جهّز

Accoutered

Difficulty Level

Description

جهّز (Jahhaaza) is a verb meaning 'to prepare,' 'to equip,' or 'to accoutre.' It conveys the action of making someone or something ready for a specific purpose or journey, often implying the provision of necessary equipment, supplies, or arrangements. This verb is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts across Arabic-speaking regions.

Example Sentences

جهّز الأب ابنه للسفر إلى الجامعة.

Jahhaaza al-ab ibnahu li-l-safar ila al-jami'ah.

The father prepared his son for traveling to the university.

جهّزت الأم الطعام للعشاء.

Jahhaazat al-umm al-ta'am li-l-'isha'.

The mother prepared the food for dinner.

يجب أن نجهّز المعدات قبل بدء الحملة.

Yajib an nujahhaaz al-mu'addaat qabl bidaya al-hamlah.

We must equip the tools before starting the campaign.

جهّز الجندي نفسه للمعركة.

Jahhaaza al-jundi nafsahu li-l-ma'rakah.

The soldier prepared himself for the battle.

هل جهّزت شنطتك للرحلة؟

Hal jahhaazta shantatak li-l-rihlah?

Have you packed your bag for the trip?

Synonyms

أعدّ(to prepare)زوّد(to supply)رتّب(to arrange)جمّع(to assemble)

Antonyms

أفسد(to spoil)فكّك(to disassemble)

Related Words

تجهيز(preparation, equipment)جهاز(device, apparatus)مجهّز(equipped, prepared)تحضير(preparation)استعداد(readiness)

Cultural Notes

In Arab culture, the concept of جهّز is deeply connected to important life transitions such as weddings, travel, and education. Families often spend considerable time and resources جهّز-ing (preparing) for major events, reflecting the cultural value placed on thorough preparation and proper presentation. The verb is frequently used in wedding contexts, where جهّز الفتاة (preparing the bride) is an important family ritual involving the preparation of the bride's belongings, clothing, and household items.

Usage Tips

Remember that جهّز is a transitive verb, meaning it must be followed by a direct object. When used with people, it can mean 'to prepare someone' or 'to equip someone with necessary skills or items.' Pay attention to the preposition that follows: جهّز + لـ (for) indicates preparing something for a specific purpose or destination. The verb can be used in past, present, and future tenses, and its derived form تجهيز (preparation) is commonly used as a noun in everyday speech.

## Understanding جهّز (Jahhaaza) ### Definition and Core Meaning The Arabic verb جهّز (Jahhaaza) is a fundamental word in the Arabic language that means "to prepare," "to equip," or "to make ready." It is derived from the trilateral root ج-ه-ز (J-H-Z), which carries the essential meaning of readiness and organization. This verb is widely used across all Arabic-speaking regions and appears frequently in modern standard Arabic (MSA), dialects, and colloquial speech. The word encompasses both the physical act of gathering and arranging items and the abstract concept of making something or someone ready for a particular purpose. ### Grammatical Structure جهّز is a transitive verb (فعل متعدّي) of the second form (الوزن الثاني), which is derived from the base form جهز. The doubling of the middle consonant (ه) intensifies the meaning, indicating a complete or thorough action. When conjugated, it follows standard Arabic verb patterns: - Past tense: جهّز (he prepared), جهّزت (she prepared) - Present tense: يجهّز (he prepares), تجهّز (she prepares) - Imperative: جهّز (prepare!) - Gerund/Noun form: تجهيز (preparation, equipping) ### Usage in Daily Life The verb جهّز is exceptionally versatile and appears in numerous everyday contexts. Families use it when preparing children for school, packing luggage for travel, or organizing household items. In professional settings, it describes the preparation of equipment, machinery, or documentation. During important life events such as weddings, engagements, or relocations, جهّز becomes a central concept as families invest considerable effort in preparing people, spaces, and items. The verb is equally common in military, academic, medical, and commercial contexts. ### Related Forms and Derivatives Understanding the word family surrounding جهّز enhances vocabulary retention: - **تجهيز (Tajheez)**: The noun form meaning "preparation" or "equipment." Example: التجهيزات (preparations or fixtures) - **جهاز (Jihaz)**: Meaning "device" or "apparatus," derived from the same root - **مجهّز (Mujahazza)**: The passive participle meaning "equipped" or "prepared" - **الجهاز (Al-Jihaz)**: The definite form, often used to mean "the system" or "the apparatus" ### Cultural Context In Arab culture, the practice of جهّز carries significant cultural weight. Wedding preparations, known as تجهيز العروس (preparing the bride), represent one of the most important applications of this concept. Families typically spend months gathering the bride's belongings, furniture, clothing, and gifts—a process that reflects family status and commitment. Similarly, preparing children for major life milestones through education and skill-building is viewed as a family responsibility. The concept also appears in Islamic contexts, where جهّز is used to describe preparing for pilgrimage or other religious obligations. ### Common Collocations and Expressions The verb جهّز frequently appears with specific objects and prepositional phrases: - **جهّز الطعام** (Prepared food) - **جهّز للسفر** (Prepared for travel) - **جهّز نفسه** (Prepared himself/oneself) - **جهّز الحقائب** (Packed suitcases) - **جهّز الجيش** (Equipped the army) - **جهّز المكان** (Prepared the place) ### Practical Learning Tips When learning جهّز, remember that it always requires a direct object—you cannot use it without specifying what is being prepared. The verb works well with the preposition لـ (for) to indicate the purpose of preparation: جهّز المعدات للمشروع (He equipped the equipment for the project). Practice using it in your daily routine by describing what you're preparing each day. Additionally, recognizing the root ج-ه-ز will help you understand related vocabulary like جاهز (ready) and يستجيب (responds), which share conceptual similarities.