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غير ساري

B1 adjective #8,000 most common 9 min read

غير ساري

ghayr sari Top 8,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips غير ساري in 30 Seconds

Explanation غير ساري in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to worry about the deep legal meanings of 'ghayr sari'. Instead, think of it as a fancy way to say 'no' or 'not working' for things like tickets or ID cards. Imagine you are at a bus station and the driver looks at your ticket and says 'ghayr sari'. He means you cannot use that ticket. It is 'not good'. You can remember it as two parts: 'ghayr' (not) and 'sari' (valid). At this stage, just focus on recognizing the sound of the word in places like airports or train stations. You might hear it if your passport has a problem. It is a very important 'red flag' word. If you hear someone say it about your document, it means there is a problem you need to fix. Don't worry about the grammar yet; just know that 'ghayr sari' = 'Stop, this document is not okay to use.' You can practice by looking at your own ID card and saying 'sari' (valid) and then looking at an old, expired library card and saying 'ghayr sari'. This helps you connect the word to real objects in your life. Even though this is a B1 word, A1 students encounter it in travel situations constantly, so knowing its basic 'not valid' meaning is a great 'survival' skill. Always listen for the 'ghayr' part, as that is what changes the meaning to 'not'.

At the A2 level, you can start to understand that 'ghayr sari' is used for things that have rules. You know that 'ghayr' is used to make the opposite of an adjective, like 'ghayr sa'id' (not happy). So, 'ghayr sari' is 'not sari'. You can use this phrase when talking about simple things like a 'tadhkira' (ticket), 'jawaz safar' (passport), or 'bitaqa' (card). At this level, you should try to use the full phrase 'ghayr sari al-maf'ul' if you want to sound more formal, but 'ghayr sari' is enough for most conversations. You will notice that it is used in sentences like 'al-visa ghayr sariya' (the visa is not valid). Notice how we added an 'a' at the end of 'sariya' because 'visa' (ta'shira) is a feminine word in Arabic. This is a good way to practice your gender agreement. You might also see this word on signs in shops if a discount is no longer working. It is a useful word for 'transactional' Arabic—when you are buying things, traveling, or showing your ID. It helps you understand why a machine might reject your card or why a clerk is shaking their head. Start using it in your practice sentences to describe things that are out of date or no longer allowed. For example, 'This rule is ghayr sari in my house!' as a joke.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'ghayr sari' correctly in administrative and semi-formal contexts. You should understand that it specifically refers to the 'legal force' or 'effectiveness' of something. It's not just that a ticket is 'old'; it's that it no longer gives you the *right* to ride the train. You should be able to distinguish 'ghayr sari' from 'munthahi' (expired). For example, a law might be 'ghayr sari' even if it hasn't 'expired' because a new law replaced it. This level involves using the word in more complex sentence structures, such as using it with 'kana' or 'asbaha'. For instance: 'The contract became invalid after the deadline' (asbaha al-aqd ghayr sari ba'da al-maw'id). You should also be comfortable using it in the feminine form 'ghayr sariya' for nouns like 'itifiqiya' (agreement) or 'shuhada' (certificate). This is the level where you start to encounter the word in news articles or official emails. If you receive an email saying your subscription is 'ghayr sari', you know you need to pay or renew it. You are moving beyond just 'survival' and into 'navigation' of the Arabic-speaking world's systems. You should also be aware of the root S-R-Y and how it relates to 'flow', which helps you remember that the 'legal flow' has stopped.

At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of 'ghayr sari' and its place within the broader legal and formal vocabulary of Arabic. You should be able to use it to discuss more abstract concepts, such as the validity of a specific clause within a larger contract ('hadha al-band ghayr sari'). You can also use it in debates about policy or regulations. At this level, you should understand the nuance between 'ghayr sari' and 'baatil' (void). You know that 'baatil' implies a fundamental illegality, while 'ghayr sari' often just means a lack of current application. You can use the term in professional writing, such as in a formal letter to a company or a government office. For example: 'Since the terms of the agreement were not met, we consider the previous arrangement ghayr sari.' You should also be sensitive to the register; 'ghayr sari' is perfect for formal reports but might sound too 'stiff' in a casual conversation about a broken promise. You can also start to explore the passive forms and related words in the family, such as 'sarayan' (the state of being in effect). Your ability to use 'ghayr sari' correctly in a variety of grammatical moods (like the subjunctive after 'an' or the jussive) shows a high level of control over the language's formal structures.

At the C1 level, your understanding of 'ghayr sari' should include its technical applications in jurisprudence (fiqh) and modern legislation. You can analyze how the term is used in constitutional law to describe the suspension of certain rights or articles during a state of emergency. You should be able to discuss the 'sarayan' (applicability) of laws across different jurisdictions or time periods. For instance, you could write an essay on how certain colonial-era laws remained 'sari' (in effect) long after independence, or how they were eventually rendered 'ghayr sari' by new legislative acts. Your vocabulary should also include related high-level terms like 'nifadh' (execution/effectiveness) and 'al-ghā'' (repeal). You can distinguish between 'ghayr sari' in a substantive sense (the law itself is invalid) versus a procedural sense (the law is valid but not applicable to this specific case). At this stage, you are expected to read complex legal documents or academic papers where 'ghayr sari' might appear in the middle of dense, technical prose, and you should be able to translate it with the appropriate English legal equivalent, such as 'lacking legal force', 'not in effect', or 'inoperative'. You are also aware of the historical evolution of the root S-R-Y and its transition from physical movement to legal metaphor.

At the C2 level, you possess a near-native mastery of 'ghayr sari', allowing you to use it with precision, irony, or rhetorical flair. You can use the term in philosophical discussions about the 'validity' of social contracts or moral norms. For example, you might argue that a moral principle is 'ghayr sari' in a society that has lost its ethical compass. You are comfortable with the most archaic or highly specialized uses of the root S-R-Y in classical literature and can contrast them with modern administrative usage. You can effortlessly switch between 'ghayr sari', 'baatil', 'munfaskh', and 'ma'dum' to describe different types of legal or conceptual nullity. In a professional legal or diplomatic setting, you can use 'ghayr sari' to navigate delicate negotiations, understanding exactly how the term will be interpreted by all parties involved. You can also identify and correct subtle misuses of the term in others' speech or writing, even when those misuses are common among native speakers. Your understanding is not just linguistic but deeply cultural and institutional; you know exactly which government body has the power to make a document 'ghayr sari' and the social consequences that follow. You can use the phrase in creative writing to symbolize the end of an era or the death of a relationship, using the legal term to provide a stark, clinical contrast to emotional themes.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

غير ساري in 30 Seconds

Used to describe documents or laws that are no longer valid or in effect.
Commonly found in airports, banks, and legal contexts across the Arabic-speaking world.
Formed by negating 'sari' (flowing/active) with 'ghayr' (not/non).
Essential for B1 learners to navigate formal and administrative situations effectively.

The Arabic phrase غير ساري (ghayr sārī) is a foundational term in formal, legal, and administrative contexts. It serves as a compound adjective used to describe something that lacks legal force, is no longer in effect, or has lost its validity. To truly grasp its weight, one must look at the components: ghayr (the negation particle meaning 'non-' or 'not') and sārī (the active participle of the verb sarā). In its primary linguistic root, sarā refers to something that flows, travels, or moves, often associated with a night journey or the spreading of a physical sensation. In a legal sense, a law or document that is sari is one that 'flows' through the system, exerting its power and influence. Therefore, when something is ghayr sari, it has effectively been 'blocked' or 'stopped'; it no longer carries the momentum of authority. This term is most frequently encountered in environments where rules, regulations, and official documentation are paramount. You will see it on expired passports, cancelled contracts, or invalidated laws. It is the standard way to communicate that a previously active status has been revoked or has naturally reached its conclusion. Unlike the word baatil, which often implies that something was 'null and void' from the very beginning due to a fundamental flaw, ghayr sari frequently describes something that was once valid but is no longer so. It is a term of transition, marking the boundary between the period of effectiveness and the period of obsolescence. For a learner, mastering this term is essential for navigating bureaucratic hurdles in Arabic-speaking countries, as it directly impacts one's ability to use services, travel, or enter into agreements.

Legal Status: Indicates that a law or regulation has been suspended or repealed.
Document Validity: Used to mark passports, IDs, or permits that have expired or been revoked.
Contractual Agreements: Describes clauses or entire contracts that are no longer binding on the parties involved.

عذرًا، جواز سفرك غير ساري المفعول حاليًا.

Translation: Sorry, your passport is currently not valid.

هذا القانون غير ساري في هذه المنطقة.

Translation: This law is not in effect in this region.

العرض الترويجي أصبح غير ساري بعد انتهاء المدة.

Translation: The promotional offer became invalid after the period ended.

التأمين الصحي الخاص بك غير ساري خارج البلاد.

Translation: Your health insurance is not valid outside the country.

هذه الاتفاقية تعتبر غير سارية بدون توقيع الطرفين.

Translation: This agreement is considered invalid without the signatures of both parties.

Using غير ساري correctly requires understanding its role as a predicate or a descriptive adjective in formal settings. It is gender-neutral in its base form 'ghayr', but the following word 'sari' can change to 'sariya' if describing a feminine noun. For example, 'al-qanun ghayr sari' (the law is invalid) vs. 'al-bitaqa ghayr sariya' (the card is invalid). This distinction is vital for B1 learners who are beginning to refine their grammatical agreement. The phrase is most powerful when used to state a fact about the status of an object or a rule. It is rarely used for people; you wouldn't say a person is 'ghayr sari'. Instead, it is reserved for abstract concepts like laws, or physical objects that represent legal permissions, like tickets or visas. When constructing sentences, it often follows the subject directly or is part of a 'kana' (to be) construction to show a change in state. For instance, 'Asbaha al-aqd ghayr sari' (The contract became invalid). This highlights a transition from a state of being active to a state of being void. Furthermore, the term is frequently paired with temporal markers like 'mundhu' (since) or 'hatta' (until) to define the boundaries of its invalidity. For example, 'This ticket is invalid until tomorrow.' Understanding the nuance between 'ghayr sari' and 'munthahi' (expired) is also key. While 'munthahi' focuses on the passage of time, 'ghayr sari' focuses on the lack of current authority. A document might be 'ghayr sari' because it was cancelled by a judge, even if its expiration date hasn't passed yet. This makes 'ghayr sari' a broader and more legally significant term.

Subject-Adjective Agreement: Ensure 'sari' (masculine) or 'sariya' (feminine) matches the noun being negated.
Positioning: Typically placed after the noun it describes or as the predicate of the sentence.
Negation with 'Ghayr': Remember that 'ghayr' acts as a prefix; do not use 'la' or 'ma' with 'sari' to mean invalid.

تعتبر هذه الشهادة غير سارية المفعول إذا تم كشطها.

Translation: This certificate is considered invalid if it is tampered with.

هل هذا التصريح لا يزال غير ساري؟

Translation: Is this permit still invalid?

أصبحت القوانين القديمة غير سارية بعد صدور الدستور الجديد.

Translation: The old laws became invalid after the issuance of the new constitution.

In the real world, غير ساري is most commonly heard in 'official' settings where authority is being exercised. If you are standing at an immigration counter in Dubai, Cairo, or Amman, and there is an issue with your visa, the officer will likely say 'At-ta'shira ghayr sariya' (The visa is not valid). This is a high-stakes environment where the word carries immediate consequences. Similarly, in the world of finance and retail, if you try to use a credit card that has been blocked or a discount code that has expired, the automated system or the cashier might use this term. It is also a staple of news broadcasts. When a government decides to suspend a treaty or a specific article of the law, the news anchor will report that the article is now 'ghayr sari'. In legal dramas or actual courtrooms, lawyers argue over whether a piece of evidence or a testimony is 'ghayr sari' due to procedural errors. It is not a word you would typically use with friends over coffee to describe a joke that didn't land or a plan that fell through—for those, you would use words like 'fashil' (failed) or 'ma mashy' (didn't go). 'Ghayr sari' is strictly for the realm of rules, documents, and formal agreements. Even in digital spaces, you will see it on websites. If a link to a file is 'ghayr sari', it means the link has expired or the file has been moved. Understanding this word helps you navigate the 'system' in any Arabic-speaking country, as it is the primary indicator that a bureaucratic process has hit a wall or that a document needs renewal.

Airports & Borders: Heard regarding passports, visas, and entry permits.
Banking & Finance: Used for expired cards, cancelled checks, or voided transactions.
News & Media: Used when reporting on legislative changes or international treaties.

الموظف: للأسف، هذه التذكرة غير سارية لهذا القطار.

Translation: The employee: Unfortunately, this ticket is not valid for this train.

One of the most common mistakes learners make with غير ساري is confusing it with other words for 'invalid' or 'expired'. Many students use 'munthahi' (منتهي) in every situation. While 'munthahi' is correct for a milk carton or a contract that has reached its end date, 'ghayr sari' is the correct term for the *status* of that contract in a legal sense. Another mistake is using 'ghayr sahih' (غير صحيح). 'Ghayr sahih' means 'incorrect' or 'untrue'. If you tell a passport officer your passport is 'ghayr sahih', you are saying the information inside it is a lie, whereas 'ghayr sari' means the document itself is no longer legally accepted. A third frequent error involves gender agreement. Because 'ghayr' is invariable, students often forget to change 'sari' to 'sariya' when the subject is feminine. For example, saying 'at-tadhkira ghayr sari' instead of 'at-tadhkira ghayr sariya'. Additionally, learners sometimes try to use the definite article 'al-' with 'ghayr' (e.g., 'al-ghayr sari'). This is grammatically incorrect in most contexts; 'ghayr' should remain indefinite as it forms a possessive-like link with the following word. Finally, avoid using 'ghayr sari' to describe people's actions or characters. It is not a synonym for 'invalid' in the sense of a person being 'invalid' (disabled) or an argument being 'invalid' (illogical). For an argument, use 'ghayr mantiqi'. For a person, use specific medical or descriptive terms. 'Ghayr sari' is strictly for the 'flow' of authority and legal effectiveness.

Confusion with 'Munthahi': 'Munthahi' means finished/expired; 'Ghayr sari' means lacks legal force.
Confusion with 'Ghayr Sahih': 'Ghayr sahih' means wrong/false; 'Ghayr sari' means not in effect.
Gender Agreement: Remember to use 'sariya' for feminine nouns like 'bitaqa' (card) or 'hujja' (proof).

خطأ: جواز السفر غير صحيح. (Wrong meaning: The passport is false/wrong).
صح: جواز السفر غير ساري. (Correct: The passport is invalid/not in effect).

While غير ساري is the most versatile term for 'invalid', Arabic offers several alternatives depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. باطل (baatil) is perhaps the strongest alternative. It is often translated as 'null and void'. In Islamic law and modern civil law, 'baatil' suggests that an action or contract never had legal standing to begin with because it violated a fundamental principle. For example, a contract signed under duress is 'baatil'. In contrast, 'ghayr sari' might describe a contract that was perfectly legal but has simply lapsed or been suspended. Another similar term is ملغى (mulghā), which means 'cancelled' or 'abolished'. This implies a deliberate act of cancellation by an authority. If a flight is 'mulgha', it was cancelled by the airline. If a law is 'mulgha', the parliament abolished it. 'Ghayr sari' is more of a status description than an action. Then there is منتهي الصلاحية (munthahi al-salāḥiya), which specifically means 'expired' in terms of its 'salahiya' (usability/validity period). This is the term you see on food packaging or medicine. Finally, غير نافذ (ghayr nāfidh) is very close to 'ghayr sari' and is used in highly technical legal texts to mean 'non-executable' or 'not having effect against others'. Understanding these subtle differences allows a B1 learner to sound more precise and professional. Using 'ghayr sari' is usually the safest bet for documents and rules, but knowing 'baatil' for 'void' and 'mulgha' for 'cancelled' will significantly round out your administrative vocabulary.

Baatil (باطل): Null and void from the start; fundamentally flawed.
Mulgha (ملغى): Cancelled or abolished by a specific decision.
Munthahi (منتهي): Expired; reached the end of its time limit.

الزواج بدون شهود يعتبر باطلاً في القانون.

Translation: Marriage without witnesses is considered void in law.

تم إلغاء الرحلة بسبب سوء الأحوال الجوية.

Translation: The flight was cancelled due to bad weather.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'sari' is the same root used for 'Al-Isra' (the Night Journey of Prophet Muhammad). In a legal sense, a law 'travels' or 'flows' through society.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɡajr ˈsɑːri/

US /ɡaɪr ˈsɑri/

The primary stress is on the first syllable of 'Sari'.

Rhymes With

Bari (innocent) Dari (knowing) Jari (running) Qari (reader) Nari (fiery) Wari (behind) Shari (buying) Hari (worn out)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'gh' as a hard 'g' like in 'goat'.
Shortening the long 'a' in 'sari'.
Merging the two words into one without a pause.
Forgetting the 'ya' sound at the end of 'sari'.
Pronouncing 'ghayr' like 'gear'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in texts once you know the two parts.

Writing 4/5

Requires remembering the 'ya' and gender agreement.

Speaking 4/5

The 'gh' sound and the long 'a' require practice.

Listening 3/5

Distinctive sound, usually clear in formal speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

غير ساري قانون جواز تذكرة

Learn Next

باطل ملغى نافذ صلاحية مفعول

Advanced

منسوخ موقوف التنفيذ فسخ العقد بطلان أثر رجعي

Grammar to Know

Negation of Adjectives

Using 'ghayr' before an adjective to negate it.

Idafa Construction

The relationship between 'ghayr' and 'sari'.

Gender Agreement

Changing 'sari' to 'sariya' for feminine nouns.

Passive Participles

Understanding 'maf'ul' in 'ghayr sari al-maf'ul'.

Definiteness in Idafa

Why 'ghayr' doesn't usually take 'al-'.

Examples by Level

هذا الجواز غير ساري.

This passport is not valid.

Simple subject + ghayr + adjective.

التذكرة غير سارية اليوم.

The ticket is not valid today.

'Sariya' is feminine to match 'tadhkira'.

البطاقة غير سارية.

The card is not valid.

Feminine agreement with 'bitaqa'.

هذا الكود غير ساري.

This code is not valid.

'Kood' is masculine, so 'sari' is used.

التصريح غير ساري الآن.

The permit is not valid now.

Use of 'an' (now) to show current status.

هل جوازي غير ساري؟

Is my passport not valid?

Question form using 'hal'.

لا، هذا غير ساري.

No, this is not valid.

Using 'ghayr sari' as a stand-alone predicate.

القلم غير ساري.

Wait, we don't use it for pens! (Error check)

Remember: only for rules/documents.

تأشيرتك غير سارية للدخول.

Your visa is not valid for entry.

Adding a prepositional phrase 'li-ddukhul'.

هذه العملة غير سارية هنا.

This currency is not valid here.

'Um-la' (currency) is feminine.

العرض غير ساري في العطلات.

The offer is not valid on holidays.

Specifying time conditions.

حسابك البنكي غير ساري حالياً.

Your bank account is currently not active/valid.

Using 'haliyan' for 'currently'.

هذه الورقة غير سارية بدون ختم.

This paper is not valid without a stamp.

Using 'bidun' (without).

لماذا أصبحت البطاقة غير سارية؟

Why did the card become invalid?

Use of the verb 'asbahat' (became).

هذا القانون غير ساري في مدينتي.

This law is not in effect in my city.

Locative phrase 'fi madinati'.

أعتقد أن هذا العقد غير ساري.

I think that this contract is invalid.

Using 'a'taqidu anna' (I think that).

يعتبر العقد غير ساري المفعول بعد سنة.

The contract is considered invalid after a year.

Passive verb 'yu'tabar' + full phrase 'ghayr sari al-maf'ul'.

هذه اللوائح أصبحت غير سارية الآن.

These regulations have become invalid now.

Plural subject 'lawa'ih' with feminine singular 'sariya'.

التأمين الصحي غير ساري في حالات الطوارئ.

The health insurance is not valid in emergency cases.

Specific context 'fi halat al-tawari'.

أي وثيقة بدون توقيع هي غير سارية.

Any document without a signature is invalid.

Conditional-like structure with 'ay' (any).

القرار القديم غير ساري المفعول قانونياً.

The old decision is not legally in effect.

Adverbial 'qanuniyan' (legally).

هل الاتفاقية لا تزال غير سارية؟

Is the agreement still invalid?

Using 'la tazal' (still).

بسبب التعديلات، المادة الخامسة غير سارية.

Due to amendments, Article 5 is not in effect.

Using 'bi-sabab' (due to).

هذه الشهادة غير سارية خارج البلاد.

This certificate is not valid outside the country.

Geographic restriction.

تعتبر جميع البنود السابقة غير سارية المفعول.

All previous clauses are considered null and void.

Plural agreement 'ghayr sariya'.

المرسوم الملكي جعل القوانين القديمة غير سارية.

The royal decree made the old laws invalid.

Verb 'ja'ala' (made) taking two objects.

هذا الإجراء غير ساري في ظل الظروف الراهنة.

This procedure is not valid under current circumstances.

Complex phrase 'fi zill al-zhuruf al-rahina'.

لا يمكننا قبول وثيقة غير سارية المفعول.

We cannot accept an invalid document.

Negated modal 'la yumkinuna'.

أوضح القاضي أن الحجة كانت غير سارية.

The judge clarified that the argument/proof was invalid.

Subordinate clause with 'anna'.

تظل هذه الاتفاقية غير سارية حتى يتم التصديق عليها.

This agreement remains invalid until it is ratified.

Passive 'yutamma al-tasdiq'.

الاشتراك غير ساري بسبب عدم دفع الرسوم.

The subscription is invalid due to non-payment of fees.

Compound reason 'bi-sabab 'adam daf''.

هذه السياسة غير سارية على الموظفين الجدد.

This policy is not applicable/valid for new employees.

Preposition 'ala' (on/applicable to).

يعد هذا النص غير ساري المفعول من الناحية الدستورية.

This text is considered invalid from a constitutional perspective.

Formal passive 'yu'ad' and 'min al-nahiya al-dusturiya'.

أعلن البرلمان أن المعاهدة أصبحت غير سارية.

The parliament announced that the treaty has become invalid.

Reporting verb 'a'lana'.

تعتبر شهاداتهم غير سارية بموجب القانون الجديد.

Their certificates are considered invalid under the new law.

Legal phrase 'bi-mujib' (under/according to).

إن أي محاولة لتطبيق قانون غير ساري ستواجه بالرفض.

Any attempt to apply an invalid law will be met with rejection.

Complex sentence with 'inna' and future passive.

كانت التعليمات غير سارية المفعول وقت وقوع الحادث.

The instructions were not in effect at the time of the accident.

Temporal phrase 'waqt wuqu' al-hadith'.

تعتبر هذه الفقرة غير سارية إذا تعارضت مع المصلحة العامة.

This paragraph is considered invalid if it conflicts with the public interest.

Conditional clause with 'idha'.

أكد المحامي أن الأدلة المقدمة غير سارية قانوناً.

The lawyer confirmed that the presented evidence is legally invalid.

Formal verb 'akkada'.

هذه اللائحة غير سارية المفعول بأثر رجعي.

This regulation is not valid retroactively.

Legal term 'bi-athar raj'i'.

يظل المبدأ الأخلاقي سارياً حتى لو كان القانون غير ساري.

The moral principle remains in effect even if the law is invalid.

Philosophical contrast between 'sari' and 'ghayr sari'.

تعتبر الاتفاقيات الدولية غير سارية في غياب السيادة.

International agreements are considered invalid in the absence of sovereignty.

Academic context 'fi ghiyab al-siyada'.

إن مفهوم الشرعية يصبح غير ساري عندما يسود الظلم.

The concept of legitimacy becomes invalid when injustice prevails.

High-level abstract subject 'mafhum al-shar'iya'.

أبطلت المحكمة العليا القرار، مما جعله غير ساري المفعول.

The Supreme Court nullified the decision, making it invalid.

Resultative clause 'mimma ja'alahu'.

لا يمكن اعتبار العرف غير ساري المفعول دون نص صريح.

Custom cannot be considered invalid without an explicit text.

Legal nuance regarding 'urf' (custom).

تعتبر شروط العقد غير سارية المفعول إذا شابتها شائبة الغرر.

Contract terms are invalid if they are tainted by uncertainty (Gharar).

Specific Islamic finance/legal terminology 'shabatha sha'iba'.

أصبحت تلك النظريات العلمية غير سارية في ضوء الاكتشافات الحديثة.

Those scientific theories became invalid in light of modern discoveries.

Metaphorical use in science.

تعتبر الوصية غير سارية إذا تجاوزت الثلث بدون إجازة الورثة.

The will is invalid if it exceeds one-third without the heirs' permission.

Specific inheritance law context.

Common Collocations

غير ساري المفعول

جواز سفر غير ساري

عقد غير ساري

تأشيرة غير سارية

بطاقة غير سارية

تذكرة غير سارية

قانون غير ساري

عرض غير ساري

وثيقة غير سارية

شهادة غير سارية

Common Phrases

أصبح غير ساري

— It became invalid. Used to show a change in status.

أصبح الاتفاق غير ساري.

يعتبر غير ساري

— It is considered invalid. Used to state a rule or fact.

يعتبر التصريح غير ساري.

لا يزال غير ساري

— It is still invalid. Used for ongoing status.

القرار لا يزال غير ساري.

غير ساري حالياً

— Currently not valid. Used for temporary invalidity.

الموقع غير ساري حالياً.

غير ساري قانوناً

— Legally invalid. Used in judicial contexts.

هذا الإجراء غير ساري قانوناً.

غير ساري المفعول منذ...

— Invalid since... Used to specify a start date for invalidity.

القانون غير ساري منذ عام 2000.

غير ساري في هذا المكان

— Not valid in this place. Used for geographic limits.

العرض غير ساري في هذا الفرع.

غير ساري على الجميع

— Not valid/applicable to everyone. Used for exemptions.

هذا القانون غير ساري على الدبلوماسيين.

بسبب كونه غير ساري

— Because of it being invalid. Used for reasons.

تم رفضه بسبب كونه غير ساري.

إعلان كونه غير ساري

— Declaring it invalid. Used for official announcements.

تم إعلان العقد غير ساري.

Often Confused With

غير ساري vs منتهي

Means expired in time; ghayr sari means lacks current legal force.

غير ساري vs باطل

Means null and void from the start; ghayr sari could be a temporary or lapsed status.

غير ساري vs غير صحيح

Means incorrect or false; ghayr sari means valid but not currently in effect.

Idioms & Expressions

"حبر على ورق"

— Ink on paper. Used for laws or promises that are technically 'sari' but ignored in practice, effectively making them 'ghayr sari'.

هذا القانون حبر على ورق.

Informal/Poetic

"لا يسمن ولا يغني من جوع"

— Neither fattens nor satisfies hunger. Used for something useless or ineffective, similar to a 'ghayr sari' rule.

وعودهم لا تسمن ولا تغني من جوع.

Literary

"ذهب مع الريح"

— Gone with the wind. Used for something that has completely lost its effect or existence.

الاتفاقية ذهبت مع الريح.

Poetic

"صار في خبر كان"

— Became in the past tense. Used for something that is no longer relevant or valid.

القرار القديم صار في خبر كان.

Idiomatic

"بطل العجب"

— The wonder ceased. Used when the reason for something is known, making previous assumptions 'ghayr sari'.

إذا عرف السبب بطل العجب.

Proverb

"مات في مهده"

— Died in its cradle. Used for a plan or law that became 'ghayr sari' before it even started.

المشروع مات في مهده.

Literary

"أكل عليه الدهر وشرب"

— Time ate and drank upon it. Used for something so old it is naturally 'ghayr sari'.

هذا النظام أكل عليه الدهر وشرب.

Informal

"ضرب به عرض الحائط"

— Struck it against the wall. Used when someone ignores a valid rule, treating it as 'ghayr sari'.

ضرب بالتعليمات عرض الحائط.

Formal

"لا ناقة لي فيها ولا جمل"

— I have neither a female camel nor a male camel in it. Used when a rule is 'ghayr sari' to you because you have no interest in it.

هذه القضية لا ناقة لي فيها ولا جمل.

Idiomatic

"قبض الريح"

— Grasping the wind. Used for something that has no substance or legal weight.

كلامه مجرد قبض ريح.

Literary

Easily Confused

غير ساري vs غير صالح

Both mean 'invalid' in some contexts.

'Ghayr sari' is specifically for legal/official effect, while 'ghayr salih' can mean something is broken or unfit for use (like food).

هذا الطعام غير صالح للأكل (not fit to eat).

غير ساري vs ملغى

Both mean you can't use something.

'Mulgha' implies a specific action of cancellation, while 'ghayr sari' is a state of being.

تم إلغاء الرحلة (The flight was cancelled).

غير ساري vs مرفوض

Both mean a 'no'.

'Marfud' means 'rejected' (usually a request), while 'ghayr sari' means 'invalid' (a document).

طلبك مرفوض (Your request is rejected).

غير ساري vs قديم

Old things are often invalid.

'Qadim' just means old. Something can be old but still 'sari' (valid).

هذا كتاب قديم.

غير ساري vs ممنوع

Both involve rules.

'Mamnu'' means forbidden/prohibited. 'Ghayr sari' means a document or rule doesn't work.

التدخين ممنوع (Smoking is forbidden).

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] + غير ساري

الجواز غير ساري.

[Noun] + أصبح + غير ساري

العرض أصبح غير ساري.

يعتبر + [Noun] + غير ساري المفعول

يعتبر العقد غير ساري المفعول.

[Noun] + غير ساري + بسبب + [Reason]

الاشتراك غير ساري بسبب عدم الدفع.

بموجب [Law], فإن [Noun] غير ساري

بموجب القانون، فإن القرار غير ساري.

إن [Abstract Noun] يصبح غير ساري عندما [Condition]

إن المبدأ يصبح غير ساري عندما يسود الظلم.

هل [Noun] لا يزال غير ساري؟

هل التصريح لا يزال غير ساري؟

[Noun] غير ساري في [Location]

التأمين غير ساري في أوروبا.

Word Family

Nouns

سريان (sarayan) - applicability/flow

مسار (masar) - path

سيرة (sira) - biography/path

Verbs

سرى (sara) - to flow/be in effect

أسرى (asra) - to take on a night journey

Adjectives

ساري (sari) - valid/flowing

مسرع (musri') - fast (different root but similar sound)

قانون (law)

صلاحية (validity)

انتهاء (expiration)

إلغاء (cancellation)

مفعول (effect)

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in administrative and legal Arabic.

Common Mistakes

Using it for food expiration. → منتهي الصلاحية
'Ghayr sari' is for legal force, not biological or chemical expiration.
Saying 'al-ghayr sari'. → غير ساري
In most contexts, the negation particle 'ghayr' does not take the definite article.
Forgetting the feminine 'ya' (sariya). → البطاقة غير سارية
Adjectives must agree in gender with the noun they describe.
Using it for 'wrong' (ghayr sahih). → غير ساري
If a passport is 'ghayr sahih', it's fake. If it's 'ghayr sari', it's just expired.
Using 'la' instead of 'ghayr'. → غير ساري
Adjectives in Arabic are typically negated with 'ghayr', not 'la'.

Tips

Gender Check

Always check if your noun is masculine or feminine. 'Bitaqa' (card) is feminine, so it's 'ghayr sariya'.

Add 'Al-Maf'ul'

To sound more professional, add 'al-maf'ul' at the end: 'ghayr sari al-maf'ul'.

Airport Ready

Memorize this word before you travel; it's the most common word used for visa or passport issues.

The 'Gh' Sound

The 'gh' in 'ghayr' should be soft, like a French 'r', not a hard 'g'.

Idafa Rule

Don't put 'al-' on 'ghayr' in this phrase. It's 'ghayr sari', not 'al-ghayr sari'.

Flow Metaphor

Remember that 'sari' means 'flowing'. If it's 'ghayr sari', the legal 'flow' has stopped.

Officialdom

Expect to hear this in government offices; it's a very 'bureaucratic' word.

News Alerts

Listen for this word in news reports about new laws or cancelled treaties.

Politeness

If you are the one telling someone their document is invalid, start with 'Afwan' (Sorry) to be polite.

Fine Print

Look for this word in the fine print of coupons or contracts to see when they expire.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Sari' as a 'Stream'. A valid law is like a flowing stream. 'Ghayr' is like a 'Gate'. A gate stops the stream. So, Ghayr Sari is a stopped stream—no longer flowing, no longer valid.

Visual Association

Imagine a passport with a huge red 'X' through it and the word 'Ghayr' written on top.

Word Web

Law Passport Visa Ticket Contract Rule Invalid Expired

Challenge

Try to find three things in your house that are 'ghayr sari' (like an old coupon, an expired ID, or a broken rule) and label them in Arabic.

Word Origin

From the Arabic root S-R-Y (س-ر-ي), which historically means to travel at night or to flow/spread.

Original meaning: The original meaning of 'sari' is 'flowing' or 'running', like water in a stream.

Semitic / Afroasiatic.

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but use it carefully as it can sound very blunt in a personal conversation.

Equivalent to 'null and void' or 'invalid'. In English, we might use 'expired' for food and 'invalid' for laws, but Arabic uses 'ghayr sari' for laws/documents and 'munthahi' for food.

Used in the preamble of many Arab constitutions. Found in the 'Terms of Service' of major Arabic websites. Commonly heard in legal dramas like 'Al-Mahkama'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Travel

جواز غير ساري
تأشيرة غير سارية
تذكرة غير سارية
تصريح غير ساري

Law

قانون غير ساري
مادة غير سارية
عقد غير ساري
قرار غير ساري

Finance

بطاقة غير سارية
حساب غير ساري
شيك غير ساري
عرض غير ساري

Education

شهادة غير سارية
هوية غير سارية
طلب غير ساري
منحة غير سارية

Shopping

كوبون غير ساري
خصم غير ساري
كود غير ساري
فاتورة غير سارية

Conversation Starters

"هل هذه التذكرة لا تزال سارية أم أصبحت غير سارية؟"

"ماذا أفعل إذا كان جواز سفري غير ساري؟"

"لماذا يعتبر هذا القانون غير ساري في بعض الدول؟"

"هل تعتقد أن هذا العرض أصبح غير ساري الآن؟"

"كيف أعرف إذا كانت البطاقة سارية أو غير سارية؟"

Journal Prompts

اكتب عن موقف حاولت فيه استخدام شيء واكتشفت أنه غير ساري.

صف شعورك عندما يخبرك موظف أن وثيقتك غير سارية.

لماذا من المهم التأكد من أن القوانين سارية المفعول؟

اكتب قائمة بالأشياء التي يجب أن تكون سارية المفعول قبل السفر.

ناقش الفرق بين 'ملغى' و 'غير ساري' في رأيك.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, for food you should use 'munthahi al-salahiya' (expired) or 'ghayr salih' (unfit). 'Ghayr sari' is for laws and documents.

'Baatil' means something was never valid (null and void). 'Ghayr sari' means it is not valid *now*, even if it was valid before.

You say: 'Hadhihi al-tadhkira ghayr sariya'.

It depends on the noun. Use 'sari' for masculine (like jawaz) and 'sariya' for feminine (like bitaqa).

No, 'ghayr sari' is only for inanimate objects like documents or abstract things like rules.

Yes, it is quite formal and used in official settings.

'Al-maf'ul' means 'the effect'. So the whole phrase means 'not in effect'.

No, that is grammatically incorrect. You must use 'ghayr' to negate this adjective.

Yes, it is standard Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and understood everywhere.

It is spelled: غ ي ر (ghayr) س ا ر ي (sari).