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Affirm
تعهّد (ta'ahhada) is a verb meaning 'to affirm,' 'to pledge,' or 'to commit oneself.' It conveys the idea of making a formal promise or taking on a responsibility with earnest intention. This word is commonly used in both formal and everyday contexts when someone assumes an obligation or makes a solemn commitment.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
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تعهّد الرئيس بتحسين الخدمات الصحية في البلاد.
Ta'ahhada ar-ra'īs bi-tahsīn al-khidmāt as-sihiyyah fī al-bilād.
The president affirmed his commitment to improving health services in the country.
تعهّدت الشركة بتسليم المشروع في الموعد المحدد.
Ta'ahhadat ash-sharikah bi-taslīm al-mashrū' fī al-maw'id al-muhaddad.
The company pledged to deliver the project by the specified deadline.
تعهّد بعدم الإفصاح عن أسرار العمل.
Ta'ahhada bi-'adam al-ifsāh 'an asrār al-'amal.
He affirmed not to disclose business secrets.
تعهّدت الدول بالالتزام بالاتفاقية الدولية.
Ta'ahhadat ad-duwal bi-al-iltizām bi-al-ittifāqiyyah ad-duwaliyyah.
The countries committed themselves to adhering to the international agreement.
تعهّد الطالب بالدراسة الجادة لتحقيق أحلامه.
Ta'ahhada at-tālib bi-ad-dirāsah al-jāddah li-tahqīq ahlāmih.
The student affirmed his commitment to serious study to achieve his dreams.
In Arab culture, making and keeping commitments is highly valued and considered a matter of personal honor and integrity. The word تعهّد carries weight in both personal relationships and formal business dealings, reflecting the importance of trust in Arabic-speaking societies. Breaking a تعهّد can damage one's reputation significantly, making the promise-making process serious and deliberate.
Remember that تعهّد is typically followed by the preposition 'ب' (bi-) when expressing what one is committing to. The word can be used in formal contracts, speeches, and casual conversations, but always carries a tone of solemnity and seriousness. Pay attention to the context: in business it's more formal, while in personal contexts it can be more intimate and heartfelt.
The Arabic verb تعهّد (ta'ahhada) is a powerful word that expresses the act of making a solemn commitment, pledge, or affirmation. This word is essential for anyone learning Arabic, as it appears frequently in formal discourse, business communications, and everyday conversations where promises and commitments are involved.
تعهّد literally means 'to affirm' or 'to pledge,' but it carries deeper connotations of taking personal responsibility and making a binding commitment. Unlike casual promises, using تعهّد implies a formal, serious, and often public acknowledgment of one's obligation to fulfill something. The word originates from the root ع-ه-د (ayn-ha-dal), which is associated with covenants, agreements, and time periods.
As a regular fourth-form verb (فعل رباعي), تعهّد conjugates according to Arabic verb patterns. When used, it typically requires the preposition 'ب' (bi-) to indicate what one is committing to:
For example: "تعهّد بتحسين الخدمات" (ta'ahhada bi-tahsīn al-khidmāt) means "He committed to improving services."
In political contexts, leaders frequently use تعهّد when addressing their nations: "تعهّد الرئيس بمحاربة الفساد" (The president pledged to fight corruption). In business, contracts often include statements like "تعهّدت الشركة بالالتزام بمعايير الجودة" (The company committed to adhering to quality standards).
In personal relationships, one might say "تعهّدت بأن أكون مصدر دعم لك" (I affirm that I will be a source of support for you).
While التزم (iltazama) means 'to be obligated,' تعهّد adds a layer of personal agency and deliberate choice. وعد (wa'ada) means 'to promise,' but تعهّد is more formal and binding. ضمن (damana) means 'to guarantee' but is less about personal commitment.
The noun form التعهد (at-ta'ahhud) refers to the commitment itself, while المتعهد (al-muta'ahhid) refers to the contractor or person making the commitment.
In Arab culture, one's word is sacred. When someone uses تعهّد, they're invoking cultural values of honor, integrity, and reliability. Breaking a تعهّد is considered a serious breach of trust that can damage personal and professional relationships irreparably.
Remember that تعهّد is always serious in tone—never use it casually or ironically. Always pair it with ب (bi-) to specify the commitment. In formal writing, you might see تعهّد في in contracts and official documents. Practice using it with different subjects and commitments to become comfortable with its formal register.
"تعهّد بالسلام" (committed to peace) is frequently heard in political discourse. "تعهّد بالمسؤولية" (took on responsibility) is common in personal and professional settings. Business contexts favor "تعهّد كتابياً" (affirmed in writing) to indicate formal, documented commitments.
مasterning تعهّد is crucial for understanding formal Arabic, from legal documents to political speeches. This word demonstrates how Arabic often encodes cultural values directly into vocabulary, making language learning inseparable from cultural understanding.