برّأ

Acquitted

Difficulty Level

Description

برّأ (barrā'a) is a verb meaning 'to acquit' or 'to exonerate,' commonly used in legal and formal contexts to indicate that someone has been cleared of charges or declared innocent. It can also mean 'to disassociate oneself from' or 'to free from blame.' This word carries significant weight in both judicial and everyday Arabic discourse when discussing matters of guilt, innocence, and responsibility.

★

Learn Arabic with our structured curriculum

Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11

📬

Word of the Day

Get a new Arabic word delivered to your inbox every day — with pronunciation, meaning, and cultural context.

Example Sentences

برّأت المحكمة المتهم من جميع التهم.

Barrā'at al-mahkama al-muttaham min jamī' al-tuhami.

The court acquitted the defendant of all charges.

القاضي برّأ الشاب بعد التحقيق الشامل.

Al-qāḍī barrā'a al-shabāb ba'da al-taḥqīq al-shāmil.

The judge acquitted the young man after a thorough investigation.

برّأنا أنفسنا من هذا الاتهام الباطل.

Barrā'nā anfusnā min hādhā al-ittihām al-bāṭil.

We disassociated ourselves from this false accusation.

الشهود برّأوا الرجل من الجريمة.

Al-shuhūd barrā'ū al-rajul min al-jarīma.

The witnesses exonerated the man of the crime.

لم تستطع الأدلة أن تبرّئ المشتبه به.

Lam tastati' al-adilla an tubarrī' al-mushtabah bih.

The evidence could not exonerate the suspect.

Synonyms

أعفى(Exempted, excused)برّر(Justified, excused)نزّه(Cleansed, exonerated)

Antonyms

أدان(Condemned, convicted)اتهم(Accused)

Cultural Notes

In Arabic legal and judicial contexts, برّأ holds significant cultural weight as it relates to honor, dignity, and the Islamic principle of presumption of innocence. The concept is deeply rooted in Islamic law (Sharia) where clearing someone's name is considered a matter of great importance for both personal honor and community standing. This word appears frequently in modern Arabic news media, legal documents, and formal discourse when discussing court decisions and legal proceedings.

Usage Tips

Remember that برّأ is a transitive verb requiring a direct object (the person being acquitted). In formal writing, you'll most commonly encounter it in legal contexts with patterns like 'the court acquitted' (برّأت المحكمة). Pay attention to the particle من (min) which often follows برّأ to indicate acquittal 'of' a specific charge. Note that the passive form تُبرّأ emphasizes the state of being exonerated.

## Understanding برّأ (Barrā'a) - To Acquit or Exonerate The Arabic verb **برّأ** (barrā'a) is a fundamental term in legal, judicial, and formal Arabic discourse. It means 'to acquit,' 'to exonerate,' or 'to declare innocent.' This verb is essential for understanding Arabic media coverage of court cases, legal documents, and formal communications. ## Meaning and Definition برّأ functions as a transitive verb that requires a direct object. When used in legal contexts, it specifically denotes the act of a court or authority clearing someone of charges or declaring them innocent. Beyond judicial use, it can also mean 'to disassociate oneself from' or 'to free from blame,' making it useful in both formal and conversational contexts where responsibility or guilt is being discussed. ## Grammatical Structure As a third-form (Form II) verb, برّأ follows the doubled-middle-consonant pattern. The root is ب-ر-أ (B-R-'). Common conjugations include: - **He acquitted**: برّأ (barrā'a) - **She acquitted**: برّأت (barrā'at) - **They acquitted**: برّأوا (barrā'ū) - **To acquit** (infinitive): تبرئة (tabrī'a) - **Acquitted** (past participle): مبرّأ (mubarrā') ## Usage in Legal Contexts In Arabic legal language, برّأ appears most frequently in court decisions and legal announcements. The typical structure follows the pattern: [The court/judge] برّأ [the defendant] من [the charge]. For example, "برّأت المحكمة المتهم من جميع التهم" (The court acquitted the defendant of all charges). ## Related Concepts The noun form **براءة** (barā'a) means 'innocence' or 'acquittal,' while **المتهم** (al-muttaham) refers to 'the accused' or 'defendant.' Understanding these related terms helps clarify the complete legal vocabulary needed for comprehension of Arabic judicial proceedings. ## Cultural and Religious Context In Islamic law (Sharia), the principle of presumption of innocence is paramount, making برّأ an important term that reflects deep cultural values about justice and honor. Being acquitted (مبرّأ) is not just a legal status but also a matter of personal and family honor in Arab societies. The word carries weight beyond its literal meaning, touching on dignity and reputation. ## Practical Applications English speakers learning Arabic will encounter برّأ in: - News broadcasts reporting court decisions - Legal documents and contracts - Formal correspondence - Historical accounts of trials or investigations - Islamic jurisprudence discussions ## Antonyms and Contrasts The opposite of برّأ is **أدان** (adāna), meaning 'to condemn' or 'to convict.' Another related verb is **اتهم** (ittahama), 'to accuse,' which sets the stage for acquittal or conviction. Understanding these contrasting terms helps build a comprehensive legal vocabulary in Arabic. ## Contemporary Usage In modern Standard Arabic (Fusha), برّأ remains the preferred term in formal and legal documents, news media, and official statements. Social media and contemporary news reporting frequently use phrases like "تم تبرئته" (he was acquitted) when discussing legal outcomes, making familiarity with this verb essential for anyone engaged with modern Arabic media.