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A2 verb #1,000 más común 10 min de lectura

يشتغل

yashtagil Top 1,000

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos يشتغل en 30 segundos

Explicación يشتغل in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'يشتغل' (yashtaghil) is one of the first verbs you learn to describe your daily routine and identity. You use it in its simplest form to say where you work or to ask someone else about their job. It is often paired with the preposition 'في' (in). For example, 'أنا أشتغل في مكتب' (I work in an office). At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex conjugations; focus on the 'I' (أنا أشتغل) and 'You' (أنت تشتغل) forms. You also learn it in the context of things 'working' or 'not working,' like a phone or a computer. It's a vital word for basic survival and social interaction. You might also see it in very simple sentences describing family members, like 'أبي يشتغل' (My father works). The focus is on the present tense and basic professional locations.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'يشتغل' in more varied contexts and with a wider range of subjects. You start to understand that it can describe machines functioning as well as people working. You learn to use it with different prepositions like 'مع' (with) to talk about colleagues or 'كـ' (as) to talk about your role. You also start using the past tense 'اشتغل' (ishtaghala) to talk about previous jobs. For example, 'اشتغلتُ في مطعم السنة الماضية' (I worked in a restaurant last year). You can now handle basic troubleshooting conversations, such as telling a landlord 'السخان لا يشتغل' (The heater is not working). The A2 learner should be comfortable conjugating the verb for all singular and plural pronouns in the present tense.

At the B1 level, your use of 'يشتغل' becomes more nuanced. You start using it to describe working 'on' something (يشتغل على), such as a project or a specific task. You also begin to distinguish between 'يشتغل' and the more formal 'يعمل' (ya'mal), choosing the appropriate one based on the social context. You can describe work conditions, schedules, and more complex professional scenarios. For instance, 'هو يشتغل بنظام الدوام الجزئي' (He works on a part-time basis). You also start to encounter the word in more abstract senses, such as the mind 'working' or an idea 'working out.' Your ability to use the verb in the future tense (سيشتغل) and with modal verbs (يجب أن يشتغل) allows for more complex planning and reporting.

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At the B2 level, you use 'يشتغل' with greater idiomatic frequency. You understand its role in common expressions and can use it to describe the functioning of complex systems, like the economy or a political process. You are comfortable using it in the conditional mood and in complex sentence structures. For example, 'لو كان المصنع يشتغل بكامل طاقته، لزادت الأرباح' (If the factory were working at full capacity, profits would have increased). You also start to recognize the nuances between 'يشتغل' and its synonyms like 'يكدح' (to toil) or 'يمارس' (to practice), and you choose 'يشتغل' when you want to sound natural and grounded. You can participate in debates about work-life balance and labor rights using this verb and its derivatives.

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At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the root 'شغل' and how 'يشتغل' fits into the broader linguistic landscape. You can use it metaphorically and in literary contexts. You understand the subtle differences in meaning when the verb is used in different Arabic dialects versus Modern Standard Arabic. You can use it to describe intricate psychological states or philosophical concepts of 'occupation' and 'being.' For instance, you might analyze a text where the author uses 'يشتغل' to describe the internal workings of a character's conscience. Your usage is effortless, and you can switch between formal and informal registers seamlessly, knowing exactly when 'يشتغل' provides the right tone of authenticity and when a more academic term is required.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'يشتغل' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You appreciate the etymological journey of the word and its historical development. You can use it in high-level professional negotiations, legal discussions (though 'يعمل' might be more common there), and sophisticated creative writing. You are aware of the most obscure idioms and regional variations. You can use the verb to discuss complex mechanical engineering or abstract scientific theories about how things 'function' at a molecular or cosmic level. For you, 'يشتغل' is not just a verb for 'work'; it is a versatile tool that you can bend to express the finest shades of meaning in any context, from the most mundane to the most sublime.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

يشتغل en 30 segundos

The primary verb for 'to work' in spoken Arabic dialects.
Used for both people (jobs) and machines (functioning).
Derived from the root Sh-Gh-L, meaning 'occupation'.
Commonly paired with prepositions 'fi' (in) and 'ala' (on).

The Arabic verb يشتغل (yashtaghil) is a cornerstone of daily communication across the Arab world. At its core, it refers to the act of working, being occupied, or being engaged in an activity. While Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) often utilizes the verb يعمل (ya'mal) for formal professional contexts, يشتغل is the dominant choice in nearly all spoken dialects—from the Maghreb to the Levant and the Gulf—to describe one's job, a machine's functionality, or a person's current state of business. Understanding this word requires looking at its root, ش-غ-ل (sh-gh-l), which carries the inherent meaning of 'occupation' or 'preoccupation.' When you use this verb, you aren't just saying someone is performing a task; you are implying they are 'filled' or 'busy' with it.

Professional Employment: This is the most common use. It describes holding a job or being employed at a specific place. For example, 'He works at the bank' is frequently expressed using this verb in everyday speech.

أبي يشتغل مهندساً في شركة كبيرة.
(My father works as an engineer in a large company.)

Mechanical Functionality: Unlike the English word 'work,' which can be ambiguous, يشتغل is specifically used to indicate that a machine, device, or system is 'running' or 'functioning' correctly. If your phone is on, it 'yashtaghil.'

هل المذياع يشتغل الآن؟
(Is the radio working/on right now?)

Mental Preoccupation: The verb can also describe the mind being occupied with a thought or a problem. This usage leans more towards the reflexive sense of being 'busy with' something internally.

عقلي يشتغل بموضوع السفر.
(My mind is occupied/working on the travel topic.)

Culturally, asking someone 'Where do you work?' using يشتغل is a standard icebreaker. It is less formal than the MSA equivalent but perfectly polite in social settings. It implies a sense of active engagement. In the context of technology, if you are troubleshooting a computer, you would ask 'Why isn't it working?' using the negation لا يشتغل. This versatility makes it one of the top 500 most useful verbs for any learner aiming for fluency in spoken Arabic. Whether you are in a taxi in Cairo or a cafe in Dubai, you will hear this word used to describe everything from the engine of the car to the Wi-Fi connection.

المصعد لا يشتغل اليوم، يجب أن نستخدم الدرج.
(The elevator is not working today; we must use the stairs.)

هو يشتغل بجد ليحقق أحلامه.
(He works hard to achieve his dreams.)

Mastering the usage of يشتغل involves understanding its conjugation and the prepositions that typically follow it. As a Form VIII verb (derived from the root شغل), it follows the pattern افتعل - يفتعل (ifta'ala - yafta'ilu). In the present tense, for a third-person masculine singular subject, it is يشتغل. When using this verb to describe employment, the preposition في (in) is most common to denote the place of work, while كـ (as) or no preposition at all is used to denote the role or profession.

Using 'In' (في): To specify a location or a company, always use في. This is the standard way to answer the question 'Where do you work?'

أخي يشتغل في مستشفى المدينة.
(My brother works in the city hospital.)

Using 'With' (مع): If you want to say you work 'with' a certain person or a specific group, use مع. This indicates collaboration or being part of a team.

أنا أشتغل مع فريق من المطورين.
(I work with a team of developers.)

Describing Functionality: When referring to machines, the verb is often used in the negative to report a fault. The structure is لا + يشتغل.

التكييف لا يشتغل، الجو حار جداً.
(The air conditioning is not working; the weather is very hot.)

Another important aspect is the use of the verb with 'on' (على). When you are working 'on' a project or a specific task, you use يشتغل على. This mirrors the English structure closely and is very common in professional settings when discussing progress on assignments. Furthermore, the verb can be used to describe someone who is 'working on themselves' or 'working on a skill,' showing its flexibility in abstract contexts. It is vital to note that while يشتغل is a Form VIII verb, it does not always carry the reflexive meaning 'to work for oneself,' though it can in certain contexts. Usually, it just means the general act of being employed or functional.

الباحث يشتغل على دراسة جديدة.
(The researcher is working on a new study.)

هل تشتغل هذه الآلة بالكهرباء؟
(Does this machine work/run on electricity?)

In the real world, يشتغل is ubiquitous. If you walk into a shop in Amman or a business meeting in Riyadh, you will hear it. It bridges the gap between the overly formal language of textbooks and the vibrant reality of daily life. It is the 'blue-collar' and 'white-collar' verb combined. You will hear it in the context of job hunting, technical support, and social inquiries. It is also the word of choice when talking about the economy or the 'market' (as in 'the market is working/moving').

The Workplace: Colleagues will ask each other about their tasks using this verb. It's the standard way to ask 'What are you working on right now?'

ماذا تشتغل هذه الأيام؟
(What are you working on these days? / What is your job these days?)

Technical Support & Repair: If you take your car to a mechanic or your laptop to a repair shop, the first thing they will ask is 'What is not working?' or they will tell you 'It's working now.'

السيارة تشتغل بشكل ممتاز بعد التصليح.
(The car is working/running perfectly after the repair.)

Social Contexts: When meeting new people, 'Where do you work?' is a standard question. Using يشتغل makes you sound more like a native speaker than using the more formal يعمل.

أين تشتغل يا أحمد؟
(Where do you work, Ahmed?)

In media and news, while يعمل is preferred for reports on government officials or large-scale labor statistics, يشتغل often appears in interviews or human-interest stories. It feels more personal and grounded. For example, a street vendor or a small business owner would almost certainly use أشتغل to describe their daily grind. It also appears in songs and literature to describe the heart 'working' or the mind 'racing.' The word carries a sense of effort and continuous movement that resonates with the listener. If you are watching an Arabic drama, pay attention to how characters talk about their daily routines; يشتغل will likely be their go-to verb for anything related to their livelihood.

المصنع يشتغل بنظام الورديات.
(The factory works/operates on a shift system.)

الساعة لا تشتغل، ربما تحتاج بطارية.
(The watch isn't working; maybe it needs a battery.)

Even though يشتغل is a common word, learners often trip up on its nuances, especially when translating directly from English. The most frequent error is confusing it with يعمل (ya'mal) or using the wrong preposition. Because English uses 'work' for so many things, learners tend to over-apply يشتغل where other verbs would be more appropriate. For instance, 'working out' (exercise) is not يشتغل, but يتمرن (yatamarran). Understanding these boundaries is key to sounding natural.

Mistake: Using it for 'To Do': In English, we say 'What are you doing?' which can sometimes mean 'What are you working on?' However, in Arabic, you cannot use يشتغل to mean 'to do' a general action. Use يفعل or يسوي instead.

Wrong: ماذا تشتغل الآن؟ (if you mean 'What are you doing right now?')
Correct: ماذا تفعل الآن؟

Mistake: Preposition Confusion: Learners often use بـ (with/by) when they should use في (in) for locations. While بـ can be used for tools (e.g., working with a hammer), في is the standard for companies and places.

أنا أشتغل في المكتب (I work in the office) - Correct.
أنا أشتغل بالمكتب (I work by/with the office) - Less common/Awkward.

Mistake: 'Working Out': As mentioned, 'working out' at the gym is never يشتغل. This is a classic literal translation error that sounds very strange to native ears.

هو يتمرن في النادي الرياضي.
(He works out at the gym.)

Another subtle mistake is using يشتغل for the 'working' of a medicine or a plan. In English, we say 'The medicine is working.' In Arabic, it is more common to say يعطي مفعولاً (gives an effect) or ينجح (succeeds). Using يشتغل for medicine might be understood but sounds like the medicine is a mechanical device. Similarly, for a plan 'working,' use تنجح الخطة (the plan succeeds). Always remember: يشتغل is for labor, professions, and mechanical/electronic functionality. If it doesn't have a 'motor' or a 'salary,' think twice before using يشتغل.

الدواء بدأ يعطي مفعولاً.
(The medicine started working/taking effect.)

الغسالة لا تشتغل، هل هي موصولة بالكهرباء؟
(The washing machine isn't working; is it plugged in?)

Arabic is a language of precision, and while يشتغل is a great 'all-purpose' verb, knowing its alternatives will significantly elevate your speaking level. Depending on the level of formality, the intensity of the work, or the specific nature of the task, you might choose a different word. The most obvious alternative is يعمل, but there are others that describe 'toiling,' 'practicing,' or 'being busy' more accurately.

يعمل (Ya'mal) vs. يشتغل (Yashtaghil): While often interchangeable, يعمل is the formal, MSA standard. It also carries the meaning of 'to do' or 'to make.' يشتغل is more colloquial and specifically focuses on the state of being occupied or functional.

يكدح (Yakdah): This verb is used for 'toiling' or 'working extremely hard.' It implies physical or mental exhaustion and a high level of effort. Use this when you want to emphasize the struggle of the work.

الفلاح يكدح في أرضه من الفجر.
(The farmer toils in his land from dawn.)

ينشغل (Yanshaghir): This is the passive/reflexive form (Form VII) of the same root. It means 'to be busy' or 'to be preoccupied.' If you want to say 'I am busy with something,' this is often more precise than أشتغل.

أنا منشغل حالياً، سأكلمك لاحقاً.
(I am busy right now; I will talk to you later.)

يمارس (Yumaris): This means 'to practice' or 'to exercise' a profession or a hobby. It is often used for doctors, lawyers, or athletes. 'He practices medicine' would use يمارس.

هو يمارس مهنة المحاماة منذ عشر سنوات.
(He has been practicing the profession of law for ten years.)

Finally, consider the verb يدير (yudir), which means 'to manage' or 'to run' (a business). While a manager يشتغل at a company, their specific action is يدير the company. Choosing the right word depends on whether you want to describe the general state of working (يشتغل), the formal employment (يعمل), the hard labor (يكدح), or the professional practice (يمارس). By diversifying your vocabulary, you can describe the world of work with much greater nuance and accuracy.

هي تدير متجراً صغيراً في الحي.
(She runs/manages a small shop in the neighborhood.)

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The root Sh-Gh-L is the basis for the word 'shughl,' which is used in many languages influenced by Arabic (like Swahili and Urdu) to mean work or business.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /jaʃ.ta.ɣil/

US /jæʃ.tə.ɡɪl/

The stress is typically on the second syllable: yashtághil.

Rima con

يستقيل (yastaqeel - to resign) يستحيل (yastaheel - to be impossible) ثقيل (thaqeel - heavy) جميل (jameel - beautiful) طويل (taweel - long) بديل (badeel - alternative) قليل (qaleel - little) رحيل (raheel - departure)

Errores comunes

Pronouncing 'gh' (غ) as a hard 'g' like in 'go'.
Confusing the 'sh' (ش) with a 's' sound.
Putting the stress on the first syllable.
Making the 'i' at the end too long like 'ee'.
Skipping the 't' sound in the middle.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize once you know the root Sh-Gh-L.

Escritura 3/5

Requires remembering the Form VIII pattern (extra 'ta').

Expresión oral 2/5

Very common, but the 'gh' sound needs practice.

Escucha 2/5

Easily identified in both MSA and dialects.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

شغل (Work) أنا (I) في (In) لا (No/Not) هو (He)

Aprende después

يعمل (To work/do) موظف (Employee) شركة (Company) مكتب (Office) عطلان (Broken)

Avanzado

استغلال (Exploitation) انشغال (Preoccupation) احتراف (Professionalism) إنتاجية (Productivity) بطالة (Unemployment)

Gramática que debes saber

Form VIII Verb Pattern

The pattern is 'ifta'ala' (past) and 'yafta'ilu' (present). Root: Sh-Gh-L -> Ishtaghala / Yashtaghil.

Negative with 'La'

To negate the present tense, use 'la' before the verb: 'لا يشتغل' (It doesn't work).

Preposition 'Fi' for Location

Always use 'fi' to denote the place of employment: 'يشتغل في البنك'.

Preposition 'Ala' for Projects

Use 'ala' to indicate the specific task or project: 'يشتغل على التقرير'.

Subject-Verb Agreement

The verb must match the gender and number of the subject: 'هي تشتغل' vs 'هم يشتغلون'.

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Ejemplos por nivel

أنا أشتغل في دبي.

I work in Dubai.

First person singular present tense.

أين تشتغل؟

Where do you work?

Second person masculine singular question.

هو يشتغل في بنك.

He works in a bank.

Third person masculine singular.

أمي تشتغل معلمة.

My mother works as a teacher.

Third person feminine singular.

هذا الهاتف لا يشتغل.

This phone is not working.

Negative present tense for a machine.

نحن نشتغل كل يوم.

We work every day.

First person plural.

هل تشتغل هنا؟

Do you work here?

Second person masculine singular.

أخي يشتغل كثيراً.

My brother works a lot.

Adverbial use of 'kathiran'.

اشتغلتُ في هذا المحل العام الماضي.

I worked in this shop last year.

First person singular past tense.

التلفاز لا يشتغل، هل يمكنك مساعدتي؟

The TV is not working; can you help me?

Request for help with a non-functional device.

هي تشتغل مع أختها في الشركة.

She works with her sister in the company.

Using the preposition 'ma'a' (with).

هل كان يشتغل عندما وصلت؟

Was it working when you arrived?

Past continuous sense using 'kana'.

سأشتغل في الصيف لأجمع المال.

I will work in the summer to save money.

Future tense with 'sa-'.

هم يشتغلون في مصنع السيارات.

They work in the car factory.

Third person masculine plural.

أنتِ تشتغلين بجد يا سارة.

You work hard, Sarah.

Second person feminine singular.

المصعد يشتغل الآن، يمكنك الصعود.

The elevator is working now; you can go up.

Indicating restored functionality.

يشتغل المهندس على تصميم جديد للمبنى.

The engineer is working on a new design for the building.

Using 'yashtaghil 'ala' for a project.

يجب أن يشتغل النظام بدون أخطاء.

The system must work without errors.

Using 'yajibu an' (must) with the subjunctive.

كان يشتغل في التجارة قبل أن يتقاعد.

He used to work in trade before he retired.

Past habitual action.

تشتغل هذه الآلة بالطاقة الشمسية.

This machine works/runs on solar energy.

Describing the power source.

هل تشتغلون في نفس الفريق؟

Do you all work in the same team?

Second person plural question.

أريد أن أشتغل في مكان هادئ.

I want to work in a quiet place.

Expressing a preference.

يشتغل عقلي دائماً بأفكار جديدة.

My mind is always working with new ideas.

Metaphorical use for the mind.

لن يشتغل هذا المخطط إذا لم نتعاون.

This plan will not work if we don't cooperate.

Future negative with 'lan'.

يشتغل القطاع الخاص على تحسين الرواتب.

The private sector is working on improving salaries.

Collective noun as subject.

رغم العطل، استطاع الفني أن يجعل المحرك يشتغل.

Despite the breakdown, the technician managed to make the engine work.

Causative sense with 'yaj'al'.

يشتغل الفيلم على فكرة الصراع بين الأجيال.

The film works on the idea of the conflict between generations.

Describing thematic focus.

لا يشتغل القانون إلا إذا تم تطبيقه بجدية.

The law doesn't work unless it is applied seriously.

Conditional context.

تشتغل الجمعية على توفير المساعدات للفقراء.

The association works on providing aid to the poor.

Describing organizational mission.

هل تعتقد أن هذا العرض سيشتغل لصالحنا؟

Do you think this offer will work in our favor?

Abstract benefit.

يشتغل الفنان لساعات طويلة في مرسمه.

The artist works for long hours in his studio.

Describing creative labor.

كانت تشتغل كمتطوعة في الهلال الأحمر.

She was working as a volunteer in the Red Crescent.

Using 'ka-' for a role.

يشتغل النص على تداخل الأزمنة السردية.

The text works on the overlapping of narrative timelines.

Literary analysis.

تشتغل الذاكرة بطرق معقدة لا نفهمها تماماً.

Memory works in complex ways that we don't fully understand.

Scientific/Philosophical context.

يشتغل المشروع على تقاطع التكنولوجيا والفن.

The project works at the intersection of technology and art.

Describing interdisciplinary work.

لم يشتغل الحظ معه في تلك الصفقة.

Luck did not work with him in that deal.

Personification of luck.

يشتغل الباحثون على فك شفرة الجينوم البشري.

Researchers are working on decoding the human genome.

High-level scientific endeavor.

تشتغل السياسة الدولية على توازنات القوى.

International politics works on power balances.

Political science context.

يشتغل المخرج على إبراز الجوانب النفسية للشخصيات.

The director works on highlighting the psychological aspects of the characters.

Artistic intent.

هل يشتغل هذا المفهوم في سياقنا الثقافي؟

Does this concept work in our cultural context?

Abstract conceptual applicability.

يشتغل الوعي الجمعي على صياغة الهوية الوطنية.

Collective consciousness works on shaping national identity.

Sociological abstraction.

تشتغل القصيدة على إيقاع داخلي يلامس الوجدان.

The poem works on an internal rhythm that touches the soul.

Aesthetic analysis.

يشتغل النظام البيئي وفق توازن دقيق للغاية.

The ecosystem works according to an extremely delicate balance.

Environmental science.

تشتغل الفلسفة على نقد المسلمات الفكرية.

Philosophy works on critiquing intellectual axioms.

Philosophical methodology.

يشتغل الاقتصاد العالمي على تدفقات رؤوس الأموال العابرة للحدود.

The global economy works on cross-border capital flows.

Macroeconomic description.

تشتغل اللغة كأداة للهيمنة في بعض السياقات الاستعمارية.

Language works as a tool of dominance in some colonial contexts.

Critical theory.

يشتغل العقل الباطن على معالجة الصدمات أثناء النوم.

The subconscious mind works on processing traumas during sleep.

Psychological process.

تشتغل المؤسسات الديمقراطية على ضمان الفصل بين السلطات.

Democratic institutions work on ensuring the separation of powers.

Political theory.

Colocaciones comunes

يشتغل بجد

يشتغل في شركة

يشتغل على مشروع

لا يشتغل أبداً

يشتغل كـ...

يشتغل مع فريق

يشتغل لساعات طويلة

يشتغل بالقطعة

يشتغل من البيت

يشتغل لحسابه الخاص

Frases Comunes

شو بتشتغل؟

— What do you do for a living? (Levantine dialect). It is the standard way to ask about someone's job.

تشرفنا، شو بتشتغل؟

ما بيشتغل

— It doesn't work. Used for broken electronics or failed plans.

المكيف ما بيشتغل.

اشتغل على حالك

— Work on yourself. Used as advice to improve one's skills or personality.

لازم تشتغل على حالك وتتعلم لغات.

شغال؟

— Is it working? / Are you working? Often used as a quick check for devices.

النت شغال عندك؟

خلينا نشتغل

— Let's work. Used to start a task or end a break.

خلصت الاستراحة، خلينا نشتغل.

بيشتغل بالي

— It occupies my mind. Used when something is worrying you.

موضوع الامتحان بيشتغل بالي كتير.

اشتغل صح

— Work correctly/properly. Used to tell someone to do a job right.

إذا بدك تنجح، اشتغل صح.

ما يشتغل معي

— That doesn't work with me. Used to reject an excuse or a trick.

هذا العذر ما يشتغل معي.

يشتغل مثل الساعة

— Works like a clock. Used for something very reliable and precise.

المحرك يشتغل مثل الساعة.

وين بتشتغل؟

— Where do you work? (General dialect).

يا هلا، وين بتشتغل؟

Se confunde a menudo con

يشتغل vs يشغل (yashghal)

This is Form I, meaning 'to occupy' or 'to take up space/time'. 'يشتغل' is Form VIII, meaning 'to work'.

يشتغل vs يشغل (yushaghhil)

This is Form II, meaning 'to turn on' (a device) or 'to employ' (someone). 'يشتغل' is the act of working itself.

يشتغل vs يعمل (ya'mal)

Often interchangeable, but 'ya'mal' is more formal and can also mean 'to do' or 'to make'.

Modismos y expresiones

"اشتغل فيه"

— To mess with someone or trick them. It can also mean to start working on something vigorously.

الشباب اشتغلوا فيه مقالب.

Informal

"عقله شغال"

— His mind is sharp or he is constantly thinking/planning.

ما شاء الله، عقله شغال دايماً.

Neutral

"شغل إيدك"

— Handmade or something you did yourself. Literally 'work of your hand'.

هذا الكيك شغل إيدي.

Neutral

"شغل نظيف"

— Clean work. Used to praise high-quality, professional work.

والله هذا شغل نظيف، شكراً لك.

Informal

"اشتغل النار"

— The fire started or caught. Used in some dialects for ignition.

اشتغلت النار في الحطب.

Informal

"شغل باله"

— To worry someone or occupy their thoughts.

غيابك شغل بالنا عليك.

Neutral

"ما إله شغل"

— He has nothing to do with it / It's none of his business.

أنت ما إلك شغل في هذا الموضوع.

Informal

"شغل أي كلام"

— Low-quality work, done carelessly. Literally 'any-word work'.

التصليح كان شغل أي كلام.

Slang

"اشتغل على الوجعين"

— To work on two fronts or to play both sides.

هو يشتغل على الوجعين ليضمن مصلحته.

Informal

"شغل شاغل"

— A main preoccupation or something that takes up all of one's time.

النجاح هو شغله الشاغل.

Formal

Fácil de confundir

يشتغل vs يتمرن (yatamarran)

Both translate to 'work' in English (work vs. work out).

'Yashtaghil' is for labor/jobs; 'yatamarran' is for physical exercise or practice.

أنا أشتغل في الصباح وأتمرن في المساء.

يشتغل vs يسوي (yisawwi)

In dialects, 'yisawwi' means 'to do/make', which English speakers often confuse with 'work'.

'Yashtaghil' is specifically about employment or functionality; 'yisawwi' is for general actions.

شو عم تسوي؟ (What are you doing?) vs شو بتشتغل؟ (What is your job?)

يشتغل vs ينجز (yunjiz)

Both relate to tasks.

'Yashtaghil' is the process of working; 'yunjiz' is the act of completing or achieving a task.

هو يشتغل كثيراً لكنه لا ينجز شيئاً.

يشتغل vs يتحرك (yataharrak)

Used for machines.

'Yataharrak' means to physically move; 'yashtaghil' means to function correctly.

المحرك يتحرك لكنه لا يشتغل.

يشتغل vs يخدم (yakhdum)

Relates to service/work.

'Yakhdum' means to serve; 'yashtaghil' is the general verb for working.

هو يشتغل في الجيش ويخدم وطنه.

Patrones de oraciones

[Subject] + يشتغل + في + [Place]

أنا أشتغل في مطعم.

[Machine] + لا + يشتغل

الراديو لا يشتغل.

[Subject] + يشتغل + على + [Project]

هو يشتغل على كتاب جديد.

[Subject] + يشتغل + كـ + [Role]

هي تشتغل كمستشارة.

[Abstract Concept] + يشتغل + وفق + [Principle]

السوق يشتغل وفق العرض والطلب.

[Complex System] + يشتغل + على + [Nuance]

الرواية تشتغل على تيمة الفقد.

[Subject] + يشتغل + مع + [People]

أنا أشتغل مع خبراء.

هل + [Subject] + يشتغل؟

هل الكمبيوتر يشتغل؟

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

شغل (shughl) - Work/Job

اشتغال (ishtighal) - Occupation/Engagement

مشغل (mashghal) - Workshop

شاغل (shaghir) - Occupier/Preoccupation

مشغول (mashghool) - Busy (adjective/passive participle)

Verbos

شغل (shagh-ghala) - To turn on / To employ

انشغل (inshaghala) - To be busy

تشاغل (tashaghala) - To pretend to be busy

استغل (istaghalla) - To exploit/take advantage of

Adjetivos

شغيل (shagheel) - Hardworking

شغلي (shughli) - Related to work

انشغالي (inshighali) - Preoccupational

Relacionado

وظيفة (wadhifa) - Job/Position

مهنة (mihna) - Profession

راتب (ratib) - Salary

مدير (mudir) - Manager

زميل (zamil) - Colleague

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Extremely high in daily speech; moderate in formal writing.

Errores comunes

أنا أشتغل رياضة → أنا أتمرن / ألعب رياضة
You cannot use 'yashtaghil' for 'working out' or physical exercise.
ماذا تشتغل الآن؟ (meaning 'What are you doing?') → ماذا تفعل الآن؟
'Yashtaghil' refers to a job or a long-term task, not a general immediate action.
الدواء يشتغل جيداً → الدواء مفعوله جيد / يعطي مفعولاً
'Yashtaghil' is for mechanical or human labor, not chemical effects.
أنا أشتغل بالبنك → أنا أشتغل في البنك
The preposition 'fi' is standard for locations of work.
هو يشغل في الشركة → هو يشتغل في الشركة
Confusing Form I (yashghal) or Form II (yushaghhil) with Form VIII (yashtaghil).

Consejos

Machine Status

When a device is 'on' and functioning, use 'يشتغل'. If it's 'off', use 'مطفأ' or 'لا يشتغل'.

Egyptian Variation

In Egypt, you'll often hear 'shaghal' (شغال) used as a universal word for 'working', 'on', or 'okay'.

Preposition 'Ala'

Use 'يشتغل على' when you are in the middle of a specific project, like 'working on a painting'.

Formal vs Informal

Use 'يعمل' in your CV and 'يشتغل' when talking to friends about your day.

The 'Gh' Sound

Don't let the 'gh' sound scare you. It's just like a soft gargle at the back of the throat.

Work Greetings

When you see someone working, say 'Ya'teek al-afiya' as a polite greeting.

The 'Sh' Root

Remember Sh-Gh-L. Anything starting with these letters usually relates to being busy or working.

Not for 'Doing'

Never use 'يشتغل' for 'What are you doing?'. Use 'Taf'al' or 'Tisawwi' instead.

Form VIII Spelling

Always include the 'alif' at the beginning in the past tense (اشتغل) but not in the present (يشتغل).

Context Clues

If the subject is an object, 'يشتغل' means 'to function'. If it's a person, it means 'to work'.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'Yashtaghil' as 'Yes, Tag-along Hill'. You work hard to climb the hill of your career, and your tools tag along with you.

Asociación visual

Imagine a giant gear turning inside a person's head and a machine at the same time. Both are 'yashtaghil'.

Word Web

Work Job Function Busy Machine Operate Engineer Office

Desafío

Try to use 'yashtaghil' in three different ways today: once for your job, once for an electronic device, and once for a project you are doing.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Arabic root Sh-Gh-L (ش-غ-ل), which primarily relates to the concept of being occupied, filled, or distracted. It is a Form VIII verb, which often carries a reflexive or intensive meaning.

Significado original: To be occupied with something so as to be distracted from other things.

Semitic (Afroasiatic)

Contexto cultural

Avoid asking 'Why don't you work?' as it can be sensitive in areas with high unemployment.

English speakers often use 'work' for exercise (work out), which does not translate to 'yashtaghil'.

The song 'Shaghalouni' by Abdel Halim Hafez (They occupied me/my heart). Common proverb: 'Ash-shughl mish 'ayb' (Work is not a shame). The Egyptian play 'Sakk 'Ala Banatak' where characters discuss their jobs.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Job Interview

أين اشتغلت سابقاً؟
أشتغل بجد تحت الضغط.
أحب أن أشتغل في فريق.
لماذا تريد أن تشتغل هنا؟

Tech Support

الكمبيوتر لا يشتغل.
متى توقف عن الشغل؟
هل يشتغل الآن؟
الشاشة لا تشتغل.

Social Meeting

ماذا تشتغل؟
أشتغل في مجال التعليم.
هل تشتغل قريباً من هنا؟
أخي يشتغل في الخارج.

At Home

الغسالة لا تشتغل.
اشتغل الضوء أخيراً.
لازم نشتغل على تنظيف البيت.
التلفزيون ما عم يشتغل.

Business Meeting

نشتغل على هذا المشروع منذ شهر.
كيف يشتغل هذا النظام؟
نحتاج أن نشتغل معاً.
الخطة تشتغل بشكل جيد.

Inicios de conversación

"ما هو المجال الذي تشتغل فيه حالياً؟ (What field do you work in currently?)"

"هل تحب أن تشتغل من البيت أم من المكتب؟ (Do you like to work from home or from the office?)"

"منذ متى وأنت تشتغل في هذه الشركة؟ (How long have you been working in this company?)"

"هل تشتغل في عطلة نهاية الأسبوع؟ (Do you work on the weekend?)"

"ماذا كنت تشتغل قبل عشر سنوات؟ (What were you working as ten years ago?)"

Temas para diario

اكتب عن يومك في الشغل وماذا فعلت. (Write about your day at work and what you did.)

هل تفضل أن تشتغل بمفردك أم مع فريق؟ ولماذا؟ (Do you prefer to work alone or with a team? Why?)

صف وظيفة أحلامك وأين تريد أن تشتغل. (Describe your dream job and where you want to work.)

ماذا تفعل عندما لا يشتغل جهازك المفضل؟ (What do you do when your favorite device doesn't work?)

كيف تشتغل على تطوير مهاراتك الشخصية؟ (How do you work on developing your personal skills?)

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, you should use 'يتمرن' (yatamarran) or 'يلعب رياضة' (yal'ab riyada). 'يشتغل' is strictly for jobs, tasks, or machines.

Yes, it is used in MSA, but 'يعمل' (ya'mal) is often preferred in formal writing. However, 'يشتغل' is very common in news reports about machines or systems.

'يشتغل' (yashtaghil) means 'to work' (intransitive). 'يشغل' (yushaghhil) means 'to operate' or 'to turn on' something (transitive).

In MSA, you just use the present tense 'أنا أشتغل'. In dialects, you might add a prefix like 'عم أشتغل' (Levantine) or 'بشتغل' (Egyptian/Gulf).

Yes, it is perfectly fine to use it for both. 'أبي يشتغل' (My father works) and 'الراديو يشتغل' (The radio works) are both correct.

You can use 'كـ' (as), like 'أشتغل كمعلم', or simply state the job after the verb: 'أشتغل معلماً'.

You can say 'الخطة لا تشتغل' or more commonly 'الخطة لا تنجح' (The plan is not succeeding).

It follows the regular Form VIII pattern. The root is Sh-Gh-L, and it conjugates consistently across all pronouns.

The past tense is 'اشتغل' (ishtaghala). For example, 'اشتغلتُ أمس' (I worked yesterday).

Yes, but 'ينشغل' (yanshaghir) or the adjective 'مشغول' (mashghool) are more common for saying 'I am busy'.

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