Meaning
To fulfill a commitment or pledge made to someone.
Cultural Background
The 'Wa'd' is considered a debt. There is a common saying: 'وعد الحر دين عليه' (The promise of a free/noble man is a debt upon him). Keeping promises is a religious duty. The Quran mentions 'And fulfill every commitment, for every commitment will be questioned' (17:34). In countries like Lebanon and Syria, the phrase 'على راسي' (on my head) is often used as a response to a request, implying a promise that will be kept with honor. In the Gulf, 'Abshir' (rejoice/good news) is a common way to accept a request, signifying a strong commitment to follow through.
Use it in Interviews
Saying 'أنا أحافظ على وعودي' is a powerful way to demonstrate soft skills in an Arabic-speaking workplace.
Preposition Alert
Never forget 'على'. Without it, the sentence feels incomplete to a native ear.
Meaning
To fulfill a commitment or pledge made to someone.
Use it in Interviews
Saying 'أنا أحافظ على وعودي' is a powerful way to demonstrate soft skills in an Arabic-speaking workplace.
Preposition Alert
Never forget 'على'. Without it, the sentence feels incomplete to a native ear.
The 'Inshallah' Factor
In many Arab cultures, people say 'Inshallah' (God willing) when making a promise. This doesn't mean they won't keep it; it's a humble acknowledgment that things are out of their control.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing preposition.
يجب على كل إنسان أن يُحافظ ____ وعده.
The verb 'حافظ' always requires the preposition 'على' in this context.
Choose the correct form of the verb for 'We keep'.
نحن ____ على وعودنا دائماً.
'نحن' (We) takes the prefix 'نـ' in the present tense.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate phrase.
أحمد: هل ستأتي غداً؟ خالد: نعم، لقد وعدتك، وأنا ____.
This is the natural way to confirm you will stick to your promise.
Match the sentence to the correct context.
Sentence: 'تعهدت الشركة بالمحافظة على وعودها للعملاء.'
The use of 'تعهدت' (pledged) and 'العملاء' (clients) indicates a formal business context.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesيجب على كل إنسان أن يُحافظ ____ وعده.
The verb 'حافظ' always requires the preposition 'على' in this context.
نحن ____ على وعودنا دائماً.
'نحن' (We) takes the prefix 'نـ' in the present tense.
أحمد: هل ستأتي غداً؟ خالد: نعم، لقد وعدتك، وأنا ____.
This is the natural way to confirm you will stick to your promise.
Sentence: 'تعهدت الشركة بالمحافظة على وعودها للعملاء.'
The use of 'تعهدت' (pledged) and 'العملاء' (clients) indicates a formal business context.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it can be used for small things too, but it always implies that the commitment was taken seriously.
Yes, but 'يلتزم بالعقد' is more professional for legal documents.
'Wa'd' is a general promise. 'Ahd' is a more solemn covenant or treaty.
You say 'أخلفتُ وعدي' (Akhlaftu wa'di).
The MSA version is understood everywhere, but dialects have their own variations like 'بيوفي بكلمته'.
Form III often denotes an action that requires effort or interaction with another person.
Yes, but that means 'to be on time' (keeping an appointment).
It can be a bit direct or even suspicious. Use 'أنا أثق أنك ستحافظ على وعدك' (I trust you will keep your promise) to be more polite.
The opposite in this context is 'يُخلف' (to fail to keep).
For a secret, we usually say 'يحفظ السر' (Form I).
Related Phrases
أوفى بالعهد
synonymTo fulfill a covenant or solemn oath.
عند كلمته
similarTo be as good as one's word.
أخلف وعده
contrastTo break a promise.
قطع وعداً
builds onTo make/give a promise.
