Expressing "To Have"
In Arabic, there is no direct equivalent for the verb "to have." Instead, you use prepositions and attach pronoun suffixes. The literal meaning is closer to "at me is..." or "with me is...".
Depending on what you are talking about, choose between three prepositions: عند, مع, or لـ.
General Possession with عند
The most common word for possession is عند (at). Use it for general ownership, schedules, time, and abstract concepts like having a question or a problem.
- عندي = I have
- عندك = you have
- عنده = he has
- عندنا = we have
To say a specific person has something, put عند before their name or title: عند الطالب (the student has).
| I have a question. | عندي سؤال.indî su'âlun |
| The student (m) has a big problem. | عند الطالب مشكلة كبيرة.'inda at-tâlibi mushkilatun kabîratun |
| We have an appointment at the hospital tomorrow. | عندنا موعد في المستشفى غدا.'indanâ maw'idun fi al-mustashfâ ghadan |
| The manager (m) has a meeting tomorrow. | عند المدير اجتماع غدا.inda al-mudîri ijtimâun ghadan |
| Do you (m) have time? | هل عندك وقت؟hal indaka waqtun? |
Physical Possession with مع
If you have something physically on your person at this exact moment—such as carrying money or wearing a watch—use the preposition مع (with).
- معي = I have (with me)
- معك = you have (with you)
| Do you (m) have a watch with you? | هل معك ساعة؟hal maaka sâah? |
| I have money with me for the ticket. | معي مال للتذكرة.ma'î mâlun lit-tadhkirah |
Relational Possession with لـ
When talking about family members or relationships, Arabic uses the preposition لـ (to/for). Attach the pronoun suffix to the end.
- لي = I have (literally: to me is)
- له = he has
| I have a brother and a sister. | لي أخ وأخت.lî akhun wa'ukhtun. |
| He has a smart brother. | له أخ ذكي.lahu akhun zhakiyyun |
