Abidance
التزام (iltizām) is a noun meaning 'commitment,' 'obligation,' 'adherence,' or 'abidance.' It represents the act of binding oneself to a responsibility, principle, or promise, and carries strong connotations of duty and accountability. This word is fundamental in Arabic discourse, used in personal, professional, legal, and religious contexts to express dedication and compliance.
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التزامه بالعمل جعله موظفاً محترماً في الشركة.
Iltizāmuhu bil-'amal ja'alahu muwazzafan muhtaraman fil-sharaka.
His commitment to work made him a respected employee in the company.
نحتاج إلى التزام كامل من جميع أعضاء الفريق.
Nahtāju ilā iltizām kāmil min jamī' a'dā' al-farīq.
We need full commitment from all team members.
التزام المسلم بتعاليم الدين من أهم واجباته.
Iltizām al-muslim bi-ta'ālīm ad-dīn min ahamm wājibātih.
A Muslim's adherence to religious teachings is one of their most important duties.
كان هناك التزام واضح بشروط العقد من كلا الطرفين.
Kāna hunāk iltizām wāḍiḥ bi-shurūṭ al-'aqd min kilā aṭ-ṭarafayn.
There was a clear obligation to the contract terms from both parties.
التزامك بمواعيدك يعكس شخصيتك القوية.
Iltizāmuk bi-mawā'īdik ya'kis shakhṣiyyatak al-qawiyya.
Your commitment to your appointments reflects your strong character.
In Arabic culture, التزام is a deeply valued concept that extends beyond mere legal obligation. It reflects personal honor, integrity, and trustworthiness, which are essential elements of social relationships and business dealings. The word is frequently used in Islamic contexts when discussing religious duties (التزام بالدين - commitment to religion) and appears prominently in political and social discourse when discussing national or collective responsibilities.
Remember that التزام functions as an abstract noun and is always used with the definite article (ال) or in possessive constructions (التزامي، التزامك، التزامه). When expressing commitment 'to' something, use the preposition (ب) as in 'التزام بـ' meaning 'commitment to.' This word carries a formal tone suitable for professional, legal, and religious contexts, though it's also used in everyday conversation about personal promises.
التزام (iltizām) is a foundational Arabic noun that translates to "commitment," "obligation," "adherence," or "abidance." It originates from the root verb التزم (iltazama), meaning "to commit oneself" or "to bind oneself." This word encompasses the idea of willingly or necessarily binding oneself to a responsibility, principle, law, or promise. It's a concept central to Arabic communication across personal, professional, legal, and religious spheres.
التزام functions as a masculine singular noun and is typically used with the definite article (ال) when referring to commitment in general or to a specific commitment in context. It can also appear in the possessive form: التزامي (my commitment), التزامك (your commitment), التزامه (his/her commitment), etc.
When expressing commitment "to" something, the preposition (ب) is used: التزام بـ + noun. For example:
Legal Context: In legal and contractual settings, التزام refers to binding obligations that parties must fulfill. Court documents and agreements regularly use phrases like "التزامات العقد" (contract obligations) to outline responsibilities.
Religious Context: In Islamic discourse, التزام describes adherence to religious principles and duties. "التزام بتعاليم الدين" (commitment to religious teachings) is a common phrase expressing religious devotion and observance.
Professional Context: In workplace settings, التزام describes job performance and dedication. An employee's التزام بالعمل (commitment to work) is a valued characteristic that determines career advancement and reputation.
Personal Context: In everyday conversation, التزام describes personal promises and dedications. Parents might discuss التزام أطفالهم بالدراسة (their children's commitment to studies), or friends might value التزام في الصداقة (commitment in friendship).
The verb form التزم (iltazama) means "to commit" or "to be obligated," and the adjective ملتزم (multazim) means "committed" or "bound." The word ملزم (mulzim) means "obligatory" or "binding." Understanding these related forms helps grasp the full semantic field of this important concept.
In Arab culture, التزام represents more than mere legal or contractual duty—it reflects personal honor, integrity, and trustworthiness. A person who maintains التزام in their promises and responsibilities is considered honorable and reliable. This cultural emphasis makes the word particularly important in business negotiations, personal relationships, and social interactions throughout the Arab world.
When using التزام, remember that it's a formal noun appropriate for professional and serious contexts. While used in everyday speech, it carries weight and seriousness. Practice using it with the preposition (ب) to express commitment to various things. The word appears frequently in news broadcasts, business communications, government announcements, and religious discourse, making it essential vocabulary for intermediate to advanced Arabic learners.