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A1 verb 9 min read

يقول

yaqul

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips يقول in 30 Seconds

Explanation يقول in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'yaqūlu' (يقول) is one of the first verbs you will learn to describe what people are doing. It is primarily used to report simple speech or greetings. You will use it to say things like 'He says hello' or 'The teacher says the book is here.' At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex grammar rules; just focus on the basic meaning 'he says' and how it changes for 'I say' (aqūlu) and 'you say' (taqūlu). You will mostly see it in very short sentences with direct quotes. It helps you build basic conversational skills by allowing you to repeat what you have heard others say. It is a vital tool for basic communication and asking for clarification.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'yaqūlu' to connect ideas. You will learn the important rule of using 'inna' (إِنَّ) after the verb to report what someone said indirectly. Instead of just saying 'He says: I am tired,' you will learn to say 'He says that he is tired.' You will also start using the preposition 'li-' to indicate who is being spoken to. Your sentences will become slightly longer and more descriptive. You might use 'yaqūlu' to talk about common habits, such as 'He always says thank you.' This level focuses on making your speech more fluid and natural by using 'yaqūlu' as a connector in daily situations.

At the B1 level, you use 'yaqūlu' to express opinions and report more complex information. You will encounter it in news clips and short stories. You will learn to distinguish 'yaqūlu' from similar verbs like 'yukhbir' (to inform) and 'yatakallam' (to speak). You will also become more comfortable with the 'hollow verb' conjugation, ensuring you don't make mistakes when switching between the past (qāla) and the present (yaqūlu). You might start using 'yaqūlu' to describe what a text or a sign says, moving beyond just people. This level involves using the verb to navigate more varied and less predictable social and professional interactions.

At the B2 level, 'yaqūlu' is used in more formal and academic contexts. You will see it used to introduce arguments in an essay or to report the findings of a study. You will also learn more nuanced synonyms like 'yusarrih' (to declare) or 'yu'akkid' (to emphasize), and you will understand when 'yaqūlu' is the better, more neutral choice. You will be able to handle complex reported speech involving multiple clauses and different tenses. Your understanding of the verb will include its use in common idioms and proverbs. At this stage, you are expected to use the verb with high grammatical accuracy, especially regarding the 'inna' particle and subject-verb agreement.

At the C1 level, you explore the stylistic and rhetorical uses of 'yaqūlu'. You will notice how authors use it to create specific narrative effects or to distance themselves from a particular viewpoint. You will understand the subtle differences between 'yaqūlu' and its more literary counterparts. You will also be able to use the passive form 'yuqālu' (it is said) to discuss rumors, general beliefs, or traditional wisdom. Your vocabulary will include a wide range of collocations and idiomatic expressions involving 'قول' (speech). You can follow complex debates where 'yaqūlu' is used to frame different perspectives and counter-arguments with precision and cultural awareness.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'yaqūlu' is near-native. You understand its deep etymological roots and its role in classical Arabic literature and philosophy. You can appreciate the nuances of its use in the Quran and Hadith, where the act of 'saying' carries significant theological weight. You can use the verb and its derivatives in highly sophisticated ways to discuss abstract concepts, legal interpretations, and poetic nuances. You are aware of how the verb functions across different dialects and can code-switch between formal MSA and informal spoken forms effortlessly. For you, 'yaqūlu' is not just a verb, but a versatile tool for precise and powerful expression in any context.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

يقول in 30 Seconds

The Arabic verb 'yaqūlu' means 'he says' and is used for present-tense speech.
It is a hollow verb (Ajwaf) from the root Q-W-L, meaning the middle letter is a 'waw'.
Always use 'inna' (إِنَّ) after 'yaqūlu' to introduce a reported statement.
It is highly versatile, used in everything from daily gossip to formal news and religious texts.

The Arabic verb يقول (yaqūlu) is the primary way to express the act of speaking or stating something in the present tense. It specifically corresponds to the English 'he says' or 'he is saying.' In the vast landscape of the Arabic language, this verb is a foundational building block, occurring with extreme frequency in both Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and all spoken dialects. Understanding yaqūlu is not just about learning a word; it is about mastering the mechanism by which information is shared, stories are told, and opinions are voiced.

Grammatical Identity: It is the third-person masculine singular present tense form of the hollow root (Q-W-L). The presence of the 'waw' (و) in the middle indicates its status as an 'Ajwaf' verb, where the middle radical is a weak letter.

When you use يقول, you are typically reporting a fact, a habit, or an ongoing action. For instance, in a classroom setting, a teacher might use it to report what a famous author states in a book, or a friend might use it to describe what another person is currently explaining. It is the bridge between the speaker and the message. Unlike the English 'tell,' which often requires an indirect object (e.g., 'he tells me'), يقول is more focused on the statement itself, though it can certainly be directed toward an audience using the preposition 'li-' (to).

المعلم يقول إن الدرس سهل.

The teacher says that the lesson is easy.

In a broader cultural context, this verb is used to introduce proverbs, religious texts, and news reports. When a news anchor begins a sentence with 'The spokesperson says...', they will use يقول. It carries a sense of active delivery. It is also important to note that in Arabic, the present tense can denote both a habitual action ('He says this every day') and a continuous action ('He is saying this right now'). The context of the conversation determines which nuance is intended. This versatility makes it one of the most hardworking verbs in your vocabulary arsenal.

Functional Usage: Used for quoting direct speech, paraphrasing indirect speech, expressing beliefs, and describing habitual communication patterns.

To truly master يقول, one must observe how it interacts with different subjects. While yaqūlu is for 'he', you will quickly encounter taqūlu (she says) and aqūlu (I say). The core meaning remains the same: the transmission of linguistic content from a source to a recipient. It is the heartbeat of Arabic dialogue.

Using يقول correctly requires an understanding of Arabic sentence structure, specifically the distinction between the nominal sentence (starting with a noun) and the verbal sentence (starting with a verb). Because yaqūlu is a verb, it often appears at the beginning of a sentence in formal Arabic. However, in modern usage and dialects, it frequently follows the subject.

يقول الولد الصدق دائماً.

The boy always says the truth.

One of the most critical rules when using this verb is the 'Inna' rule. In English, we say 'He says that...'. In Arabic, the word for 'that' after the verb 'to say' must be إِنَّ (inna). Using 'anna' (أَنَّ) in this specific position is a common mistake for learners. This distinction is vital for achieving a natural and grammatically correct sound in your Arabic speech and writing.

Sentence Pattern 1: Direct Speech: [Verb] + [Subject] + ":" + [Quote]. Example: يقول أحمد: "أنا جائع". (Ahmed says: "I am hungry".)

Another layer of complexity involves the use of prepositions. If you want to specify to whom someone is speaking, you use the preposition لـِ (li-). For example, 'He says to his mother' becomes yaqūlu li-ummihi. This is different from verbs like 'yatakallam' (he speaks), which often uses 'ma'a' (with). Using 'li-' emphasizes that a specific message is being delivered to a recipient.

هو يقول لي كل شيء.

He says everything to me (He tells me everything).

In more advanced constructions, يقول can be used to describe what is 'said' or 'rumored' in a passive sense through the variation yuqālu (it is said), but for A1-B1 learners, focusing on the active yaqūlu is the priority. You will see it used to introduce definitions, explain concepts, and report news. Its role is to act as the primary conduit for information flow in any narrative.

Sentence Pattern 2: Indirect Speech: [Verb] + [Subject] + إِنَّ + [Clause]. Example: يقول المدير إن الاجتماع غداً. (The manager says that the meeting is tomorrow.)

The word يقول is omnipresent in the Arab world. If you turn on a news channel like Al Jazeera or Al Arabiya, you will hear it within the first few minutes. News anchors use it to attribute statements to politicians, witnesses, and experts. It provides the necessary distance between the reporter and the claims being made, which is essential for journalistic integrity.

التقرير يقول إن الاقتصاد ينمو.

The report says that the economy is growing.

In daily social life, yaqūlu (or its dialect variations like bi-y'ool in Levantine or yigool in Gulf) is the lifeblood of storytelling. When someone recounts a conversation they had earlier in the day, they will repeatedly use this verb to distinguish between different speakers. 'Then he says to me...', 'So I say to him...'. It creates a rhythmic flow to oral narratives, allowing the listener to follow the dialogue easily.

Social Context: Used in coffee shops, family gatherings, and phone calls to relay messages and gossip ('He says he's coming later').

In academic and religious settings, yaqūlu is used to cite authority. In a Friday sermon (Khutbah), the Imam might say 'Allah says in the Quran...' (Yaqūlu Allahu fī al-Qur'ān...). In a university lecture, a professor might say 'The philosopher says...'. This usage highlights the verb's role in transmitting wisdom and established knowledge across generations. It is a word that carries weight when used to quote sacred or intellectual sources.

Furthermore, in literature and poetry, yaqūlu serves as a narrative device. It introduces the internal monologues of characters or the lyrical expressions of a poet. Whether it is a classical poem from the pre-Islamic era or a modern novel from Cairo, this verb remains the primary gateway into the thoughts and voices of the people within the text. It is truly a universal tool of the Arabic language.

الشاعر يقول قصيدة عن الحب.

The poet says (recites) a poem about love.

Learning يقول comes with a few linguistic pitfalls that even intermediate students often tumble into. The most frequent error involves the particle used for 'that'. In English, 'that' is universal for reporting speech. In Arabic, however, you must distinguish between إِنَّ (inna) and أَنَّ (anna). After any form of the verb 'to say' (qāla, yaqūlu, qul), you must use inna. Using anna is a hallmark of a non-native speaker and can sometimes obscure the meaning in formal writing.

Mistake 1: Wrong Particle: Incorrect: يقول أن... (Yaqūlu anna...) | Correct: يقول إن... (Yaqūlu inna...).

Another common mistake is confusing yaqūlu with yatakallam (to speak/talk). While they are related, they are not interchangeable. Yaqūlu requires a specific statement or object—you say something. Yatakallam refers to the act of speaking or the ability to speak a language. You would say 'He speaks Arabic' (yatakallam al-'arabiyya), but you would never say 'He says Arabic' (yaqūlu al-'arabiyya) unless he was literally just uttering the word 'Arabic'.

لا يقول أي شيء مفيد.

He doesn't say anything useful (Common mistake: using yatakallam here).

Pronunciation and spelling of the 'waw' (و) in the middle can also be tricky. Because it is a hollow verb, the 'waw' disappears in certain conjugations (like the past tense qāla or the imperative qul). Students often try to keep the 'waw' where it doesn't belong or remove it from the present tense yaqūlu. Remembering that the 'waw' is the 'true' middle letter of the root is key to mastering its various forms.

Mistake 2: Subject-Verb Agreement: In a verbal sentence, the verb 'yaqūlu' stays singular even if the subject is plural (e.g., 'Yaqūlu al-tullāb'). Students often incorrectly pluralize it to 'Yaqūlūn al-tullāb'.

While يقول is the most common verb for saying, Arabic is a language rich in synonyms that allow for greater precision and emotional nuance. Depending on the context, you might want to choose a word that describes how something is said or the intent behind the statement. Understanding these alternatives will elevate your Arabic from basic to sophisticated.

يتحدث (Yatahaddath) / يتكلم (Yatakallam): These mean 'to speak' or 'to talk'. Use these when referring to the conversation as a whole or the ability to use a language, rather than the specific words uttered.
يصرح (Yusarrih): This means 'to declare' or 'to state officially'. It is very common in news reports and political contexts where a formal announcement is made.
يذكر (Yadhkur): This means 'to mention'. Use this when someone brings up a topic briefly or includes a fact in their speech.

For more specific actions, you might use yahmisu (he whispers), yasruhu (he shouts), or yadda'ī (he claims). Each of these adds a layer of description that yaqūlu lacks. If someone is telling a story, you might use yahkī (he tells/narrates), which implies a longer, more structured piece of communication than a simple statement.

هو يحكي لنا قصة مشوقة.

He is telling (narrating) an exciting story to us.

In a formal debate or academic paper, you might see yu'akkid (he confirms/emphasizes) or yushīr ilā (he points out/indicates). These verbs show the speaker's stance toward the information. When you choose an alternative to yaqūlu, you are providing your listener with more information about the tone and the context of the speech.

يخبر (Yukhbir): This means 'to inform' or 'to tell someone'. It is used when the focus is on the recipient gaining new information.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"يقول سعادة السفير إن العلاقات متينة."

Neutral

"يقول أخي إنه سيأتي غداً."

Informal

"بيقول إنه مش جاي. (Dialect style)"

Child friendly

"يقول العصفور: زقزقة!"

Slang

"بيقولك إيه... (Listen to what he's saying/What's up)"

Fun Fact

The root Q-W-L is the source of the word 'Qur'an', which literally means 'The Recitation'—the act of saying or reading aloud.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /jaˈquːlu/

US /jɑˈkuːlu/

The stress is on the second syllable: ya-QŪ-lu.

Rhymes With

رسول (rasūl) عقول (uqūl) وصول (wuṣūl) فصول (fuṣūl) قبول (qabūl) دخول (dukhūl) حلول (ḥulūl) نحول (nuḥūl)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'q' as a standard 'k'.
Shortening the long 'ū' sound in the middle.
Adding a vowel sound between 'q' and 'ū'.
Confusing the final 'u' with an 'a' or 'i'.
Mispronouncing the 'ya' as 'ja' or 'ia'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize, but the 'waw' can be confused with other hollow verbs.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering to use 'inna' instead of 'anna'.

Speaking 2/5

The 'q' sound needs practice for non-natives.

Listening 2/5

Highly frequent and usually clear in speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

هو (he) أنا (I) اسم (name) نعم (yes) لا (no)

Learn Next

قال (said) يأكل (eats) يذهب (goes) يكتب (writes) يشرب (drinks)

Advanced

يصرح (declares) يؤكد (confirms) يدعي (claims) يزعم (alleges) يهمس (whispers)

Grammar to Know

Hollow Verb Conjugation

قال (Past) -> يقول (Present)

The 'Inna' Rule after Q-W-L

يقول إن (Not أن)

Subject-Verb Agreement in Verbal Sentences

يقول الطلاب (Singular verb for plural subject)

Preposition 'li-' for indirect objects

يقول لي (He says to me)

Present Tense Moods (Marfu')

يقولُ (Ending with Damma)

Examples by Level

يقول الولد: مرحباً.

The boy says: Hello.

Direct speech using a colon.

هو يقول شكراً.

He says thank you.

Simple subject-verb-object.

ماذا يقول المعلم؟

What does the teacher say?

Question form with 'mādhā'.

يقول أبي: اذهب إلى النوم.

My father says: Go to sleep.

Reporting an imperative command.

هي تقول إنها بخير.

She says that she is fine.

Introduction of 'inna' for indirect speech.

يقول أخي: أنا جائع.

My brother says: I am hungry.

Simple present tense.

صديقي يقول لي: تعال هنا.

My friend says to me: Come here.

Use of 'li-' (to) for the recipient.

يقول الكتاب إن الأسد ملك الغابة.

The book says that the lion is the king of the forest.

Inanimate subject (the book).

يقول الطبيب إنني أحتاج إلى راحة.

The doctor says that I need rest.

Indirect speech with a first-person pronoun attached to 'inna'.

هو يقول دائماً الحقيقة.

He always says the truth.

Placement of the adverb 'dā'iman'.

ماذا يقول الناس عن هذا الفيلم؟

What do people say about this movie?

Plural subject 'al-nās' with a singular verb.

يقول جدي قصصاً جميلة.

My grandfather says (tells) beautiful stories.

Verb used for storytelling.

يقول لي أخي إن الجو بارد.

My brother tells me that the weather is cold.

Combining 'li-' and 'inna'.

يقول المدير إن الاجتماع سيبدأ الآن.

The manager says that the meeting will start now.

Future tense in the subordinate clause.

يقول الطالب إنه لم يفهم الدرس.

The student says that he did not understand the lesson.

Negation in the reported speech.

يقول الراديو إن هناك زحاماً.

The radio says that there is traffic.

Reporting information from a device.

يقول الخبراء إن الرياضة مفيدة للعقل.

Experts say that exercise is beneficial for the mind.

Formal subject 'al-khubarā'.

يقول إنه سيسافر إلى مصر الصيف القادم.

He says that he will travel to Egypt next summer.

Reporting future plans.

لا أحد يقول لي ماذا أفعل.

No one tells me what to do.

Negative 'lā ahad' (no one).

يقول الكاتب في مقالته إن التعليم أساس النجاح.

The writer says in his article that education is the basis of success.

Contextualizing the speech (in an article).

يقول الناس إن هذا المطعم هو الأفضل.

People say that this restaurant is the best.

Reporting general opinions.

يقول المهندس إن البناء سينتهي قريباً.

The engineer says that the construction will end soon.

Professional context.

يقول لي قلبي إن كل شيء سيكون بخير.

My heart tells me that everything will be fine.

Metaphorical use of 'heart' as the subject.

يقول القانون إنه يجب دفع الضرائب.

The law says that taxes must be paid.

Reporting legal requirements.

يقول المحلل السياسي إن المنطقة تشهد تغيرات كبيرة.

The political analyst says that the region is witnessing major changes.

Sophisticated vocabulary (muhallil siyāsī).

يقول البعض إن التكنولوجيا تباعد بين الناس.

Some say that technology distances people from each other.

Using 'al-ba'ḍ' (some) as a subject.

يقول الباحث إن النتائج غير مؤكدة بعد.

The researcher says that the results are not yet certain.

Academic reporting.

يقول لي حدسي إن هناك خطأ ما.

My intuition tells me that there is something wrong.

Abstract subject 'ḥads' (intuition).

يقول التقرير السنوي إن الأرباح قد زادت.

The annual report says that profits have increased.

Business context.

يقول الفيلسوف إن السعادة تكمن في البساطة.

The philosopher says that happiness lies in simplicity.

Expressing philosophical ideas.

يقول الشهود إن الحادث وقع فجأة.

Witnesses say that the accident happened suddenly.

Plural subject 'shuhūd' with singular verb.

يقول الدستور إن الجميع متساوون أمام القانون.

The constitution says that everyone is equal before the law.

Formal legal citation.

يقول النقاد إن الرواية تعكس واقع المجتمع المرير.

Critics say that the novel reflects the bitter reality of society.

Literary criticism context.

يقول التاريخ إن الحضارات تولد ثم تموت.

History says that civilizations are born and then die.

Personification of 'history'.

يقول لسان حاله إنه نادم على ما فعل.

His demeanor (state of affairs) says that he regrets what he did.

Idiomatic expression 'lisān ḥālihi'.

يقول العلم الحديث إن الكون يتوسع باستمرار.

Modern science says that the universe is constantly expanding.

Scientific discourse.

يقول المعارضون إن السياسة الجديدة ستفشل.

Opponents say that the new policy will fail.

Political discourse.

يقول النص الأصلي إن الترجمة لم تكن دقيقة.

The original text says (indicates) that the translation was not accurate.

Comparing texts.

يقول الواقع إننا بحاجة إلى حلول جذرية.

Reality says that we are in need of radical solutions.

Abstract subject 'al-wāqi''.

يقول المثل الشعبي: "الوقت كالسيف".

The popular proverb says: "Time is like a sword".

Quoting proverbs.

يقول المتصوفة إن العشق الإلهي هو أسمى الغايات.

The Sufis say that divine love is the highest of goals.

Theological/Philosophical context.

يقول سيبويه في كتابه إن النحو هو ميزان الكلام.

Sibawayh says in his book that grammar is the scale of speech.

Classical linguistic reference.

يقول المنطق الصوري إن المقدمات تؤدي إلى النتائج.

Formal logic says that premises lead to conclusions.

Technical logical terminology.

يقول النقاد البنيويون إن النص بنية مغلقة.

Structuralist critics say that the text is a closed structure.

Advanced literary theory.

يقول الفقهاء إن الضرورات تبيح المحظورات.

Jurists say that necessities make the forbidden permissible.

Islamic legal maxim (Qā'ida Fiqhiyya).

يقول لسان العرب إن الكلمة لها دلالات متعددة.

Lisan al-Arab (the famous dictionary) says that the word has multiple connotations.

Lexicographical reference.

يقول علماء النفس إن اللاوعي يحرك سلوكنا.

Psychologists say that the unconscious moves our behavior.

Psychological discourse.

يقول الفكر المعاصر إن الهوية بناء مستمر.

Contemporary thought says that identity is a continuous construction.

Modern philosophical discourse.

Common Collocations

يقول الحقيقة

يقول رأيه

يقول شكراً

يقول الشعر

يقول الصدق

يقول نكتة

يقول الوداع

يقول في نفسه

يقول كلاماً

يقول لا

Common Phrases

كما يقول المثل

— As the proverb says. Used to introduce a piece of traditional wisdom.

كما يقول المثل: الصبر مفتاح الفرج.

يقولون إن...

— They say that... / It is said that... Used for rumors or general knowledge.

يقولون إن الجو سيتغير.

ماذا يقول قلبك؟

— What does your heart say? Used to ask about intuition or feelings.

اسمع لنفسك، ماذا يقول قلبك؟

يقول كلمته

— To have one's say or make a final decision.

القاضي يقول كلمته الأخيرة.

يقول الحق

— He speaks the truth. Often used as a praise for honesty.

هو رجل صالح يقول الحق.

يقول لي عقلي

— My mind tells me. Used when expressing a logical conclusion.

يقول لي عقلي إن هذا خطر.

يقول بملء فيه

— To say something loudly or confidently.

يقول بملء فيه إنه بريء.

يقول ما يشاء

— He says whatever he wants. Often used to imply someone is talking without restraint.

دعه يقول ما يشاء.

يقول الشيء وعكسه

— To contradict oneself (say something and its opposite).

هو متقلب، يقول الشيء وعكسه.

يقول خيراً

— To say something good. Usually part of the advice: 'Say something good or keep silent'.

المؤمن يقول خيراً أو يصمت.

Often Confused With

يقول vs يتكلم

Means 'to speak'. Focuses on the ability or process, not the specific message.

يقول vs يخبر

Means 'to tell/inform'. Focuses on giving news to someone.

يقول vs قال

This is the past tense (He said). Don't mix them up!

Idioms & Expressions

"يقول للشيء كن فيكون"

— Used to describe divine power where God says 'Be' and it is.

الله سبحانه يقول للشيء كن فيكون.

religious

"يقول ما لا يفعل"

— To say what one does not do; to be a hypocrite.

لا تكن ممن يقول ما لا يفعل.

moral/formal

"يقول بلسان حاله"

— To say through one's actions or situation rather than words.

حزنه يقول بلسان حاله إنه متألم.

literary

"يقول في وجهه"

— To say something to someone's face (openly).

يقول الحقيقة في وجهه دون خوف.

neutral

"يقول الشعر على البديهة"

— To compose and say poetry extemporaneously.

كان الشاعر يقول الشعر على البديهة.

literary

"يقول قوله"

— To deliver a decisive opinion or judgment.

التاريخ سيقول قوله في هذه القضية.

formal

"يقول عنه الكثير"

— To speak volumes about someone or something.

هذا التصرف يقول عنه الكثير.

neutral

"يقول كل ما في جعبته"

— To say everything one knows or has prepared.

قال المحامي كل ما في جعبته.

formal

"يقول ملء شدقيه"

— To speak with great pride or exaggeration.

يقول ملء شدقيه إنه البطل.

literary

"يقول هراء"

— To talk nonsense.

توقف عن هذا، أنت تقول هراء.

informal

Easily Confused

يقول vs يقول

Often confused with 'yatakallam'.

'Yaqūlu' needs a statement (He says 'Hi'). 'Yatakallam' needs a language or a person (He speaks Arabic).

يقول إن الجو جميل. / يتكلم العربية.

يقول vs يقول

Confused with 'yukhbir'.

'Yaqūlu' is 'to say'. 'Yukhbir' is 'to tell/inform' and usually needs an object.

يقول الحقيقة. / يخبرني بالخبر.

يقول vs يقول

Confused with 'yaqul' (Jussive).

'Yaqūlu' is the normal present. 'Yaqul' is used after 'lam' (negation).

هو يقول. / لم يقل.

يقول vs يقول

Confused with 'yuqāl'.

'Yaqūlu' is active (He says). 'Yuqālu' is passive (It is said).

يقول الناس. / يقال إن...

يقول vs يقول

Confused with 'yaqūm'.

'Yaqūlu' means say. 'Yaqūmu' means stand up or perform.

يقول كلمة. / يقوم بالعمل.

Sentence Patterns

هو يقول [Word].

هو يقول شكراً.

يقول [Name]: [Quote].

يقول أحمد: أنا هنا.

يقول [Subject] إن [Sentence].

يقول الأب إن الغداء جاهز.

يقول لي [Subject] إن...

يقول لي أخي إن الجو حار.

ماذا يقول [Subject] عن [Topic]؟

ماذا يقول الناس عن العمل؟

يقول [Source] إن [Fact].

يقول الراديو إن الطريق مغلق.

يقول [Expert] إن [Opinion].

يقول المحلل إن السوق مستقر.

يقول لسان حاله إن [State].

يقول لسان حاله إنه متعب.

Word Family

Nouns

قول saying / speech / statement

قائل speaker / the one who says

مقولة quote / saying / category

قيل it was said / talk / rumors

Verbs

قال he said (past)

قل say! (imperative)

تقول to fabricate / to say falsely about someone

قاول to contract / to negotiate

Adjectives

قوال talkative / eloquent (often in poetry)

منقول transmitted / quoted

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely High (Top 50 verbs in Arabic)

Common Mistakes

يقول أن... → يقول إن...
After 'to say', the particle 'inna' must be used instead of 'anna'.
يقولون الطلاب → يقول الطلاب
A verb at the beginning of a sentence remains singular even if the subject is plural.
يقول اللغة العربية → يتكلم اللغة العربية
Use 'yatakallam' for speaking languages, not 'yaqūlu'.
يقول لي الخبر → يخبرني بالخبر
Use 'yukhbir' for informing someone of news.
قالوا إن... → يقولون إن...
Don't confuse the past tense (qālū) with the present tense (yaqūlūn).

Tips

The Inna Rule

Always follow 'yaqūlu' with 'inna' (إِنَّ) when reporting speech. This is a very common test question!

Master the Q

The 'qaf' (ق) is a deep uvular sound. Practice by making a 'k' sound further back in your throat.

Hollow Verbs

Remember that 'yaqūlu' is a hollow verb. Its middle letter 'waw' will appear and disappear in different tenses.

News Language

Listen to Arabic news. You will hear 'yaqūlu' constantly used to attribute quotes to sources.

Subject First?

In MSA, you can say 'al-walad yaqūlu' or 'yaqūlu al-walad'. Both are correct, but the second is more 'verbal'.

Synonym Power

Once you master 'yaqūlu', try using 'yusarrih' for formal things to sound more advanced.

Filler Phrases

Use 'yaqūlūn inna...' (They say that...) when you want to report a rumor or a general fact.

Dialect Watch

If you hear 'bi-y'ool' or 'yigool', know that it's just the local way of saying 'yaqūlu'.

The Root Q-W-L

Learn the root Q-W-L. It will help you understand words like 'qawl' (speech) and 'qā'il' (speaker).

Religious Quotes

Notice how 'yaqūlu' is used in religious contexts to quote the Quran or Hadith respectfully.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a **Y**ellow **A**nt **Q**uietly **U**sing **L**ips to say 'U'. Ya-qu-lu. He says it!

Visual Association

Visualize a speech bubble coming out of a man's mouth. Inside the bubble, the word 'يقول' is written in bright violet.

Word Web

قال (Past) يقول (Present) قل (Command) قول (Noun) قائل (Person) مقولة (Quote) إِنَّ (Particle) لـِ (Recipient)

Challenge

Try to use 'yaqūlu' in three different sentences today: one about a friend, one about the news, and one about a book.

Word Origin

Derived from the Proto-Semitic root Q-W-L, which is associated with sound, voice, and speaking across many Semitic languages.

Original meaning: To use the voice to articulate sounds and communicate meaning.

Semitic -> Afroasiatic

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'yaqūlu' to report someone's words; ensure accuracy, as misquoting is seen as a serious social and ethical error in many Arab communities.

English speakers often confuse 'say' and 'tell'. In Arabic, 'yaqūlu' mostly covers 'say', while 'yukhbir' is closer to 'tell someone news'.

The Quranic phrase: 'Qul huwa Allahu Ahad' (Say: He is God, the One). The common proverb: 'Yaqūlu al-nās...' (People say...), used to discuss public opinion. The opening of many Hadiths: 'Yaqūlu al-Nabī...' (The Prophet says...).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Daily Conversation

ماذا يقول؟
هو يقول الحقيقة.
يقول لي دائماً...
لا يقول شيئاً.

News Reporting

يقول المصدر...
التقرير يقول إن...
يقول المتحدث باسم...
يقول المحللون...

Education

يقول الكتاب...
المعلم يقول إن...
ماذا يقول النص؟
يقول الطالب الإجابة.

Religion

يقول الله تعالى...
يقول الحديث الشريف...
الإمام يقول...
يقول المفسرون...

Literature

يقول الشاعر...
يقول البطل...
يقول الراوي...
يقول الكاتب...

Conversation Starters

"ماذا يقول الناس في بلدك عن هذا الموضوع؟"

"هل يقول لك صديقك أسراره دائماً؟"

"ماذا يقول المعلم عندما تتأخر عن الفصل؟"

"هل يقول والدك نكاتاً مضحكة؟"

"ماذا يقول التلفاز عن حالة الجو اليوم؟"

Journal Prompts

اكتب عن شيء يقوله لك أعز أصدقائك دائماً.

ماذا يقول قلبك عندما تشعر بالخوف؟

اكتب جملة يقولها المعلم كل يوم في الصف.

ماذا يقول الكتاب الذي تقرأه الآن؟

تخيل أنك تقابل شخصاً مشهوراً، ماذا يقول لك؟

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It can be translated as 'he tells' if you are reporting what someone said, but 'yukhbir' is more specific for 'telling news'. In most cases, 'he says' is the best translation.

In Arabic, the verb 'to say' (qāla/yaqūlu) requires the particle 'inna' (إِنَّ) to introduce a reported sentence. Using 'anna' (أَنَّ) is grammatically incorrect in this context.

The past tense is 'qāla' (قال). You'll notice the middle 'waw' changes to an 'alif' in the past tense.

You change the 'ya' at the beginning to a 'ta'. So, 'she says' is 'taqūlu' (تقول).

Yes! Just like in English, you can say 'The book says...' (al-kitāb yaqūlu...) or 'The sign says...' (al-ishāra taqūlu...).

Yes, but the pronunciation changes. In Egypt, it's often 'bi-y'ool'. In the Gulf, it might be 'yigool'. The root is the same.

You change the 'ya' to an 'alif'. 'I say' is 'aqūlu' (أقول).

It's neutral. If you want to say 'shout', use 'yasrukh'. But you can say 'He says loudly' (yaqūlu bi-ṣawt 'ālin).

The command form is 'qul' (قُلْ), meaning 'Say!' or 'Tell!'.

Yes, it is one of the most common verbs in the Arabic language. You will use it every day.