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Liability
المسؤولية (al-mas'ūliyyah) is a feminine noun meaning 'responsibility' or 'liability' in Arabic. It refers to the state of being accountable for one's actions, decisions, or obligations, encompassing both legal and moral dimensions. This word is fundamental in discussions about duty, accountability, and ethical conduct in Arabic-speaking societies.
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تقع على عاتقك مسؤولية إكمال هذا المشروع في الوقت المحدد.
Taqaʿ ʿalá ʿātiqka mas'ūliyyat ikmāl hādhā al-mashruʿ fī al-waqt al-muḥaddad.
The responsibility of completing this project on time falls on your shoulders.
يتحمل الوالدان مسؤولية تربية أطفالهما.
Yatḥammal al-wālidān mas'ūliyyat tarbiyyat aṭfālihimā.
Parents bear the responsibility of raising their children.
أنكر الوزير تحمل أي مسؤولية عن الفساد.
Ankara al-wazīr taḥammul ayy mas'ūliyyah ʿan al-fasād.
The minister denied taking any responsibility for the corruption.
المسؤولية الاجتماعية تعني المساهمة في خدمة المجتمع.
Al-mas'ūliyyah al-ijtimāʿiyyah taʿnī al-musāhamah fī khidmat al-mujtamaʿ.
Social responsibility means contributing to the service of society.
يجب أن نتحمل مسؤولية تصرفاتنا.
Yajib an nataḥammal mas'ūliyyat taṣarrufātinā.
We must take responsibility for our actions.
In Arab culture, the concept of مسؤولية extends beyond individual accountability to encompass family honor, community standing, and collective welfare. Islamic principles emphasize personal responsibility before God, making this concept deeply rooted in religious and moral frameworks. The term is frequently used in modern Arabic discourse regarding corporate responsibility, government accountability, and social ethics.
Remember that المسؤولية is a feminine noun, so adjectives and verbs must agree with feminine forms. The phrase 'تحمل مسؤولية' (to bear/shoulder responsibility) is the most common collocation. In legal or formal contexts, you might hear 'المسؤولية القانونية' (legal responsibility) or 'المسؤولية المدنية' (civil liability).
المسؤولية is a fundamental Arabic word that translates to 'responsibility' or 'liability' in English. It is a feminine noun (al-isim al-muannath) derived from the root س-أ-ل (s-'-l), which relates to questioning, accountability, and asking. This word is essential in modern Standard Arabic and is used extensively in legal, social, political, and ethical contexts.
At its core, المسؤولية refers to the state or condition of being responsible or answerable for something. It encompasses the idea of accountability—both the obligation to account for one's actions and the capacity to be held accountable. In Arabic, it carries both a moral and legal dimension, reflecting the Islamic tradition of personal accountability before God and before society.
The word can be used in several contexts:
As a feminine noun, المسؤولية requires feminine agreement in adjectives and verbs. For example:
Common prepositions used with this word include:
The most frequent collocation in Arabic is تحمل المسؤولية, which literally means 'to shoulder/carry the responsibility.' This phrase is used when someone accepts or takes on responsibility for something.
Other important phrases include:
In Arab and Islamic culture, المسؤولية is more than just a legal concept—it is deeply woven into the social fabric. Islamic teaching emphasizes that every individual is accountable before God (Allah) for their deeds, making personal responsibility a fundamental religious principle. This is reflected in the Qur'anic concept of يوم الحساب (Day of Judgment), when all will be held accountable for their actions.
In modern Arab societies, the concept of مسؤولية extends to corporate social responsibility (المسؤولية الاجتماعية للشركات), government accountability, and institutional ethics. Media and political discourse frequently emphasize the need for leaders and organizations to take responsibility for their decisions and actions.
Understanding the word family around المسؤولية helps deepen comprehension:
When learning to use المسؤولية correctly, remember:
Educational context: "المعلم يتحمل مسؤولية تطوير مهارات الطلاب" (The teacher bears the responsibility of developing students' skills)
Business context: "الشركة تتولى مسؤولية خدمة العملاء" (The company takes on the responsibility of serving customers)
Political context: "يجب على الحكومة تحمل مسؤولية الفقر" (The government must take responsibility for poverty)
Personal context: "أنا أتحمل مسؤولية أخطائي" (I take responsibility for my mistakes)
المسؤولية is an essential word in Arabic that reflects both practical accountability and deep moral and religious principles. For English speakers learning Arabic, mastering this word opens doors to understanding contemporary Arab discourse on ethics, governance, and social values. By practicing the common phrases and understanding its cultural weight, learners can effectively communicate about responsibility in Arabic in both formal and informal settings.