يعجب'؟
للتعبير عن عدم الإعجاب، نستخدم 'لا' قبل الفعل 'يعجب'، مما يجعل الجملة تعبر عن الرفض أو عدم الرضا عن شيء ما.
الجملة 'أعجبتني الفكرة كثيراً' تعني أن الفكرة كانت مُرضية ومحببة للمتحدث.
صحيح، استخدام 'أعجبتني' هنا يعبر عن إيجابية الاستجابة للفكرة، أي أنها نالت رضا المتحدث وإعجابه.
إذا قلت 'لم يعجبني تصرفه'، فهذا يعني أنني وجدت تصرفه غير مقبول أو غير مُرضٍ.
صحيح، النفي 'لم يعجبني' يشير بوضوح إلى عدم القبول أو عدم الرضا عن تصرف معين.
الجملة 'يعجبني السفر إلى الأماكن الجديدة' تعبر عن أن السفر يعجبني كشخص، وليس أن السفر يُرضي الآخرين.
صحيح، الفعل 'يعجبني' هنا يعود على المتحدث (الياء في يعجبني) ويعبر عن ميوله الشخصية أو ما يرضيه هو، وليس ما يرضي الآخرين.
Someone likes a dress and asks where it was bought.
Someone didn't like a movie ending because it was unexpected.
A question about whether someone enjoys working with a multicultural team.
Read this aloud:
يعجبني أن أرى الناس يبتسمون.
Focus: يعجبني
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
لم يعجبني طريقة تعامله مع الموقف.
Focus: لم يعجبني
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
هل يعجبك السفر إلى بلدان جديدة؟
Focus: هل يعجبك
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
The verb 'يعجب' (to impress/please) in Arabic often takes the preposition 'بـ' (bi-) when indicating what someone is impressed by. The structure is 'الفعل يعجب الفاعل المفعول به بـ (الشيء الذي أعجبهم)'. So, 'The artist impresses the audience with his performance.'
Similar to the previous example, 'يعجب' is used with 'بـ' to express what the viewers are impressed by. 'The film impresses the viewers with its story.'
Here, 'الجميع' (everyone) is the subject, and 'الفتاة' (the girl) is the object of admiration. The preposition 'بـ' (bi-) is used to link 'يعجب' to what they are impressed by, which is 'شجاعتها' (her courage). 'Everyone admires the girl for her courage.'
لقد _______ الجمهور أداؤها الرائع.
The context implies the audience was pleased or impressed by the performance, so 'أعجب' (pleased/impressed) is the correct verb.
لم _______ المدير خطتها الجديدة.
The sentence suggests the manager was not pleased with the new plan, making 'لم يعجب' (did not please) the appropriate choice.
_______ الفكرة البسيطة النقاد بذكائها.
The simple idea pleased the critics with its cleverness, so 'أعجبت' (pleased/impressed) is the correct verb form.
كثيراً ما _______ني هدوء هذا المكان.
The tranquility of the place often pleases me, thus 'يعجبني' (it pleases me) is the correct option.
أعتقد أن المشروع _______ المستثمرين المحتملين.
The project is expected to please potential investors, so 'سيعجب' (it will please) is the correct future tense verb.
هل _______ك الفيلم الذي شاهدناه أمس؟
The question asks if you were pleased by the movie, making 'أعجبك' (did it please you) the appropriate choice.
Choose the sentence where 'يعجب' is used to express admiration for someone's character.
The sentence 'يعجبني صبره وتحمله للمصاعب' (I admire his patience and endurance of difficulties) clearly shows admiration for someone's character traits, not an object or an action.
Which sentence correctly uses 'يعجب' to describe something that pleases the speaker aesthetically?
The sentence 'يعجبه تصميم هذا المبنى الحديث' (He likes the design of this modern building) refers to an aesthetic appreciation, making it the correct choice.
Select the sentence where 'يعجب' implies a positive emotional response to an idea or proposal.
The phrase 'يعجبني فكرة إنشاء مشروع خيري' (I like the idea of starting a charity project) expresses a positive emotional response to an idea, which aligns with the question.
The sentence 'يعجبني أنك دائماً تأتي في الوقت المحدد' (I like that you always come on time) uses 'يعجبني' to express approval of a habit.
This statement is true. 'يعجبني أنك دائماً تأتي في الوقت المحدد' expresses approval or liking of a consistent action or habit.
If someone says 'لا يعجبني هذا الحل', they are expressing agreement with the solution.
This statement is false. 'لا يعجبني هذا الحل' means 'I do not like this solution', indicating disagreement or disapproval, not agreement.
The phrase 'يعجبني في شخصيته تواضعه' (What I like about his personality is his humility) means that his humility is a pleasing aspect of his character.
This statement is true. The sentence directly translates to 'What I like about his personality is his humility,' confirming that his humility is a pleasing characteristic.
Ask if the film watched yesterday was pleasing.
Express liking for a problem-solving approach.
Express dissatisfaction with how a situation was handled.
Read this aloud:
ما الذي يعجبك في الثقافة العربية؟
Focus: المخارج الصحيحة لحرف العين والقاف
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
يعجبني هدوء هذا المكان وصفائه.
Focus: النطق الواضح لحرف الهاء والصاد
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
إذا كان هذا يعجبك، فلنقم به.
Focus: التأكيد على حرف الذال والهمزة
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
The artist pleases the audience with his performance. The verb 'يعجب' (to please) is followed by the person being pleased (الفنان - artist), then the direct object (الجمهور - audience) preceded by 'بـ' (with/by).
The film strongly impresses me with its story. 'يعجبني' (it pleases me) is followed by the subject (الفيلم - film), then the reason (بقصته - with its story) and finally the adverb (بشدة - strongly).
The scene impresses the viewers with its precise details. The structure is 'يعجب' (to impress), then the subject (المشهد - scene), the direct object (المشاهدين - viewers) and finally the means (بتفاصيله الدقيقة - with its precise details).
/ 144 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
'يعجب' is a versatile verb for expressing that something pleases or impresses you, or that you like it.
- Use 'يعجب' when something pleases you.
- Often used in the form 'يعجبني' (it pleases me / I like it).
- It's about being impressed or liking something.
Related Content
Related Phrases
More emotions words
أعجب
A2He liked; to find pleasing or attractive.
عاطفي
A2Relating to emotions; emotional.
اعتزاز
A2A feeling of pride in oneself or one's achievements.
عداء
B1Hostility, enmity; unfriendliness or opposition.
عجب
A2Wonder or admiration; a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration.
عقل
A1Mind; intellect. The private inner experience of perceptions.
عصبي
A2Nervous; irritable; easily annoyed.
عصبية
A2A state of being nervous or irritable.
عطف
A2A feeling of tenderness, sympathy, or affection.
عذاب
A2Great physical or mental suffering.
