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B1 noun 7 min read

امتياز

imtiyaz
Examples امتياز in 30 Seconds
Explanation امتياز in your Level:
At the A1 level, you don't need to know the complex legal meanings of 'Imtiyaz.' Instead, think of it as the 'Super Star' grade. In many Arabic-speaking schools, when you do a great job on your homework, your teacher might write 'Excellent' on it. In Arabic, that word is 'Mumtaz' (the adjective), and the grade itself is 'Imtiyaz.' Imagine you are playing a game and you get the highest score possible—that is like having 'Imtiyaz.' It's a very positive word. You might hear it when people talk about school or when they want to say something is the best. Just remember: Imtiyaz = The Best Grade. It's the 'A+' of the Arabic world. You can use it to talk about your dream of being a top student. Even at A1, knowing that this word means 'excellence' helps you understand when people are praising someone's hard work.
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At the A2 level, you can start using 'Imtiyaz' in simple sentences about school and success. You've probably learned the word 'Mumtaz' (Excellent), but 'Imtiyaz' is the noun form. You might say, 'I want to get Imtiyaz in my Arabic class.' You also start to see it in descriptions of high-quality things. If you see a shop called 'Al-Imtiyaz,' it's trying to tell you that their products are of the highest quality or 'distinction.' At this level, you should also know that it's a 'Form 8' noun from the root M-Y-Z. While you don't need to know all the grammar, seeing the pattern helps you recognize it. Think of 'Imtiyaz' as a 'special status.' If you are the 'Student of the Month,' that is a kind of Imtiyaz. It's more than just being good; it's being set apart from the rest because of your high quality.
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As a B1 learner, you are ready to use 'Imtiyaz' in its professional and social contexts. This is where the definition 'An authorization granted to carry out specified activities' becomes important. You should understand that 'Imtiyaz' is the Arabic word for a 'Franchise.' If you see a McDonald's or a Starbucks in Cairo or Dubai, the person running it has a 'Contract of Imtiyaz' (عقد امتياز). Furthermore, you will encounter this word in social discussions. Just like in English where we talk about 'social privilege,' Arabic speakers use 'Imtiyaz.' You might hear about 'the privileges of the rich' (امتيازات الأغنياء). You should be able to distinguish between 'Imtiyaz' as a grade (Excellence) and 'Imtiyaz' as a right (Privilege). In your writing, you can use the phrase 'bi-imtiyaz' (with distinction) to describe how someone completed a task or a project. This level requires you to handle the plural 'Imtiyazat' and use it in Idafa constructions.
At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'Imtiyaz' in legal and political discussions. You will hear it in the news regarding 'concessions' for natural resources. For example, 'The company won the concession (امتياز) for the new gold mine.' You should also understand the historical context of 'Foreign Capitulations' (الامتيازات الأجنبية) which played a huge role in Middle Eastern history. In terms of grammar, you should be able to use the word in complex sentences with various prepositions and understand its nuances compared to 'Miza' (advantage) or 'Haqq' (right). You might analyze a text about 'Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges' and explain why 'Imtiyaz' is used there—it's because these are rights that distinguish diplomats from ordinary citizens. Your vocabulary should now include the concept of 'exclusive franchise' (امتياز حصري).
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At the C1 level, your understanding of 'Imtiyaz' should be deep and nuanced. You should be able to discuss the philosophical and sociological implications of 'privilege' (الامتياز) in society, using the word to critique power structures. You should also be familiar with academic and legal jargon where 'Imtiyaz' appears in specific phrases like 'Imtiyaz al-Dain' (Priority of debt/Lien) in financial law. You can use the word in its abstract sense to describe someone who is 'distinguished' by a specific trait or talent. You should be able to read complex legal contracts involving franchises and understand the specific rights and obligations defined under the 'Imtiyaz' section. Your use of the word should reflect an awareness of its register—knowing that it is a high-level, formal term that carries weight and authority in a sentence.
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At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'Imtiyaz.' You can use it rhetorically to emphasize the exceptional nature of an event or a person. You might use it in literary analysis to discuss how a character's 'privileges' lead to their downfall, or in a high-level business negotiation regarding the 'concessionary rights' of a multinational corporation. You understand the subtle linguistic connection between 'Imtiyaz' and other words from the M-Y-Z root, such as 'Tamayuz' (Uniqueness/Distinction) and 'Tamyiz' (Discrimination), and you can use them all precisely without error. You are also aware of regional variations in how the word might be perceived, though its formal meaning remains consistent across the Arab world. You can write persuasive essays on the 'System of Privileges' in modern governance, using 'Imtiyaz' as a core conceptual pillar.
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Examples

امتياز in 30 Seconds

  • A formal noun meaning 'privilege,' 'franchise,' or 'academic distinction.'
  • Derived from the root M-Y-Z, meaning to distinguish or set apart.
  • Commonly used in business (franchises), education (A+ grades), and law (immunities).
  • Essential for discussing professional rights, social advantages, and high-level success.

The Arabic word امتياز (Imtiyāz) is a multifaceted noun derived from the root م-ي-ز (M-Y-Z), which fundamentally relates to the act of distinguishing, sorting, or setting something apart from others. In its most literal sense, it refers to a state of being distinguished or excellent. However, its application in modern Arabic spans across legal, academic, commercial, and social spheres, making it a crucial term for B1 learners to master. When you encounter this word, you are looking at something that is not 'standard'—it is either a special right granted to a specific entity or a level of performance that far exceeds the average.

Legal and Commercial Authorization
In a business context, امتياز refers to a franchise or a concession. This is an authorization granted by a government or a company to an individual or a group, enabling them to carry out specified commercial activities. For instance, a company might hold the امتياز for oil exploration in a specific region, or a local entrepreneur might purchase a 'franchise' (عقد امتياز) to open a branch of a global fast-food chain. Here, the word signifies a 'distinguished' right that others do not possess.

حصلت الشركة على امتياز حصري لتوزيع المنتج في الشرق الأوسط.

Translation: The company obtained an exclusive franchise/concession to distribute the product in the Middle East.
Academic Excellence
In the world of education across the Arab world, امتياز is the highest possible grade, equivalent to 'Distinction' or an 'A+'. When a student graduates 'with honors,' they are said to have graduated بمرتبة الشرف مع الامتياز. This usage highlights the 'distinction' of the student's performance compared to their peers.

Furthermore, the word is used in international law to describe 'immunities and privileges' (الحصانات والامتيازات) granted to diplomats. It implies a set of rights that place the holder in a protected or advantaged position. Understanding امتياز requires recognizing the balance between 'merit' (in academics) and 'granted rights' (in law/business). It is a word that denotes a gap between the general rule and a special exception.

يتمتع الدبلوماسيون بـامتيازات خاصة تحميهم من الملاحقة القانونية.

Historical Context
Historically, the term الامتيازات الأجنبية (Foreign Capitulations) referred to the special rights and extraterritorial status granted by the Ottoman Empire to European powers. This historical weight still influences the word's formal and somewhat 'heavy' feel in political discourse today.

Using امتياز correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a noun and its common pairings (collocations). Because it can mean 'excellence,' 'franchise,' or 'privilege,' the surrounding context is vital for clarity. In Arabic syntax, it often appears in the Idafa (possessive) construction or as an adjective-noun pair.

As a Grade or Level of Quality
When describing a student's performance, use it as a predicate or a state. For example, تقديري هو امتياز (My grade is 'Excellent'). It can also be used to describe the quality of a service: خدمة ذات امتياز (A service of excellence/distinction).

نجح الطالب في الامتحان بـامتياز باهر.

Translation: The student passed the exam with brilliant distinction.
In Business and Law
In commercial settings, you will often see the phrase عقد امتياز (Franchise Contract). Here, امتياز acts as the second part of the Idafa. If a company is 'distinguished' by a certain right, we use the verb يتمتع بـ (to enjoy/possess) followed by امتيازات.

وقعت الشركة عقد امتياز مع العلامة التجارية العالمية.

In sociological contexts, you might say الاعتراف بالامتياز (Acknowledging privilege). This is a more modern usage found in academic translations and social media discourse. Note how the word maintains its core meaning of 'something extra' that sets one apart. Whether it's a 'distinction' in a test or a 'concession' for a mine, the common thread is the specialized status granted or earned.

هذا المشروع هو امتياز للشركة في هذه المنطقة.

Common Phrasal Patterns
1. بامتياز (By distinction/Excellence) - used as an adverbial phrase. 2. صاحب امتياز (Franchisee/Holder of privilege). 3. منطقة امتياز (Concession area - often in oil/gas).

You will encounter امتياز in specific professional and formal environments. It is not a word typically used in casual 'street' Arabic, but it is ubiquitous in media, academia, and the business world. Hearing this word signals that the conversation has moved into a formal or technical territory.

In the News and Business Reports
When listening to Al Jazeera or Al Arabiya, you will hear امتياز in reports about oil contracts or international trade. Phrases like حقوق الامتياز (Franchise/Concession rights) are standard. Analysts might discuss how a specific company has gained an امتياز over its competitors, meaning a strategic advantage or a legal right.

أعلنت الحكومة عن مناقصة لمنح امتياز التنقيب عن الغاز.

Translation: The government announced a tender to grant a gas exploration concession.
At Universities and Graduation Ceremonies
This is perhaps the most common place for young people to hear the word. At the end of a semester, students anxiously check if they received امتياز. During graduation, the announcer will call out names followed by their grade level, and امتياز مع مرتبة الشرف is the gold standard that every student aims for.

In diplomatic circles, the term الامتيازات الدبلوماسية (Diplomatic privileges) is frequently used in discussions regarding the Vienna Convention. If a diplomat is exempt from taxes or certain laws, it is referred to as an امتياز. Similarly, in historical documentaries about the 19th and 20th centuries, the term نظام الامتيازات (The system of capitulations) is a central theme in explaining the relationship between the East and the West.

تخرجت أختي من الجامعة بتقدير امتياز.

Corporate Culture
In HR and management, امتيازات الموظفين (Employee benefits/privileges) refers to the perks beyond the basic salary, such as health insurance or a company car. Here, it translates more closely to 'perks' or 'advantages'.

Learning امتياز can be tricky because of its multiple English equivalents. One of the most common mistakes is using it in place of other 'positive' words that don't quite fit the specific 'special status' meaning of Imtiyaz.

Mistake 1: Confusing Imtiyaz with Tamyiz
While both words share the same root (M-Y-Z), تمييز (Tamyīz) usually means 'discrimination' or 'differentiation'. If you want to say 'racial discrimination,' you must use تمييز عنصري. If you say امتياز عنصري, you are saying 'racial privilege.' While related, the connotations are very different in a sentence.

خطأ: يعاني المهاجرون من امتياز في العمل. (Wrong: Migrants suffer from privilege at work.)
صح: يعاني المهاجرون من تمييز في العمل. (Correct: Migrants suffer from discrimination at work.)

Mistake 2: Overusing it for 'Excellent'
In English, we might say 'The food is excellent.' While you could say الطعام بامتياز (meaning 'par excellence'), it sounds very formal and a bit strange in a casual setting. Usually, for objects or food, words like ممتاز (Mumtāz) or رائع (Rā'i') are better. امتياز is the noun (excellence/privilege), while ممتاز is the adjective (excellent).

Another mistake is failing to use the preposition بـ (bi-) when describing how someone did something. You don't just 'pass distinction'; you 'pass with distinction' (نجح بامتياز). Omitting the bi- makes the sentence ungrammatical.

تأكد من استخدام حرف الجر: بـامتياز وليس 'امتياز' فقط كحال.

Mistake 3: Confusing it with 'Pardon' or 'Permission'
Sometimes students confuse امتياز with إذن (Idhn - permission). While an امتياز is a type of permission (like a franchise), إذن is the general word for being allowed to do something. امتياز is much more formal and usually involves a contract or a high status.

To truly master امتياز, you need to know the words that live in its neighborhood. Arabic is rich with synonyms that vary slightly in register and specific meaning. Depending on whether you mean 'privilege,' 'excellence,' or 'right,' different words might be more appropriate.

Imtiyaz vs. Haqq (حق)
A حق (Haqq) is a general 'right' that everyone might have (like human rights). An امتياز is a 'special right' granted to a few. Everyone has the حق to education, but only the top student gets the امتياز of a scholarship.

الفرق بين الحق (العام) والامتياز (الخاص).

Imtiyaz vs. Afdalriyya (أفضلية)
أفضلية (Afdalriyya) means 'priority' or 'preference.' If you have أفضلية in a queue, you go first. امتياز is broader; it might include going first, but it also includes special legal protections or financial benefits that أفضلية doesn't cover.

In a commercial context, وكالة (Wakala - Agency) is sometimes confused with امتياز (Franchise). An 'agency' usually means you represent a company, but a 'franchise' (امتياز) means you are operating your own business using their proven model and brand name. The legal weight of امتياز is generally higher and more complex than a simple وكالة.

الفرق بين عقد الوكالة وعقد الامتياز تجاري قانوني.

Summary Table of Alternatives
  • خصيصة (Khasisa): A specific characteristic or feature.
  • ميزة (Miza): An advantage or a 'pro' (as in pros and cons).
  • براعة (Bara'a): Skillfulness or prowess (often in arts or sports).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɪm.ti.ˈjaːz/
US /ɪm.ti.ˈjɑːz/
The primary stress is on the last syllable: im-ti-YAZ.
Rhymes With
اعتزاز (I'tizaz - pride) انحياز (Inhiyaz - bias) إنجاز (Injaz - achievement) إعجاز (I'jaz - miracle/inimitability) مجاز (Majaz - metaphor) جواز (Jawaz - passport/permission) فوز (Fawz
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the 't' as a heavy 'T' (Ta). It should be a light 't' (Ta).
  • Shortening the final long 'a' sound.
  • Merging the 'i' and 'y' sounds into one syllable.
  • Confusing it with 'Imtiyaz' (with a heavy 'S' sound) which doesn't exist.
  • Stress on the first syllable.
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Examples by Level

1

أنا طالب في مستوى امتياز.

I am a student at the 'distinction' level.

Here, 'imtiyaz' acts as a noun describing the grade level.

2

هذا الولد ذكي بامتياز.

This boy is exceptionally intelligent.

The phrase 'bi-imtiyaz' is used here to mean 'par excellence'.

3

أريد الحصول على امتياز في المدرسة.

I want to get 'Excellence' (a top grade) in school.

Direct object of the verb 'to get'.

4

درجتي هي امتياز.

My grade is 'Excellent'.

Simple nominal sentence.

5

المعلم سعيد لأنني أخذت امتياز.

The teacher is happy because I got 'Excellence'.

Used as the object of 'took/got'.

6

هل الامتياز صعب؟

Is 'Excellence' (getting the top grade) difficult?

Subject of the question.

7

أمي فخورة بامتيازي.

My mother is proud of my 'Excellence' (top grade).

Noun with a possessive suffix (-i).

8

كل الطلاب يريدون الامتياز.

All students want 'Excellence'.

Definite noun 'al-imtiyaz'.

1

حصلت سارة على شهادة امتياز.

Sarah obtained a certificate of distinction.

Idafa construction: 'shahadat imtiyaz'.

2

هذا المطعم يقدم خدمة بامتياز.

This restaurant provides service with excellence.

Adverbial phrase 'bi-imtiyaz'.

3

الامتياز هو هدف كل مجتهد.

Excellence is the goal of every hard worker.

Subject of a nominal sentence.

4

تخرج أخي بتقدير امتياز.

My brother graduated with an 'Excellent' grade.

Used with 'taqdir' (grade/estimation).

5

نحن نبحث عن الامتياز في عملنا.

We look for excellence in our work.

Object of the preposition 'an'.

6

هذه السيارة تمثل الامتياز الألماني.

This car represents German excellence.

Definite noun as a direct object.

7

هل حصلت على الامتياز في اللغة العربية؟

Did you get 'Excellence' in the Arabic language?

Interrogative sentence.

8

الامتياز يتطلب الكثير من الدراسة.

Excellence requires a lot of studying.

Subject with a present tense verb.

1

فتحت الشركة فرعاً جديداً بنظام الامتياز.

The company opened a new branch using the franchise system.

Refers to the commercial 'franchise' meaning.

2

يجب أن نعترف بامتيازاتنا الاجتماعية.

We must acknowledge our social privileges.

Plural 'imtiyazat' with possessive suffix.

3

وقع المستثمر عقد امتياز مع شركة عالمية.

The investor signed a franchise contract with a global company.

Technical business term 'aqd imtiyaz'.

4

لدى كبار الموظفين امتيازات كثيرة.

Senior employees have many privileges/perks.

Plural noun 'imtiyazat' meaning perks.

5

هذا المشروع هو امتياز حصري لنا.

This project is an exclusive privilege/concession for us.

Adjective 'hasri' (exclusive) modifying 'imtiyaz'.

6

هل تمنح الحكومة امتيازات ضريبية للشركات؟

Does the government grant tax privileges/incentives to companies?

Compound term 'imtiyazat daribiyya'.

7

الامتياز التجاري يساعد على نمو المشاريع.

Commercial franchising helps projects grow.

Subject: 'al-imtiyaz al-tijari'.

8

أنهى الطبيب سنة الامتياز في المستشفى.

The doctor finished his internship year (year of distinction) in the hospital.

Specific term 'sanat al-imtiyaz' for a medical internship year.

1

تتمتع السفارات بامتيازات دبلوماسية واسعة.

Embassies enjoy extensive diplomatic privileges.

Verb 'tatamatta' (enjoy) + 'bi-' + plural noun.

2

كانت الامتيازات الأجنبية جزءاً من تاريخ المنطقة.

Foreign capitulations were part of the region's history.

Historical term 'al-imtiyazat al-ajnabiyya'.

3

حصلت الشركة الوطنية على امتياز التنقيب عن النفط.

The national company obtained the oil exploration concession.

Noun 'imtiyaz' followed by a gerund 'al-tanqib'.

4

يتم منح هذا الامتياز بناءً على الكفاءة.

This privilege is granted based on competence.

Passive verb 'yutamma manhu'.

5

هناك صراع على مناطق الامتياز في البحر.

There is a conflict over concession areas in the sea.

Compound 'manatiq al-imtiyaz'.

6

يجب حماية حقوق صاحب الامتياز.

The rights of the franchisee must be protected.

Idafa: 'sahib al-imtiyaz' (owner of the franchise).

7

الامتياز ليس حقاً مكتسباً بل مكافأة.

Privilege is not an inherent right but a reward.

Contrasting 'imtiyaz' with 'haqq'.

8

تعتبر هذه الميزة امتيازاً إضافياً للمشتركين.

This feature is considered an additional privilege for subscribers.

Predicate of 'tu'tabar' (is considered).

1

تفكيك منظومة الامتيازات يتطلب إرادة سياسية.

Dismantling the system of privileges requires political will.

Abstract usage in political science.

2

يعد الامتياز القضائي من أهم ركائز الحصانة.

Judicial privilege is one of the most important pillars of immunity.

Legal term 'al-imtiyaz al-qada'i'.

3

تتفاوت الامتيازات الطبقية في المجتمعات الرأسمالية.

Class privileges vary in capitalist societies.

Sociological term 'al-imtiyazat al-tabaqiyya'.

4

منح الامتياز لشركة واحدة قد يؤدي إلى الاحتكار.

Granting the concession to a single company may lead to a monopoly.

Economic context of monopoly (ihtikar).

5

لا يمكن التنازل عن هذا الامتياز السيادي.

This sovereign privilege cannot be waived.

Adjective 'siyadi' (sovereign) modifying 'imtiyaz'.

6

الامتياز في الأداء هو ما يميز القائد الناجح.

Excellence in performance is what distinguishes a successful leader.

Focusing on the root meaning of distinction.

7

تخضع عقود الامتياز للقانون الدولي الخاص.

Franchise contracts are subject to private international law.

Subject of a complex legal sentence.

8

يتمتع الدائن بامتياز على أموال المدين.

The creditor has a lien/priority over the debtor's assets.

Financial legal term for 'priority of debt'.

1

إن فلسفة الامتياز تقوم على التمييز المبرر قانوناً.

The philosophy of privilege is based on legally justified differentiation.

High-level abstract nominal sentence.

2

تعد الامتيازات البرلمانية درعاً لحماية الديمقراطية.

Parliamentary privileges are considered a shield for protecting democracy.

Metaphorical usage in political theory.

3

استغلال الامتياز الوظيفي يعد فساداً إدارياً.

Exploiting job privileges is considered administrative corruption.

Ethical/Legal context.

4

تتقاطع مفاهيم الامتياز مع نظريات العدالة الاجتماعية.

Concepts of privilege intersect with theories of social justice.

Academic verb 'tataqata' (intersect).

5

تمنح الدولة امتيازات استثنائية في حالات الطوارئ.

The state grants exceptional privileges in cases of emergency.

Adjective 'istithna'iyya' (exceptional).

6

الامتياز ليس مجرد تفوق، بل هو مسؤولية أخلاقية.

Privilege is not just superiority; it is a moral responsibility.

Rhetorical negation and affirmation.

7

تاريخياً، أدت الامتيازات إلى إضعاف السيادة الوطنية.

Historically, capitulations led to the weakening of national sovereignty.

Historical analysis.

8

يجب مراجعة شروط الامتياز لضمان التنافسية.

The terms of the concession must be reviewed to ensure competitiveness.

Infinitive 'muraja'at' (reviewing) as subject.

Common Collocations

عقد امتياز
بمرتبة الشرف مع الامتياز
امتيازات دبلوماسية
صاحب الامتياز
منطقة امتياز
امتيازات ضريبية
تقدير امتياز
حقوق الامتياز
امتياز طبقي
سنة الامتياز

Common Phrases

بامتياز

— Par excellence or with distinction. Used to emphasize that someone or something is the perfect example of a quality.

هو فنان بامتياز.

منح الامتياز

— To grant a franchise or a special right to someone.

قررت الحكومة منح الامتياز للشركة المحلية.

سحب الامتياز

— To revoke or take back a franchise or privilege.

تم سحب الامتياز بسبب مخالفة الشروط.

نظام الامتياز

— The franchise system or the system of privileges.

يعتمد هذا المشروع على نظام الامتياز.

امتيازات خاصة

— Special perks or rights given to a specific group.

لدى أعضاء النادي امتيازات خاصة.

عالم الامتياز

— The world of franchising or elite circles.

دخل الشاب عالم الامتياز التجاري.

طلب امتياز

— To apply for a franchise or a special concession.

قدمت الشركة طلب امتياز للتنقيب.

بدون امتيازات

— Without any special perks or rights; equal to everyone else.

نحن نعمل هنا بدون امتيازات.

قائمة الامتيازات

— A list of benefits or privileges.

انظر إلى قائمة الامتيازات قبل التوقيع.

امتياز حصري

— An exclusive right that no one else possesses.

هذا امتياز حصري لشركتنا فقط.

Idioms & Expressions

"بامتياز مع مرتبة الشرف"

— With distinction and honors. Used to describe the absolute highest academic achievement.

تخرجت بامتياز مع مرتبة الشرف.

Formal
"فوق الامتياز"

— Beyond excellence. Used colloquially to describe something extraordinary.

أداؤه في المباراة كان فوق الامتياز.

Informal
"صاحب اليد الطولى والامتياز"

— Someone who has great influence and special rights in a matter.

هو صاحب اليد الطولى والامتياز في هذه الشركة.

Literary
"الامتيازات الأجنبية"

— A historical term for the special rights given to foreigners, often used now to imply unfair foreign influence.

نحن لا نريد عودة الامتيازات الأجنبية.

Political
"بامتياز نادر"

— With a rare level of excellence.

أبدع الرسام بامتياز نادر.

Literary
"حكر الامتياز"

— A monopoly on a specific privilege.

هذا الحق ليس حكر امتياز لأحد.

Formal
"دائرة الامتياز"

— The inner circle of people with special rights.

هو ينتمي إلى دائرة الامتياز في المجتمع.

Sociological
"امتياز البداية"

— The advantage of starting first.

لديه امتياز البداية في هذا السباق.

Neutral
"سنة الامتياز"

— Used specifically for the medical internship year, becoming almost an idiom for the 'trial period' of a doctor.

متى ستنتهي من سنة الامتياز؟

Professional
"بامتياز مطلق"

— With absolute distinction/perfection.

نجحت الخطة بامتياز مطلق.

Formal
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