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A2 noun #3,500 most common 7 min read

أجرة

ujra Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips أجرة in 30 Seconds

Explanation أجرة in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'ujrah' means the money you pay for a taxi or a bus. It is a simple word for 'fare'. You use it when traveling. For example, you ask 'How much is the fare?' by saying 'Kam al-ujrah?'. It is one of the first 'money words' you learn after 'price'. You should remember it is a feminine word. You will see it at bus stations. It is a very useful word for a tourist. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet, just the basic meaning of paying for a ride.

At the A2 level, you expand the meaning of 'ujrah' to include house rent. You learn that it is the money paid regularly for using a building. You start to use it in simple sentences like 'The rent is expensive' (al-ujrah ghaliyah). You also learn the plural 'ujūr' which means wages. You might talk about your job and say 'The wages are good'. You begin to see 'ujrah' as part of a possessive phrase (Idafa), like 'ujrat al-bayt' (rent of the house). This level focuses on practical daily life transactions.

At the B1 level, you understand 'ujrah' in more professional contexts. You use it to describe fees for services, like a consultant's fee or a repairman's charge. You can discuss the terms of a rental agreement using this word. You also start to understand the difference between 'ujrah' and other words like 'ijar' (leasing) and 'at'aab' (professional fees). You can write a short paragraph about the cost of living in a city, mentioning 'ujrat al-sakan' (housing rent) and 'ujūr al-naql' (transportation fares). You are comfortable with its grammatical changes.

At the B2 level, you use 'ujrah' in economic and social discussions. You can talk about 'minimum wage' (al-ajr al-adna) and 'wage gaps'. You understand the word's role in formal contracts. You can read news articles about rising rents and use 'ujrah' to express nuanced opinions. You recognize the word in literature or more complex media where it might be used metaphorically or in historical contexts. You are aware of regional variations, such as using 'kira'' in North Africa, and can adjust your vocabulary depending on who you are talking to.

At the C1 level, you grasp the legal and technical nuances of 'ujrah'. You can discuss Islamic finance concepts like 'Ijarah' (leasing) with precision. You understand the legal term 'ujrat al-mithl' (fair market rent) and its implications in court cases. Your vocabulary is sophisticated enough to distinguish between 'ujrah' as a simple payment and its broader socio-economic implications in labor theory. You can use the word in academic writing about urban development or labor history. You understand the subtle rhetorical uses of the word in classical and modern Arabic poetry.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of the word 'ujrah' and its entire etymological family. You can analyze the evolution of the term from pre-Islamic poetry to modern legal codes. You understand the deep philosophical connections between 'ajr' (divine reward) and 'ujrah' (worldly pay) and how this influences the Arab world's view of work and compensation. You can debate complex economic policies regarding wage indexation and rental caps using the word fluently. You are sensitive to every register, from the slang of a taxi driver to the formal prose of a supreme court judge.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

أجرة in 30 Seconds

Money paid for renting property or using transport.
Commonly used for 'fare', 'rent', and 'service fees'.
Originates from a root meaning reward or compensation.
Essential for daily life transactions in Arab countries.

The Arabic word أجرة (ujrah) is a foundational noun in the Arabic language, primarily categorized under the theme of commerce, daily transactions, and housing. At its core, it refers to the consideration or compensation paid for the use of something that belongs to another, or for the services rendered by a person. Unlike the word 'price' (thaman), which implies a permanent transfer of ownership, ujrah specifically denotes a temporary arrangement, such as renting an apartment, hiring a taxi, or paying a service fee.

Etymological Root: The word originates from the root أ-ج-ر (A-J-R), which relates to the concept of reward, compensation, or recompense. This same root gives us the word 'ajr' (divine reward), highlighting the cultural and linguistic connection between worldly payment and spiritual merit.
Daily Application: You will encounter this word most frequently when dealing with landlords (ujrat al-maskan), taxi drivers (ujrat al-taksi), or when discussing labor costs in a professional setting. It is the go-to term for 'fare', 'rent', and 'fee'.

دفع الطالب أجرة السكن في بداية الشهر لضمان بقائه في الشقة.

In the context of modern urban life, understanding the nuances of أجرة is vital. For instance, when you step into a taxi in Cairo or Amman, your first question might involve the ujrah. It is distinct from 'ratib' (salary), which is a fixed monthly payment for employment, though in some classical texts, ujrah can refer to wages for a specific task.

هل تشمل الـ أجرة تكاليف الكهرباء والماء؟

Furthermore, the term extends into legal and religious spheres. In Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh), the 'Contract of Ijarah' is a significant topic, detailing the rights and responsibilities of the lessor and lessee. This demonstrates that the word is not just a casual term for money, but a pillar of social and economic contracts in Arabic-speaking societies.

Grammatical Note: It is a feminine noun, as indicated by the 'Ta Marbuta' (ة) at the end. When used in an Idafa construction (possessive phrase), the 't' sound is pronounced, as in 'Ujratu al-bayt'.

كانت أجرة الطبيب مرتفعة جداً في تلك العيادة الخاصة.

Using أجرة correctly requires understanding its role as a noun that often initiates a possessive relationship (Idafa). Because it refers to a specific cost for a specific service, it is rarely used in isolation without a context-defining word following it or being understood from the situation.

Transportation Context: When using public or private transport, you ask about the 'fare'. You might say: 'Kam ujrat al-bas?' (How much is the bus fare?).

اتفقنا على الـ أجرة قبل ركوب الحافلة السياحية.

In housing, the word is almost synonymous with 'rent'. If you are looking for an apartment, you will inquire about the 'ujrah shahriyyah' (monthly rent). Note how the adjective follows the noun in gender.

ارتفعت أجرة البيوت في العاصمة بسبب الطلب المتزايد.

In professional services, ujrah refers to the fee. If you hire a lawyer or a consultant, their 'ujrah' is the amount agreed upon for the task. In more modern business Arabic, you might also hear 'at'aab' (professional fees), but 'ujrah' remains perfectly valid and common.

Common Verb Pairings: The most common verb used with this word is 'dafa'a' (to pay). You 'pay the ujrah'. Another common one is 'istahakka' (to deserve/be due), as in 'The rent is due'.

يجب عليك دفع الـ أجرة فور انتهاء العمل المتفق عليه.

Finally, consider the plural form 'ujūr'. This is often used in economic discussions regarding 'wages' or 'rental rates' across a sector. For example, 'The government is discussing the minimum wages' (al-ujūr al-dunya).

تطالب النقابات بزيادة الـ أجور لتتناسب مع تكاليف المعيشة.

If you find yourself in a bustling Arab city, أجرة will be a constant companion in your auditory landscape. The most immediate place is at a transportation hub. Whether it is a 'mawqif' (bus station) or a 'faraj' (taxi stand), the word is shouted or negotiated constantly. In many Levantine countries, a 'Service' (shared taxi) has a fixed 'ujrah' that everyone knows, and you might hear passengers asking 'Kam al-ujrah?' just to confirm before they sit down.

صاحب التاكسي قال إن الـ أجرة ستكون عشرة دنانير بسبب الزحام.

Another common setting is the real estate office (maktab aqari). Here, the word is formal and official. You will see it written on contracts and hear agents discussing 'ujrat al-aqar' (property rent). In this context, it is often paired with terms like 'ta'min' (deposit) or 'aqd' (contract).

Workplace and Labor: In the news or during labor strikes, 'al-ujūr' (the plural) is the standard word for 'wages'. You will hear news anchors talking about 'low wages' or 'wage increases'. It is a word that carries significant social and political weight in the Middle East.

دفعنا أجرة الشحن للمكتب قبل إرسال الطرد إلى الخارج.

In legal dramas or actual courtrooms, lawyers will discuss 'ujrat al-mithl' (fair market rent/fee), a legal concept used to determine compensation when no prior agreement was made. This shows the word's transition from a simple daily term to a precise legal instrument.

قرر القاضي أن الـ أجرة التي طلبها المالك كانت غير قانونية.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using أجرة is confusing it with 'thaman' (price). While both involve money, 'thaman' is for buying something forever, while 'ujrah' is for using something for a limited time. If you say you want to pay the 'thaman' of a house but you only mean to rent it, the landlord will be very confused (and perhaps happy to sell it to you!).

Ujrah vs. Ratib: Another common confusion is between 'ujrah' and 'ratib' (salary). A 'ratib' is what you get as a full-time employee. 'Ujrah' is more transactional—it's for a specific job, a specific ride, or a specific month of rent. Using 'ratib' for a taxi fare is a linguistic mismatch.

الخطأ: كم راتب هذا التاكسي؟ الصواب: كم أجرة هذا التاكسي؟

Pronunciation is also a hurdle. The initial 'Hamza' with 'Damma' (u) must be clear. Some learners accidentally say 'ajrah', which sounds like a verb form. Also, the 'j' (Jeem) should be a soft 'j' like 'judge', not a 'y' sound.

كانت الـ أجرة مناسبةً (feminine) جداً لخدماتهم المميزة.

In North African dialects (Maghrebi), the word 'kirā'' is much more common for house rent. If you use 'ujrah' in Morocco for a house, people will understand you, but it might sound overly formal or like 'Fusha' (Modern Standard Arabic). However, for taxi fares, 'ujrah' or 'blas' is often used. Always be aware of the regional preference while keeping 'ujrah' as your reliable standard anchor.

لا تخلط بين أجرة النقل وبين تذكرة السفر (ticket).

Arabic is rich with synonyms, each carrying a slight shade of meaning. For أجرة, the closest relatives are 'Ijar', 'Kira'', 'At'aab', and 'Thaman'. Understanding these differences will make your Arabic sound more natural and precise.

Ijar (إيجار): This is the verbal noun of 'to rent'. While 'ujrah' is the money paid, 'ijar' is the act of renting or the lease itself. In common speech, 'ijar' is often used to mean 'rent' (money), but 'ujrah' is technically more accurate for the payment amount.
Kira' (كراء): Very common in the Maghreb (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) for renting property. In Classical Arabic, it specifically refers to renting movable items or animals, but in modern regional use, it's the standard for house rent.

يفضل البعض كلمة إيجار عند الحديث عن العقارات، وأجرة عند الحديث عن المواصلات.

'At'aab' (أتعاب) literally means 'fatigues' or 'troubles'. It is the polite, professional way to say 'fees' for doctors, lawyers, or engineers. It implies you are paying for the effort and expertise they expended.

دفع الموكل أتعاب المحامي بعد كسب القضية في المحكمة.

Lastly, 'Ma'unah' (معونة) or 'Nafaqah' (expense) are sometimes confused but are very different. 'Nafaqah' is maintenance money (like alimony or child support), which is a duty, not a payment for a service. Choosing 'ujrah' shows you understand the contractual nature of the payment.

بينما الـ أجرة اختيارية مقابل خدمة، الـ نفقة التزام قانوني وعائلي.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"تخضع الأجور لسياسة الحد الأدنى."

Neutral

"دفعنا أجرة البيت أمس."

Informal

"يا أسطى، كم الأجرة؟"

Child friendly

"هذه أجرة الحافلة الملونة."

Slang

"الأجرة نار!"

Fun Fact

The word 'Ajr' (spiritual reward) and 'Ujrah' (worldly rent) come from the exact same root, suggesting that in the Arabic worldview, all work deserves a 'return', whether in this life or the next.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈʊdʒ.rə/

US /ˈʊdʒ.rə/

The stress is on the first syllable: UJ-rah.

Rhymes With

Hujrah (room) Pujrah (rare) Sujrah (rare) Fujrah (immorality - be careful!) Nujrah Zujrah Kujrah Mujrah

Common Errors

Saying 'ajrah' (with an 'a' at the start).
Pronouncing the 'j' as a 'y' (uyrah).
Treating the 'h' at the end as a hard 'H'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts due to frequent use.

Writing 3/5

Need to remember the Ta Marbuta and the plural form.

Speaking 2/5

Simple pronunciation, but requires correct vowel on the first letter.

Listening 2/5

Very common in public spaces, easy to pick out.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

بيت (house) سيارة (car) مال (money) دفع (to pay) كم (how much)

Learn Next

استأجر (to rent) عقد (contract) صاحب (owner) خدمة (service) فاتورة (bill)

Advanced

إيجار (leasing) نفقات (expenses) ميزانية (budget) تضخم (inflation) ضرائب (taxes)

Grammar to Know

Idafa (Possessive Phrase)

أجرةُ البيتِ (The rent of the house) - The first word loses its 'Al' and the second is in genitive.

Feminine Agreement

الأجرةُ مرتفعةٌ (The rent is high) - Adjective must be feminine.

Numbers with Nouns

عشرةُ دنانيرٍ أجرةً (Ten dinars as a fare) - Usage of Tamyiz.

Verb-Subject Agreement

ارتفعت الأجرةُ (The rent rose) - Verb starts with 't' for feminine subject.

Prepositions

بالأجرة (By/with the fare) - Use of 'Bi'.

Examples by Level

كم أجرة التاكسي؟

How much is the taxi fare?

'Kam' asks for quantity, 'ujrah' is the subject.

أجرة الحافلة رخيصة.

The bus fare is cheap.

Simple noun-adjective sentence. Adjective is feminine.

هذه هي الأجرة.

This is the fare.

'Hadhihi' is the feminine 'this'.

أريد دفع الأجرة.

I want to pay the fare.

'Urid' (I want) + 'daf'a' (to pay).

الأجرة درهم واحد.

The fare is one dirham.

Number follows the noun.

هل الأجرة غالية؟

Is the fare expensive?

Question particle 'hal'.

خذ الأجرة من فضلك.

Take the fare, please.

Imperative 'khudh' (take).

لا أملك الأجرة الآن.

I don't have the fare now.

'La amlik' (I don't possess).

أجرة البيت مرتفعة هنا.

The house rent is high here.

Idafa construction: 'ujrat al-bayt'.

متى تدفع الأجرة الشهرية؟

When do you pay the monthly rent?

'Mata' (when) + present tense verb.

الأجرة تشمل الماء والكهرباء.

The rent includes water and electricity.

Verb 'tashmal' agrees with feminine 'ujrah'.

بحثنا عن شقة بأجرة منخفضة.

We looked for an apartment with low rent.

Preposition 'bi-' (with/by).

صاحب البيت طلب الأجرة اليوم.

The landlord asked for the rent today.

Subject-verb-object structure.

نسيت أن أدفع الأجرة.

I forgot to pay the rent.

'Nasitu' (I forgot) + 'an' (to).

أجرة العامل كانت قليلة.

The worker's wage was small.

Past tense 'kanat' (feminine).

هل زادت الأجرة هذا العام؟

Did the rent increase this year?

Past tense verb 'zadat'.

يجب توقيع العقد قبل دفع الأجرة.

The contract must be signed before paying the rent.

Passive-like structure 'yajib tawqi' (signing is necessary).

تختلف الأجرة من منطقة إلى أخرى.

The rent differs from one area to another.

Verb 'takhtalif' (to differ).

اتفقنا على أجرة يومية مع السائق.

We agreed on a daily rate with the driver.

Adjective 'yawmiyyah' matches 'ujrah'.

لا يمكنني تحمل هذه الأجرة المرتفعة.

I cannot afford this high rent.

'Tahammul' (to bear/afford).

الأجرة السنوية توفر لك الكثير من المال.

The annual rent saves you a lot of money.

'Tuwaffir' (to save/provide).

هل هناك تخفيض على الأجرة؟

Is there a discount on the rent/fee?

'Takhfid' (reduction/discount).

دفعنا الأجرة مقدماً لمدة ثلاثة أشهر.

We paid the rent in advance for three months.

'Muqaddaman' (in advance).

تعتبر الأجرة جزءاً كبيراً من مصاريفنا.

Rent is considered a large part of our expenses.

Passive 'tu'tabar' (is considered).

ناقشت النقابة قضية الأجور المتدنية.

The union discussed the issue of low wages.

Plural 'ujūr' used for wages.

تم تحديد الأجرة وفقاً لمعايير السوق.

The fee was determined according to market standards.

'Wafqan li-' (according to).

تتأثر الأجرة بمعدلات التضخم السنوية.

Rent is affected by annual inflation rates.

Passive 'tata'aththar' (is affected).

طالب الموظفون بزيادة الأجور بنسبة عشرة بالمئة.

Employees demanded a ten percent wage increase.

'Ziyadat al-ujūr' (increase of wages).

هذه الأجرة لا تغطي تكاليف الصيانة.

This rent does not cover maintenance costs.

'Tu'ghatti' (to cover).

أصبحت الأجرة عبئاً ثقيلاً على العائلات.

Rent has become a heavy burden on families.

'Asbahat' (became) + 'ib'an' (burden).

تتضمن الأجرة خدمات الأمن والتنظيف.

The fee includes security and cleaning services.

'Tatadamman' (includes/incorporates).

يتم دفع الأجرة عبر التحويل البنكي.

The rent is paid via bank transfer.

'Abra' (through/via).

ينص القانون على حماية المستأجر من رفع الأجرة تعسفياً.

The law stipulates protecting the tenant from arbitrary rent increases.

'Ta'assufiyan' (arbitrarily).

يعتمد عقد الإجارة على تمليك المنفعة مقابل أجرة معلومة.

The leasing contract is based on transferring the benefit in exchange for a known fee.

Technical term 'ujrah ma'lumah'.

أدت السياسات الجديدة إلى استقرار الأجور في القطاع الخاص.

New policies led to the stabilization of wages in the private sector.

'Isti'qrar' (stabilization).

تعتبر أجرة المثل معياراً عادلاً في النزاعات العقارية.

Fair market rent is considered a just standard in real estate disputes.

Legal term 'ujrat al-mithl'.

هناك علاقة طردية بين جودة الخدمة وقيمة الأجرة.

There is a direct relationship between service quality and the value of the fee.

'Alaqah tardiyyah' (direct relationship).

تحاول الدولة موازنة الأجور مع القوة الشرائية للمواطنين.

The state tries to balance wages with the purchasing power of citizens.

'Al-quwwah al-shira'iyyah' (purchasing power).

تخضع الأجرة للضرائب الحكومية المفروضة على الدخل.

The fee is subject to government taxes imposed on income.

'Takhda'u li-' (is subject to).

يرى الاقتصاديون أن جمود الأجور يضر بالنمو.

Economists believe that wage rigidity harms growth.

'Jumud al-ujūr' (wage rigidity).

تتجلى في مفهوم الأجرة أبعاد فلسفية تتعلق بقيمة الجهد البشري.

Philosophical dimensions related to the value of human effort are manifested in the concept of 'ujrah'.

'Tatajalla' (to be manifested).

إن تقلبات الأجور تعكس التحولات الهيكلية في الاقتصاد العالمي.

Wage fluctuations reflect structural shifts in the global economy.

'Taqallubat' (fluctuations).

يستفيض الفقهاء في شرح شروط الأجرة في المعاملات المالية.

Jurists elaborate on explaining the conditions of 'ujrah' in financial transactions.

'Yastafid' (to elaborate).

تعد الأجرة ركيزة أساسية في صياغة العقود المدنية المعاصرة.

'Ujrah' is a fundamental pillar in drafting contemporary civil contracts.

'Rakizah asasiyyah' (fundamental pillar).

ساهمت الهجرة في إعادة تشكيل هيكلية الأجور في المدن الكبرى.

Migration contributed to reshaping the wage structure in major cities.

'Haykaliyyat al-ujūr' (wage structure).

تتطلب العدالة الاجتماعية توزيعاً منصفاً للأجور بين الطبقات.

Social justice requires an equitable distribution of wages among classes.

'Tawzi'an munsifan' (equitable distribution).

يمكن تحليل الأجرة كمتغير تابع للسياسات النقدية للدولة.

'Ujrah' can be analyzed as a dependent variable of the state's monetary policies.

'Mutaghayyir tabi'' (dependent variable).

تتجاوز الأجرة كونها مجرد مبلغ مالي لتصبح رمزاً للتعاقد الاجتماعي.

'Ujrah' transcends being just a sum of money to become a symbol of social contracting.

'Tatajawazu' (to transcend/go beyond).

Common Collocations

أجرة البيت

أجرة التاكسي

أجرة شهرية

أجرة النقل

أجرة رمزية

دفع الأجرة

تحديد الأجرة

زيادة الأجور

أجرة مرتفعة

أجرة منخفضة

Common Phrases

على حساب الأجرة

— Deducted from the rent/fee.

خصم التصليحات من أجرة البيت.

أجرة اليد

— Labor cost (specifically for manual work).

أجرة اليد في هذا المصنع عادلة.

أجرة الطريق

— Travel fare or toll.

كم تبلغ أجرة الطريق إلى المطار؟

بالأجرة

— For hire or for rent.

هذه السيارة تعمل بالأجرة.

أجرة المثل

— Fair market value for rent/fees.

حكم القاضي بدفع أجرة المثل.

أجور العمال

— Workers' wages.

أجور العمال هي الأولوية.

أجرة السكن

— Housing rent.

أجرة السكن تستهلك نصف الراتب.

أجرة الطبيب

— Doctor's consultation fee.

دفعنا أجرة الطبيب في الاستقبال.

أجرة الشحن

— Shipping/Freight charges.

أجرة الشحن تعتمد على الوزن.

أجرة الحافلة

— Bus fare.

أجرة الحافلة نصف درهم.

Often Confused With

أجرة vs ثمن

Thaman is the price to buy; Ujrah is the price to rent.

أجرة vs راتب

Ratib is a monthly salary; Ujrah is a transactional fee or rent.

أجرة vs تذكرة

Tadhkirah is a physical ticket; Ujrah is the fare amount.

Idioms & Expressions

"أكل أجرة فلان"

— To cheat someone out of their rightful pay or rent.

لا تأكل أجرة العامل المسكين.

Informal/Moral

"أجر وأجرة"

— To get both a divine reward and a worldly payment.

هذا العمل فيه أجر وأجرة.

Religious/Common

"بأجرة زهيدة"

— For a very small, almost negligible amount.

اشتغل هناك بأجرة زهيدة.

Literary

"أجرة بلا عمل"

— Getting paid for doing nothing.

هذه الوظيفة هي أجرة بلا عمل.

Critical

"طارت الأجرة"

— The fare or rent money was lost or spent quickly.

طارت الأجرة في السوق.

Slang

"حبس الأجرة"

— To withhold rent or wages.

حبس الأجرة يسبب مشاكل قانونية.

Legal/Common

"أجرة الملح"

— A traditional North African gift given to a wife after Ramadan (metaphorical 'fee').

قدم لها هدية كأجرة الملح.

Cultural

"أجرة الدلال"

— The broker's commission.

دفعنا أجرة الدلال بعد البيع.

Commercial

"قطع الأجور"

— To slash wages.

الشركة قررت قطع الأجور.

Economic

"أجرة الحارس"

— A tip or small fee for a guard.

لا تنسَ أجرة الحارس.

Social

Easily Confused

أجرة vs أجر

Same root and very similar spelling.

'Ajr' is usually a spiritual reward or a general compensation, while 'Ujrah' is specifically rent, fare, or a fee.

له أجر كبير عند الله.

أجرة vs إيجار

Used interchangeably in many dialects.

'Ijar' is the act of leasing (verbal noun), 'Ujrah' is the payment itself.

عقد الإيجار جاهز.

أجرة vs أتعاب

Both mean fees.

'At'aab' is for professional services (doctor/lawyer), 'Ujrah' is more for labor, transport, or rent.

دفعنا أتعاب الطبيب.

أجرة vs نفقة

Both are money payments.

'Nafaqah' is maintenance/alimony (an obligation), 'Ujrah' is for a service/use.

نفقة الأولاد واجبة.

أجرة vs تكلفة

Both mean cost.

'Tuklfah' is the total cost of production or an item, 'Ujrah' is the specific fee for hire.

تكلفة المشروع عالية.

Sentence Patterns

كم + أجرة + الـ...؟

كم أجرة الباص؟

أجرة + الـ... + صفة.

أجرة الشقة غالية.

يجب + دفع + الأجرة + ظرف زمان.

يجب دفع الأجرة شهرياً.

هل + الأجرة + تشمل + ...؟

هل الأجرة تشمل الخدمات؟

طالب بـ + زيادة + الأجور.

طالب العمال بزيادة الأجور.

تعتبر + الأجرة + ...

تعتبر الأجرة مرتفعة جداً هنا.

وفقاً لـ + أجرة + المثل.

تم التقييم وفقاً لأجرة المثل.

تتجلى + الأجرة + كـ...

تتجلى الأجرة كعلاقة تعاقدية.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely common in daily life and economic news.

Common Mistakes

Using 'thaman' for rent. → Using 'ujrah' or 'ijar'.
'Thaman' is for buying; 'ujrah' is for renting or using.
Saying 'Kam al-ratib?' to a taxi driver. → Saying 'Kam al-ujrah?'.
'Ratib' is a monthly salary; 'ujrah' is a fare.
Using a masculine adjective with 'ujrah'. → Using a feminine adjective (e.g., 'ujrah ghaliyah').
'Ujrah' is a feminine noun because of the Ta Marbuta.
Pronouncing it as 'ajrah'. → Pronouncing it as 'ujrah' (with a 'u' sound).
The first letter has a Damma, not a Fatha.
Forgetting to open the Ta Marbuta in Idafa. → Pronouncing the 't' in 'ujrat al-bayt'.
In a possessive construction, the silent 'h' sound becomes a 't'.

Tips

Taxi Tip

Always agree on the 'ujrah' before you start your journey if the taxi doesn't have a working meter.

Gender Agreement

Remember that 'ujrah' is feminine. Say 'ujrah munsifah' (fair fee), not 'ujrah munsif'.

Timely Payment

In Arab culture, paying the 'ujrah' of a worker promptly is highly respected and a sign of good character.

Housing

When looking for a house, ask 'Hal al-ujrah thabitah?' (Is the rent fixed?) to see if you can negotiate.

Regional Variation

In Morocco or Tunisia, try using 'kira'' for house rent to sound more like a local.

Service Fees

Use 'ujrah' when paying a plumber or an electrician for a specific job they did at your house.

Root Connection

Remember the link to 'Ajr' (reward) to help you remember that 'ujrah' is a 'reward' for a service.

Contract Writing

In formal documents, use 'ujrah' followed by the period (e.g., 'ujrah shahriyyah' for monthly rent).

Politeness

When paying, you can say 'Tafaddal, hadhihi al-ujrah' (Please, here is the fare).

News Reading

When you see 'al-ujūr' in a headline, it almost always refers to national wage statistics or labor issues.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'U-J-R' as 'Usage Justifies Reward'. You pay the 'Ujrah' because you used the house or the taxi.

Visual Association

Imagine a taxi with a giant 'U' on top, and you are handing a 'J' shaped coin to the driver to pay the 'Ujrah'.

Word Web

Money Taxi House Contract Wages Fee Rent Payment

Challenge

Try to use 'ujrah' three times today: once for a hypothetical taxi, once for your rent, and once for a service fee.

Word Origin

From the Proto-Semitic root '-j-r, which relates to payment for work or services.

Original meaning: Payment, reward, or recompense.

Afroasiatic -> Semitic -> Central Semitic -> Arabic.

Cultural Context

Always pay the agreed 'ujrah' promptly to maintain honor and good relations.

In English, we use different words: fare, rent, fee. Arabic often uses 'ujrah' for all of these.

The concept of 'Ijarah' in Islamic Banking. Proverb: 'Give the worker his ujrah before his sweat dries'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

In a Taxi

كم الأجرة إلى وسط المدينة؟
هل الأجرة حسب العداد؟
خذ الأجرة والباقي لك.
الأجرة غالية جداً!

Renting an Apartment

كم الأجرة الشهرية؟
هل الأجرة تشمل الكهرباء؟
متى يجب دفع الأجرة؟
أريد تخفيضاً في الأجرة.

At Work

متى نستلم الأجور؟
هل هناك زيادة في الأجور؟
أجرة اليد مرتفعة في هذا البلد.
نحن نطالب بأجور عادلة.

Shipping a Package

كم أجرة الشحن إلى لندن؟
هل الأجرة تشمل التأمين؟
دفعنا الأجرة في المكتب.
أجرة الشحن تعتمد على الوزن.

Professional Services

كم أجرة الاستشارة؟
يجب دفع الأجرة مقدماً.
هل تقبل الأجرة بالبطاقة؟
أجرة الطبيب خمسون ديناراً.

Conversation Starters

"كم تبلغ أجرة السكن في مدينتك عادة؟"

"هل تعتقد أن أجرة التاكسي عادلة في هذا البلد؟"

"كيف تختلف الأجور بين المهن المختلفة هنا؟"

"هل يفضل الناس هنا الدفع بالأجرة أم شراء البيوت؟"

"ماذا تفعل إذا طلب السائق أجرة مرتفعة جداً؟"

Journal Prompts

اكتب عن تجربتك في استئجار شقة والأجرة التي دفعتها.

هل تعتقد أن الأجور في بلدك كافية للمعيشة؟ ولماذا؟

صف موقفاً حدث لك مع سائق تاكسي بخصوص الأجرة.

تحدث عن أهمية دفع الأجرة في وقتها المحدد.

قارن بين أجرة النقل العام وأجرة السيارات الخاصة.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, while it often means house rent, it also means taxi/bus fare and service fees for workers or professionals. Context determines the specific meaning.

The plural is 'ujūr' (أجور). It is commonly used to mean 'wages' in an economic or workplace context.

In modern Arabic, 'ratib' is better for a monthly salary. 'Ujrah' is more for a specific task, a daily wage, or rent.

'Ujrah' is the money. 'Ijar' is the process of renting. However, in many dialects, people use 'ijar' to mean the rent money too.

You say 'Kam al-ujrah?' or 'Kam al-ujrah ila [destination]?'.

It is neutral and used in both formal (legal contracts, news) and informal (talking to a driver) settings.

It is a legal term meaning 'fair market rent' or 'typical fee', used when there is a dispute about how much should be paid.

The 'ah' is the Ta Marbuta (ة), which makes the noun feminine. This affects the adjectives used with it.

No, for buying, use 'thaman' (price). 'Ujrah' is only if you are renting the car or paying for a ride in it.

The root A-J-R is used very often, usually as 'ajr' (reward). The concept of 'Ijarah' (hiring) also appears in Islamic tradition.