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Responsible
مسؤول (mas'ūl) is an adjective and noun meaning 'responsible' or 'official/manager.' It describes someone who has duty, accountability, or authority over something. This word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate responsibility or position.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
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أنا مسؤول عن هذا المشروع.
Anā mas'ūl ʿan hādhā al-mashrūʿ.
I am responsible for this project.
المدير المسؤول سيكون هنا قريباً.
Al-mudīr al-mas'ūl sayakūn hunā qarībān.
The responsible manager will be here soon.
هو مسؤول عن سلامة الموظفين.
Huwa mas'ūl ʿan salāmat al-muwazzafīn.
He is responsible for the safety of the employees.
من هو المسؤول عن هذا الخطأ؟
Man huwa al-mas'ūl ʿan hādhā al-khata'?
Who is responsible for this mistake?
In Arabic culture, responsibility (المسؤولية) is highly valued, and being labeled as مسؤول carries weight and importance in professional and personal contexts. The term is frequently used in business, government, and organizational settings throughout the Arab world. Understanding who is مسؤول for what is crucial in Arab business etiquette and hierarchical structures.
Remember that مسؤول can function as both an adjective (describing someone/something as responsible) and a noun (meaning a responsible person or official). When used with 'عن' (about), it means 'responsible for.' The feminine form is مسؤولة (mas'ūlah), and the plural is مسؤولون (mas'ūlūn) for males or mixed groups, and مسؤولات (mas'ūlāt) for females.
The Arabic word مسؤول (mas'ūl) is a fundamental term used to describe someone who is responsible, accountable, or holds an official position. It serves as both an adjective and a noun in Arabic, making it versatile and essential for learners to master. When used as an adjective, it describes the quality of being responsible. When used as a noun, it refers to a responsible person, official, or manager.
مسؤول follows standard Arabic noun patterns. The word changes based on gender and number:
The word also accepts the definite article 'ال' (al-): المسؤول (al-mas'ūl) meaning 'the responsible person' or 'the official.'
When expressing responsibility, مسؤول is typically followed by the preposition عن (ʿan), which means 'about' or 'for.' This construction literally translates to 'responsible about' but means 'responsible for' in English.
Examples:
In Arabic-speaking countries, مسؤول is commonly used in professional environments to denote various roles and positions:
In Arab culture, responsibility is a valued trait. Being described as مسؤول is a compliment, indicating trustworthiness and reliability. In business and government contexts, clearly defining who is مسؤول for specific tasks is crucial for organizational efficiency. Understanding the hierarchy of responsibility is essential when conducting business in Arab countries.
The word مسؤول is closely related to المسؤولية (al-mas'ūliyyah), which means 'responsibility' as an abstract concept. Other related words include:
To master this word, practice using it in sentences that relate to your own life and responsibilities. Think about who is مسؤول for different tasks in your workplace or home. Create sentences using different forms and remember that responsibility in Arabic culture often implies both authority and accountability. Pay attention to how native speakers use this term in news broadcasts, business meetings, and formal documents.