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A2 verb #2,000 most common 10 min read

يرسم

yarsum Top 2,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips يرسم in 30 Seconds

Explanation يرسم in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'yarsumu' is one of the first verbs you learn to describe hobbies and basic actions. It is used in very simple sentences like 'I draw' or 'The boy draws a cat.' The focus is on the present tense and the most common objects like 'sura' (picture) or 'bayt' (house). Learners at this stage use it to talk about what they do in their free time or what they see in a classroom. The grammar is kept to the basic subject-verb-object structure without complex prepositions or metaphorical meanings. It's about the physical act of putting pen to paper.

At the A2 level, you begin to expand the use of 'yarsumu' to include more variety in subjects and objects. You might describe what someone is drawing in more detail, such as 'He draws a beautiful flower with a red pen.' You also start to use the past tense 'rasama' and the imperative 'irsum'. At this stage, you can use the verb to give simple directions, like 'draw a map for me.' You are also introduced to the noun 'rasm' (drawing) and 'rassam' (artist). The context remains mostly physical and literal, focusing on art and everyday activities.

By B1, you can use 'yarsumu' in more complex sentence structures, including those with relative clauses and various adverbs. You might say, 'The artist who draws these pictures is very famous.' You also begin to encounter the metaphorical uses of the verb, such as 'drawing a plan' or 'drawing a smile.' Your vocabulary expands to include technical objects like 'kharita' (map) or 'mukhattat' (diagram). You can discuss the process of drawing and its importance in different professions, like engineering or architecture, using the verb more fluently in conversation.

At the B2 level, 'yarsumu' is used frequently in abstract and professional contexts. You can use it to describe the outlining of policies, the shaping of future goals, or the depiction of complex emotions in literature. You are comfortable with all tenses and moods, including the passive voice 'yursamu'. You can participate in discussions about art theory or urban planning where 'yarsumu' is a key verb. You understand the nuance between 'yarsumu' and its synonyms like 'yukhattat' and can choose the most appropriate word for the context.

At the C1 level, your use of 'yarsumu' is sophisticated and nuanced. You use it to describe subtle shifts in social or political landscapes, such as 'drawing a new era' or 'drawing the boundaries of discourse.' You can appreciate and use the verb in high-level literature and poetry, where it might describe how nature or fate 'draws' the human experience. You are aware of the historical and etymological roots of the word and how they influence its modern usage. Your ability to use 'yarsumu' metaphorically is seamless and culturally appropriate.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'yarsumu'. You can use it in the most complex philosophical and academic discussions. You might analyze how a philosopher 'draws' a distinction between two concepts or how a historian 'draws' a connection between disparate events. Your usage is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can use the verb to create vivid, original metaphors in your own writing and speaking, fully leveraging the rich semantic history of the root R-S-M.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

يرسم in 30 Seconds

يرسم means 'to draw' or 'to sketch' in Arabic.
It is a Form I verb with the root R-S-M.
It is used for both literal art and metaphorical planning.
The present tense third-person masculine form is 'yarsumu'.

The Arabic verb يرسم (yarsumu) is a fundamental Form I verb derived from the root ر-س-م (R-S-M). At its core, it refers to the act of drawing, sketching, or delineating a shape or figure on a surface. However, its semantic field extends far beyond simple artistry. In the linguistic landscape of Arabic, 'rasama' implies the creation of a mark that signifies something, whether it be a literal picture of a tree or a metaphorical blueprint for a nation's future. The verb captures the transition from thought to visual representation, making it a cornerstone for discussions about art, engineering, planning, and even destiny.

Literal Meaning: To produce a picture or diagram by making lines and marks, typically with a pen, pencil, or brush.
Abstract Meaning: To outline a plan, to define a path, or to characterize a situation through descriptive language.

الفنان يرسم لوحة تعبر عن الأمل في مستقبل أفضل.
(The artist draws a painting that expresses hope for a better future.)

In classical contexts, the root R-S-M was often associated with traces or remains (like the ruins of a campsite), which 'marked' the ground. This historical nuance adds a layer of permanence to the verb; when you 'yarsumu' something, you are leaving a lasting impression. Whether it is a child drawing in the sand or an architect drawing a skyscraper, the verb encompasses the intentionality of the mark-maker. It is important to distinguish this from 'yulawwin' (to color), as 'yarsumu' focuses on the lines, structure, and form rather than the application of pigment.

المهندس يرسم خريطة المبنى الجديد بدقة متناهية.
(The engineer draws the map of the new building with extreme precision.)

Grammatical Form: Present tense, third-person masculine singular (He draws/is drawing).

When used in a political or social context, 'yarsumu' often appears in phrases like 'yarsumu al-siyasa' (to draw/shape policy). This highlights the verb's versatility in describing the creation of frameworks. In literature, a writer might 'yarsumu' a character with words, painting a vivid mental image for the reader. This crossover between visual art and linguistic description is a hallmark of the Arabic language's expressive power.

الكاتب يرسم ملامح البطل في روايته ببراعة.
(The writer draws the features of the hero in his novel brilliantly.)

الطفل يرسم شمساً مشرقة في دفتره.
(The child draws a bright sun in his notebook.)

Synonym Note: While 'yusawwir' can mean to depict or photograph, 'yarsumu' specifically implies the manual act of drawing lines.

المعلم يرسم دائرة على السبورة ليشرح الدرس.
(The teacher draws a circle on the board to explain the lesson.)

Using the verb يرسم correctly requires an understanding of its conjugation patterns and its typical objects. As a regular Form I verb (فعل ثلاثي مجرد), it follows the standard pattern for the present tense. The root letters are R-S-M, and in the present tense, the middle radical (the 'S') takes a damma (u) sound: يَرْسُمُ. This is a crucial detail for learners, as the vowel on the middle radical can vary between verbs in Form I.

Conjugation (Present Tense): Ana arsumu (I draw), Anta tarsumu (You m. draw), Anti tarsumina (You f. draw), Huwa yarsumu (He draws), Hiya tarsumu (She draws).

أنا أرسم كل يوم لأطور مهاراتي.
(I draw every day to develop my skills.)

The verb is usually followed by a direct object in the accusative case (mansub). For example, if you are drawing a 'picture' (sura), it becomes 'suratan'. If you are drawing a 'plan' (khitta), it becomes 'khittatan'. Understanding this grammatical relationship is key to building fluent sentences. Furthermore, 'yarsumu' can be used with prepositions like 'bi' (with/using) to indicate the tool used for drawing, such as 'bi-l-qalam' (with the pen) or 'bi-l-alwan' (with colors/paints).

هي ترسم على الورق المقوى.
(She draws on cardboard.)

In more advanced usage, 'yarsumu' is employed to describe the act of planning or strategizing. You might hear 'yarsumu khittat al-amal' (He is drawing up the work plan). This usage is very common in professional and news contexts. It implies a level of detail and structural thinking. It can also be used to describe the formation of a smile: 'yarsumu basma' (He draws a smile), which is a poetic way of saying someone smiled.

Common Objects: Sura (Picture), Kharita (Map), Khitta (Plan), Mustaqbal (Future), Basma (Smile).

نحن نرسم مستقبلاً مشرقاً لبلدنا.
(We are drawing/shaping a bright future for our country.)

من فضلك، ارسم لي الطريق إلى المحطة.
(Please, draw for me the way to the station.)

Passive Form: Yursamu (It is being drawn). Example: 'Yursamu al-mustaqbal huna' (The future is being drawn here).

الطلاب يرسمون الطبيعة الصامتة.
(The students are drawing still life.)

The verb يرسم is ubiquitous in Arabic-speaking environments, appearing in a variety of registers from the playground to the parliament. In daily life, you will most frequently encounter it in educational settings. Teachers use it when instructing students to visualize concepts, and parents use it when engaging in creative activities with their children. If you visit an art gallery or a studio in Cairo, Beirut, or Riyadh, 'yarsumu' will be the primary verb used to describe the artists' work.

Educational Context: Used by teachers to ask students to draw diagrams, maps, or illustrations for their lessons.

في حصة الفنون، يرسمون وجوه الناس.
(In art class, they draw people's faces.)

In the world of media and journalism, 'yarsumu' takes on a more analytical tone. News anchors and political commentators often use it to describe the formation of alliances or the outlining of new laws. For instance, 'yarsumu al-ittihad al-urubbi khittatan jadida' (The European Union is drawing up a new plan). Here, the verb signifies formal creation and structural planning. It is also common in sports commentary, where a coach might 'yarsumu' a strategy for the team to follow on the field.

المحلل يرسم سيناريوهات محتملة للأزمة.
(The analyst draws/outlines possible scenarios for the crisis.)

Literature and poetry are also rich with this verb. Poets use 'yarsumu' to describe how nature 'draws' patterns on the landscape or how love 'draws' sorrow on a face. It is a verb that bridges the gap between the physical and the emotional. In modern pop songs, you might hear lyrics about someone 'drawing' a path to their beloved's heart. This metaphorical usage is deeply embedded in the Arabic aesthetic, which values vivid imagery and descriptive precision.

Professional Context: Architects and engineers use it when discussing blueprints and technical drawings.

المهندس المعماري يرسم الواجهة الأمامية للمنزل.
(The architect draws the front facade of the house.)

البرنامج يرسم البيانات في شكل رسم بياني.
(The program draws/plots the data in the form of a graph.)

Daily Life: Used when giving directions or explaining a visual concept to a friend.

دعني أرسم لك ما أعنيه.
(Let me draw for you what I mean.)

While يرسم is a relatively straightforward verb, learners often stumble over its nuances and its distinction from related terms. One of the most frequent errors is confusing 'yarsumu' with 'yulawwin' (to color). While an artist might do both, 'yarsumu' specifically refers to the act of creating lines and shapes. If you say 'yarsumu al-lawha' when you mean 'he is painting it with colors', it might be slightly imprecise, though usually understood. In Arabic, 'yadhinu' or 'yulawwin' are better for the application of color.

Mistake 1: Confusing with Coloring: Using 'yarsumu' when the focus is entirely on applying paint or color without defining shapes.

خطأ: هو يرسم الحائط باللون الأزرق.
(Wrong: He draws the wall with blue color - use 'yadhinu' instead.)

Another common pitfall is the incorrect use of prepositions. Learners often try to translate 'draw a picture of someone' literally. In Arabic, you 'yarsumu shakhsan' (draw a person) directly, or 'yarsumu suratan li-shakhs' (draw a picture for/of a person). Using the wrong preposition can change the meaning or make the sentence sound unnatural. Additionally, the conjugation of the present tense middle radical (the 's' with a damma) is often missed, with learners mistakenly using a fatha (yarsama) or kasra (yarsima).

صح: هو يرسُمُ (بضمة على السين).
(Correct: He draws - with a damma on the Seen.)

There is also a tendency to confuse 'yarsumu' with 'yakhtub' (to write) or 'yukhattat' (to plan/sketch). While 'yukhattat' is a synonym, it is often used for more technical or preliminary sketches. 'Yarsumu' is more general. Furthermore, learners sometimes use 'yarsumu' when they mean 'to describe' (yasif). While you can 'draw a character' with words, if you are just describing a scene, 'yasif' is more appropriate. Using 'yarsumu' in every descriptive context can sound overly metaphorical or dramatic.

Mistake 2: Preposition Errors: Using 'yarsumu an' (draw about) instead of the direct object or 'yarsumu li' (draw for).

خطأ: يرسم عن الطبيعة.
(Wrong: Draws about nature - use 'yarsumu al-tabi'a'.)

صح: يرسم خريطة واضحة.
(Correct: He draws a clear map.)

Mistake 3: Over-metaphorizing: Using 'yarsumu' for simple verbal descriptions where 'yasif' (describes) is more natural.

تجنب: يرسم الحادث بالكلمات.
(Avoid: He draws the accident with words - 'yasif' is better.)

To truly master يرسم, it is helpful to compare it with other verbs in the same semantic field. Arabic is a language of precision, and choosing the right word for 'creating a visual' can change the entire tone of your sentence. The most common synonyms and related terms include 'yukhattat', 'yusawwir', 'yadhinu', and 'yanqushu'. Each of these carries a specific nuance that distinguishes it from the general act of drawing.

يرسم vs. يخطط (Yukhattat): 'Yarsumu' is general drawing; 'Yukhattat' is specifically for sketching, planning, or creating technical outlines/blueprints.

هو يخطط للمشروع قبل أن يرسم التفاصيل.
(He plans/sketches the project before he draws the details.)

'Yusawwir' (يصور) is another word often confused with 'yarsumu'. While 'yarsumu' is about the manual creation of lines, 'yusawwir' can mean to photograph, to film, or to depict something in a broader sense (like a mental image). If you are talking about a camera, you must use 'yusawwir'. If you are talking about a pencil, you use 'yarsumu'. Another interesting comparison is with 'yanqushu' (ينقش), which means to engrave or carve. This implies a more physical, subtractive process on a hard surface like stone or wood.

الفنان ينقش اسمه على الحجر.
(The artist engraves his name on the stone.)

Lastly, consider 'yushakkil' (يشكل), which means to shape or form. This is often used in the context of sculpture or forming dough. While 'yarsumu' creates a 2D representation, 'yushakkil' creates a 3D form. Understanding these distinctions allows you to be more expressive and accurate in your Arabic. For example, a designer might 'yarsumu' a dress on paper but 'yushakkil' the fabric on a mannequin. Each step in the creative process has its own dedicated verb.

يرسم vs. يصور (Yusawwir): 'Yarsumu' is manual drawing; 'Yusawwir' is depicting, photographing, or filming.

المصور يصور المشهد الذي يرسمه الفنان.
(The photographer films/photographs the scene that the artist is drawing.)

الطفل يلون الصورة التي رسمها والده.
(The child colors the picture that his father drew.)

Summary Table: Yarsumu: Lines/Shapes. Yusawwir: Depicting/Photos. Yukhattat: Planning/Sketching. Yulawwin: Coloring.

المصمم يرسم الأزياء الجديدة.
(The designer draws the new fashions.)

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Form I Verb Patterns

Direct Objects (Mansub)

Imperative Formation

Noun of Place (Maf'al)

Active Participle (Fa'il)

Examples by Level

أنا أرسم قطة.

I draw a cat.

Subject (I) + Verb (draw) + Object (cat).

هو يرسم بيتاً.

He draws a house.

Third person masculine singular present.

البنت ترسم وردة.

The girl draws a flower.

Third person feminine singular present.

نحن نرسم في المدرسة.

We draw at school.

First person plural present.

هل ترسم صورة؟

Do you draw a picture?

Interrogative sentence with 'hal'.

هم يرسمون شجرة.

They draw a tree.

Third person plural masculine present.

أنتِ ترسمين جيداً.

You (f) draw well.

Second person feminine singular present.

الولد يرسم شمساً.

The boy draws a sun.

Noun + Verb + Object.

رسمتُ صورة لعائلتي أمس.

I drew a picture of my family yesterday.

Past tense first person singular.

ارسم دائرة كبيرة هنا.

Draw a big circle here.

Imperative mood (command).

هو يرسم بالقلم الرصاص.

He draws with a pencil.

Using the preposition 'bi' for tools.

هل يمكنك أن ترسم خريطة؟

Can you draw a map?

Modal verb 'can' + 'an' + subjunctive verb.

هي ترسم على الورق الأبيض.

She draws on white paper.

Using 'ala' for the surface.

الأطفال يحبون أن يرسموا.

Children love to draw.

Plural verb after 'an' (subjunctive).

رسم الفنان لوحة جميلة.

The artist drew a beautiful painting.

Past tense + Subject + Object + Adjective.

لا ترسم على الجدار!

Don't draw on the wall!

Negative imperative (prohibition).

يرسم المهندس خريطة للمبنى الجديد.

The engineer is drawing a map for the new building.

Professional context usage.

رسمتِ الطالبة شكلاً هندسياً معقداً.

The student (f) drew a complex geometric shape.

Past tense feminine with adjective.

كان يرسم عندما اتصلتُ به.

He was drawing when I called him.

Past continuous construction (kana + present).

يجب أن نرسم خطة للرحلة.

We must draw up a plan for the trip.

Metaphorical use for 'planning'.

يرسم الكاتب شخصياته بدقة.

The writer draws his characters accurately.

Metaphorical use in literature.

تعلمتُ كيف أرسم الوجوه.

I learned how to draw faces.

Infinitive-like structure with 'kayfa'.

يرسم الرسام لوحاته في المرسم.

The painter draws his paintings in the studio.

Using the noun of place 'marsam'.

هل ترسم دائماً ما تشعر به؟

Do you always draw what you feel?

Relative pronoun 'ma'.

يرسم هذا التقرير صورة قاتمة للاقتصاد.

This report draws a bleak picture of the economy.

Abstract usage in media/economics.

بدأت الحكومة ترسم سياسات جديدة.

The government started drawing up new policies.

Usage in political context.

يرسم الفنان إلهامه من الطبيعة.

The artist draws his inspiration from nature.

Metaphorical use for 'deriving'.

يتم رسم الحدود الدولية بعناية.

International borders are being drawn carefully.

Passive voice construction.

يرسم لنا التاريخ دروساً هامة.

History draws/outlines important lessons for us.

Personification of history.

كانت ترسم البسمة على وجوه الأطفال.

She used to draw a smile on children's faces.

Idiomatic expression for making someone happy.

يرسم البرنامج البياني العلاقة بين المتغيرين.

The graph draws the relationship between the two variables.

Technical/Scientific usage.

علينا أن نرسم حدوداً واضحة للتعامل.

We must draw clear boundaries for interaction.

Metaphorical use for social boundaries.

يرسم الأديب ملامح المجتمع في روايته.

The man of letters draws the features of society in his novel.

High-level literary usage.

ترسم هذه المعاهدة معالم عهد جديد.

This treaty draws the features of a new era.

Formal/Diplomatic usage.

يرسم الفيلسوف طريقاً للوصول إلى الحقيقة.

The philosopher draws a path to reach the truth.

Philosophical metaphorical usage.

يرسم القدر مسارات لا نتوقعها.

Fate draws paths we do not expect.

Abstract/Existential usage.

يرسم الباحثون سيناريوهات للتغير المناخي.

Researchers are drawing scenarios for climate change.

Academic/Scientific forecasting.

يرسم الفنان بريشته آلام جيله.

The artist draws with his brush the pains of his generation.

Poetic/Expressive usage.

ترسم القصيدة لوحة فنية بالكلمات.

The poem draws an artistic painting with words.

Literary metaphor.

يرسم القائد رؤية استراتيجية للمستقبل.

The leader draws a strategic vision for the future.

Leadership/Management context.

يرسم النص توازياً دقيقاً بين الواقع والخيال.

The text draws a precise parallel between reality and fiction.

Advanced literary analysis.

يرسم المفكر ملامح الهوية في عصر العولمة.

The thinker draws the features of identity in the age of globalization.

Sociological/Philosophical discourse.

ترسم التطورات الأخيرة مشهداً جيوسياسياً معقداً.

Recent developments draw a complex geopolitical scene.

High-level political analysis.

يرسم الفنان في هذه اللوحة صراع الوجود.

In this painting, the artist draws the struggle of existence.

Art criticism register.

يرسم القانون حدود الحريات الفردية.

The law draws the boundaries of individual freedoms.

Legal/Jurisprudential usage.

يرسم الكاتب ببراعة انكسارات الروح البشرية.

The writer brilliantly draws the fractures of the human soul.

Deeply poetic/Psychological usage.

يرسم العلم خريطة الجينوم البشري.

Science draws the map of the human genome.

Cutting-edge scientific usage.

يرسم هذا العمل الفني حواراً بين الثقافات.

This artwork draws a dialogue between cultures.

Cultural theory register.

Common Collocations

يرسم صورة

يرسم خريطة

يرسم خطة

يرسم مستقبلاً

يرسم بسمة

يرسم لوحة

يرسم ملامح

يرسم حدوداً

يرسم مساراً

يرسم شكلاً

Common Phrases

يرسم على الورق

يرسم بالرصاص

يرسم بالألوان

يرسم من الخيال

يرسم بدقة

يرسم ببراعة

يرسم في المرسم

يرسم على الجدار

يرسم لنفسه طريقاً

يرسم علامات الاستفهام

Often Confused With

يرسم vs يلون

يرسم vs يصور

يرسم vs يكتب

Idioms & Expressions

"يرسم البسمة على الوجوه"

"يرسم خطوطاً عريضة"

"يرسم مستقبله بيده"

"يرسم في الهواء"

"يرسم صورة وردية"

"يرسم طريق النجاح"

"يرسم ملامح الفشل"

"يرسم حدوداً حمراء"

"يرسم بريشة الأمل"

"يرسم لوحة من الحزن"

Easily Confused

يرسم vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

nuance

Distinguish from 'yusawwir' (depicting) and 'yulawwin' (coloring).

metaphor

Commonly used for 'shaping' the future or 'creating' a smile.

Common Mistakes

Saying 'yarsama' instead of 'yarsumu'.
Using 'yarsumu' for taking a photograph.
Forgetting the object marker (tanween fatha) on the thing being drawn.
Using 'yarsumu an' (about) instead of a direct object.
Confusing 'yarsumu' (draw) with 'yadhinu' (paint a wall).

Tips

Middle Vowel

Always remember the damma (u) on the second root letter in the present tense: yarsumu.

Artist

Learn 'Rassam' (artist) alongside the verb to build your word family.

Maps

Use 'yarsumu' when asking someone to draw a map for directions.

Smiles

Use 'yarsumu basma' to sound poetic and kind in your writing.

Precision

Specify the tool (pencil, pen) using the preposition 'bi'.

News

Listen for 'yarsumu' in political news to hear it used for 'planning' or 'outlining'.

Practice

Describe what you are doing while drawing to practice the first person 'arsumu'.

Geometry

Research 'Islamic geometric patterns' to see how 'rasm' is used in architecture.

vs. Coloring

Don't confuse drawing lines (yarsumu) with filling them in (yulawwin).

Official

Note that 'Rasmi' (official) comes from the same root, meaning something 'drawn up' by authority.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Resumé' - a document that 'draws' your career path. Both come from roots meaning to mark or outline.

Word Origin

Semitic root R-S-M

Cultural Context

The use of 'drawing a smile' as a common charitable slogan.

The transition from calligraphy to modern painting.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"ماذا تحب أن ترسم؟"

"هل ترسم في وقت فراغك؟"

"من هو الفنان الذي يرسم أجمل اللوحات؟"

"هل يمكنك أن ترسم لي خريطة للمدينة؟"

"لماذا يرسم الأطفال على الجدران؟"

Journal Prompts

ارسم بالكلمات يوماً مثالياً في حياتك.

تحدث عن آخر مرة رسمت فيها شيئاً.

كيف يرسم الفن ملامح المجتمع؟

لو كنت رساماً، ماذا ستكون أول لوحة ترسمها؟

صف شعورك عندما ترى شخصاً يرسم.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

The root is R-S-M (ر-س-م), which relates to marking or tracing.

You say 'Ana arsumu' (أنا أرسم).

Yes, it can, but 'yulawwin' or 'yadhinu' are more specific for using paint.

Yes, it is a regular Form I verb.

'Yarsumu' is general drawing, while 'yukhattat' is more about sketching or planning.

The imperative is 'Irsum' for masculine and 'Irsumi' for feminine.

'Rassam' means an artist or a painter.

No, for taking a photo you should use 'yusawwir'.

The noun is 'Rasm' (رسم).

Yes, it is 'yarsumu' with a 'u' sound on the 's'.