Damages
الأضرار (al-aḍrār) is the plural form of ضرر (ḍarar), meaning 'damages,' 'harms,' or 'injuries.' It refers to physical, financial, emotional, or legal harm caused to a person, property, or entity. This word is commonly used in legal, medical, financial, and everyday contexts to describe negative consequences or losses.
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تسببت الحادثة في أضرار جسيمة للممتلكات والأشخاص.
Sababbat al-ḥāditha fī aḍrār jasīma lil-mumtalakāt wa-al-ashkhās.
The accident caused serious damages to property and people.
يطالب الضحايا بتعويضات عن الأضرار التي لحقت بهم.
Yutālib al-ḍaḥāyā bi-ta'awīḍāt 'an al-aḍrār allatī laḥiqat bihim.
The victims are demanding compensation for the damages they suffered.
الأضرار الناجمة عن التلوث تؤثر على صحة السكان.
Al-aḍrār al-nājima 'an al-talowaath tu'aththir 'ala sihhat al-sakkān.
The damages resulting from pollution affect the health of residents.
قدّر الخبراء الأضرار بملايين الدولارات.
Qaddara al-khubara' al-aḍrār bi-malāyīn al-dūlārāt.
The experts estimated the damages at millions of dollars.
هناك أضرار بيئية طويلة الأمد من هذا المشروع.
Hunāk aḍrār bi'iyya ṭawīlat al-amad min hādhā al-mashru'.
There are long-term environmental damages from this project.
In Arabic legal and business culture, the concept of أضرار is central to contract law, insurance claims, and civil litigation. Islamic jurisprudence also emphasizes the principle of preventing harm (ضرر) and the right to compensation. This word appears frequently in news reports about accidents, natural disasters, and conflicts in the Middle East and Arab world.
Remember that الأضرار is the plural form; use it when discussing multiple types of damages or cumulative harm. In legal contexts, pair it with verbs like تسبب (caused), لحق (befell), or with phrases like تعويضات عن (compensation for). Be aware that context determines whether it refers to physical damage, financial loss, or emotional harm.
الأضرار (al-aḍrār) is the plural noun form meaning 'damages,' 'harms,' 'injuries,' or 'losses.' It derives from the singular ضرر (ḍarar), which carries the fundamental meaning of causing injury or harm to someone or something. This word is essential in Arabic for discussing negative consequences, whether physical, financial, emotional, or legal in nature.
الأضرار is a masculine plural noun in Arabic, derived from the root ض-ر-ر (ḍ-r-r). The root itself contains the concept of harm or damage, and when you add the definite article ال (al-), it becomes al-aḍrār (the damages). This word follows standard Arabic pluralization patterns and can be used with various prepositions and verb forms depending on context.
When used in sentences, الأضرار can function as:
In legal Arabic, الأضرار is a cornerstone term. Court documents, insurance claims, and contracts frequently reference أضرار جسيمة (serious damages) or أضرار مادية (material damages). The phrase تعويضات عن الأضرار (compensation for damages) is standard legal terminology used when parties seek financial restitution for harm suffered.
Islamic law (Shariah) also emphasizes the concept of preventing harm through the principle of درء الضرر (preventing damage). This ancient legal principle underscores the importance of the word in Arab-Islamic legal traditions.
Beyond legal contexts, الأضرار appears in everyday conversations about:
While الأضرار is the most common plural term for damages, related words include:
The choice between these terms depends on whether you're emphasizing physical harm, financial loss, or general injury.
When learning to use الأضرار correctly:
In Arab culture and media, discussions of أضرار are particularly common when reporting on conflicts, accidents, environmental disasters, and legal disputes. News outlets frequently use precise language to quantify and describe damages, making familiarity with this term important for anyone consuming Arabic media.
The emphasis on compensation for damages reflects deep cultural values about justice and restitution in Arab societies. When someone suffers harm, the expectation that they receive تعويضات (compensation) for الأضرار is a fundamental principle of fairness.
الأضرار is an indispensable word for intermediate to advanced Arabic learners, particularly those interested in legal, medical, or news contexts. Its usage is widespread across formal and informal registers, making it a valuable addition to your Arabic vocabulary. Understanding both its literal meaning and its role in legal and cultural contexts will enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Arabic about harm, loss, and compensation.