I'm learning
العربية
سَبَّبَ — meaning in English: reason
Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.
Guess the translation for
to cause
ضَرَّ، يَضٌرُّ، الضَّرّ
كَسْب
سَبَّبَ
كَتِف
اِعتَمَدَ
Skip this question
🎓
Learn Arabic for free
Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.
Start learning →
neutral
common
Usage
Native Arabic speakers frequently use the word سَبَّبَ in both casual and formal conversations, particularly when discussing causes or motivations behind events. For instance, you might hear it in news reports explaining the reasons behind social movements or in everyday discussions about why a friend is feeling a certain way.
Synonyms & nuances
While سَبَّبَ directly translates to 'reason', it can be nuanced against words like دَفَعَ (dafa'a), which means 'to motivate'. You would use سَبَّبَ when focusing on the cause itself, whereas دَفَعَ implies a more active role in prompting an action.
Culture
The word سَبَّبَ has its roots in the Arabic verb system known as 'triliteral roots', where the core meaning is tied to the concept of causation. This reflects the importance of understanding reasons and outcomes in Arabic culture, where storytelling often emphasizes the 'why' behind actions, making it an essential part of communication.
FAQ
