أخلف وعده

You use the verb أخلف followed by the word for promise وعد. To make it personal, you change the ending of وعد. For example, أخلفتُ وعدي means "I broke my promise." If you are talking to a friend who flaked, you might say أخلفتَ وعدك. It functions like a standard verb-subject-object sentence. It is simple, direct, and very effective.

Use this when a friend cancels plans at the very last minute. It is perfect for professional settings if a deadline is missed. You can use it in emotional conversations when someone hurts your feelings. It works well in stories or news reports about politicians. If your brother borrows money and doesn't pay it back, this fits perfectly. It is a versatile way to express a breach of contract, whether social or legal.

Do not use this for genuine accidents. If a friend's car breaks down, they didn't really أخلف their promise. It implies a level of intent or negligence. Avoid using it for very trivial things, like forgetting to pass the salt. It sounds a bit too dramatic for minor slips. Forgetting a name isn't breaking a promise either. Keep it for actual commitments you relied on.

In Arabic-speaking cultures, your word is your honor. Historically, a verbal agreement was as strong as a written contract. Breaking a promise is often seen as a sign of poor character. There is a famous saying that a promise is a debt. Therefore, using this phrase can feel quite sharp. It is a serious accusation in many social circles. It touches on the core values of integrity and reliability.

You might hear ما وفى بوعده which means "he didn't fulfill his promise." In more formal or classical contexts, people use نكث بالوعد. In casual Egyptian dialect, you might hear خلف ميعاده specifically for missing an appointment. If someone is known for this, they are called مخلف للوعود. Each variation carries a slightly different flavor of disappointment.