How to Say "It is said that..." in Arabic: Master the Pattern Qīla 'Inna (قِيلَ إِنَّ)
Master Arabic Pattern: قِيلَ إِنَّ (Qīla 'Inna)
Learn how to say "I heard that..." and share rumors like a native Arabic speaker using this essential beginner pattern.
Have you ever heard some news about someone and wanted to say:
- "They say he is sick."
- "I heard that the shop is closed."
- "It is being said that the train has already left."
In Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), one useful pattern for reporting information you have heard is:
The Arabic Expression: قِيلَ إِنَّ
Qīla 'inna...
Meaning: They say that... / It is said that... / Rumor has it... / I heard that...
Grammar Rules & Structure
Understanding three basic grammar rules will keep your sentences correct:
Key Grammar Rules
| Rule | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Hamzah Placement | After قِيلَ, always use إِنَّ (hamzah below), never أَنَّ (hamzah above) | قِيلَ إِنَّ ✓ |
| Subject (Noun) | The noun after إِنَّ must end with fat·ḥah (-a) | الْمَتْجَرَ (accusative) |
| Predicate (Description) | The adjective/verb after the noun keeps its standard nominative ending (-un) | مُغْلَقٌ (nominative) |
5 Beginner Examples
Example 1: Price
- Arabic: قِيلَ إِنَّ السِّعْرَ رَخِيصٌ جِدًّا
- Transliteration: qīla 'inna s-siʿra raḫīṣun ǧiddan.
- English: "They say the price is really cheap."
Example 2: Shop Schedule
- Arabic: قِيلَ إِنَّ الْمَتْجَرَ مُغْلَقٌ غَدًا
- Transliteration: qīla 'inna l-matǧara muġlaqun ġadan.
- English: "I heard the shop is closed tomorrow."
Example 3: Friend's Health
- Arabic: قِيلَ إِنَّ صَدِيقَكَ مَرِيضٌ
- Transliteration: qīla 'inna ṣadīqaka marīḍun.
- English: "I heard your friend is sick."
Example 4: Exam Difficulty
- Arabic: قِيلَ إِنَّ الِامْتِحَانَ سَهْلٌ
- Transliteration: qīla 'inna l-imtiḥāna sahlun.
- English: "Word is the exam is easy."
Example 5: Coffee Quality
- Arabic: قِيلَ إِنَّ الْقَهْوَةَ فِي هَذَا الْمَقْهَى لَذِيذَةٌ
- Transliteration: qīla 'inna l-qahwata fī hāḏā l-maqhā laḏīḏatun.
- English: "I heard the coffee at this cafe is really good."
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with these scaffolded exercises.
Practice 1: Recognize the Meaning
Choose the correct English translation for: قِيلَ إِنَّ الْمَتْجَرَ مُغْلَقٌ غَدًا.
- A) The shop was closed yesterday.
- B) I heard the shop is closed tomorrow.
- C) I am going to the shop tomorrow.
✓ Answer Key
B — "I heard the shop is closed tomorrow."
Practice 2: Complete the Pattern
Fill in the missing vowel on the noun الْمَكْتَبَة:
قِيلَ إِنَّ الْمَكْتَبَ___ الْجَدِيدَةَ مَفْتُوحَةٌ الْيَوْمَ.
✓ Answer Key
َ (Fat·ḥah) → الْمَكْتَبَةَ (al-maktabata). Remember: إِنَّ forces the subject to end in fat·ḥah!
Practice 3: Choose the Correct Form
Select the grammatically correct Arabic sentence:
- A) قِيلَ أَنَّ صَدِيقَكَ مَرِيضٌ
- B) قِيلَ إِنَّ صَدِيقَكَ مَرِيضٌ
✓ Answer Key
B. After قِيلَ, the hamzah must sit below the Alif (إِنَّ).
Practice 4: Build the Sentence
Reorder these words to make: "They say the price is really cheap."
جِدًّا / قِيلَ / رَخِيصٌ / إِنَّ / السِّعْرَ
✓ Answer Key
قِيلَ إِنَّ السِّعْرَ رَخِيصٌ جِدًّا.
qīla 'inna s-siʿra raḫīṣun ǧiddan.
Practice 5: Translate to Arabic
Translate to Arabic: "I heard your friend is sick."
Hint: friend = صَدِيق / sick = مَرِيض
✓ Answer Key
قِيلَ إِنَّ صَدِيقَكَ مَرِيضٌ.
qīla 'inna ṣadīqaka marīḍun.
Try It Yourself
Use this vocabulary bank to create your own sentences with قِيلَ إِنَّ:
| Category | Subject (Noun) | Predicate (Description) |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | الطَّقْسَ (weather) | بَارِدٌ (cold) |
| School/Work | الأُسْتَاذَ (teacher) | جَدِيدٌ (new) |
| Food | الطَّعَامَ (food) | لَذِيذٌ (delicious) |
Sentence Prompts
Prompt 1
"I heard the weather is cold."
→ قِيلَ إِنَّ... ________________________.
Sample Answer
قِيلَ إِنَّ الطَّقْسَ بَارِدٌ.
qīla 'inna ṭ-ṭaqsa bāridun.
Prompt 2
"They say the teacher is new."
→ قِيلَ إِنَّ... ________________________.
Sample Answer
قِيلَ إِنَّ الأُسْتَاذَ جَدِيدٌ.
qīla 'inna l-'ustāḏa ǧadīdun.
Prompt 3
"Word is the food is delicious."
→ قِيلَ إِنَّ... ________________________.
Sample Answer
قِيلَ إِنَّ الطَّعَامَ لَذِيذٌ.
qīla 'inna ṭ-ṭaʿāma laḏīḏun.
Quick Review
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Core Pattern | قِيلَ إِنَّ ... (qīla 'inna...) |
| English Equivalents | "I heard that...", "They say that...", "Word is...", "Apparently..." |
| Key Rule 1 | Always use إِنَّ (hamzah below), never أَنَّ |
| Key Rule 2 | Noun after إِنَّ must end with fat·ḥah (-a) |
| Function | Sharing rumors, hearsay, or news in conversational Arabic |
Conclusion
Mastering expressions like قِيلَ إِنَّ unlocks natural, conversational Arabic used every day by native speakers. Try using this pattern in your next Arabic conversation!
Vocabulary Reference
Common Nouns & Adjectives
- قَهْوَةٌ — coffee
- مَقْهَى — cafe
- لَذِيذٌ — delicious
- طَبِيبٌ — doctor
- مَتْجَرٌ — shop/store
- مُغْلَقٌ — closed
- قِطَارٌ — train
- سِعْرٌ — price
- رَخِيصٌ — cheap
- صَدِيقٌ — friend
- مَرِيضٌ — sick
Common Verbs
- قَالَ — to say (active)
- قِيلَ — it was said (passive)
- أَتَى — to come/arrive
- غَادَرَ — to leave/depart
- بَدَأَ — to start/begin
- سَكَنَ — to live/reside
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