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A2 noun #1,800 le plus courant 13 min de lecture

زملاء

zumala'
Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces زملاء en 30 secondes
Explication زملاء in your Level:
At the A1 (Beginner) level, the primary goal is to build basic vocabulary for everyday environments, specifically the classroom and the workplace. The word زملاء is introduced as a fundamental noun to help students describe their immediate surroundings and the people in them. At this stage, learners are taught the singular forms (زميل for a male, زميلة for a female) and the plural forms (زملاء for males/mixed, زميلات for females). The focus is on simple, declarative sentences. A student at this level will learn to say phrases like 'هذا زميلي' (This is my colleague) or 'هؤلاء زملائي' (These are my colleagues). The grammatical complexity is kept to a minimum; there is no deep dive into the shifting hamza rules based on case endings. Instead, the focus is on rote memorization of the word with basic possessive pronouns, particularly 'my' (زملائي). Teachers at the A1 level will use visual aids, pointing to other students in the class and identifying them as زملاء. The cultural context introduced here is simply the distinction between a friend (صديق) and a classmate/coworker (زميل), helping beginners avoid the common mistake of calling everyone they meet a 'friend'. Exercises at this level involve matching pictures to words, simple fill-in-the-blanks with the correct gendered form, and basic pronunciation practice to ensure the 'z' and 'm' sounds are clear, and the plural ending is recognized. By the end of A1, a student should comfortably recognize the word when they hear it in a simple introduction and be able to use it to point out the people they study or work with on a daily basis.
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At the A2 (Elementary) level, learners begin to construct more complex sentences and engage in routine conversations about their daily lives. The word زملاء becomes a crucial tool for describing one's daily routine, workplace, or school environment. At this stage, students learn to use the word with a wider variety of prepositions and verbs. They will construct sentences like 'أعمل مع زملائي في المكتب' (I work with my colleagues in the office) or 'أدرس مع زملائي في المكتبة' (I study with my classmates in the library). The concept of the Idafa (possessive construction) is solidified here, introducing phrases like 'زملاء العمل' (work colleagues) and 'زملاء الدراسة' (study colleagues). This helps students specify exactly which group of associates they are talking about. Grammatically, A2 learners are introduced to the concept that زملاء is a broken plural and requires plural adjective agreement (e.g., زملاء جيدون - good colleagues). While the complex hamza spelling rules are still largely bypassed in favor of communicative competence, teachers may begin to gently correct written errors if a student writes the hamza incorrectly with a pronoun. Culturally, A2 students learn how to politely ask others about their colleagues, such as 'كيف حال زملائك؟' (How are your colleagues?), which is a common polite inquiry in Arab social interactions. Exercises at this level include writing short paragraphs about one's job or school, role-playing introductions at a hypothetical office party, and listening comprehension tasks where speakers describe their relationships with their coworkers. The goal is to move from simple identification to functional, descriptive usage.
At the B1 (Intermediate) level, the usage of زملاء expands significantly as students learn to express opinions, describe past events, and navigate more nuanced social situations. Learners are now expected to discuss their relationships with their colleagues in more detail, expressing agreement, disagreement, or describing the atmosphere in the workplace. They will use the word in sentences like 'كان زملائي متعاونين جداً في المشروع' (My colleagues were very helpful on the project) or 'أحياناً أختلف مع زملائي في الرأي' (Sometimes I disagree with my colleagues' opinions). At this stage, the grammatical rules surrounding the spelling of the hamza with attached pronouns (زملاؤه، زملائه، زملاءه) are formally introduced and practiced, as B1 students are expected to produce more accurate written texts, such as simple professional emails or short essays. The distinction between زملاء and similar words like أصدقاء (friends) or شركاء (partners) is explicitly taught, allowing students to choose the most precise vocabulary for their intended meaning. Culturally, B1 learners explore the concept of 'Zamalh' (collegiality) in the Arab workplace, understanding the expectations of mutual respect, formal greetings, and the boundaries between professional and personal life. Exercises include writing emails to colleagues, participating in group discussions about workplace dynamics, and reading short articles or stories that feature interactions between coworkers. By the end of B1, a student should be able to confidently and accurately use زملاء in both spoken and written formats to describe a wide range of professional and academic scenarios.
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At the B2 (Upper Intermediate) level, learners are preparing for professional fluency and academic proficiency. The word زملاء is now used in complex, multi-clause sentences and formal contexts. Students at this level are expected to draft professional correspondence, such as memos, reports, and formal emails, where the correct usage and spelling of زملاء (especially the shifting hamza) are non-negotiable. They will encounter and produce phrases like 'بالإشارة إلى ما ذكره الزملاء في الاجتماع السابق' (Referring to what the colleagues mentioned in the previous meeting). The vocabulary surrounding the word expands to include advanced collocations and idiomatic expressions related to teamwork, professional solidarity, and conflict resolution. B2 learners engage with authentic materials, such as news reports, business articles, and interviews, where the term is used to refer to industry peers or political counterparts. Culturally, the focus shifts to understanding office politics, professional etiquette, and the subtle ways language is used to navigate hierarchy and collegiality in the Arab world. For instance, using 'الزميل' as a formal title of respect during a debate or presentation. Exercises at this level are highly task-based: writing formal complaints or commendations about colleagues, debating workplace policies, and analyzing case studies of organizational behavior. The goal is to ensure the learner can operate seamlessly in an Arabic-speaking professional environment, using the word زملاء with the same natural precision and cultural awareness as a native speaker.
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At the C1 (Advanced) level, the learner's grasp of زملاء is expected to be near-native, characterized by a deep understanding of its pragmatic and sociolinguistic nuances. At this stage, the word is not just a noun for 'coworkers'; it is a concept used to navigate complex social hierarchies, express professional solidarity, or even employ subtle irony. C1 learners will use the word in sophisticated academic and professional discourse. They might write research papers discussing 'علاقات الزملاء في بيئة العمل' (colleague relationships in the work environment) or deliver formal presentations addressing an audience of peers as 'الزميلات والزملاء الأفاضل' (Honorable female and male colleagues). The grammatical mastery of the word, including all its morphological variations and case endings, is assumed to be flawless. Students at this level explore the abstract noun 'زمالة' (fellowship/collegiality) and its implications in various fields, such as medical fellowships (زمالة طبية) or academic societies. They analyze literature and media to understand how the dynamic between colleagues is portrayed, recognizing the subtle shifts in register when a speaker moves from calling someone a 'زميل' to a 'صديق' or a 'منافس' (competitor). Exercises involve high-level negotiations, drafting complex organizational policies, and critiquing professional texts. The C1 learner understands that calling someone a 'زميل' in a heated debate can be a way of maintaining professional decorum while signaling emotional distance, showcasing a mastery of Arabic pragmatics.
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At the C2 (Mastery) level, the understanding and application of the word زملاء transcend basic communication and enter the realm of literary, academic, and highly specialized professional mastery. A C2 user manipulates the word with absolute precision, understanding its historical etymology from the root ز-م-ل (sharing a burden/riding together) and how this historical context informs its modern usage. In highly formal settings, such as diplomatic discourse, legal proceedings, or advanced academic publishing, the C2 user deploys the term to establish authority, build consensus, or define strict professional boundaries. They are comfortable with archaic or highly literary usages of the root, and can effortlessly switch between the standard MSA usage and various regional dialectal variations depending on the audience. At this level, the focus is on the stylistics of the word. How does an author use the concept of 'Zamalh' to build tension in a novel? How do politicians use the term 'زملاء' to refer to members of the opposition in parliament to maintain a facade of democratic collegiality? C2 learners engage in writing extensive dissertations, delivering keynote speeches, and participating in high-stakes professional negotiations where the exact choice of words can have significant legal or professional consequences. The exercises at this level are entirely authentic and open-ended, involving the production of publication-ready texts, the analysis of complex sociolinguistic phenomena in the Arab workplace, and the mastery of rhetorical devices that utilize the concept of professional companionship.
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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

زملاء en 30 secondes

  • Refers to coworkers, colleagues, or classmates sharing a specific environment.
  • Broken plural of زميل (male) or زميلة (female), following the pattern فُعَلاء.
  • Distinct from friends (أصدقاء); implies a professional or academic relationship.
  • Requires careful attention to hamza spelling when adding possessive pronouns (e.g., زملائه).
The Arabic word زملاء (zumalā') is a highly versatile and frequently used noun that translates primarily to 'colleagues', 'coworkers', 'classmates', or 'associates'. It is the broken plural form of the singular noun زميل (zamīl) for a male colleague, while the female singular is زميلة (zamīlah) and its regular feminine plural is زميلات (zamīlāt). Understanding the depth of this word requires exploring its linguistic roots, its cultural implications in the Arab world, and its precise semantic boundaries compared to other words for companionship. The root of the word is ز-م-ل (z-m-l), which historically carries connotations of companionship, sharing a load, or riding together on the same beast of burden. This historical imagery perfectly encapsulates the modern usage of the word: people who share the 'burden' or the journey of a specific task, whether that task is professional work, academic study, or a specific collaborative project. In contemporary Arabic, زملاء is the standard, universally understood term across all dialects and Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) to refer to individuals with whom one shares a professional or educational environment. It is important to distinguish زملاء from friends (أصدقاء). While a colleague can become a friend, the term زملاء strictly defines the relationship based on the shared environment rather than personal affection. This distinction is crucial in professional settings in the Middle East and North Africa, where maintaining appropriate professional boundaries while showing immense respect and hospitality is highly valued.
Linguistic Root
The root ز-م-ل implies sharing a burden or accompanying someone on a journey, reflecting the shared journey of work or study.

هؤلاء زملاء العمل الجدد.

In the workplace, your زملاء are the people you interact with daily. They are the ones you collaborate with on projects, share office space with, and perhaps have lunch with during breaks. The term encompasses everyone from your immediate team members to people in other departments, as long as you share the same organizational umbrella. In an educational context, from elementary school all the way to postgraduate university studies, your classmates are your زملاء الدراسة (colleagues of study). This usage highlights the formal nature of the educational journey in Arab culture, treating students as associates engaged in the serious business of learning.
Workplace Context
Refers to coworkers, team members, and professional associates within the same company or industry.

أحترم جميع زملاء المهنة.

The concept of 'Zamalh' (زمالة), which is the abstract noun derived from the same root meaning 'collegiality' or 'fellowship', is a cornerstone of professional ethics in the Arab world. It implies a sense of mutual support, respect, and solidarity among peers. For instance, doctors refer to other doctors as زملاء, and journalists refer to other journalists as زملاء, even if they work for competing organizations. This broader industry-wide application of the word shows its power in creating a sense of professional community and shared identity.
Academic Context
Used to describe classmates, fellow students, and academic peers sharing the same educational environment.

تخرجت مع زملاء الدفعة.

Furthermore, the word is often used in formal addresses and speeches. A manager addressing their team might start with 'أعزائي الزملاء' (My dear colleagues), setting a tone of professional respect and equality.

أرسلت البريد إلى زملاء القسم.

Understanding زملاء is not just about knowing a vocabulary word; it is about understanding the social fabric of Arab professional and academic life, where respect for one's peers is paramount, and the shared journey of work or study creates a specific, honored bond that is distinct from casual friendship but equally important for social harmony and success.

تعاونت مع زملاء الجامعة في المشروع.

Using the word زملاء correctly involves understanding its grammatical properties, its syntactic placement within sentences, and the specific morphological changes it undergoes, particularly regarding the Arabic hamza (ء) when possessive pronouns are attached. As a broken plural (جمع تكسير), زملاء follows the pattern فُعَلاء (fu'alā'). This pattern is commonly used for words denoting characteristics or professions, such as خبراء (experts) or شركاء (partners). Because it ends with an alif followed by a hamza (اء), it is considered a diptote (ممنوع من الصرف) in its indefinite form, meaning it does not take nunation (tanween) and takes a fatha instead of a kasra in the genitive case, unless it is defined by 'Al' (ال) or is the first part of an Idafa (genitive construction).
Grammatical Pattern
It follows the broken plural pattern فُعَلاء, which is typical for human plurals indicating association or shared traits.

تحدثت مع زملاء كثيرين.

The most critical aspect of using زملاء for learners is mastering the spelling of the hamza when adding possessive suffixes. The position of the hamza changes based on the grammatical case of the word. In the nominative case (مرفوع), when the word is the subject, the hamza sits on a waw (ؤ): زملاؤُه (his colleagues). In the accusative case (منصوب), when it is the object, the hamza sits on the line (ء): زملاءَهُ. In the genitive case (مجرور), after a preposition, the hamza sits on a yaa/nabera (ئ): زملائِه. This rule is a frequent stumbling block even for native speakers, making it a crucial area of focus for serious learners.
Idafa Construction
It is frequently used as the first word (Mudaf) in a possessive construction, such as زملاء العمل (colleagues of work).

حضر زملاؤنا الاجتماع الصباحي.

When constructing sentences, زملاء is often paired with specific prepositions and nouns to clarify the context. The most common collocations are زملاء العمل (work colleagues) and زملاء الدراسة (study colleagues/classmates). You might also hear زملاء المهنة (colleagues of the profession) when referring to people in the same industry but not necessarily the same company. If you want to say 'one of my colleagues', you would say أحد زملائي (ahadu zumalā'ī) for a male, or إحدى زميلاتي (ihdā zamīlātī) for a female.

رحبت بـ زملائي في المكتب.

It is also important to note the verb agreement. Since زملاء is a plural referring to rational human beings (عاقل), the verbs and adjectives associated with it must also be in the masculine plural form. For example, 'The colleagues are helpful' translates to الزملاء متعاونون (al-zumalā' muta'āwinūn), using the regular masculine plural ending for the adjective. If referring exclusively to female colleagues, you must use زميلات and feminine plural adjectives: الزميلات متعاونات.
Verb Agreement
Always use plural masculine verbs and adjectives when referring to a mixed group of colleagues.

اتفق الزملاء على خطة العمل.

Mastering these grammatical nuances ensures that your Arabic sounds natural, educated, and precise, especially in formal and professional environments where this word is most frequently deployed.

ودعت زملاء الفريق قبل السفر.

The word زملاء permeates almost every aspect of public, professional, and academic life in the Arabic-speaking world. Because Arab culture places a high value on community, networking, and interpersonal relationships within institutions, you will encounter this word constantly in various settings. The most prominent environment is, undoubtedly, the workplace. Whether you are in a bustling corporate office in Dubai, a government ministry in Cairo, or a tech startup in Amman, the term زملاء is the standard currency for referring to the people around you. In professional emails, it is standard practice to address a group message to 'الزملاء الأعزاء' (Dear colleagues). During meetings, a speaker might reference the hard work of 'زملائنا في قسم التسويق' (our colleagues in the marketing department).
Corporate Environments
Heard daily in offices, emails, and meetings across all industries to denote professional peers.

أرسل المدير رسالة إلى جميع الزملاء.

Beyond the immediate office, the word is heavily used in academic institutions. From the first day of primary school, teachers refer to a student's peers as their زملاء. A teacher might say to a misbehaving student, 'احترم زملاءك' (Respect your classmates). In universities, the term takes on a slightly more mature tone, often used in the context of group projects, research collaboration, and graduation ceremonies. University professors also refer to their fellow faculty members as زملاء, highlighting the egalitarian nature of the academic fellowship.
Media and Journalism
Broadcasters frequently use it to introduce correspondents or refer to other journalists.

أفاد زملاؤنا في موقع الحادث بالتفاصيل.

You will also hear this word frequently in professional syndicates and unions (نقابات). In countries like Egypt or Jordan, professional syndicates for engineers, doctors, or lawyers are powerful social institutions. Members of these syndicates refer to each other exclusively as زملاء, which fosters a strong sense of professional solidarity. For example, a lawyer defending another lawyer in a dispute might appeal to the judge by referring to the defendant as 'الزميل' (the colleague), invoking a shared professional dignity.
Social Gatherings
Used when introducing people from work at external social events to clarify the relationship.

دعوت زملاء العمل لحضور حفل زفافي.

In literature and cinema, the dynamic between زملاء is a common trope, exploring themes of workplace competition, solidarity, office politics, and the blurring lines between professional association and genuine friendship. When introducing someone at a social gathering, clarifying that they are 'من زملاء العمل' (from work colleagues) immediately sets the context for the other guests, indicating that the relationship is primarily professional, though friendly enough to warrant a social invitation.

هؤلاء زملاء قدامى من أيام الجامعة.

نظم الزملاء حفلة وداع للمدير.

When learning and using the word زملاء, students of Arabic frequently encounter a few specific pitfalls. These mistakes generally fall into three categories: orthographic (spelling) errors related to the hamza, semantic errors involving the confusion between colleagues and friends, and grammatical errors regarding gender agreement. The most notorious and persistent mistake, even among native Arabic speakers, is the incorrect placement of the hamza (ء) when possessive pronouns are attached to the word. Because زملاء ends with a hamza preceded by an alif, adding a pronoun like 'his' (ـه) or 'their' (ـهم) forces the hamza to change its 'seat' depending on the grammatical case of the word in the sentence.
The Hamza Rule
Nominative: زملاؤه (on waw). Accusative: زملاءه (on the line). Genitive: زملائه (on nabera/yaa).

سلمت على زملائه في الشركة.

Many learners will mistakenly write زملاءه in all contexts, ignoring the case endings. For example, writing 'مررت بزملاءه' instead of the correct 'مررت بزملائه' (I passed by his colleagues). This is a highly visible error in formal writing and emails. Another common mistake is semantic. In English, people sometimes loosely refer to their coworkers as 'friends at work'. In Arabic, calling your coworkers أصدقاء (friends) immediately implies a deep, personal, out-of-office relationship. If you just mean the people you work with, using أصدقاء instead of زملاء can sound overly familiar or inaccurate to an Arab listener. It is safer and more accurate to use زملاء until a genuine, personal friendship is established outside the workplace.
Gender Confusion
Using the masculine plural زملاء for an exclusively female group is incorrect; use زميلات.

هؤلاء زميلات أختي في المدرسة.

Grammatically, learners sometimes struggle with agreement. While زملاء is a broken plural, it refers to rational human beings, so it takes plural masculine adjectives and verbs (e.g., زملاء محترمون - respected colleagues). A mistake occurs when learners apply the non-human plural rule (which takes singular feminine adjectives) and say something incorrect like 'زملاء محترمة'. Additionally, if the group of colleagues is entirely female, you must use the regular feminine plural زميلات (zamīlāt). Using the masculine زملاء for a group of women is grammatically incorrect, although if there is even one male in the group, the masculine plural زملاء is used to encompass everyone.
Pronunciation Error
Failing to pronounce the final glottal stop (hamza) in formal MSA, making it sound like a dialect.

تحدثت مع زملاء أجانب.

Finally, a minor but noticeable pronunciation mistake in MSA is dropping the final hamza entirely. While acceptable in dialects (saying 'zumala'), in formal MSA, the glottal stop must be clearly articulated (zumalā'). Practicing these distinctions will elevate a learner's Arabic from basic communication to professional fluency.

أخطأ في كتابة كلمة زملاء في التقرير.

لا تخلط بين الأصدقاء و الزملاء.

The Arabic language is incredibly rich in vocabulary related to human relationships, companionship, and association. While زملاء is the specific term for colleagues or classmates, several other words occupy adjacent semantic spaces. Understanding the nuances between these words is key to achieving high proficiency and cultural fluency. The most common point of comparison is with the word أصدقاء (asdiqā'), which means 'friends'. As discussed earlier, أصدقاء implies a personal, emotional bond based on mutual affection, whereas زملاء is circumstantial, based on a shared environment like work or school. You choose your أصدقاء, but you are assigned your زملاء.
أصدقاء (Friends)
Implies a deep, personal, and emotional connection, chosen voluntarily, unlike colleagues.

بعض الزملاء يصبحون أصدقاء مقربين.

Another related word is رفاق (rifāq) or the singular رفيق (rafīq), meaning 'companions' or 'comrades'. This word has a slightly more intense or journey-oriented connotation. It is often used in political contexts (comrades in a party), military contexts (brothers in arms), or literally people you travel with (رفاق السفر). While your زملاء might be your رفاق on a business trip, the term رفاق carries a sense of shared ideology or a shared physical journey that زملاء does not inherently possess.
شركاء (Partners)
Refers to business partners who share ownership or liability, not just employees working together.

نحن زملاء ولسنا شركاء في رأس المال.

The word شركاء (shurakā'), plural of شريك (sharīk), translates to 'partners'. In a business context, this is a crucial distinction. Your زملاء are your fellow employees. Your شركاء are the co-owners of the business. You share the daily tasks with your زملاء, but you share the financial risks and profits with your شركاء. Confusing these two in a legal or formal business setting could lead to significant misunderstandings. Furthermore, the word أقران (aqrān), plural of قرين (qarīn), means 'peers' or 'equals'. This is often used in academic or sociological contexts to refer to people of the same age group, social status, or level of ability. Your classmates are both your زملاء (because you study together) and your أقران (because you are at the same educational level).
أقران (Peers)
Focuses on equality in age, rank, or ability, often used in educational psychology (e.g., peer pressure).

يتميز عن بقية زملائه وأقرانه.

Finally, there is the word أصحاب (ashāb), which is a very common colloquial word for friends, but historically means 'owners' or 'companions' (as in the companions of the Prophet). In modern dialects, saying 'أصحابي في الشغل' (my friends at work) is common, but in formal writing, you should revert to زملاء. Understanding this web of related terms allows a speaker to navigate the complex social hierarchies and relationship dynamics of the Arab world with precision and cultural sensitivity.

الفرق واضح بين الأصدقاء و الزملاء.

يعمل مع زملاء من مختلف الدول.

How Formal Is It?

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Broken Plurals (جمع التكسير)

The Hamza on Waw, Yaa, and the Line (الهمزة المتوسطة والمتطرفة)

The Diptote (الممنوع من الصرف)

Adjective Agreement with Rational Plurals (المطابقة مع جمع العاقل)

The Idafa Construction (الإضافة)

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Exemples par niveau

1

هذا زميلي في العمل.

This is my colleague at work.

Uses the singular masculine form with the 'my' possessive pronoun (ي).

2

هذه زميلتي في المدرسة.

This is my classmate (female) at school.

Uses the singular feminine form (زميلة) with the possessive pronoun.

3

هم زملاء.

They are colleagues.

Basic plural usage with a plural pronoun (هم).

4

أنا أحب زملائي.

I like my colleagues.

Introduction of a simple verb (أحب) with the plural object.

5

أين زملاء الفصل؟

Where are the classmates?

Using the word in a basic question with an Idafa construction.

6

عندي زملاء كثيرون.

I have many colleagues.

Using the word with the preposition 'عندي' (I have) and a plural adjective.

7

نحن زملاء في الشركة.

We are colleagues in the company.

Using the plural pronoun 'نحن' (we) with the plural noun.

8

مرحباً يا زملائي.

Hello, my colleagues.

Using the vocative particle 'يا' for direct address.

1

أعمل مع زملائي كل يوم.

I work with my colleagues every day.

Using the preposition 'مع' (with) and a time expression.

2

زملاء العمل لطفاء جداً.

The work colleagues are very nice.

Idafa construction (زملاء العمل) acting as the subject with a plural adjective.

3

ذهبت إلى المطعم مع زملائي.

I went to the restaurant with my colleagues.

Using the word in a past tense sentence describing a routine activity.

4

هل تعرف زملاءك في المكتب الجديد؟

Do you know your colleagues in the new office?

Using the word as a direct object with the 'your' (ك) pronoun.

5

زملائي يساعدونني في دراستي.

My classmates help me in my studies.

Plural noun subject taking a plural verb (يساعدون).

6

تحدثت مع زميلين اليوم.

I spoke with two colleagues today.

Introduction of the dual form (زميلين) in the genitive case.

7

هؤلاء زميلات أختي.

These are my sister's (female) classmates.

Using the feminine plural form (زميلات).

8

ليس لدي زملاء في هذا القسم.

I don't have colleagues in this department.

Using the word in a negative sentence with 'ليس لدي'.

1

كان زملائي متعاونين جداً لإنجاز المشروع.

My colleagues were very cooperative to finish the project.

Using 'كان' (was/were) which makes the predicate adjective accusative (متعاونين).

2

أختلف مع زملائي في بعض الآراء، لكننا نحترم بعضنا.

I disagree with my colleagues on some opinions, but we respect each other.

Expressing complex relationships and using contrastive conjunctions.

3

نظم الزملاء حفلة وداع للمدير القديم.

The colleagues organized a farewell party for the old manager.

Using the word as the subject of a transitive verb in a narrative context.

4

يجب أن نتواصل مع زملائنا في الفرع الآخر.

We must communicate with our colleagues in the other branch.

Using modal verbs (يجب أن) and the 'our' pronoun (نا). Note the hamza on the nabera (زملائنا).

5

أرسلت رسالة إلكترونية إلى جميع الزملاء.

I sent an email to all colleagues.

Using the word after 'جميع' (all) which puts it in the genitive case.

6

بعض الزملاء يفضلون العمل من المنزل.

Some colleagues prefer working from home.

Using 'بعض' (some) followed by the genitive plural.

7

استشرت زملائي قبل اتخاذ القرار النهائي.

I consulted my colleagues before making the final decision.

Using the word as a direct object in a complex sentence structure.

8

علاقتي بزملائي ممتازة.

My relationship with my colleagues is excellent.

Using the word after a preposition attached to an abstract noun (علاقتي بـ).

1

بالإشارة إلى ما تفضل به الزملاء، أود أن أضيف نقطة.

Referring to what the colleagues kindly mentioned, I would like to add a point.

Formal business phrasing using 'تفضل به' (kindly mentioned by).

2

تتطلب بيئة العمل الناجحة ثقة متبادلة بين الزملاء.

A successful work environment requires mutual trust among colleagues.

Abstract vocabulary (بيئة العمل، ثقة متبادلة) combined with the target word.

3

تم تقييم الأداء بناءً على ملاحظات الزملاء.

The performance was evaluated based on colleagues' feedback.

Passive voice (تم تقييم) and formal Idafa construction (ملاحظات الزملاء).

4

واجهنا تحديات كبيرة، لكن بفضل جهود الزملاء تغلبنا عليها.

We faced great challenges, but thanks to the colleagues' efforts, we overcame them.

Complex sentence with multiple clauses and causal phrases (بفضل).

5

يُرجى تعميم هذا القرار على كافة الزملاء المعنيين.

Please circulate this decision to all concerned colleagues.

Highly formal administrative language (يُرجى تعميم، كافة، المعنيين).

6

ناقش الزملاء تداعيات الأزمة الاقتصادية على مبيعات الشركة.

The colleagues discussed the repercussions of the economic crisis on the company's sales.

Using the word in a sentence with advanced economic vocabulary.

7

أثنى المدير العام على تفاني الزملاء وإخلاصهم.

The general manager praised the colleagues' dedication and sincerity.

Using advanced verbs (أثنى على) and abstract nouns (تفاني، إخلاص).

8

من الضروري الحفاظ على سرية المعلومات بين الزملاء.

It is necessary to maintain the confidentiality of information among colleagues.

Using impersonal expressions (من الضروري) and professional ethics vocabulary.

1

إن روح الزمالة التي تسود القسم هي المحرك الأساسي لابتكاراتنا.

The spirit of collegiality that prevails in the department is the main driver of our innovations.

Using the abstract noun 'الزمالة' (collegiality) in a sophisticated metaphor.

2

تجلت تضامنات الزملاء في أبهى صورها خلال فترة إعادة الهيكلة.

The colleagues' solidarity manifested in its finest forms during the restructuring period.

Highly literary and formal phrasing (تجلت، أبهى صورها).

3

لا ينبغي أن تطغى المنافسة المهنية على أواصر الزمالة.

Professional competition should not overshadow the bonds of collegiality.

Using advanced vocabulary for relationships (أواصر) and abstract concepts.

4

أعرب الزملاء عن تحفظاتهم إزاء الاستراتيجية المقترحة في مذكرة رسمية.

The colleagues expressed their reservations regarding the proposed strategy in a formal memo.

Formal expression of dissent (أعرب عن تحفظاته إزاء).

5

تُعد شبكة العلاقات بين الزملاء القدامى رصيداً استراتيجياً في مسيرتك المهنية.

The network of relationships among former colleagues is a strategic asset in your career.

Discussing complex career concepts (رصيد استراتيجي، مسيرة مهنية).

6

لطالما اعتبرت زملائي في الحقل الأكاديمي شركاء في رحلة البحث عن الحقيقة.

I have always considered my colleagues in the academic field as partners in the journey of seeking truth.

Philosophical and academic register, distinguishing between زملاء and شركاء.

7

إن التباين في وجهات نظر الزملاء يثري النقاش ولا يفسد للود قضية.

The divergence in colleagues' viewpoints enriches the discussion and does not spoil the friendliness.

Incorporating a famous Arabic idiom (لا يفسد للود قضية) into professional discourse.

8

أصدرت النقابة بياناً تستنكر فيه المساس بحقوق الزملاء الصحفيين.

The syndicate issued a statement condemning the infringement on the rights of fellow journalists.

Journalistic and legal register (نقابة، بيان، يستنكر، المساس بـ).

1

لقد تضافرت جهود الزملاء في مقاربة الإشكالية من زوايا إبستمولوجية متعددة.

The colleagues' efforts combined to approach the problematic issue from multiple epistemological angles.

Extremely high-level academic discourse (مقاربة، إشكالية، إبستمولوجية).

2

إن تجاذبات السلطة داخل المؤسسة غالباً ما تلقي بظلالها على ديناميكيات الزمالة.

Power struggles within the institution often cast their shadows on the dynamics of collegiality.

Sociological and organizational behavior terminology (تجاذبات السلطة، ديناميكيات).

3

يقف الزملاء في السلك الدبلوماسي على خط المواجهة الأول للدفاع عن المصالح الوطنية.

Colleagues in the diplomatic corps stand on the front line to defend national interests.

Diplomatic register (السلك الدبلوماسي، خط المواجهة الأول).

4

في خضم السجال الفكري، حافظ الزملاء على أدبيات الحوار الرصين.

In the midst of the intellectual polemic, the colleagues maintained the etiquette of sober dialogue.

Literary and intellectual vocabulary (خضم، السجال الفكري، أدبيات، الرصين).

5

إن الميثاق الأخلاقي للمهنة يُلزم الزملاء بالتكافل في أوقات المحن.

The ethical charter of the profession obliges colleagues to show mutual solidarity in times of hardship.

Legal and ethical register (الميثاق الأخلاقي، يُلزم، التكافل).

6

لقد أرسى الزملاء المؤسسون دعائم هذا الصرح العلمي بجهود مضنية.

The founding colleagues laid the pillars of this scientific edifice with grueling efforts.

Historical and commemorative language (أرسى دعائم، صرح، جهود مضنية).

7

تتطلب الحوكمة الرشيدة شفافية مطلقة في التعاملات بين الزملاء في مجالس الإدارة.

Good governance requires absolute transparency in dealings among colleagues on boards of directors.

Corporate governance terminology (الحوكمة الرشيدة، شفافية مطلقة).

8

إن التماهي مع ثقافة المؤسسة لا يعني بالضرورة ذوبان هوية الزميل المستقلة.

Assimilation into the corporate culture does not necessarily mean the dissolution of the colleague's independent identity.

Psychological and sociological analysis (التماهي، ذوبان الهوية).

Collocations courantes

زملاء العمل
زملاء الدراسة
زملاء المهنة
احترام الزملاء
تعاون الزملاء
آراء الزملاء
دعم الزملاء
اجتماع الزملاء
تقييم الزملاء
علاقات الزملاء

Phrases Courantes

أعزائي الزملاء
الزملاء الأفاضل
بالنيابة عن زملائي
بالتعاون مع الزملاء
كما ذكر الزملاء
أحد زملائي
زملاء المهنة الواحدة
روح الزمالة بين الزملاء
زملاء الأمس
زملاء الكفاح

Souvent confondu avec

زملاء vs أصدقاء (friends)

زملاء vs شركاء (partners)

زملاء vs عمال (workers)

Expressions idiomatiques

"روح الزمالة"
"حق الزمالة"
"أخلاق الزمالة"
"رابطة الزمالة"
"زمالة المهنة"
"في إطار الزمالة"
"باسم الزمالة"
"خارج نطاق الزمالة"
"زمالة مقاعد الدراسة"
"زمالة السلاح"

Facile à confondre

زملاء vs

زملاء vs

زملاء vs

زملاء vs

زملاء vs

Structures de phrases

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Comment l'utiliser

nuances

Carries a strong implication of equality. A manager might call their team 'زملاء' to be humble, but an employee calling their CEO 'زميلي' might be seen as presumptuous unless in a very specific, egalitarian context.

formality

Highly versatile. Can be used in the most formal diplomatic speeches and in casual office banter.

regional variations

Universally understood across all dialects. In Egypt, pronounced 'zamayel' (زمايل) in heavy slang, but 'zumala' is also very common.

Erreurs courantes
  • Writing the hamza incorrectly with pronouns (e.g., writing زملاءه when it should be زملائه).
  • Using زملاء to refer to close personal friends instead of أصدقاء.
  • Using the masculine plural زملاء for a group of exclusively female coworkers (should be زميلات).
  • Applying non-human plural grammar rules and using singular feminine adjectives (e.g., زملاء جيدة instead of زملاء جيدون).
  • Dropping the final hamza in formal writing or reading, making it sound like a colloquial dialect.

Astuces

The Hamza Trick

To remember how to spell 'my colleagues' (زملائي), remember that the 'yaa' (ي) for 'my' forces a 'kasra' sound. The hamza loves the kasra, so it sits on the 'nabera' (ئ). It is always زملائي, never زملاءي.

Collocations Matter

Don't just learn the word alone. Learn the chunks: زملاء العمل (work colleagues) and زملاء الدراسة (classmates). This makes your Arabic sound much more natural and fluent.

The Right of Collegiality

Understand 'حق الزمالة'. If a colleague is sick or has a family emergency, it is culturally expected that you offer support or condolences. It's not just a word; it's a social contract.

Email Etiquette

When writing a group email, always start with a greeting that includes the word. 'تحية طيبة للزملاء' (Good greetings to the colleagues) is a great, professional opening line.

Dialect vs. MSA

In spoken Arabic, don't worry too much about the complex hamza rules. People will understand you if you just say 'zumala'ti' or 'zumala'i'. Save the strict rules for writing and formal speeches.

Adjective Agreement

Because colleagues are human beings (عاقل), any adjectives describing them must be in the plural form. Say زملاء محترمون (respected colleagues), not زملاء محترمة.

Differentiating Partners

If you are starting a business with someone, they are your شريك (partner), not just your زميل. Use the right word to avoid legal or professional confusion.

News Broadcasts

Watch Arabic news channels like Al Jazeera or Al Arabiya. You will hear the anchors say 'الزميل' dozens of times a day when introducing correspondents. It's great listening practice.

Titles of Respect

In formal meetings, referring to an opponent or a debater as 'الزميل' is a way to maintain professional respect while disagreeing with their points.

Visual Association

Associate the word with the image of a team pulling a rope together. The root ز-م-ل means to share a burden, which is exactly what colleagues do in a project.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Imagine a ZOO (zu) where a MA (ma) and a LLAma (laa) work together as colleagues. ZU-MA-LAA.

Origine du mot

Arabic

Contexte culturel

When addressing a mixed group, the masculine plural زملاء is used. However, in highly formal speeches, one might say 'الزميلات والزملاء' (Female and male colleagues) for inclusivity.

University students refer to each other as زملاء, which elevates the status of the student from a mere pupil to a partner in the academic journey.

It is customary to shake hands with all colleagues upon entering a small office. Ignoring colleagues is considered highly offensive.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"كيف تصف علاقتك مع زملائك في العمل؟ (How do you describe your relationship with your colleagues at work?)"

"هل تعتقد أن الزملاء يمكن أن يصبحوا أصدقاء مقربين؟ (Do you think colleagues can become close friends?)"

"ما هي أهم صفة يجب أن تتوفر في زميل العمل؟ (What is the most important quality a work colleague should have?)"

"هل تفضل العمل وحدك أم مع زملاء؟ (Do you prefer working alone or with colleagues?)"

"كيف تتعامل مع زميل عمل صعب المراس؟ (How do you deal with a difficult work colleague?)"

Sujets d'écriture

اكتب عن أول يوم لك في العمل وكيف تعرفت على زملائك. (Write about your first day at work and how you met your colleagues.)

صف موقفاً ساعدك فيه أحد زملائك في حل مشكلة كبيرة. (Describe a situation where one of your colleagues helped you solve a big problem.)

ما هو الفرق في رأيك بين زميل الدراسة وزميل العمل؟ (What is the difference, in your opinion, between a classmate and a work colleague?)

تخيل أنك مدير، كيف ستبني بيئة عمل إيجابية بين الزملاء؟ (Imagine you are a manager, how would you build a positive work environment among colleagues?)

اكتب رسالة شكر قصيرة لزملائك في الفريق على جهودهم. (Write a short thank-you note to your team colleagues for their efforts.)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, it is better to use أصدقاء for friends. زملاء specifically refers to people you work or study with. While a colleague can become a friend, the word itself denotes the professional or academic relationship, not the personal one.

The spelling changes based on the grammar. If it's the subject (nominative), it's زملاؤه. If it's the object (accusative), it's زملاءه. If it's after a preposition (genitive), it's زملائه. This is due to the rules of the Arabic hamza.

Yes. The singular feminine is زميلة (zamīlah), and the plural feminine is زميلات (zamīlāt). If you have a group of exclusively female colleagues, you must use زميلات. If the group is mixed, use the masculine زملاء.

Yes! You can say زملاء المهنة (colleagues of the profession). This is very common among doctors, lawyers, and journalists who refer to others in their field as colleagues, even if they work for competitors.

The most standard and professional way to start an email to a group of coworkers is 'الزملاء الأعزاء' (Al-zumalā' al-a'izzā'). It is respectful, formal, and widely used across the Arab corporate world.

Yes, because it ends with an alif followed by a hamza (الف التأنيث الممدودة) indicating a plural. This means it does not take tanween and takes a fatha in the genitive case, unless it has 'Al' (ال) or is part of an Idafa.

The singular for a male is زميل (zamīl). The singular for a female is زميلة (zamīlah).

Absolutely. In Arabic, classmates are referred to as زملاء الدراسة (colleagues of study). It is the standard term used from primary school all the way through university.

For a male colleague, you say أحد زملائي (ahadu zumalā'ī). For a female colleague, you say إحدى زميلاتي (ihdā zamīlātī).

In journalism, there is a strong sense of professional fellowship. Anchors use 'زميل' to show respect to the field reporters, acknowledging them as equal partners in the process of delivering the news.

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