Affirms
يتعهّد (yata'ahhad) is a reflexive verb meaning 'to affirm,' 'to commit,' or 'to pledge' to do something. It expresses a formal or serious commitment to fulfill an obligation or promise. This verb is commonly used in legal, business, and formal contexts to indicate a binding agreement or responsibility.
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تعهّدت الشركة بتسليم المشروع في الموعد المحدد.
Ta'ahhadt ash-sharika bi-taslim al-mashru' fi al-maw'id al-muhadad.
The company affirmed/committed to delivering the project on the specified deadline.
يتعهّد الطالب بالالتزام بقواعد المدرسة.
Yata'ahhad at-talib bi-al-iltizam bi-qawa'id al-madrasa.
The student commits to adhering to the school's rules.
تعهّدنا بحماية البيئة والحفاظ عليها.
Ta'ahhudna bi-himayat al-bi'a wa-al-hifaz 'alayha.
We pledged to protect the environment and preserve it.
الحكومة تتعهّد بتوفير التعليم المجاني للجميع.
Al-hukuma tata'ahhad bi-tawfir at-ta'lim al-majani li-al-jami'.
The government affirms its commitment to providing free education for all.
تعهّد بعدم الكشف عن الأسرار التجارية.
Ta'ahhad bi-'adam al-kashf 'an al-asrar at-tijariya.
He committed to not disclosing trade secrets.
In Arabic culture and Islamic tradition, keeping one's word and honoring commitments is a deeply valued ethical principle. The word يتعهّد is frequently used in formal business contracts, government agreements, and legal documents throughout the Arab world. It carries significant weight in business negotiations and official communications, reflecting the importance of trust and reliability in Arab business practices.
Remember that يتعهّد is typically followed by the preposition ب (bi-) meaning 'with' or 'to,' establishing what is being committed to. This verb is formal and should be used in professional, legal, or serious contexts rather than casual conversation. Pay attention to the tense: يتعهّد is present tense, while تعهّد is past tense, both indicating ongoing or completed commitments.
The Arabic verb يتعهّد (yata'ahhad) is a reflexive Form V verb derived from the root ع-ه-د (ayn-ha-dal), which relates to covenants, pledges, and commitments. The verb literally means 'to affirm,' 'to commit,' or 'to pledge,' and it carries significant weight in formal and official Arabic discourse.
يتعهّد follows the pattern of reflexive verbs in Arabic (Form V), which often indicate an involvement of the subject in the action. The verb conjugates as follows:
The verb is almost always followed by the preposition ب (bi-) to indicate what is being committed to, creating phrases like يتعهّد بـ (commits to/affirms).
يتعهّد is predominantly used in legal, business, diplomatic, and governmental contexts. It appears frequently in:
While يتعهّد can be translated as 'affirms,' 'commits,' or 'pledges,' the choice depends on context. 'Affirms' suggests confirmation of a statement or position; 'commits' emphasizes binding obligation; 'pledges' conveys a solemn promise. In all cases, the verb indicates a serious, formal commitment rather than a casual promise.
Understanding the word family around يتعهّد enhances comprehension:
In Arab culture and Islamic tradition, honoring one's word is a fundamental ethical and religious principle. The Quran emphasizes fulfilling covenants and keeping promises, making يتعهّد not merely a legal term but a culturally significant expression of integrity. When someone تعهّد (committed), they are bound not only by law but by social and moral responsibility.
A real estate developer might say: 'نتعهّد بتسليم الوحدات السكنية في الموعد المحدد' (We commit to delivering residential units by the specified date).
A university administration might state: 'تتعهّد الجامعة بتوفير بيئة تعليمية آمنة وصحية' (The university affirms its commitment to providing a safe and healthy educational environment).
An employee signing a contract might agree: 'أتعهّد بالالتزام بقواعد السلوك المهني' (I commit to adhering to professional conduct rules).
English speakers should note that يتعهّد is more formal than typical English 'I promise.' It implies a binding obligation with legal or moral weight. Always pair it with ب (bi-) followed by what is being committed to. In written Arabic, especially official documents, this verb appears frequently, so mastering its usage and recognition is essential for professional Arabic learners.
يتعهّد represents an important vocabulary element for anyone studying formal or professional Arabic. Its presence in legal documents, business correspondence, and official statements makes it invaluable for advanced learners. Understanding not just the translation but the cultural weight and formal context surrounding this verb enriches one's ability to communicate effectively in professional Arabic settings.