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Wage
الأجر (al-ajr) is a masculine noun meaning 'wage,' 'salary,' or 'reward' in Arabic. It refers to compensation paid for work or services rendered, and can also mean divine reward in religious contexts. The word is fundamental in discussing employment, labor, and compensation across Modern Standard Arabic and most dialects.
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يتقاضى العامل أجراً يومياً مقابل عمله الشاق.
Yataqaḍá al-ʿāmil ajran yawmiyyan muqābil ʿamalihi ash-shāqq.
The worker receives a daily wage in return for his hard work.
راتب الموظف هو أجر ثابت كل شهر.
Rātib al-mawẓẓaf huwa ajr thābit kull shahr.
The employee's salary is a fixed wage every month.
أعطيته أجراً عادلاً لقاء خدماته المميزة.
Aʿṭaytuh ajran ʿādilan liqāʾ khidmātih al-mumayyizah.
I gave him fair compensation for his outstanding services.
يسعى الموظف للحصول على أجر أفضل في وظيفة جديدة.
Yasʿá al-mawẓẓaf lil-ḥuṣūl ʿalá ajr afdal fī wazīfah jadīdah.
The employee seeks to obtain better wages in a new job.
الأجر الحسن ينعكس على جودة العمل والإنتاجية.
Al-ajr al-ḥasan yanʿakis ʿalá jūdat al-ʿamal wa-al-intāajiyyah.
Good wages are reflected in work quality and productivity.
In Arabic culture and Islamic tradition, the concept of أجر (wage) extends beyond material compensation to include spiritual reward. The Quran frequently references أجر in both economic and religious contexts, emphasizing fair wages and divine reward for good deeds. In modern Arab workplaces, discussions about أجر are central to labor negotiations and employee satisfaction, reflecting the word's importance in contemporary Arab society.
When using الأجر, remember it can refer to any form of compensation—daily wages, monthly salaries, or even payment for services. The word is typically masculine and can be pluralized as أجور. In formal or religious contexts, الأجر often refers to divine reward, so understanding context is crucial. Use الراتب for regular monthly salaries and الأجر for more general wage compensation.
الأجر (al-ajr) is a masculine noun in Arabic that primarily means 'wage,' 'salary,' or 'compensation.' It derives from the Arabic root ج-ج-ر and is one of the most commonly used words in discussions about employment, labor, and economic transactions in the Arab world. The word encompasses various forms of payment for work, services, or labor performed.
As a masculine noun, الأجر follows standard Arabic grammatical patterns. Its plural form is أجور (ujūr), and it can be used with various adjectives to specify the type or quality of wage. The word is typically used with prepositions such as ل (for) and عن (for/regarding) when discussing compensation or payment relationships.
In modern Arabic-speaking communities, الأجر is fundamental to workplace conversations. Employees negotiate أجور (wages), employers discuss أجور with their workers, and economists analyze wage trends using this term. The word appears regularly in news media, employment contracts, and social discussions about economic conditions.
Beyond its economic meaning, الأجر holds significant religious importance in Islamic tradition. In the Quran, أجر frequently refers to divine reward or compensation for righteous deeds. This dual meaning—material wage and spiritual reward—makes the word particularly rich in Arabic cultural and linguistic contexts. Classical Arabic literature extensively uses الأجر to discuss both temporal compensation and eternal reward.
Several related words complement الأجر in Arabic economic discourse. الراتب (al-rātib) specifically refers to a regular monthly salary, while الأجرة (al-ujrah) can mean a fee or charge. المكافأة (al-mukāfaʾah) denotes a bonus or reward, and العوض (al-ʿawḍ) means compensation or recompense. Understanding these distinctions helps learners use precise terminology in different contexts.
Arabic speakers use several set phrases with الأجر. 'أجر يومي' (daily wage) is common when discussing hourly or daily workers. 'أجر عادل' (fair wage) appears in discussions about labor rights and economic justice. 'زيادة الأجر' (wage increase) is frequently heard in employment negotiations and economic news.
When learning الأجر, distinguish it from الراتب—use الأجر for general wages and compensation, and الراتب for regular monthly salaries. Practice using it with common adjectives like 'عادل' (fair) and 'كافي' (sufficient) to discuss real-world employment situations. Listen for the word in Arabic news broadcasts discussing labor and economic matters to improve comprehension and contextual understanding.
Contemporary Arabic uses الأجر extensively in discussions about minimum wage laws, wage gaps, and labor rights. International organizations working in Arab countries frequently use this term when discussing employment standards and worker compensation. The word remains consistently important across Modern Standard Arabic and regional dialects.