العقد

Contract

Difficulty Level

Frequency Rank

Description

العقد (al-ʿaqd) is a noun meaning 'contract' or 'agreement' in Arabic. It refers to a formal binding agreement between two or more parties, whether written or verbal, and is commonly used in legal, business, and everyday contexts. The word can also mean 'decade' (a period of ten years) depending on context.

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Example Sentences

وقعت الشركة عقداً جديداً مع العميل.

Waqqaʿat al-shirka ʿaqdan jadīdan maʿa al-ʿamīl.

The company signed a new contract with the client.

شروط العقد واضحة جداً.

Shurūṭ al-ʿaqd wāḍiḥa jiddan.

The terms of the contract are very clear.

انتهى العقد بعد سنتين من التوقيع.

Intahā al-ʿaqd baʿda sanatayn min al-tawqīʿ.

The contract ended after two years from signing.

عليك قراءة العقد بعناية قبل التوقيع عليه.

ʿAlayka qirāʾat al-ʿaqd biʿināya qabla al-tawqīʿ ʿalayh.

You should read the contract carefully before signing it.

هذا العقد ملزم قانونياً لكلا الطرفين.

Hādhā al-ʿaqd mulzim qānūniyyan likullā al-ṭarafayn.

This contract is legally binding for both parties.

Synonyms

الاتفاق(agreement)الاتفاقية(accord)العهد(covenant)الوثيقة(document)

Antonyms

الفسخ(termination)الإلغاء(cancellation)

Cultural Notes

In Arab business culture, contracts are essential legal instruments that formalize business relationships. Islamic principles often influence contract law in Arab countries, emphasizing mutual consent and fairness between parties. The concept of عقد extends beyond commercial use into employment, rental agreements, and marriage contracts (عقد النكاح), making it a fundamental term in daily Arab life.

Usage Tips

Remember that العقد is masculine, so it takes masculine adjectives and verbs. Use it with definite articles (العقد) when referring to a specific contract or without them (عقد) when discussing contracts in general. Pay attention to the prepositions used: 'توقيع على العقد' (to sign a contract), 'شروط العقد' (terms of the contract), and 'نهاية العقد' (end of contract).

## Understanding العقد (Al-ʿAqd) - Contract in Arabic The Arabic word العقد (al-ʿaqd) is a fundamental term used extensively in business, legal, and everyday contexts throughout the Arab world. It refers to a formal agreement or contract between two or more parties that establishes rights and obligations for all involved. Understanding this word is essential for anyone engaged in business dealings or legal matters in Arabic-speaking countries. ## Meaning and Definition العقد (al-ʿaqd) literally translates to 'contract' or 'agreement' and encompasses any binding arrangement between parties. The word carries significant legal weight and is used in both informal and formal contexts. In Islamic jurisprudence, a contract must involve mutual consent (إيجاب وقبول - ijāb wa-qabūl) from all parties involved, making it a cornerstone of Islamic commercial law. ## Grammatical Features العقد is a masculine noun in Arabic. When used with adjectives, they must agree in gender and number. For example: - العقد الجديد (the new contract) - العقد الملزم قانونياً (the legally binding contract) The plural form is عقود (ʿuqūd), commonly used when discussing multiple contracts or agreements. Examples of usage include: - شروط العقود (terms of contracts) - توقيع عقود جديدة (signing new contracts) ## Common Legal Contexts In modern Arabic legal terminology, العقد appears in various compound forms and phrases: **عقد العمل** (ʿaqd al-ʿamal) - employment contract, the agreement between an employer and employee outlining salary, responsibilities, and working conditions. **عقد الإيجار** (ʿaqd al-ījār) - rental agreement or lease contract, governing the terms between a landlord and tenant. **عقد البيع** (ʿaqd al-bayʿ) - sales contract, the agreement made when buying or selling goods or property. **عقد الزواج** (ʿaqd al-nikāh) - marriage contract, the formal agreement in Islamic tradition that establishes the marriage relationship. ## Usage in Business Arabic When conducting business in Arabic, you'll frequently encounter expressions related to contracts: - **إبرام عقد** (ibrām ʿaqd) - to conclude or enter into a contract - **توقيع العقد** (tawqīʿ al-ʿaqd) - to sign the contract - **شروط العقد** (shurūṭ al-ʿaqd) - terms of the contract - **بنود العقد** (bunūd al-ʿaqd) - clauses or provisions of the contract - **انتهاء العقد** (intihāʾ al-ʿaqd) - contract expiration or termination - **فسخ العقد** (faskh al-ʿaqd) - to cancel or terminate the contract ## Cultural and Legal Significance In Arab business culture, contracts hold paramount importance. They serve not only as legal documents but also as formal expressions of mutual commitment and respect. Islamic principles heavily influence contract law throughout the Arab world, with emphasis on fairness, transparency, and mutual consent. The Islamic concept of عقد is based on the principle of منجز (minājiz) - a binding commitment where both parties willingly agree to the terms. This aligns with modern contract law principles found in most Arab countries' legal systems. ## Practical Learning Tips When learning to use العقد correctly, remember these key points: 1. Pay careful attention to prepositions: ننوي الدخول في عقد جديد (we intend to enter into a new contract) uses في (fī), while other contexts might use different prepositions. 2. Learn common collocations such as عقد ملزم (binding contract), عقد دولي (international contract), and عقد طويل الأجل (long-term contract). 3. Understand the difference between موافقة (agreement/consent) and عقد (formal contract), as the latter carries stronger legal implications. ## Related Concepts Several related words help expand understanding of contracts in Arabic: - التوقيع (signature) - essential element of contract formation - الالتزام (obligation) - what a contract creates for parties - الحقوق (rights) - what parties gain from a contract - المسؤولية (responsibility) - obligations arising from contract terms - القانون (law) - the system governing contracts Mastering the word العقد and its associated terminology opens doors to effective communication in professional Arabic contexts across the Arab world.