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ʿajjala
to rush
The Arabic verb عجل (ʿajjala) means 'to rush', 'to hurry', or 'to hasten' an action or event. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe the act of accelerating pace or doing something quickly. The word can also mean 'to advance' or 'to bring forward' when referring to timing.
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عجّل الطالب في حل الامتحان.
ʿajjala al-ṭālib fī ḥall al-imtiḥān.
The student rushed through solving the exam.
لا تعجل في اتخاذ القرار المهم.
Lā tuʿajjil fī ittikhaadh al-qarār al-muhimm.
Don't rush in making an important decision.
عجّل الشركة بإطلاق المنتج الجديد.
ʿajjala ash-sharika bi-iṭlāq al-muntaj al-jadīd.
The company accelerated the launch of the new product.
إذا عجّلت في السفر ستصل قبل الغروب.
Idhā ʿajjalta fī as-safar sataṣal qabla al-ghurūb.
If you hurry in traveling, you will arrive before sunset.
يجب أن لا نعجل في الأحكام.
Yajib an lā nuʿajjil fī al-aḥkām.
We must not rush in making judgments.
In Arabic culture, the concept of rushing versus patience is frequently discussed, as the cultural value of patience (sabr) is highly emphasized in Islamic tradition. However, the word عجل is equally important in modern business and daily contexts where efficiency and timely action are valued. The phrase 'لا تعجل' (don't rush) is a common saying used to encourage thoughtful decision-making.
Remember that عجل is a transitive verb, so it typically requires an object—you rush 'in' or 'with' something. Use the form 'عجّل في' (hurried in) for rushing to do something, and 'عجّل ب' (hastened with) when referring to accelerating a specific action. Be mindful of the context: while rushing is sometimes necessary, Arabic culture often values the cautionary use of its antonyms.
The Arabic verb عجّل (ʿajjala) is a fundamental word used to express the action of rushing, hurrying, or hastening. This word appears frequently in both spoken and written Arabic, making it essential for learners to master its proper usage and nuances.
عجّل primarily means 'to rush,' 'to hurry,' or 'to hasten' an action or process. When used with the preposition 'في' (fī), it means to rush in doing something specific. For example, "عجّل في الدراسة" (ʿajjala fī ad-dirāsa) means 'to rush in studying.' The verb can also function with other prepositions or as a standalone action verb, allowing flexible usage in various contexts.
عجّل follows the second form (Form II) of the Arabic verb system, characterized by the doubled middle consonant. This form typically indicates causation or intensification of action. The conjugation follows standard patterns:
Understanding these conjugations is crucial for using the word correctly in different time frames.
In professional contexts, you might hear: "عجّلت الشركة بإطلاق المنتج" (the company accelerated the product launch). In daily conversation: "لا تعجل في الأكل" (don't rush your eating). In academic settings: "عجّل الطالب في حل الواجب" (the student rushed through the homework).
The word works equally well in formal Arabic (Fusha) and Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), though regional dialects may have variations in pronunciation and usage patterns.
Related words include أسرع (asraʿa, to hurry), استعجل (staʿjala, to demand urgency), and تسرّع (tasarraʿa, to accelerate). The noun form عجلة (ʿajla) can mean both 'haste' or 'hurry' and literally 'wheel,' depending on context. The adjective عاجل (ʿājil) means 'urgent,' creating a semantic family around the concept of speed and immediacy.
In Arab cultures, particularly in business and modern professional environments, عجّل reflects values of efficiency and timeliness. However, it's often used cautiously, as Islamic and traditional Arabic culture emphasizes patience (sabr) and careful deliberation. The balance between moving forward efficiently and avoiding hasty mistakes is an important theme in Arabic communication.
When learning this word, consider the context carefully. While rushing is sometimes necessary and appropriate, many situations call for the opposite attitude. The phrase "تأنّ" (taʾannā, take your time) or "تمهّل" (tamahhal, slow down) often counter عجّل in practical advice and wisdom sayings.
Pay attention to the prepositions used with عجّل. The structure 'عجّل في' indicates rushing in a specific activity, while 'عجّل ب' suggests accelerating a particular object or process. Always consider the broader context of your sentence to ensure the word conveys your intended meaning. Practice using it in different tenses and with various objects to build fluency. Remember that while this word is useful for practical communication, it's often balanced in Arabic discourse with calls for patience and deliberation.