Meaning
To fulfill a commitment or agreement.
Cultural Background
In the Gulf, a man's word is often considered as binding as a written contract. The concept of 'Wajeb' (duty) is closely tied to fulfilling promises. Social etiquette (Mwajaba) requires that if you promise to attend an event, you must go. Failing to do so is seen as a lack of 'Wafa'. While 'أوفى بوعده' is understood, Egyptians often use 'الكلمة عقد' (A word is a contract) to emphasize the same value. The term 'Al-Amana' (the trust) is frequently used alongside 'Wafa' to describe the weight of a promise.
The 'Bi' Rule
Always remember the 'bi' (بـ). Without it, the sentence feels incomplete to a native speaker.
Don't Overuse
Save this phrase for important things. Using it for 'I promised to bring coffee' makes you sound like a drama queen.
Meaning
To fulfill a commitment or agreement.
The 'Bi' Rule
Always remember the 'bi' (بـ). Without it, the sentence feels incomplete to a native speaker.
Don't Overuse
Save this phrase for important things. Using it for 'I promised to bring coffee' makes you sound like a drama queen.
Use the Antonym
To sound more natural, learn 'أخلف بوعده' (broke his promise) alongside it. They are a perfect pair.
Honor Matters
In many Arab cultures, saying someone 'أوفى بوعده' is one of the highest compliments you can give.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing preposition.
أوفى الصديق ____ وعده.
The verb 'أوفى' always takes the preposition 'بـ' (bi) when referring to a promise.
Choose the correct past tense conjugation for 'They'.
هم ____ بوعودهم.
'أوفوا' is the 3rd person masculine plural past tense of 'أوفى'.
Which situation is most appropriate for 'أوفى بوعده'?
A person promised to...
'أوفى بوعده' is best used for significant commitments that reflect character.
Complete the dialogue.
أحمد: هل سددت دينك لخالد؟ سامي: نعم، لقد ____.
Since he paid the debt, he fulfilled his promise.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs Informal
Practice Bank
4 exercisesأوفى الصديق ____ وعده.
The verb 'أوفى' always takes the preposition 'بـ' (bi) when referring to a promise.
هم ____ بوعودهم.
'أوفوا' is the 3rd person masculine plural past tense of 'أوفى'.
A person promised to...
'أوفى بوعده' is best used for significant commitments that reflect character.
أحمد: هل سددت دينك لخالد؟ سامي: نعم، لقد ____.
Since he paid the debt, he fulfilled his promise.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes, but it's slightly formal. In daily life, people might say 'عمل اللي وعد بيه' or use dialect equivalents.
'Wa'd' is a general promise. 'Ahd' is a more serious covenant or treaty.
Yes, just change the conjugation: 'أوفت بوعدها' (She kept her promise).
It has strong moral and religious roots, but it is used in secular contexts like business and politics too.
You say 'سأوفي بوعدي' (Sa-ūfī bi-wa'dī).
You would say 'أخلفت بوعدي' (I broke my promise).
You can say 'وفى بالوعد', which is slightly more concise.
Yes, 'أوفت الشركة بوعودها' is very common in business news.
No, it can be used in past, present, or future.
The root is W-F-Y (و-ف-ي), which means to be complete.
Yes, many times. For example: 'وأوفوا بالعهد' (And fulfill the covenant).
It's a deep throat sound. Imagine tightening your throat slightly as you say the 'a'.
Related Phrases
أخلف بوعده
contrastTo break a promise.
عند كلمته
similarTo be as good as one's word.
أوفى بالعهد
specialized formTo fulfill a covenant.
صدق الوعد
similarTruthfulness in promising.
