يفاوض
To negotiate; to discuss terms in order to reach an agreement.
يفاوض در ۳۰ ثانیه
- A verb meaning to negotiate formally.
- Commonly used in business, politics, and legal contexts.
- Follows the Form III pattern (fā'ala), implying interaction.
- Often paired with the preposition 'على' (over/on).
The Arabic verb يفاوض (yufāwiḍu) is a cornerstone of professional and diplomatic communication. Derived from the root ف-و-ض, it specifically belongs to Form III of the Arabic verb system. In Arabic grammar, Form III (the fā‘ala pattern) often signifies an action involving two parties or an interaction. Therefore, negotiation is not a solitary act; it is an inherently social and reciprocal process. When you use this word, you are describing a scenario where two or more entities are actively engaging in dialogue to bridge a gap, settle a price, or establish a treaty. It carries a weight of formality that distinguishes it from casual conversation or simple requests.
- Core Meaning
- To engage in a formal discussion intended to produce an agreement or a compromise between conflicting interests.
- Interactional Aspect
- Because it is Form III, the verb implies a back-and-forth exchange, where each side presents terms and seeks a middle ground.
إن المدير يفاوض الموظفين على شروط العقد الجديد لضمان رضا الجميع.
(The manager is negotiating with the employees over the terms of the new contract to ensure everyone's satisfaction.)
In daily life, you might encounter this word in news broadcasts discussing international relations, or in business settings regarding mergers and acquisitions. It is less common in the 'souq' (market) for small items—where the word yusāwim (to haggle) is more appropriate—but if you are buying a car or a house, yufāwiḍ is the correct term to use for the formal negotiation of price and terms. Understanding this word helps a learner navigate the nuances of Arabic social hierarchies and professional expectations.
كان الوفد يفاوض لساعات طويلة للوصول إلى اتفاق سلام.
(The delegation was negotiating for long hours to reach a peace agreement.)
- Professional Context
- Used primarily in legal, political, and corporate environments where stakes are high and documentation is required.
Using يفاوض correctly requires an understanding of its transitivity and the prepositions that typically accompany it. As a Form III verb, it takes the person you are negotiating with as a direct object, or you can use the preposition 'مع' (with). The subject of the negotiation is almost always introduced by 'على' (over/on).
- Pattern 1: Verb + Object
- يفاوض الشركة (He negotiates [with] the company). Here, the entity is the direct object.
- Pattern 2: Verb + مع (With)
- يفاوض مع المدير (He negotiates with the manager). This is very common in modern standard Arabic.
نحن نفاوض الآن على شراء عقار جديد في وسط المدينة.
(We are negotiating now on buying a new property in the city center.)
One must also consider the tense. In the present tense (المضارع), the verb starts with the prefix 'يـ' for he, 'تـ' for she/you (masc), and 'أ' for I. For example, 'أنا أفاوض' (I am negotiating). In the past tense (الماضي), it becomes 'فاوض' (fāwaḍa). For example, 'فاوضَ التاجرَ على الثمن' (He negotiated with the merchant over the price).
هل تُفاوض عادةً قبل قبول عرض العمل؟
(Do you usually negotiate before accepting a job offer?)
In formal writing, you will often see it in the passive voice: 'يُفاوَض عليه' (it is being negotiated over). This is common in legal reports where the specific negotiator is less important than the item being discussed. Mastery of this verb allows you to express complex social and economic interactions with precision.
The word يفاوض is ubiquitous in Arabic media. If you turn on Al Jazeera or Al Arabiya, you will hear it almost daily in the context of international diplomacy. It is the standard term for describing peace talks, trade agreements, and political reconciliations. It suggests a level of parity between the parties—each side has something the other wants, and they are meeting as equals to find a solution.
تستمر الدولتان في التفاوض بشأن الحدود البحرية.
(The two countries continue to negotiate regarding the maritime borders.)
In the corporate world of Dubai, Riyadh, or Cairo, 'يفاوض' is used during contract discussions. A project manager might say, 'I am negotiating the timeline with the contractor.' It implies a professional, structured discussion rather than a heated argument. It is also heard in human resources when discussing salaries—'يفاوض على الراتب' (negotiating the salary).
- News Headlines
- 'الوفدان يفاوضان على شروط وقف إطلاق النار' (The two delegations negotiate the terms of the ceasefire).
- Business Meetings
- 'نحن بحاجة إلى شخص يفاوض ببراعة' (We need someone who negotiates with brilliance/skill).
المحامي يفاوض نيابة عن موكله للحصول على أفضل تسوية.
(The lawyer negotiates on behalf of his client to get the best settlement.)
Interestingly, while 'yusāwim' is used for market haggling, 'yufāwiḍ' is increasingly used in modern urban settings even for smaller business deals to sound more professional and less like a traditional bazaar interaction. It reflects a shift toward globalized business terminology in the Arabic-speaking world.
The most frequent mistake learners make with يفاوض is confusing it with its Form II sibling, يفوّض (yufawwiḍu). While they share the same root (ف-و-ض), the difference in meaning is massive. Yufāwiḍ (Form III) means to negotiate, whereas yufawwiḍ (Form II) means to delegate or authorize someone. If you tell your boss 'أريد أن أفوّض السعر' (I want to delegate the price), it makes little sense compared to 'أريد أن أفاوض على السعر' (I want to negotiate the price).
- Mistake 1: Confusing Form II and III
- Saying 'يفوّض' (delegate) when you mean 'يفاوض' (negotiate). The 'shadda' on the middle letter changes the entire concept.
- Mistake 2: Incorrect Prepositions
- Using 'في' (in) instead of 'على' (on/over). You negotiate 'over' a topic, not 'in' a topic in Arabic.
خطأ: هو يفوّض مع الشركة. (Wrong: He delegates with the company.)
صح: هو يفاوض الشركة. (Correct: He negotiates with the company.)
Another common error is applying the word to very informal haggling over inexpensive goods. While technically understood, using 'يفاوض' to describe bargaining over the price of a kilo of tomatoes sounds overly dramatic or stiff. In that context, 'يساوم' (yusāwim) is the natural choice. Conversely, using 'يساوم' in a high-level diplomatic meeting might sound slightly derogatory, as if the diplomats are just street merchants. Choosing the right 'negotiation' verb depends entirely on the prestige and formality of the situation.
Arabic is rich with verbs describing various forms of discussion and agreement. Understanding the alternatives to يفاوض will help you achieve a more native-like level of expression. Here are the most common synonyms and related terms:
- يساوم (Yusāwim)
- To haggle or bargain. This is specifically for prices in a market or informal setting. It focuses on the price itself rather than complex terms.
- يتباحث (Yatabāḥath)
- To confer or discuss in depth. This is often used for scholarly or high-level academic/political discussions where the goal is exploration rather than just reaching a deal.
- يحاور (Yuḥāwir)
- To dialogue or interview. It emphasizes the exchange of ideas and perspectives without necessarily having a conflict to resolve.
بدلاً من أن يفاوض، فضّل المدير أن يتباحث مع الخبراء أولاً.
(Instead of negotiating, the manager preferred to confer with the experts first.)
If the negotiation is specifically about settling a dispute, you might see yuṣāliḥ (to reconcile) or yusawwī (to settle/resolve). Choosing 'يفاوض' implies that the process is ongoing and involves multiple points of interest. It is the broadest and most versatile term for professional deal-making.
چقدر رسمی است؟
"يفاوض الوفد الرسمي على بنود المعاهدة الدولية."
"المدير يفاوض الموظفين على ساعات العمل."
"فاوضته على السعر وخذت خصم."
"يفاوض الطفل والده ليلعب ساعة إضافية."
"قاعد يفاوضني على كل قرش."
نکته جالب
The root also gives us the word 'fawḍā' (chaos), which originally meant a situation where people are 'shared' or 'mixed' without a clear leader or order. Negotiation (tafāwuḍ) is the structured way to resolve such mixing of interests!
راهنمای تلفظ
- Pronouncing the 'ḍ' (ض) like a simple English 'd'. It should be deeper and more resonant.
- Shortening the long 'ā' (ا) in the second syllable.
- Confusing the vowel on the 'w' (و)—it is a 'kasra' (i), not a 'fatha' (a).
سطح دشواری
Recognizing Form III patterns is essential for intermediate readers.
Requires correct placement of the long alif and understanding prepositions.
The 'ḍ' sound and the long vowel need practice.
Must distinguish from Form II 'yufawwiḍ'.
بعداً چه یاد بگیریم؟
پیشنیازها
بعداً یاد بگیرید
پیشرفته
مثالها بر اساس سطح
هو يفاوض على السعر.
He is negotiating on the price.
Simple present tense verb.
أنا أفاوض في السوق.
I negotiate in the market.
First person singular 'أفاوض'.
هم يفاوضون الآن.
They are negotiating now.
Plural masculine 'يفاوضون'.
هي تفاوض المدير.
She is negotiating with the manager.
Third person feminine 'تفاوض'.
نحن نفاوض معاً.
We negotiate together.
First person plural 'نفاوض'.
هل تفاوض على البيت؟
Are you negotiating for the house?
Question form using 'هل'.
يفاوض الرجل التاجر.
The man negotiates with the merchant.
Verb-Subject-Object order.
لا تفاوض هنا.
Do not negotiate here.
Negative command 'لا' + jussive (though often simplified in speech).
يجب أن تفاوض للحصول على خصم.
You must negotiate to get a discount.
Use of 'يجب أن' followed by the verb.
فاوضَ والدي على سعر السيارة.
My father negotiated the price of the car.
Past tense 'فاوضَ'.
الشركة تفاوض الموظف الجديد.
The company is negotiating with the new employee.
Company (feminine) + 'تفاوض'.
أريد أن أفاوض على راتبي.
I want to negotiate my salary.
'أريد أن' + subjunctive verb.
هم يفاوضون على شروط العقد.
They are negotiating the contract terms.
Plural verb ending in 'ون'.
لماذا لا تفاوض معهم؟
Why don't you negotiate with them?
Interrogative 'لماذا' + negative.
يفاوض السياح على سعر الرحلة.
Tourists negotiate the price of the trip.
Plural subject with singular verb (classic Arabic rule).
بدأنا نفاوض على شراء الأرض.
We started negotiating to buy the land.
Past tense 'بدأنا' + present verb.
يفاوض الوفد من أجل وقف القتال.
The delegation is negotiating for a ceasefire.
Form III verb used in a political context.
يستطيع المحامي أن يفاوض بذكاء.
The lawyer can negotiate cleverly.
Modal 'يستطيع' + 'أن' + verb.
كنا نفاوض على التفاصيل الصغيرة.
We were negotiating over the small details.
Imperfect past tense 'كنا نفاوض'.
يفاوض المدير النقابة حالياً.
The manager is currently negotiating with the union.
Direct object usage 'يفاوض النقابة'.
من الصعب أن تفاوض بدون وسيط.
It is difficult to negotiate without a mediator.
Impersonal expression 'من الصعب أن'.
يفاوض المستثمرون على حصصهم في الشركة.
Investors are negotiating their shares in the company.
Subject-verb agreement in number.
سأفاوض على شروط أفضل في المرة القادمة.
I will negotiate for better terms next time.
Future prefix 'سـ'.
هل فاوضت على السعر قبل الشراء؟
Did you negotiate the price before buying?
Past tense second person 'فاوضتَ'.
يفاوض الطرفان للوصول إلى حل وسط.
The two parties are negotiating to reach a compromise.
Dual subject 'الطرفان'.
كانوا يفاوضون تحت ضغط كبير.
They were negotiating under great pressure.
Continuous past action.
يفاوض الصندوق الدولي الحكومة بشأن القرض.
The IMF is negotiating with the government regarding the loan.
Formal institutional subject.
لن أفاوض على مبادئي الأساسية.
I will not negotiate my basic principles.
Future negative 'لن' + subjunctive.
يفاوض المشتري البائع على كل بند في العقد.
The buyer negotiates every clause in the contract with the seller.
Use of 'بند' (clause).
يجب أن تكون مرناً عندما تفاوض.
You must be flexible when you negotiate.
Conditional context 'عندما'.
يفاوض الخبراء على معايير الجودة الجديدة.
Experts are negotiating the new quality standards.
Subject 'الخبراء' (experts).
فاوضت الشركة منافسيها على اندماج محتمل.
The company negotiated a potential merger with its competitors.
Past tense with possessive suffix 'منافسيها'.
يفاوض الدبلوماسيون من موقع قوة سياسية.
Diplomats negotiate from a position of political strength.
Complex prepositional phrase 'من موقع قوة'.
نحن نفاوض في ظل ظروف اقتصادية متقلبة.
We are negotiating amidst volatile economic conditions.
Use of 'في ظل' (in light of/amidst).
يفاوض الأطراف المتنازعة على ترسيم الحدود.
The conflicting parties are negotiating the demarcation of borders.
Active participle 'المتنازعة' as adjective.
يفاوض الفرد على هويته في مجتمع متغير.
The individual negotiates their identity in a changing society.
Abstract usage of the verb.
كان يفاوض ببراعة دبلوماسية لا مثيل لها.
He was negotiating with unparalleled diplomatic skill.
Superlative expression 'لا مثيل لها'.
يفاوض البنك المركزي على استقرار العملة.
The Central Bank negotiates for currency stability.
Macroeconomic context.
يُفاوَض حالياً على إطلاق سراح السجناء.
Negotiations are currently underway for the release of prisoners.
Passive voice 'يُفاوَض'.
يفاوضون على تجديد المعاهدة الدولية.
They are negotiating the renewal of the international treaty.
Plural verb with complex noun phrase.
يفاوض المفاوضون المهرة على أدق التفاصيل التقنية.
Skilled negotiators negotiate the finest technical details.
Intensive subject-verb structure.
تظل الدولة تفاوض رغم تعثر المحادثات.
The state continues to negotiate despite the stalling of talks.
Use of 'تظل' as a sister of 'كان'.
يفاوض التاريخ الشعوب على مصيرها المشترك.
History negotiates with nations over their common destiny.
Metaphorical/Literary usage.
يفاوض العقل العاطفة في اتخاذ القرارات الصعبة.
The mind negotiates with emotion in making difficult decisions.
Philosophical usage.
يفاوضون لاستعادة الحقوق المسلوبة عبر القنوات الشرعية.
They negotiate to restore usurped rights through legal channels.
Formal legalistic vocabulary.
يفاوض الكاتب القارئ على معنى النص.
The writer negotiates the meaning of the text with the reader.
Literary theory context.
يفاوض من أجل سيادة وطنية غير منقوصة.
He negotiates for undiminished national sovereignty.
High-level political rhetoric.
يفاوضون في أروقة الأمم المتحدة.
They negotiate in the corridors of the United Nations.
Idiomatic use of 'أروقة' (corridors).
ترکیبهای رایج
عبارات رایج
قابل للتفاوض
طاولة المفاوضات
فشل المفاوضات
جولة مفاوضات
مهارات التفاوض
مفاوضات سرية
مفاوضات مكثفة
بدء المفاوضات
مفاوضات ثنائية
مفاوضات شاقة
اصطلاحات و عبارات
"شد وجذب في التفاوض"
Back and forth/tug of war in negotiation.
كان هناك شد وجذب في التفاوض على السعر.
Neutral"وصلوا إلى طريق مسدود"
To reach a dead end (in negotiations).
وصلت المفاوضات إلى طريق مسدود.
Formal"كسر الجليد"
To break the ice (before starting a negotiation).
حاولوا كسر الجليد قبل بدء التفاوض.
Neutral"وضع أوراقه على الطاولة"
To lay one's cards on the table.
وضع كل طرف أوراقه على الطاولة ليفاوض بوضوح.
Neutral"اللعب على الوقت"
Playing for time during a negotiation.
كان يفاوض فقط للعب على الوقت.
Informal"الإمساك بالعصا من المنتصف"
To hold the stick from the middle (seek compromise).
حاول أن يفاوض ليمسك بالعصا من المنتصف.
Neutral"صيد في الماء العكر"
Fishing in troubled waters (negotiating in bad faith).
هو يحاول التفاوض ليصيد في الماء العكر.
Informal"رفع سقف المطالب"
To raise the ceiling of demands (negotiation tactic).
رفعوا سقف المطالب قبل أن يبدأوا يفاوضون.
Formal"الكرة في ملعبهم"
The ball is in their court (waiting for a response).
فاوضناهم والآن الكرة في ملعبهم.
Neutral"نقطة انطلاق"
A starting point for negotiations.
هذا العرض هو نقطة انطلاق جيدة لنفاوض.
Neutralخانواده کلمه
اسمها
فعلها
صفتها
مرتبط
حفظ کنید
روش یادسپاری
Think of 'FA' (like 'Far') and 'WAD' (like 'Wad' of cash). You go 'Far' to get a 'Wad' of cash by 'Negotiating' (Yufāwiḍ).
تداعی تصویری
Imagine two people standing on opposite sides of a river (the 'alif' in the middle of the word) trying to reach across and shake hands.
شبکه واژگان
چالش
Try to use 'يفاوض' in a sentence about your next salary review or a major purchase you plan to make.
ریشه کلمه
Derived from the Arabic root ف-و-ض (f-w-d). In its primary sense, the root relates to entrusting, returning, or distributing. Form III 'fāwaḍa' evolved to mean 'to confer' or 'to return talk to one another' to reach a middle ground.
معنای اصلی: To entrust a matter to someone or to share/participate in a matter.
Semitic (Afroasiatic) -> Central Semitic -> Arabic.بافت فرهنگی
Be careful when using this word in the context of 'haggling' for small items; use 'يساوم' instead to avoid sounding pretentious.
In English, 'negotiate' is often seen as a tough, sometimes adversarial process. In Arabic, it can be more social and circular.
تمرین در زندگی واقعی
موقعیتهای واقعی
Buying a Car
Summary
The verb 'يفاوض' is the standard Arabic term for formal negotiation. Unlike simple bargaining, it suggests a structured process between parties to reach a professional or political agreement. Example: 'يفاوض المدير الموظفين' (The manager negotiates with the employees).
- A verb meaning to negotiate formally.
- Commonly used in business, politics, and legal contexts.
- Follows the Form III pattern (fā'ala), implying interaction.
- Often paired with the preposition 'على' (over/on).
مثال
تحاول الشركات أن تفاوض على شروط العقد.
محتوای مرتبط
واژههای بیشتر business
عادلاً
B1به این معنی است که به شیوهای صادقانه، درست و بدون تبعیض عمل کنی.
عاجز
B1به معنی کسی یا چیزی است که توانایی یا قدرت انجام کاری را ندارد.
إعلانات
A2آگهیها: اطلاعیههای عمومی برای تبلیغ محصولات یا خدمات.
إعلاني
B1مربوط به تبلیغات یا شامل تبلیغات.
عالج
A2برای رسیدگی به یه مشکل، یه مسئله رو حل کردن، یا درمان پزشکی ارائه دادن استفاده میشه.
أعلن
A2اطلاعاتی را به مردم گفتن، اغلب به صورت رسمی یا عمومی.
عالي الجودة
B1یعنی کیفیت یه چیز خیلی خوبه، از معمول بهتره.
عامةً
B1به طور کلی (Be towr-e kolli).
عامَةً
B1عموماً یعنی در بیشتر موارد یا برای بیشتر آدمها.
أعمال
B1به کار آدمها اشاره داره، مثل شغل یا فعالیتهای تجاری.