A1 Collocation Formal 4 min read

يعمل بجد

ya'mal bi-jidd

Work hard

Literally: {"\u064a\u0639\u0645\u0644":"works","\u0628\u0640":"with","\u062c\u062f":"hardship \/ difficulty \/ seriousness"}

In 15 Seconds

  • Means putting in serious effort and dedication.
  • Used for tasks requiring commitment and focus.
  • Versatile for describing self or others.
  • Emphasizes earnestness, not just busyness.

Meaning

To put a lot of effort and diligence into one's tasks.

Key Examples

3 of 12
1

Texting a friend about your weekend plans

أنا `أعمل بجد` طوال الأسبوع، أريد الاسترخاء في عطلة نهاية الأسبوع.

I'm working hard all week, I want to relax on the weekend.

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2

Instagram caption for a study post

ليلة متأخرة، لكنني `أعمل بجد` لتحقيق أهدافي. 📚✨

Late night, but I'm working hard to achieve my goals. 📚✨

3

Job interview

أنا ملتزم دائمًا `بالعمل بجد` وتقديم أفضل ما لدي.

I am always committed to working hard and giving my best.

<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M21 13.255A23.931 23.931 0 0112 15c-3.183 0-6.22-.62-9-1.745M16 6V4a2 2 0 00-2-2h-4a2 2 0 00-2 2v2m4 6h.01M5 20h14a2 2 0 002-2V8a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2z"/></svg>
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Cultural Background

Hard work is often linked to the concept of 'Barakah' (blessing). It is believed that honest, hard work brings divine blessing to one's wealth and family. In modern corporate culture in cities like Dubai or Riyadh, 'working hard' is often associated with the rapid national development goals (e.g., Vision 2030). There is a strong emphasis on 'Shatara' (cleverness combined with hard work). To work hard is good, but to work hard and be clever is better. The phrase is often supplemented with 'Aqlal Halal' (earning a living through permissible/honest means), emphasizing the moral aspect of hard work.

💡

Use with 'Success'

Always pair this with 'najah' (success) to sound more natural: 'Work hard to succeed'.

⚠️

The 'Ayn' Sound

Don't skip the 'ayn' in 'ya'mal'. If you say 'yamal', it sounds like 'he hopes' (يأمل).

In 15 Seconds

  • Means putting in serious effort and dedication.
  • Used for tasks requiring commitment and focus.
  • Versatile for describing self or others.
  • Emphasizes earnestness, not just busyness.

What It Means

This phrase, يعمل بجد (ya'mal bi-jidd), is your go-to for talking about putting in serious effort. It's more than just 'working'; it's about dedicating yourself to a task with enthusiasm and focus. Think of it as giving something your all, pouring your energy into it. It’s the difference between just showing up and truly engaging with your work. It carries a positive, driven energy, like you're really invested in what you're doing. It’s that feeling of satisfaction when you know you’ve given it your best shot.

How To Use It

You use يعمل بجد when you want to describe someone’s dedication. It applies to any task, big or small, academic or personal. You can use it to describe yourself, a friend, or even a character in a movie. It’s a versatile phrase that highlights commitment. It’s perfect for praising someone’s work ethic or explaining why you’re busy. It’s like saying, 'I'm not just working; I'm working with purpose and intensity.'

Real-Life Examples

Imagine your friend is studying for a huge exam. You might say, 'He’s been يعمل بجد for weeks!' Or maybe you’re describing a chef who’s creating a masterpiece. 'She تعمل بجد to perfect this dish.' Even in a job interview, you might say, 'I أعمل بجد to achieve my goals.' It’s about showing that drive. It’s the opposite of slacking off, which is, let's be honest, way more tempting sometimes. But where's the fun in that?

When To Use It

Use يعمل بجد when you want to emphasize effort and dedication. It’s great for describing someone who is a go-getter. Think about situations where success requires real commitment. This could be studying for exams, training for a marathon, or building a business from scratch. It’s also perfect when you want to motivate someone or acknowledge their hard work. It’s like giving them a verbal high-five for their commitment. You can even use it when you’re talking about yourself to show your own drive.

When NOT To Use It

Avoid يعمل بجد if you’re just talking about a casual, effortless activity. If you’re just browsing social media for fun, you’re not really يعمل بجد. It’s also not for tasks that are inherently easy or require no mental effort. Imagine saying a cat تعمل بجد to nap in a sunbeam – it sounds a bit silly! Stick to situations where genuine effort and focus are involved. Don’t use it for complaining either; it’s meant to describe positive effort, not just being busy.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes try to use synonyms for بجد that don't fit. For example, using بسرعة (bi-sur'ah - quickly) instead of بجد changes the meaning entirely. It's like trying to drive a car with the parking brake on – it just doesn't work right. Another common slip is using the wrong verb. The verb يعمل (ya'mal - works) is key here.

يعمل بسرعة يعمل بجد
يدرس بسرعة يدرس بجد (if referring to studying)
يعمل ببطء يعمل بجد (if the slowness is due to intense focus, though usually antonymous)

Similar Expressions

There are other ways to express effort, but they have different nuances. يجتهد (yajtahid) means 'to strive' or 'to endeavor,' often implying a struggle or a strong will to succeed against odds. يبذل جهدًا (yabdhul juhdan) means 'to exert effort,' which is more general. يعمل بجد is the most direct and common way to say 'work hard' in a straightforward manner. It’s the everyday champion of effort phrases. Think of يجتهد as climbing a mountain, and يعمل بجد as putting in consistent training for that climb.

Common Variations

While يعمل بجد is standard, you might hear slight variations depending on context or dialect. For women, it becomes تعمل بجد (ta'mal bi-jidd). If you're talking about multiple people, it would be يعملون بجد (ya'maloon bi-jidd). The core بجد (bi-jidd) meaning 'hard' or 'seriously' remains constant. Sometimes, people might use بشكل جاد (bi-shakl jadd) which means 'seriously,' but بجد is more idiomatic for 'work hard.' It’s like the difference between saying 'seriously' and 'working seriously hard.'

Memory Trick

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Imagine a character named 'Jid' (sounds like جد). Jid is always working super hard, maybe he’s a superhero who never rests! Whenever you hear يعمل بجد, picture Jid putting his all into everything. He’s the embodiment of working hard. So, يعمل (works) + Jid = Works hard! It’s a bit silly, but it sticks, right? Who doesn't love a hardworking superhero?

Quick FAQ

What’s the simplest way to say 'work hard' in Arabic? That's يعمل بجد. Can I use this for studying? Absolutely! You can say أدرس بجد (adros bi-jidd) for 'I study hard.' Is it formal or informal? It’s pretty neutral, so you can use it in most situations without worry. It’s the Swiss Army knife of effort phrases!

Usage Notes

This is a versatile collocation suitable for most registers, leaning towards neutral. While generally positive, avoid using it for tasks that are inherently effortless or trivial, as it might sound odd. Be mindful of the common mistake of confusing `بجد` (hard) with `بسرعة` (quickly).

💡

Use with 'Success'

Always pair this with 'najah' (success) to sound more natural: 'Work hard to succeed'.

⚠️

The 'Ayn' Sound

Don't skip the 'ayn' in 'ya'mal'. If you say 'yamal', it sounds like 'he hopes' (يأمل).

🎯

Dialect Hack

In Egypt, replace 'ya'mal' with 'bishtaghal' (بيشتغل) to sound like a local.

💬

Complimenting

Saying 'Anta ta'mal bi-jidd' is a great way to build rapport with Arabic-speaking colleagues.

Examples

12
#1 Texting a friend about your weekend plans
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أنا `أعمل بجد` طوال الأسبوع، أريد الاسترخاء في عطلة نهاية الأسبوع.

I'm working hard all week, I want to relax on the weekend.

Shows personal effort during the week.

#2 Instagram caption for a study post

ليلة متأخرة، لكنني `أعمل بجد` لتحقيق أهدافي. 📚✨

Late night, but I'm working hard to achieve my goals. 📚✨

Highlights dedication to academic or personal goals.

#3 Job interview
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M21 13.255A23.931 23.931 0 0112 15c-3.183 0-6.22-.62-9-1.745M16 6V4a2 2 0 00-2-2h-4a2 2 0 00-2 2v2m4 6h.01M5 20h14a2 2 0 002-2V8a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2z"/></svg>

أنا ملتزم دائمًا `بالعمل بجد` وتقديم أفضل ما لدي.

I am always committed to working hard and giving my best.

Professional statement of work ethic.

#4 Talking about a colleague

زميلي `يعمل بجد` حقًا على هذا المشروع الصعب.

My colleague is really working hard on this difficult project.

Praising someone else's diligence.

#5 Watching a documentary about an athlete

ترى كيف `يعمل بجد` في التدريب كل يوم.

You see how he works hard in training every day.

Describing intense physical or mental preparation.

#6 Encouraging a friend starting a new venture

ابدأ `بالعمل بجد` وسترى النتائج قريبًا!

Start working hard and you will see results soon!

Motivational advice.

#7 Mistake: Using 'fast' instead of 'hard'
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✗ هو `يعمل بسرعة` جداً في المكتب. → ✓ هو `يعمل بجد` جداً في المكتب.

✗ He works very fast in the office. → ✓ He works very hard in the office.

Confusing speed with intensity of effort.

#8 Mistake: Using 'easy' instead of 'hard'

✗ هذا المشروع `سهل بجد`. → ✓ هذا المشروع `صعب ويتطلب عملاً بجد`.

✗ This project is very easy. → ✓ This project is difficult and requires hard work.

Incorrectly applying 'bi-jidd' to describe ease.

#9 Humorous observation about a pet
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>

قطتي `تعمل بجد` لتبدو لطيفة عندما تريد الطعام.

My cat works hard to look cute when she wants food.

Playfully applying the phrase to an animal's 'effort'.

#10 Expressing deep personal commitment
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أنا `أعمل بجد` ليس فقط من أجل المال، ولكن من أجل شغفي.

I work hard not just for money, but for my passion.

Shows the emotional drive behind the hard work.

#11 Discussing a startup's progress
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M21 13.255A23.931 23.931 0 0112 15c-3.183 0-6.22-.62-9-1.745M16 6V4a2 2 0 00-2-2h-4a2 2 0 00-2 2v2m4 6h.01M5 20h14a2 2 0 002-2V8a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2z"/></svg>

الشركة الناشئة `تعمل بجد` لتلبية طلبات العملاء المتزايدة.

The startup is working hard to meet increasing customer demands.

Describes a company's collective effort.

#12 A motivational quote on a blog post

لا تخف من `العمل بجد`، فالنجاح غالباً ما يأتي لمن يسعى إليه.

Don't be afraid to work hard, success often comes to those who seek it.

General advice on the value of hard work.

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'يعمل' for 'I' (أنا).

أنا ____ بجد في المكتب.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: أعمل

The first-person singular present tense starts with 'أ'.

Which phrase means 'He works hard'?

اختر الجملة الصحيحة:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: هو يعمل بجد

'يعمل بجد' is the standard idiomatic collocation.

Match the Arabic subject with the correct verb form.

صل بين الضمير والفعل المناسب:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: all

These are the standard present tense conjugations.

Complete the dialogue.

أحمد: هل تدرس للامتحان؟ سارة: نعم، أنا ____ بجد.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: أدرس

While 'أعمل بجد' is common, in the context of an exam, 'أدرس بجد' (I study hard) is the specific application.

🎉 Score: /4

Visual Learning Aids

Effort Levels

Low
يتكاسل Being lazy
High
يعمل بجد Working hard

Practice Bank

4 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'يعمل' for 'I' (أنا). Fill Blank A1

أنا ____ بجد في المكتب.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: أعمل

The first-person singular present tense starts with 'أ'.

Which phrase means 'He works hard'? Choose A1

اختر الجملة الصحيحة:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: هو يعمل بجد

'يعمل بجد' is the standard idiomatic collocation.

Match the Arabic subject with the correct verb form. Match A2

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: all

These are the standard present tense conjugations.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

أحمد: هل تدرس للامتحان؟ سارة: نعم، أنا ____ بجد.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: أدرس

While 'أعمل بجد' is common, in the context of an exam, 'أدرس بجد' (I study hard) is the specific application.

🎉 Score: /4

Frequently Asked Questions

12 questions

Yes, it is Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), but it is understood and used in professional settings across all Arab countries.

Yes, though 'يذاكر بجد' or 'يدرس بجد' is more specific for students.

The opposite is 'يتكاسل' (to be lazy) or 'يهمل عمله' (to neglect his work).

You say 'عملتُ بجد' (Amiltu bi-jidd).

'بجد' is more common for 'hard work,' while 'بجدية' means 'with seriousness' in a general sense.

Yes, if you are putting a lot of effort into a hobby like sports or music.

Slightly. In very casual talk, people use dialects, but it's never 'wrong' or 'weird'.

You say 'هي تعمل بجد' (Hiya ta'mal bi-jidd).

It means 'seriousness' or 'earnestness'.

The root 'Amala' is used hundreds of times, and the concept of diligence is central to Islamic ethics.

No, 'jiddan' means 'very'. You must say 'يعمل بجد جداً' (He works very hard).

Yes, it is very common in Arabic professional profiles.

Related Phrases

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يبذل جهداً

synonym

To exert effort

🔗

يكدح

specialized form

To toil/labor intensely

🔗

يجتهد

similar

To strive/be diligent

🔗

يتقن عمله

builds on

To perfect his work

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