Significado
Bearing the responsibility or burden for something.
Contexto cultural
In the Gulf, this phrase is frequently used in 'Vision 2030' style government documents to emphasize the role of youth in the nation's future. While Egyptians use many colorful idioms for responsibility (like 'شيل الشيلة'), 'على عاتق' remains the gold standard for TV news and formal speeches. In Levantine academic circles, this phrase is used to discuss the 'onus of proof' or intellectual responsibility in debates. In North Africa, the phrase is common in legal contexts, often appearing in French-Arabic bilingual legal documents.
Sound like a Pro
Use this phrase in emails when you want to confirm you are handling a task. It sounds much more committed than just saying 'I will do it'.
Don't overdo it
If you use this for small things, people might think you are being sarcastic or that your Arabic is too 'bookish'.
Significado
Bearing the responsibility or burden for something.
Sound like a Pro
Use this phrase in emails when you want to confirm you are handling a task. It sounds much more committed than just saying 'I will do it'.
Don't overdo it
If you use this for small things, people might think you are being sarcastic or that your Arabic is too 'bookish'.
The 'Fall' Verb
Pair it with 'Yaq'a' (يقع) to sound most natural. 'Responsibility falls on...' is the most common collocation.
Honor Language
Remember that using this phrase implies you take the duty seriously as a matter of honor.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'على عاتق'.
تقع مسؤولية تربية الأطفال ___ الوالدين.
The preposition 'على' is always used with 'عاتق' in this idiom.
Which sentence uses the phrase in the most appropriate register?
Choose the best sentence:
This phrase is best suited for formal, high-stakes responsibilities like human rights.
Match the verb with the correct part of the phrase.
Match the following:
All these verbs (fall, take, throw) are commonly used with 'على عاتقه'.
Complete the dialogue in a professional way.
المدير: من سيهتم بهذا المشروع الجديد؟ الموظف: أنا سأخذ هذه المهمة ___.
'أخذ على عاتقه' is a professional way to volunteer for a responsibility.
Match the phrase to the context.
Where would you most likely read 'على عاتق'?
It is a hallmark of formal Modern Standard Arabic.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Ayudas visuales
Formal vs Informal Responsibility
Banco de ejercicios
5 ejerciciosتقع مسؤولية تربية الأطفال ___ الوالدين.
The preposition 'على' is always used with 'عاتق' in this idiom.
Choose the best sentence:
This phrase is best suited for formal, high-stakes responsibilities like human rights.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
All these verbs (fall, take, throw) are commonly used with 'على عاتقه'.
المدير: من سيهتم بهذا المشروع الجديد؟ الموظف: أنا سأخذ هذه المهمة ___.
'أخذ على عاتقه' is a professional way to volunteer for a responsibility.
Where would you most likely read 'على عاتق'?
It is a hallmark of formal Modern Standard Arabic.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasTechnically yes, but it's rare today. Use 'على كتفي' for a physical bag and 'على عاتقي' for a duty.
It's understood everywhere but mostly used in formal speech. In dialects, people prefer 'برقبتي' or 'عليّ'.
The plural is 'Awaatiq' (عواتق), but the singular is almost always used in the idiom.
The word 'Aatiq' is masculine.
Use 'أخذت على عاتقي' (Akhadtu 'ala 'atiqi).
Neither is 'better', but 'Aatiq' is more common. 'Kahil' is more dramatic.
Yes, 'على عاتقنا' (on our shoulders) is very common.
Not necessarily, but it does imply that the task is a 'burden' or a 'weight'.
Yes, it is perfect for defining who is responsible for a project or cost.
The verb 'Yaq'a' (يقع - to fall) is the most common.
The root is used, but this specific idiom is more common in later classical literature and MSA.
No, it must be 'on' (على).
Frases relacionadas
على كاهل
synonymOn the upper back/shoulders
مسؤول عن
similarResponsible for
في ذمته
similarIn his trust/guarantee
بعهدة
specialized formIn the custody of
تحت تصرفه
contrastAt his disposal
