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Council
المجلس (al-majlis) is an Arabic noun meaning 'council' or 'assembly,' referring to a formal gathering of people convened for discussion, decision-making, or consultation. It can denote both the physical place where such meetings occur and the group of people assembled, and is widely used in political, governmental, and social contexts throughout the Arab world.
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عقد المجلس اجتماعاً طارئاً لمناقشة الأزمة الحالية.
Aqada al-majlis ijtimaa'an tari'an limunaaqashah al-azmah al-haaliayh.
The council held an emergency meeting to discuss the current crisis.
انتخب الشعب أعضاء المجلس البرلماني.
Intakhaba ash-sha'b a'daa' al-majlis al-barlumani.
The people elected members of the parliamentary council.
يجتمع مجلس الإدارة كل شهر لمراجعة الأداء المالي.
Yajtami' majlis al-idaarah kull shahrin limurajah al-adaa' al-mali.
The board of directors meets every month to review financial performance.
المجلس البلدي مسؤول عن تطوير المدينة.
Al-majlis al-baladi mas'ul an tatawwur al-madinah.
The municipal council is responsible for the city's development.
قدم أحد أعضاء المجلس اقتراحاً جديداً.
Qaddama ahad a'daa' al-majlis iqtiraahan jadidan.
One of the council members presented a new proposal.
المجلس holds significant cultural importance in Arab societies, rooted in traditional gatherings where community leaders would meet to discuss important matters. The word encompasses various institutional contexts from governmental bodies like parliaments and municipal councils to corporate boards and tribal assemblies. In contemporary Arab politics and administration, specific councils like مجلس الوزراء (Council of Ministers) and مجلس النواب (House of Representatives) are fundamental to governance structures.
Remember that المجلس can refer both to the physical meeting space and the group of people assembled—context determines which meaning applies. When referring to specific councils, use the full phrase (e.g., المجلس البرلماني for parliamentary council). The word is masculine, so adjectives and verbs agreeing with it should follow masculine grammatical rules. Always use the definite article 'ال' when referring to established, formal councils.
The Arabic word المجلس (al-majlis) is a fundamental noun in Arabic that translates to 'council,' 'assembly,' or 'gathering.' This word is essential for anyone learning Arabic, particularly those interested in politics, governance, business, or formal social structures in the Arab world.
المجلس literally refers to a formal gathering or assembly of people convened for specific purposes such as discussion, decision-making, consultation, or deliberation. The word can denote both the physical location where such meetings occur and the collective body of people assembled. In modern Arabic, it is extensively used in governmental, institutional, and corporate contexts throughout all Arab nations.
المجلس is a masculine noun in Arabic, derived from the root ج-ل-س (j-l-s), which relates to sitting or gathering. When used in sentences, it follows standard Arabic noun rules, taking the definite article 'ال' when referring to specific councils. The plural form is مجالس (majalis). Adjectives and verbs used with this noun must maintain grammatical agreement with its masculine, singular form unless specifically referring to plural councils.
In political contexts, المجلس is used to describe various governmental bodies. مجلس الوزراء (Cabinet/Council of Ministers) represents the executive body headed by the Prime Minister. مجلس النواب (House of Representatives) or البرلمان refers to legislative assemblies. Municipal governance uses المجلس البلدي (Municipal Council) to describe local governmental bodies.
In corporate and institutional settings, مجلس الإدارة (Board of Directors) is a standard term used to describe the governing body of companies and organizations. Universities and educational institutions use المجلس for various administrative bodies like academic councils and student councils.
When discussing formal meetings, you might say: "عقد المجلس اجتماعاً" (The council held a meeting). When referring to membership, "أعضاء المجلس" (council members) is a common phrase. Decision-making scenarios often use "اتخذ المجلس قراراً" (The council made a decision).
المجلس has deep roots in Arab and Islamic tradition, where councils have been used for centuries as mechanisms for consultation and collective decision-making. The concept of "شورى" (consultation) in Islamic governance is historically connected to the council system. Understanding this word opens doors to comprehending how Arab societies organize themselves both historically and in contemporary times.
To master this word, learners should practice it in specific institutional contexts rather than in isolation. Create associations between المجلس and the types of councils you encounter in Arabic news, documentaries, or political discussions. Pay attention to how adjectives modify the word and how it functions in various sentence structures. Regular exposure to phrases like "قرار المجلس" (council decision) and "اجتماع المجلس" (council meeting) will solidify your understanding.
Understanding المجلس requires familiarity with related terms such as عضو (member), رئيس (chairman/president), اجتماع (meeting), قرار (decision), جلسة (session), and مناقشة (discussion). These words commonly appear alongside المجلس in formal Arabic discourse.
المجلس is an indispensable word in Arabic vocabulary for anyone seeking to understand governance, institutional structures, or formal organizational communication in the Arab world. Its widespread use across political, corporate, and social domains makes it a word that learners will encounter frequently in authentic Arabic materials and conversations.