من المفيد التذكير
min al-mufid al-tadhkir
It is useful to remind
Literally: From the useful [is] the reminding
In 15 Seconds
- A polite way to reintroduce forgotten facts or important points.
- Commonly used in professional, academic, or diplomatic Arabic contexts.
- Softens corrections by making them sound like helpful suggestions.
Meaning
This phrase is a polite and sophisticated way to bring up a point that people might have forgotten or are overlooking. It is like saying 'It is worth noting' or 'Let's keep in mind' to gently steer a conversation back to important facts.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a business meeting about a project
من المفيد التذكير بأن الميزانية محدودة جداً.
It is useful to remind [everyone] that the budget is very limited.
A teacher speaking to students before an exam
من المفيد التذكير بضرورة إحضار الأقلام غداً.
It is useful to remind [you] of the necessity of bringing pens tomorrow.
Writing a formal email to a client
من المفيد التذكير بأن العرض ينتهي هذا المساء.
It is useful to remind [you] that the offer ends this evening.
Cultural Background
The phrase reflects the high value placed on 'Adab' (etiquette) in speech. Indirectness is a sign of respect, especially when correcting someone of higher status. In formal Levantine media, this phrase is often used to bridge the gap between local dialects and Modern Standard Arabic, providing a 'prestige' marker. In the fast-growing corporate world of the Gulf, this phrase is a staple of 'Khaleeji' professional Arabic, used to maintain harmony in diverse workplaces. Egyptian academic writing uses this phrase extensively to ground arguments in historical context, often followed by long, eloquent explanations.
The 'Bi' Rule
Always remember to use 'bi' (بـ) after 'Tadhkir' if you are following it with 'anna' or a noun.
Don't Overuse
Using this phrase more than once in a short paragraph makes your writing sound repetitive and stiff.
In 15 Seconds
- A polite way to reintroduce forgotten facts or important points.
- Commonly used in professional, academic, or diplomatic Arabic contexts.
- Softens corrections by making them sound like helpful suggestions.
What It Means
من المفيد التذكير is your go-to phrase for being the smartest person in the room without being a jerk. It translates to 'it is useful to remind.' It acts as a gentle nudge. You aren't telling people they are wrong. You are simply suggesting that a specific piece of information is helpful right now. It is a classic 'soft' opener for a firm point.
How To Use It
You usually follow this phrase with بأن (that) or بـ (of/about). For example, you might say من المفيد التذكير بأن الوقت يمر (It is useful to remind that time is passing). It flows naturally at the start of a sentence. It sets a professional and calm tone for whatever follows. Think of it as a verbal highlighter for your most important points.
When To Use It
Use this in meetings when the team gets off track. It works great in academic writing or formal emails. You can even use it with friends when you want to sound slightly dramatic or academic for a joke. It is perfect for debates where you want to stay classy. If you need to correct someone politely, this is your best friend. It makes the correction feel like a shared discovery rather than a lecture.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this phrase in high-intensity emotional arguments. If your friend is crying, don't start with 'It is useful to remind you...' You will sound like a robot. Also, skip it in very casual slang-heavy conversations. It might make you sound a bit too 'professor-like' at a loud party. Don't use it if you are actually angry. The politeness of the phrase can come off as passive-aggressive if your tone is sharp.
Cultural Background
Arabic culture places a high value on eloquence and 'saving face.' Directly telling someone they forgot something can sometimes feel blunt. This phrase uses the 'impersonal' structure. By saying 'it is useful,' you remove the 'I' and the 'You.' This makes the reminder feel objective and less like a personal attack. It is deeply rooted in the tradition of formal rhetoric and polite discourse.
Common Variations
You might also hear يجدر التذكير (It is worth reminding). Another common one is من المهم أن نتذكر (It is important that we remember). If you want to be even more formal, try نود التذكير (We would like to remind). All of these serve the same purpose of highlighting a forgotten truth. They all help you maintain a sophisticated aura while getting your point across.
Usage Notes
This is a high-register expression. Use it when you want to sound educated, professional, or diplomatically firm. It is standard across all Arabic-speaking countries in formal settings.
The 'Bi' Rule
Always remember to use 'bi' (بـ) after 'Tadhkir' if you are following it with 'anna' or a noun.
Don't Overuse
Using this phrase more than once in a short paragraph makes your writing sound repetitive and stiff.
Softening the Blow
Use this phrase when you have to disagree with a boss or elder to remain respectful.
Academic Flow
Use it at the start of a paragraph to link back to a previous chapter's findings.
Examples
6من المفيد التذكير بأن الميزانية محدودة جداً.
It is useful to remind [everyone] that the budget is very limited.
Using the phrase here keeps the focus on facts rather than blaming someone for spending.
من المفيد التذكير بضرورة إحضار الأقلام غداً.
It is useful to remind [you] of the necessity of bringing pens tomorrow.
A gentle way to ensure students are prepared without sounding harsh.
من المفيد التذكير بأن العرض ينتهي هذا المساء.
It is useful to remind [you] that the offer ends this evening.
Creates a sense of urgency while remaining extremely polite.
من المفيد التذكير أنك مدين لي بعشرة دولارات!
It is useful to remind [you] that you owe me ten dollars!
Using a formal phrase for a small debt adds a touch of sarcasm.
من المفيد التذكير بما حدث في العام الماضي.
It is useful to remind [us] of what happened last year.
A classic rhetorical move to bring up historical context.
من المفيد التذكير بأن غداً هو ذكرى زواجنا.
It is useful to remind [you] that tomorrow is our wedding anniversary.
A soft way to bring up an emotional topic without starting a fight.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing particle to complete the formal reminder.
من المفيد التذكير _______ هذه القوانين قديمة.
The Masdar 'Tadhkir' is usually followed by 'bi-anna' to introduce a clause.
Which of the following is the most appropriate context for 'من المفيد التذكير'?
Choose the best context:
The phrase is formal and used for providing context or reminders in professional settings.
Complete the dialogue with the correct formal phrase.
مدير: لماذا تأخر المشروع؟ موظف: ________ بأننا واجهنا مشاكل تقنية.
The employee uses a formal phrase to explain a situation politely to a manager.
Match the phrase variation to its nuance.
Match 'من الجدير بالذكر' and 'من المفيد التذكير'
'Mufid' means useful, 'Jadir' means worthy.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Mufid vs Jadir
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمن المفيد التذكير _______ هذه القوانين قديمة.
The Masdar 'Tadhkir' is usually followed by 'bi-anna' to introduce a clause.
Choose the best context:
The phrase is formal and used for providing context or reminders in professional settings.
مدير: لماذا تأخر المشروع؟ موظف: ________ بأننا واجهنا مشاكل تقنية.
The employee uses a formal phrase to explain a situation politely to a manager.
Match 'من الجدير بالذكر' and 'من المفيد التذكير'
'Mufid' means useful, 'Jadir' means worthy.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsOnly if it's a very formal business WhatsApp. For friends, it's too heavy.
Both are used, but 'bi-anna' is more grammatically precise for this specific phrase.
'Mufid' implies the information is helpful for the current task; 'Jadir' implies the information is important in its own right.
It is understood by all, but it is a Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) phrase, not a dialect one.
Yes, e.g., 'من المفيد التذكير بالكاتب نجيب محفوظ' (It is useful to remind of the writer Naguib Mahfouz).
If used in a casual setting during an argument, yes, it can sound very sarcastic.
Yes, that is a verbal version (It is useful that we remind), but the Masdar version is more common.
Yes, frequently, to refer back to previous clauses.
ليس من المفيد التذكير... (Laysa min al-mufid...)
Yes, and because of the register awareness required to use it correctly.
Related Phrases
من الجدير بالذكر
synonymIt is worth mentioning
تجدر الإشارة إلى
similarIt is worth pointing out
يجب التنويه بأن
builds onIt must be noted that
لا يفوتنا أن نذكر
similarWe should not fail to mention
للعلم فقط
specialized formFor your information only
