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B1 noun #1,900 most common 7 min read

ظروف

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips ظروف in 30 Seconds
Explanation ظروف in your Level:
At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'Zuroof' means 'conditions' or 'circumstances.' You might hear it in simple sentences like 'The weather conditions are good' (الظروف الجوية جيدة). It is a useful word to recognize when people are giving reasons for why they can or cannot do something. Think of it as a 'box' that contains a situation. If the box is 'difficult,' the situation is hard. You don't need to worry about the complex grammar yet, just remember that it's the plural of 'Zarf' (envelope). You might see it on a weather app or hear it in a basic news headline. Focus on the phrase 'Zuroof sa'ba' (difficult circumstances) as it is very common.
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At the A2 level, you should start using 'Zuroof' to describe your daily life and environment. You can use it to explain why you were late or why you can't meet a friend. For example, 'I have some circumstances' (عندي ظروف) is a very polite and common way to excuse yourself. You should also notice that adjectives following 'Zuroof' end in a 'ta-marbuta' (ة) because 'Zuroof' is a non-human plural. You can start combining it with words like 'work' (ظروف العمل) or 'family' (ظروف عائلية). This helps you move beyond simple 'yes/no' answers and start giving more nuanced explanations for your actions in Arabic.
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At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'Zuroof' in more formal contexts, such as describing the economic or political situation of a country. You should be familiar with common collocations like 'Zuroof qasiya' (harsh conditions) and 'Zuroof mula'ima' (favorable conditions). You should also be able to use the idiomatic expression 'Tahta ayyi zarf' (under any circumstance) in negative sentences to mean 'never.' At this stage, you should understand that 'Zuroof' is the 'container' of the action, and you can use it to talk about the 'environment' of a story or a historical event. Your vocabulary should include 'Zuroof al-ma'isha' (living conditions) to discuss social issues.
At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'Zuroof' in academic and professional discussions. You can distinguish between 'Zuroof' and its synonyms like 'Awdha' (situations) or 'Ahwal' (states). You should understand the legal use of the word, such as 'Zuroof mukhaffifa' (mitigating circumstances). You can use the word to analyze complex situations, such as 'The circumstances that led to the revolution.' You should also be aware of the singular form 'Zarf' in its grammatical sense (adverbs of time and place) and be able to explain how the concept of 'container' applies to both grammar and life circumstances. Your use of the word should be fluid and natural in both spoken and written Arabic.
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At the C1 level, you should have a deep appreciation for the etymological roots of 'Zuroof' and how it reflects an Arabic worldview of time and space as containers. You can use the word in sophisticated literary or philosophical contexts. You should be able to discuss the 'Mulabasat' (intricacies) of a situation versus its 'Zuroof' (general conditions). You can use the word to describe abstract concepts like 'the circumstances of the soul' or 'the conditions of modern thought.' Your mastery includes knowing when *not* to use the word, opting for more precise terms like 'Mula'ama' (suitability) or 'Iqtida'at' (requirements) when the context demands it. You can read complex legal texts or classical literature and understand the specific nuances 'Zuroof' carries in those texts.
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At the C2 level, you use 'Zuroof' with the precision of a native scholar or a high-level diplomat. You understand the historical evolution of the word from its root Z-R-F, meaning elegance and containers, to its modern sociopolitical applications. You can use it to construct complex arguments about the 'determinism of circumstances' (حتمية الظروف) versus free will. You are familiar with its use in classical poetry and high-level rhetoric. You can effortlessly navigate the word's various meanings—from stationery to grammar to sociology—without hesitation. You can also identify and use rare idiomatic expressions involving the word and its derivatives, reflecting a complete integration of the word into your linguistic and cultural repertoire.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

ظروف in 30 Seconds

  • ظروف means 'circumstances' or 'conditions' and is the plural of 'Zarf'.
  • It is used in daily life to explain excuses or describe the environment.
  • Grammatically, it is a non-human plural, taking feminine singular adjectives.
  • Common phrases include 'difficult circumstances' and 'under no circumstances'.

The Arabic word ظروف (Zuroof) is the plural form of ظرف (Zarf). At its core, the word signifies a 'container' or a 'vessel.' In a linguistic and philosophical sense, it refers to the 'containers' of events—namely, time and space. When we speak of ظروف in a general context, we are referring to the circumstances, conditions, or the environment that surrounds a particular situation. It encompasses everything from the economic climate to personal hardships or the specific details of a crime scene. Understanding this word requires looking at how it frames human experience as something contained within a set of external factors that influence outcomes.

Literal Meaning
Envelopes or containers; things that hold something else inside.
Metaphorical Meaning
The surrounding conditions that dictate how an event unfolds.
Grammatical Meaning
In Arabic grammar, 'Zarf' refers to adverbs of time and place (containers of action).

كانت الظروف الجوية سيئة للغاية، مما أدى إلى تأجيل الرحلة.

Translation: The weather conditions were very bad, which led to the postponement of the flight.

In modern usage, ظروف is often used to excuse an action or explain a failure. If someone says, "I couldn't come because of Zuroof," they are implying that external life circumstances beyond their control prevented them from attending. This makes the word highly versatile in social interactions, acting as a polite way to refer to personal problems without disclosing specific details. It covers a wide spectrum from 'financial conditions' (ظروف مادية) to 'family circumstances' (ظروف عائلية).

نحن نقدر ظروفكم الصعبة في هذا الوقت.

Translation: We appreciate your difficult circumstances at this time.

The word also appears frequently in legal and news contexts. For instance, ظروف غامضة (mysterious circumstances) is a common phrase in investigative journalism. In a legal sense, ظروف مخففة refers to 'mitigating circumstances' that might reduce a sentence. This demonstrates the word's transition from a simple physical container to a complex abstract concept representing the totality of environmental factors.

Social Context
Used to explain life's ups and downs.
Economic Context
Used to describe market or living conditions.

تغيرت الظروف السياسية في المنطقة بشكل ملحوظ.

Translation: The political conditions in the region have changed significantly.

Using ظروف correctly involves understanding its role as a noun that often takes adjectives to specify the nature of the conditions. Because it is a non-human plural (جمع تكسير لغير العاقل), the adjectives that follow it are usually in the feminine singular form. For example, we say ظروف صعبة (difficult circumstances), where صعبة is feminine singular, even though ظروف is plural.

Common Adjective Pairings

  • ظروف قاسية: Harsh conditions (often used for weather or poverty).
  • ظروف ملائمة: Favorable/suitable conditions (used for growth, work, or success).
  • ظروف طارئة: Emergency/unforeseen circumstances (used for sudden changes).
  • ظروف معيشية: Living conditions.

يجب أن نتكيف مع الظروف الجديدة.

Translation: We must adapt to the new circumstances.

In terms of sentence structure, ظروف often follows prepositions like في (in), بسبب (because of), or تحت (under). The phrase تحت أي ظرف من الظروف is a powerful idiomatic expression meaning "under any circumstances whatsoever," usually used with a negation to mean "never."

Prepositional Use
'بسبب الظروف' (Due to circumstances) is the most common way to start an excuse.
Possessive Use
'ظروف العمل' (Work conditions) or 'ظروفه الشخصية' (His personal circumstances).

لا تستسلم تحت أي ظرف من الظروف.

Translation: Do not give up under any circumstances.

When discussing grammar (Nahw), Zarf takes a different path. You will hear about Zarf Zaman (Adverb of Time) and Zarf Makan (Adverb of Place). While this is the same word, in a general conversation, if you say Zuroof, no one will think you are talking about grammar unless you are in a classroom. In everyday life, it is 100% about the situation you are in.

The word ظروف is ubiquitous in the Arab world, appearing in every register of the language from the most formal legal documents to the most casual street slang. Its frequency is due to the cultural emphasis on external factors and the polite ambiguity it provides.

1. In the News and Media

Journalists use ظروف to describe the state of a nation or the details of an event. You will often hear phrases like الظروف الاقتصادية الصعبة (difficult economic conditions) or الظروف الأمنية (security conditions). It is the go-to word for describing the 'climate' of a situation.

يعيش اللاجئون في ظروف إنسانية صعبة.

Translation: Refugees live in difficult humanitarian conditions.

2. In Professional Settings

In a workplace, ظروف العمل (working conditions) is a common topic. This can refer to the physical office environment, the hours, or the stress levels. If a project is delayed, a manager might cite ظروف خارجة عن إرادتنا (circumstances beyond our control).

Business Phrase
'حسب الظروف' (Depending on the circumstances/conditions).
Legal Phrase
'ظروف مخففة' (Extenuating/Mitigating circumstances).

3. In Daily Conversation

This is perhaps where you will hear it most. If you ask a friend why they haven't called, they might reply, "Wallahi, az-zuroof..." (By God, the circumstances...). It is a shorthand for saying life has been busy or difficult. It is also used when discussing marriage, travel, or career changes.

أتمنى أن تتحسن ظروفك قريباً.

Translation: I hope your circumstances improve soon.

While ظروف is a common word, learners often make specific errors in its application, pluralization, and grammatical agreement. Avoiding these will make your Arabic sound much more natural and professional.

1. Confusing Singular and Plural

The singular ظرف (Zarf) is almost exclusively used to mean 'envelope' (for a letter) or a 'grammatical adverb.' Learners often try to use the singular to mean 'a circumstance.' While technically possible, it is much more natural to use the plural ظروف even when referring to a general situation. If you want to say 'a specific circumstance,' it's better to use حالة (case) or وضع (situation).

Wrong
أنا في ظرف صعب. (Sounds like: I am in a difficult envelope.)
Correct
أنا في ظروف صعبة. (I am in difficult circumstances.)

2. Adjective Agreement

As mentioned before, ظروف is a non-human plural. Many learners mistakenly use a plural adjective with it. Remember: non-human plurals take feminine singular adjectives.

ظروف صعبين (Wrong)

ظروف صعبة (Correct)

3. Misusing Prepositions

Learners often translate directly from English, saying things like مع الظروف (with the circumstances). While understandable, the more idiomatic way to say 'depending on the circumstances' is حسب الظروف or وفقاً للظروف.

4. Over-explaining

In Arabic, الظروف is often enough. You don't always need to say 'my circumstances' (ظروفي). Simply saying بسبب الظروف (due to the circumstances) is often more polite and less 'whiny' than making it personal.

Arabic has a rich vocabulary for describing situations. While ظروف is the most common word for 'circumstances,' it is often used interchangeably with other words that have subtle differences in nuance.

أوضاع (Awdha')
Refers to 'positions' or 'status.' Often used for political or economic 'situations' (e.g., الأوضاع السياسية). It feels more structural than 'Zuroof.'
أحوال (Ahwal)
The plural of 'Hal' (state/condition). This is more personal and internal. 'How are you?' is 'كيف حالك؟'. 'Ahwal' refers to the state of being.
ملابسات (Mulabasat)
Specifically refers to the 'intricacies' or 'surrounding details' of an event, usually a crime or a specific incident. It's more technical than 'Zuroof.'
بيئة (Bi'ah)
Means 'environment.' While 'Zuroof' can mean environment metaphorically, 'Bi'ah' is the literal physical or social environment.

هناك فرق بين الظروف المحيطة والأوضاع الراهنة.

Translation: There is a difference between the surrounding circumstances and the current situations.

When choosing between these words, consider the 'container' aspect of Zuroof. If you are talking about things that 'hold' or 'surround' an event, use Zuroof. If you are talking about the 'state' something is in, use Ahwal or Awdha'.

Another related word is سياق (Siyaq), which means 'context.' While Zuroof are the external facts, Siyaq is the narrative or linguistic framework. For example, 'in the context of the speech' vs 'under the circumstances of the war.'

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Non-human plural agreement

Adverbs of time and place (Zarf)

Idafa construction

Prepositional phrases

Feminine singular adjectives

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Examples by Level

1

الظروف الجوية جميلة اليوم.

The weather conditions are beautiful today.

Notice the feminine adjective 'jamila' with the plural 'zuroof'.

2

عندي ظروف في البيت.

I have (some) circumstances at home.

A common way to say 'I have things going on'.

3

الظروف صعبة قليلاً.

The conditions are a little difficult.

Simple Subject-Adjective sentence.

4

هل الظروف جيدة؟

Are the conditions good?

Basic question structure.

5

هذه ظروف العمل.

These are the work conditions.

Demonstrative pronoun 'hadhihi' used for non-human plural.

6

بسبب الظروف، أنا متأخر.

Because of the circumstances, I am late.

'Bi-sabab' means 'because of'.

7

تغيرت الظروف الآن.

The circumstances have changed now.

Verb 'taghayyarat' is feminine singular.

8

الظروف هنا مختلفة.

The conditions here are different.

Adverb 'huna' (here) follows the noun.

1

لا أستطيع المجيء بسبب ظروف طارئة.

I cannot come due to emergency circumstances.

'Tari'a' means emergency/unforeseen.

2

كيف هي ظروف المعيشة في مدينتك؟

How are the living conditions in your city?

'Zuroof al-ma'isha' is a common compound noun.

3

نحن نعمل في ظروف مريحة.

We work in comfortable conditions.

Preposition 'fi' (in) is used here.

4

الظروف المادية تمنعني من السفر.

Financial conditions prevent me from traveling.

'Madiyya' refers to material/financial things.

5

يجب أن نفهم ظروف الآخرين.

We must understand others' circumstances.

Idafa structure: 'zuroof al-akharin'.

6

تحسنت ظروفه الصحية كثيراً.

His health conditions improved a lot.

Possessive suffix '-hu' (his) attached to 'zuroof'.

7

الظروف لم تكن مناسبة للبدء.

The conditions were not suitable to start.

Negation 'lam takun' (were not).

8

أخبرني عن ظروف دراستك.

Tell me about your study conditions.

Imperative verb 'akhbir-ni' (tell me).

1

تغلبت الشركة على الظروف الاقتصادية الصعبة.

The company overcame the difficult economic conditions.

Verb 'taghallaba 'ala' means 'to overcome'.

2

لن أقبل بهذا العرض تحت أي ظرف من الظروف.

I will not accept this offer under any circumstances.

Idiomatic phrase 'tahta ayyi zarf min al-zuroof'.

3

تختلف الظروف السياسية من بلد لآخر.

Political conditions differ from one country to another.

Verb 'takhtalif' (differs).

4

يجب مراعاة ظروف ذوي الاحتياجات الخاصة.

The circumstances of people with special needs must be considered.

'Mura'at' means taking into consideration.

5

كانت الظروف مهيأة لنجاح الثورة.

The conditions were ripe/prepared for the success of the revolution.

'Muhayya'a' means prepared or ready.

6

نشأ الكاتب في ظروف اجتماعية متواضعة.

The writer grew up in modest social circumstances.

'Mutawadi'a' means modest/humble.

7

تغيرت خطتنا وفقاً للظروف الراهنة.

Our plan changed according to the current circumstances.

'Wifqan li-' means 'according to'.

8

الظروف القاسية تصنع الرجال.

Harsh conditions make men (proverbial).

A common Arabic saying.

1

أدت الظروف الغامضة إلى اختفاء السفينة.

Mysterious circumstances led to the disappearance of the ship.

'Ghamida' means mysterious or ambiguous.

2

استغل التاجر الظروف لتحقيق أرباح طائلة.

The merchant exploited the circumstances to achieve huge profits.

Verb 'istaghalla' means 'to exploit'.

3

تعتبر هذه الظروف استثنائية بكل المقاييس.

These conditions are considered exceptional by all standards.

'Istithna'iyya' means exceptional.

4

أخذ القاضي الظروف المخففة بعين الاعتبار.

The judge took the mitigating circumstances into account.

'Bi-'ayn al-i'tibar' is a formal idiom for 'into account'.

5

تتطلب هذه المهمة التكيف مع ظروف بيئية متنوعة.

This mission requires adapting to diverse environmental conditions.

'Tattallab' means 'requires'.

6

الظروف المحيطة بالحادث لا تزال غير واضحة.

The circumstances surrounding the accident are still unclear.

'Al-muhita bi-' means 'surrounding'.

7

رغم الظروف المعاكسة، استمر في حلمه.

Despite adverse circumstances, he continued his dream.

'Al-mu'akisa' means adverse or opposing.

8

يجب أن ندرس الظروف التاريخية لتلك الحقبة.

We must study the historical conditions of that era.

'Hiqba' means era or period.

1

إن تضافر الظروف الموضوعية والذاتية أدى إلى هذا التحول.

The combination of objective and subjective circumstances led to this transformation.

'Tadafur' means coming together or synergy.

2

لا يمكن فصل النص عن الظروف السوسيو-سياسية التي أنتجته.

The text cannot be separated from the socio-political circumstances that produced it.

Sophisticated academic phrasing.

3

تخضع هذه الظاهرة لظروف معقدة ومتشابكة.

This phenomenon is subject to complex and intertwined conditions.

'Mutashabika' means intertwined.

4

الظروف الجيوسياسية الراهنة تفرض تحديات جسيمة.

Current geopolitical conditions impose grave challenges.

'Jasima' means grave or massive.

5

كانت الظروف النفسية للاجئين محور الدراسة.

The psychological circumstances of the refugees were the focus of the study.

'Mihwar' means axis or focus.

6

تتغير دلالة الكلمة حسب الظروف السياقية.

The meaning of the word changes according to the contextual circumstances.

'Siyaqiyya' means contextual.

7

الظروف المواتية للاستثمار بدأت تتبلور في المنطقة.

Favorable conditions for investment have begun to take shape in the region.

'Tatabalwar' means to crystallize or take shape.

8

يجب تحليل الظروف البنيوية التي أدت إلى الفقر.

The structural conditions that led to poverty must be analyzed.

'Binyawiyya' means structural.

1

تتجلى عبقرية الفنان في قدرته على التسامي فوق الظروف المادية.

The artist's genius is manifested in his ability to transcend material circumstances.

'Al-tasami' means transcendence.

2

إن حتمية الظروف لا تلغي إرادة الإنسان الحرة.

The determinism of circumstances does not negate human free will.

'Hatmiyya' means determinism.

3

تتشكل الهوية الفردية في بوتقة الظروف التاريخية والاجتماعية.

Individual identity is formed in the crucible of historical and social circumstances.

'Butqa' means crucible.

4

استطاع الفيلسوف أن يشخص ظروف العصر بدقة متناهية.

The philosopher was able to diagnose the conditions of the age with extreme precision.

'Yushakhis' means to diagnose.

5

تتأثر الذاكرة الجمعية بالظروف الصادمة التي تمر بها الأمة.

Collective memory is affected by the traumatic circumstances the nation undergoes.

'Al-sadima' means traumatic.

6

إن تكييف النص القانوني مع الظروف المستجدة ضرورة ملحة.

Adapting the legal text to emerging circumstances is an urgent necessity.

'Al-mustajadda' means emerging/new.

7

تنعكس الظروف السيكولوجية للمبدع على نتاجه الأدبي.

The creator's psychological circumstances are reflected in their literary output.

'Sikolujiyya' is the Arabized word for psychological.

8

لا يمكن فهم هذه الظاهرة بمعزل عن الظروف الكلية المحيطة بها.

This phenomenon cannot be understood in isolation from the overall surrounding circumstances.

'Bi-ma'zal 'an' means in isolation from.

Synonyms

أوضاع أحوال ملابسات شروط

Common Collocations

ظروف صعبة
ظروف معيشية
ظروف اقتصادية
ظروف غامضة
ظروف قاسية
ظروف ملائمة
ظروف طارئة
ظروف العمل
ظروف مادية
ظروف سياسية

Common Phrases

بسبب الظروف
حسب الظروف
تحت أي ظرف
نظراً للظروف
ظروف خارجة عن الإرادة
في ظل هذه الظروف
تغيرت الظروف
قدر ظروفي
الظروف الراهنة
على قدر الظروف

Often Confused With

ظروف vs ظرف

ظروف vs شرف

ظروف vs طرف

Idioms & Expressions

"تحت أي ظرف من الظروف (Under any circumstances)"
"الظروف أقوى مني (The circumstances are stronger than me)"
"لعبت الظروف دوراً (Circumstances played a role)"
"حسب ما تسمح به الظروف (As circumstances allow)"
"شاءت الظروف (Circumstances willed it)"
"ضيق الظروف (Tightness of circumstances/poverty)"
"ظروف استثنائية (Exceptional circumstances)"
"في أحسن الظروف (In the best of circumstances)"
"قهر الظروف (Conquering the circumstances)"
"ضحية الظروف (Victim of circumstances)"

Easily Confused

ظروف vs

ظروف vs

ظروف vs

ظروف vs

ظروف vs

Sentence Patterns

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How to Use It

singular vs plural

Use plural for 'circumstances', singular for 'envelope'.

adjective agreement

Always feminine singular.

Common Mistakes
  • Using masculine plural adjectives with 'ظروف'.
  • Using the singular 'ظرف' to mean a general life situation.
  • Pronouncing 'ظ' like a light 'z'.
  • Translating 'under the circumstances' as 'تحت الظروف' instead of 'في ظل الظروف'.
  • Confusing 'ظروف' with 'أطراف' (parties/sides).

Tips

Be Vague

Use 'Zuroof' when you don't want to explain the details of a personal problem. It's culturally appropriate.

Adjective Rule

Always use feminine singular adjectives with 'Zuroof'. For example, 'Zuroof qasiya' not 'Zuroof qasiyeen'.

The Heavy Z

Make sure to pronounce the 'ظ' with your tongue touching your teeth. It shouldn't sound like a 'Z' in 'Zebra'.

Root Connection

Remember the root Z-R-F also gives 'Zareef' (funny/witty). Think of a 'witty' person as someone who fits perfectly into their 'container'.

Professionalism

In business emails, use 'نظراً للظروف' to sound more formal and polite.

News Keywords

When you hear 'Zuroof' on the news, listen for the adjective following it to know if the news is good or bad.

Polite Declining

If you can't attend an event, say 'والله عندي ظروف'. It's the most natural way to say no.

Privacy

Respect the 'Zuroof' of others. If someone uses this word, they are signaling they don't want to talk about the details.

The Box

Visualize a box (Zarf) holding all the factors of a situation. Multiple boxes = Zuroof.

Adverbs

If you study grammar, remember that 'Zarf' is also the word for adverbs of time and place.

Memorize It

Word Origin

From the root Z-R-F, which originally meant to be elegant or to contain something.

Cultural Context

Accept 'Zuroof' as a valid excuse without prying.

The 'Zureef' was a class of elegant, witty intellectuals in the Abbasid era.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"كيف هي ظروف العمل في شركتك؟"

"هل تعتقد أن الظروف الاقتصادية ستتحسن؟"

"ما هي أصعب ظروف مررت بها؟"

"كيف تتكيف مع الظروف الجديدة؟"

"هل تؤثر الظروف الجوية على مزاجك؟"

Journal Prompts

اكتب عن ظروف طارئة غيرت خططك.

كيف تصف ظروف المعيشة في بلدك؟

هل تعتقد أن الإنسان أقوى من ظروفه؟

صف ظروف العمل المثالية بالنسبة لك.

تحدث عن ظروف تاريخية أثرت في عائلتك.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is better to use 'حالة' or 'وضع' for a single instance. 'Zuroof' is the standard way to refer to the general situation.

The word is masculine plural, but because it is non-human, it is treated as feminine singular for adjective agreement.

'Zuroof' are external conditions; 'Ahwal' are more about the internal state or general condition of being.

Use the phrase 'تحت أي ظرف من الظروف' followed by a negation like 'لا' or 'لن'.

In modern daily life, the singular usually means envelope. In grammar, it means adverb. In the plural, it almost always means circumstances.

Yes, it is a universal word across all Arabic dialects, from Morocco to Iraq.

Yes, in the phrase 'الظروف الجوية' (weather conditions).

It specifically refers to financial or material conditions, often implying a lack of money.

Say 'بسبب ظروف خارجة عن إرادتي'.

It is used in both formal and informal Arabic, making it a very high-frequency word.

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