Meaning
To experience many serious, immense, and challenging problems or hardships.
Cultural Background
The phrase is a hallmark of 'Fusha' (Modern Standard Arabic) and is used to maintain a level of dignity and gravity when discussing national or personal tragedies. In Egyptian literature (e.g., Naguib Mahfouz), this phrase often describes the struggle of the middle class against social and political shifts. In the context of the Palestinian or Syrian crises, this phrase is ubiquitous in humanitarian reports and poetry to describe the resilience of the people. Used in formal academic discourse in North Africa to discuss the challenges of post-colonial identity and economic development.
Adjective Agreement
Always remember that 'جمة' is feminine singular because 'صعوبات' is a non-human plural. This is a common test point for C1 exams.
Register Match
Don't use this phrase in a text message to a friend about a video game. It's too heavy!
Meaning
To experience many serious, immense, and challenging problems or hardships.
Adjective Agreement
Always remember that 'جمة' is feminine singular because 'صعوبات' is a non-human plural. This is a common test point for C1 exams.
Register Match
Don't use this phrase in a text message to a friend about a video game. It's too heavy!
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct verb form.
بعد الحرب، ____ البلاد من أزمات اقتصادية وصعوبات جمة.
The context of 'economic crises' and 'immense difficulties' requires the verb 'suffered' (عانى).
Choose the correct adjective to complete the formal collocation.
واجه المشروع عقبات ____ أدت إلى تأخيره.
Non-human plurals like 'عقبات' take a feminine singular adjective 'جمة'.
Match the Arabic phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
Direct translation of the components.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate formal phrase.
الصحفي: كيف تصف وضع اللاجئين؟ المسؤول: إنهم ____ في تأمين الغذاء والدواء.
The context of refugees and basic needs requires a formal expression of hardship.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesبعد الحرب، ____ البلاد من أزمات اقتصادية وصعوبات جمة.
The context of 'economic crises' and 'immense difficulties' requires the verb 'suffered' (عانى).
واجه المشروع عقبات ____ أدت إلى تأخيره.
Non-human plurals like 'عقبات' take a feminine singular adjective 'جمة'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Direct translation of the components.
الصحفي: كيف تصف وضع اللاجئين؟ المسؤول: إنهم ____ في تأمين الغذاء والدواء.
The context of refugees and basic needs requires a formal expression of hardship.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsNo, 'جمة' is almost exclusively used with plural nouns to indicate an abundance of things.
Yes, in modern usage, it almost always refers to difficulties, obstacles, or problems. You wouldn't say 'أفراح جمة' (immense joys) normally.
'كثيرة' is neutral and common. 'جمة' is formal, literary, and implies a weight or overwhelming nature.
Rarely in daily speech. It is understood by everyone but used only when someone is trying to speak formally or mockingly.
It's redundant. 'جمة' already implies 'very many/immense'. Adding 'جداً' is unnecessary.
Related Phrases
واجه تحديات كبيرة
similarFaced big challenges
كابد المشاق
synonymEndured hardships
مر بظروف قاسية
similarWent through harsh conditions
تجاوز العقبات
builds onOvercame the obstacles
