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ittafaqa
to agree
اتفق (ittafaqa) is a verb meaning 'to agree' or 'to come to an agreement.' It expresses consensus between two or more parties on a matter, decision, or plan. The word is fundamental in Arabic communication for discussing negotiations, meetings, and shared understandings.
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اتفقنا على موعد الاجتماع غدا الساعة الثالثة.
Ittafaqna 'ala maw'id al-ijtima' ghadan al-saa'a al-thaalitha.
We agreed on the meeting time tomorrow at three o'clock.
هل اتفقتم على السعر النهائي للسيارة؟
Hal ittafaqtum 'ala al-si'r al-nihaa'i li-l-sayyara?
Did you all agree on the final price of the car?
اتفقت الدول على معاهدة سلام جديدة.
Ittafaqat al-duwal 'ala mu'ahada salaam jadida.
The countries agreed on a new peace treaty.
لم نتفق على طريقة حل المشكلة.
Lam nattafiq 'ala tareqat hall al-mushkila.
We did not agree on the method to solve the problem.
هل تتفق معي في هذا الرأي؟
Hal tattafiq ma'i fi hadha al-ra'y?
Do you agree with me on this opinion?
In Arab business and diplomatic contexts, reaching agreement (اتفاق) is a cornerstone of conducting transactions and building relationships. The process of negotiating to اتفق reflects the importance of consensus and mutual respect in Arab culture. This word is frequently used in news broadcasts, business meetings, and formal diplomatic communications throughout the Arab world.
اتفق is typically used with the preposition 'على' (ala, meaning 'on/upon') to indicate what is being agreed upon. Remember that it conjugates for different persons and tenses—for example, اتفقت (feminine singular), اتفقوا (masculine plural), and اتفقنا (we). Pay attention to context: when used without a direct object, it often implies general agreement, while with 'على' it specifies the exact subject of the agreement.
The Arabic verb اتفق (ittafaqa) is one of the most essential words for expressing agreement in Arabic. It literally means "to agree" or "to come to an agreement" and is used when two or more parties reach a consensus or understanding about something. This word is fundamental for anyone learning Arabic, whether for business, casual conversation, or academic purposes.
اتفق is a Form VIII verb (اِفْتِعال pattern), which is derived from the root و-ف-ق (w-f-q). Like all Arabic verbs, it conjugates according to person, gender, and tense. Here are some basic conjugations:
When used with multiple parties, the verb takes the appropriate plural form: اتفقوا (they agreed - masculine) or اتفقن (they agreed - feminine).
The most common way to use اتفق is with the preposition 'على' (ala, meaning "on" or "upon"). For example:
You can also use it with other prepositions depending on context, though 'على' is by far the most common.
In business negotiations: "اتفقنا على شروط العقد بعد ساعات من النقاش" (We agreed on the contract terms after hours of discussion).
In daily conversation: "اتفقنا على الذهاب إلى السينما يوم الجمعة" (We agreed to go to the cinema on Friday).
In diplomatic contexts: "اتفقت الدول الأعضاء على بيان مشترك" (The member states agreed on a joint statement).
Understanding related vocabulary helps deepen your grasp of the concept:
English speakers often forget to include the preposition 'على' when using اتفق. Remember that saying "اتفقنا" alone is incomplete; you should say "اتفقنا على" followed by what was agreed upon. Additionally, be careful not to confuse اتفق with وافق (wafaqa), which also means "to agree" but is used differently in some contexts—وافق often implies approval or consent rather than reaching a mutual agreement.
In Arab business and diplomatic cultures, the concept of reaching agreement is deeply important. Arabs value consensus-building and collaborative decision-making. Using اتفق properly demonstrates respect for this cultural value and shows that you understand the importance of mutual understanding in negotiations and relationships. This word is frequently heard in news reports, business meetings, and formal communications throughout the Arab world.
To master the use of اتفق, practice creating sentences about agreements in different contexts. Try role-playing business negotiations or diplomatic scenarios where you need to express agreement on terms. Listen to Arabic news broadcasts and podcasts where this word is commonly used. Pay attention to the prepositions used after اتفق and try to understand why different prepositions are chosen in different contexts.
اتفق is an indispensable verb for anyone learning Arabic. Its frequent use in everyday conversations, business dealings, and formal communications makes it a priority word to master. By understanding its conjugations, proper usage with prepositions, and related vocabulary, you'll be well-equipped to participate in meaningful discussions about agreements in Arabic-speaking contexts.