Enough
بما فيه الكفاية (bimā fīhi al-kifāyah) is an Arabic adverbial phrase meaning 'enough' or 'sufficiently.' It expresses that a quantity, quality, or degree is adequate and satisfactory for a particular purpose. This phrase is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate that no more is needed.
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هذا المبلغ كاف بما فيه الكفاية لشراء السيارة.
Hādhā al-mablagh kāfin bimā fīhi al-kifāyah lishirā' al-sayyārah.
This amount is enough to buy the car.
لديك وقت كافٍ بما فيه الكفاية لإنهاء المشروع.
Ladayka waqt kāfin bimā fīhi al-kifāyah li-inhā' al-mashrū'.
You have enough time to finish the project.
الطعام في هذا المطعم جيد بما فيه الكفاية.
Al-ta'ām fī hādhā al-mat'am jayyid bimā fīhi al-kifāyah.
The food in this restaurant is good enough.
درجاتك عالية بما فيه الكفاية للالتحاق بالجامعة.
Darajātuk 'āliyah bimā fīhi al-kifāyah lil-iltihāq bil-jāmi'ah.
Your grades are high enough to enroll in the university.
المعلومات المتاحة كافية بما فيه الكفاية للبدء.
Al-ma'lūmāt al-mutāhah kāfiyah bimā fīhi al-kifāyah lil-bidāyah.
The available information is sufficient enough to begin.
In Arabic-speaking cultures, the phrase بما فيه الكفاية is commonly used in daily conversations, business negotiations, and formal writing. Arabs often use this expression when describing adequacy in various contexts—from food portions to salary levels to educational qualifications. The phrase reflects the cultural value of moderation and sufficiency (often linked to Islamic teachings about contentment), and using it appropriately demonstrates understanding of Arabic communicative norms.
This phrase functions as an adverbial modifier and typically comes after the adjective or noun it describes. Remember that it's often used with adjectives in the accusative case (منصوب). In modern Arabic, you might encounter shortened forms like 'كافٍ بما يكفي' or simply 'كافٍ'. Be mindful that the full phrase is more formal and eloquent, making it particularly suitable for written Arabic or formal speech.
The Arabic phrase بما فيه الكفاية (bimā fīhi al-kifāyah) is a fundamental expression meaning 'enough,' 'sufficient,' or 'sufficiently.' It is widely used in both everyday conversations and formal Arabic to indicate that something has reached an adequate level and no more is required.
بما فيه الكفاية is composed of several elements:
Together, these elements create a phrase that literally translates to "with what suffices in it" or more naturally as "enough" or "sufficiently."
This phrase is typically used as an adverbial modifier that follows an adjective or noun to express adequacy. For example:
In these constructions, the phrase adds emphasis to the idea of sufficiency and is considered more eloquent than simply using the word 'كافٍ' (kāfin) alone.
While بما فيه الكفاية is used in both formal and informal contexts, it appears more frequently in:
Several related expressions convey similar meanings:
In Arab culture, the concept of sufficiency (الكفاية - al-kifāyah) holds significant importance, reflecting Islamic values of moderation, contentment, and avoiding excess. The phrase demonstrates cultural awareness and is often used in contexts ranging from describing adequate salaries and food portions to educational qualifications and personal qualities. Using this phrase appropriately signals that you understand Arabic communication conventions and cultural values.
When learning to use this phrase: