يجري in 30 Sekunden
- Primary meaning: Physical running (A1 level).
- Secondary meaning: Flowing of liquids like water or blood.
- Tertiary meaning: Events taking place or happening (news/formal).
- Key grammar: Defective verb; 'Ya' drops in jussive/imperative.
The Arabic verb يجري (Yajrī) is a multifaceted gem in the linguistic landscape of the Middle East. At its most fundamental level, taught to beginners at the A1 level, it describes the physical act of running—propelling oneself forward at a speed faster than walking. However, as one delves deeper into the semantic layers of the Arabic language, the word expands into realms of fluid dynamics, temporal progression, and existential occurrence. It is derived from the root ج-ر-ي (J-R-Y), which inherently carries the concept of 'flow' or 'course'. This is why the same word used for a child running in a park is used for a river flowing toward the sea or a conversation taking place between friends.
- Physical Motion
- The rapid movement of legs to travel quickly.
- Fluidity
- The continuous movement of liquids like water or blood.
- Occurrence
- The happening or taking place of events and processes.
الولد يجري في الحديقة بسرعة كبيرة.
— The boy runs in the garden very quickly.
In a metaphorical sense, 'يجري' captures the essence of life's momentum. When we talk about blood 'running' through veins or time 'running' out, Arabic uses this specific verb to denote a natural, often unstoppable progression. It is not merely about speed; it is about the path and the continuity of the action. Unlike the English word 'run', which can sometimes imply a mechanical operation (like a machine running), 'يجري' in Arabic often leans towards a more organic or event-based flow.
النهر يجري تحت الجسر القديم.
— The river flows under the old bridge.
- Temporal Flow
- How time or periods pass (e.g., 'as time runs').
- Administrative Flow
- How procedures or investigations are conducted.
Furthermore, in modern standard Arabic (MSA), 'يجري' is the go-to verb for media reports describing ongoing events. You will frequently hear news anchors say 'يجري الآن...' (It is currently taking place...), referring to meetings, elections, or negotiations. This transition from a physical A1 action to a complex B2/C1 political term makes it one of the most versatile verbs a learner can master. It bridges the gap between the playground and the parliament.
ماذا يجري هنا الآن؟
— What is happening here now?
Using يجري correctly requires understanding its subject-verb agreement and the prepositions that follow it, as these change the meaning entirely. In its simplest form, it is an intransitive verb (it doesn't need a direct object). You simply state who is running. However, when you add prepositions like وراء (behind/after) or في (in), the context shifts significantly.
- Conjugation Basics
- Present: هو يجري (He runs), هي تجري (She runs), أنا أجري (I run).
- Preposition: وراء (Behind)
- Means 'to chase' or 'to pursue' (e.g., chasing a dream or a thief).
- Preposition: على (On/According to)
- Used in idioms like 'runs in the family' or 'applies to'.
الشرطي يجري وراء اللص في الشارع.
— The policeman is running after (chasing) the thief in the street.
When using 'يجري' to mean 'to happen', it is often used with impersonal subjects or abstract nouns. For instance, 'The investigation is running' (يجري التحقيق). Note that in this context, the verb often precedes the subject in formal Arabic syntax (V-S-O pattern). This is a hallmark of professional and journalistic writing. If you are describing a physical race, you might use 'يجري' alongside 'يركض' (to run/sprint), though 'يجري' is more common in formal texts.
For learners at the B1 level and above, mastering the passive-like usage of 'يجري' is essential. While it is technically active, it functions to describe processes: 'The work is being carried out' (يجري العمل). This is a very 'Arabic' way of expressing progress without necessarily focusing on the doer of the action. It creates a sense of ongoing movement and momentum that is very natural to native speakers.
You will encounter يجري in a variety of environments, ranging from the most casual to the most formal. Its ubiquity makes it a 'high-frequency' word that appears in almost every genre of Arabic communication. Whether you are watching a football match, reading a scientific journal about fluid dynamics, or listening to a news report about international diplomacy, 'يجري' will be there.
- Sports Commentary
- 'The player runs with the ball' (يجري اللاعب بالكرة).
- News & Media
- 'Negotiations are taking place' (تجري المفاوضات).
- Daily Conversation
- 'What's going on?' (شو عم بيصير/ماذا يجري؟).
تجري الآن استعدادات كبيرة للحفل.
— Great preparations are currently taking place for the party.
In literature, 'يجري' is used to describe the passage of time or the flow of emotions. Poets might describe tears 'running' down a cheek (تجري الدموع على الخدود) or a river 'running' through a valley as a metaphor for life. In a more modern context, you'll see it in technical manuals or medical texts describing the flow of electricity or blood. It is a word that adapts to its surroundings like water itself.
In the legal and administrative world, 'يجري' is used to denote the implementation of laws or the execution of contracts. 'The law runs/applies to everyone' (يجري القانون على الجميع). This formal usage is crucial for anyone looking to work in translation or international relations. It conveys a sense of systematic, ongoing application that other verbs like 'happens' (يحدث) lack.
Even though يجري seems straightforward, learners often stumble over its nuances and its similarity to other verbs. One of the most common errors is using it interchangeably with يمشي (to walk). While in English we might say 'the clock is running', in Arabic, we use different verbs for mechanical movement versus physical running.
- يجري vs. يمشي
- Don't use 'يجري' for a slow stroll. 'يجري' implies speed or flow.
- يجري vs. يحدث
- 'يحدث' is for a sudden event; 'يجري' is for a process or an ongoing event.
- Conjugation of 'Ya'
- Forgetting to drop the 'Ya' in the jussive case (e.g., saying 'لم يجري' instead of 'لم يجرِ').
خطأ: يجري الوقت ببطء. (Incorrect for 'walking')
— Correction: Time 'passes' (يمر) or 'runs' (يجري) depending on the intended speed.
Another mistake is the prepositional usage. Many learners try to translate English phrasal verbs literally. For example, 'running out of' something doesn't use 'يجري'. Instead, Arabic uses 'ينفد' (to be exhausted). Similarly, 'running a business' is not 'يجري شركة' but 'يدير شركة' (to manage/direct). Using 'يجري' here would sound like the person is physically running inside the office building!
Arabic is rich with synonyms for movement, each carrying a slightly different weight or speed. Understanding where يجري sits in this spectrum is key to achieving fluency. It is the 'standard' speed, but there are words for sprinting, jogging, and flowing that provide more precision.
- يركض (Yarkud)
- Often used interchangeably with يجري, but can imply a more vigorous sprint.
- يهرول (Yuharwil)
- To jog or trot; a speed between walking and running.
- يتدفق (Yatadaffaq)
- To flow or gush (specifically for liquids or crowds).
- يسري (Yasri)
- To flow or spread, often used for electricity, rumors, or feelings at night.
الماء يتدفق من الشلال، بينما النهر يجري بهدوء.
— Water gushes from the waterfall, while the river flows calmly.
While 'يجري' is the general term for 'to happen', 'يحدث' (Yahduth) is its closest synonym in that context. However, 'يحدث' is more about the occurrence itself, whereas 'يجري' emphasizes the process. For example, 'What happened?' is 'ماذا حدث؟', but 'What is going on (right now)?' is 'ماذا يجري؟'. This distinction is subtle but important for natural-sounding Arabic.
How Formal Is It?
Schwierigkeitsgrad
Wichtige Grammatik
Defective verbs
V-S-O sentence structure
Present continuous in Arabic
Prepositions with verbs
Jussive mood
Beispiele nach Niveau
الولد يجري.
The boy runs.
Subject (الولد) + Verb (يجري)
أنا أجري كل يوم.
I run every day.
First person singular 'أجري'
الكلب يجري بسرعة.
The dog runs quickly.
Adverb 'بسرعة' follows the verb.
هي تجري في المدرسة.
She runs in the school.
Third person feminine 'تجري'
هل تجري في الصباح؟
Do you run in the morning?
Interrogative 'هل'
نحن نجري معاً.
We run together.
First person plural 'نجري'
القط يجري وراء الفأر.
The cat runs after the mouse.
Preposition 'وراء' means 'after/behind'.
أنت تجري جيداً.
You run well.
Second person masculine 'تجري'
النهر يجري إلى البحر.
The river flows to the sea.
Usage for water flow.
ماذا يجري في الشارع؟
What is happening in the street?
Usage for 'happening'.
الدم يجري في الجسم.
Blood flows in the body.
Biological flow.
الماء يجري من الحنفية.
Water is running from the tap.
Everyday household context.
كان يجري عندما سقط.
He was running when he fell.
Past continuous context.
تجري المباراة الآن.
The match is taking place now.
Event occurrence.
الخيول تجري في المزرعة.
The horses are running on the farm.
Plural subject (non-human) takes feminine singular verb.
لا تجرِ في البيت.
Don't run in the house.
Imperative (negative) - note the dropped 'Ya'.
تجري الاستعدادات للعيد.
Preparations for the Eid are taking place.
Abstract subject 'preparations'.
يجري العمل على المشروع.
Work is being carried out on the project.
Professional 'ongoing' context.
الوقت يجري بسرعة كبيرة.
Time is running very fast.
Metaphorical flow of time.
تجري الرياح بما لا تشتهي السفن.
Winds blow against what ships desire.
Famous proverb.
يجري الآن تصوير الفيلم.
The movie is currently being filmed.
Passive-like active usage.
هل تجري الأمور كما تحب؟
Are things going as you like?
Idiomatic 'things going'.
يجري البحث عن المفقودين.
The search for the missing is underway.
Formal news style.
تجري المياه تحت الجسور.
Water flows under the bridges.
Literary/Literal mix.
يجري التحقيق في أسباب الحادث.
An investigation is being conducted into the causes of the accident.
Formal administrative usage.
تجري هذه القاعدة على الجميع.
This rule applies to everyone.
Legal 'running/applying' context.
يجري الدم في عروقه بحماس.
Blood runs in his veins with enthusiasm.
Metaphorical intensity.
تجري المفاوضات خلف الأبواب المغلقة.
Negotiations are taking place behind closed doors.
Political jargon.
يجري تحديث النظام تلقائياً.
The system is being updated automatically.
Technical usage.
تجري العملية الجراحية الآن.
The surgery is taking place now.
Medical context.
يجري استهلاك الطاقة بكثرة.
Energy is being consumed heavily.
Economic/Scientific context.
تجري الانتخابات كل أربع سنوات.
Elections take place every four years.
Cyclical events.
يجري هذا المفهوم مجرى العادة.
This concept has become a matter of habit.
Advanced idiom 'يجري مجرى'.
تجري الأقدار بما لا يتوقعه البشر.
Destinies run in ways humans don't expect.
Philosophical/Religious context.
يجري في عروقها حب الفن.
The love of art runs in her veins.
Abstract metaphorical flow.
تجري المنافسة على أشدها.
The competition is at its peak.
Idiomatic intensity.
يجري العمل على قدم وساق.
Work is in full swing (on foot and leg).
Common advanced idiom.
تجري الرياح في هذا الوادي بقوة.
The winds course through this valley strongly.
Descriptive literary style.
يجري تعديل القانون حالياً.
The law is currently undergoing amendment.
Legislative process.
تجري في ذاكرتي أحداث الطفولة.
Childhood events course through my memory.
Psychological/Abstract flow.
يجري الحكم وفقاً للمعايير الدولية.
The judgment is rendered in accordance with international standards.
High-level legal precision.
تجري صيرورة التاريخ نحو التقدم.
The process of history flows toward progress.
Philosophical terminology (صيرورة).
يجري في هذا النص نسق بلاغي فريد.
A unique rhetorical pattern flows through this text.
Literary criticism.
تجري المقادير بأمر خالقها.
Divine decrees run by the command of their Creator.
Theological depth.
يجري العرف على تكريم الضيف.
Custom dictates the honoring of the guest.
Sociological 'running' of custom.
تجري في ثنايا كلامه نبرة من الحزن.
A tone of sadness flows through the folds of his words.
Nuanced linguistic analysis.
يجري استقصاء الحقائق بدقة متناهية.
The investigation of facts is being conducted with extreme precision.
Academic/Investigative rigor.
تجري الأيام وتتبدل الأحوال.
Days pass (run) and conditions change.
Existential reflection.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
Leicht verwechselbar
Satzmuster
So verwendest du es
It implies a continuous flow, not just a single step.
- Using it for 'running a business'.
- Using it for 'walking slowly'.
- Keeping the 'Ya' in the jussive case.
- Using it for mechanical 'running' (like a car engine).
- Confusing it with 'yuharwil' (jogging).
Tipps
The Dropping Ya
In the jussive mood (after 'lam'), the final 'Ya' is removed: لم يجرِ.
News Key
When you hear 'تجري الآن' on Al Jazeera, it means an event is currently happening.
Proverb Power
Memorize 'تجري الرياح...' to impress native speakers with your wisdom.
Dialect Check
In many dialects, 'yirkud' is more common for physical running than 'yajri'.
Process Flow
Use 'يجري' to describe how a project or investigation is moving forward.
Root Recognition
Look for the J-R-Y root in words like 'Majra' (course/path).
Water vs. People
It's the same verb! Imagine people flowing like water when they run.
Jerry the Mouse
Jerry (Yajri) is always running from Tom.
Not for Walking
Don't use it for a slow walk; that's 'yamshi'.
Abstract Usage
Try using it for 'customs' (Al-Urf) to sound like a C2 speaker.
Einprägen
Wortherkunft
Semitic root J-R-Y
Kultureller Kontext
تجري الرياح بما لا تشتهي السفن
Highlights the limits of human will against nature/fate.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Gesprächseinstiege
"هل تجري كل صباح؟"
"ماذا يجري في مدينتك اليوم؟"
"هل تحب أن تجري في المطر؟"
"لماذا يجري الناس وراء المال؟"
"ماذا يجري في هذا الفيلم؟"
Tagebuch-Impulse
اكتب عن مرة كنت تجري فيها بسرعة.
ماذا يجري في حياتك هذه الأيام؟
صف نهراً يجري في بلدك.
هل الوقت يجري بسرعة بالنسبة لك؟
لماذا تجري الاستعدادات في مدرستك؟
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, for managing a company, use 'يدير' (yudeer).
Usually, we say 'الساعة تعمل' (the clock works) or 'الوقت يمر' (time passes).
The past tense is 'جرى' (jaraa).
You say 'أنا أجري' (Ana ajri).
Yes, it is the standard word for rivers flowing.
It is used in both, but very common in formal news.
The noun is 'جري' (running) or 'جريان' (flow).
Yes, it becomes 'تجري' (tajri).
It means to chase or run after someone/something.
No, it is dropped in the jussive case, like 'لم يجرِ'.
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Summary
يجري is the essential Arabic verb for any kind of 'flow'—whether it's a person running, a river flowing, or a meeting taking place. Mastering it unlocks both daily conversation and formal news reporting.
- Primary meaning: Physical running (A1 level).
- Secondary meaning: Flowing of liquids like water or blood.
- Tertiary meaning: Events taking place or happening (news/formal).
- Key grammar: Defective verb; 'Ya' drops in jussive/imperative.
The Dropping Ya
In the jussive mood (after 'lam'), the final 'Ya' is removed: لم يجرِ.
News Key
When you hear 'تجري الآن' on Al Jazeera, it means an event is currently happening.
Proverb Power
Memorize 'تجري الرياح...' to impress native speakers with your wisdom.
Dialect Check
In many dialects, 'yirkud' is more common for physical running than 'yajri'.
Verwandte Inhalte
Verwandte Redewendungen
Mehr sports Wörter
ألعب
A1Ich spiele jeden Tag Fußball.
الفوز
A1Der Akt des Gewinnens oder der Sieg. 'Der Sieg in diesem Spiel war hart erkämpft.'
الخسارة
A1Der Verlust oder die Niederlage.
أربح
A2Ich gewinne ein Spiel oder einen Preis.
إصابة
A2Eine körperliche Verletzung oder ein Schaden an einem Körperteil.
بامتياز
B1Du machst etwas sehr gut, besser als die meisten anderen.
باستمرار
A1Etwas passiert immer wieder, ohne aufzuhören.
بدني
A1Körperlich; auf den Körper bezogen. Zum Beispiel: Sportunterricht.
بصعوبة
A1Mit großer Anstrengung oder Schwierigkeit. Er schaffte es nur mit Schwierigkeiten, das Projekt abzuschließen.
بذكاء
A1Du machst etwas klug, indem du deinen Verstand gut einsetzt.
