جَمِيع
جَمِيع in 30 Seconds
- Jamīʿ means 'all' or 'the whole' and is used to describe a collective group.
- It is more formal than 'kull' and is common in Modern Standard Arabic.
- It can be used before a noun (idafa) or after a noun (emphasis) with a pronoun.
- The adverbial form 'jamīʿan' means 'together' or 'all together' as a group.
The Arabic word جَمِيع (jamīʿ) is a powerful and versatile determiner that translates primarily to 'all' or 'the whole.' It is derived from the root j-m-ʿ (ج-م-ع), which carries the core meaning of gathering, collecting, or bringing things together. When you use this word, you are conceptually gathering every single unit of a group into one comprehensive whole. It is a word that signifies totality and inclusiveness, leaving nothing out. In the landscape of Arabic quantifiers, it stands alongside 'kull' (كُل), but often carries a slightly more formal or collective weight, especially when emphasizing the unity of the group being described.
- Grammatical Function
- It functions as a noun in an 'idafa' (possessive) construction or as an emphasis (tawkid) following a noun. When it precedes a noun, that noun must be definite and usually plural or a collective singular.
- Collective Unity
- Unlike 'kull' which can mean 'each' or 'every' when followed by an indefinite singular, 'jamīʿ' almost always refers to the group as a collective entity. It is the difference between looking at every individual tree and looking at the entire forest as a single unit.
حَضَرَ جَمِيعُ الطُّلابِ إِلى المَدْرَسَةِ اليَوْمَ.
In daily life, you will hear this word in various contexts ranging from the very formal to the semi-formal. In news broadcasts, a presenter might speak about 'jamīʿ al-duwal' (all countries). In a classroom, a teacher might address 'jamīʿ al-hādhirīn' (all those present). It is a word that commands a certain level of respect and clarity. It is also frequently used with attached pronouns, such as 'jamīʿuhum' (all of them) or 'jamīʿunā' (all of us), which makes it incredibly flexible for conversation.
أَكَلْتُ الطَّعَامَ جَمِيعَهُ.
- Social Context
- Using 'jamīʿ' in social gatherings often signals a desire to be inclusive. For example, saying 'Salāmī li-jamīʿ al-ʿā'ila' (My greetings to all the family) is a standard and polite way to ensure no one feels left out.
قَرَأْتُ جَمِيعَ الكُتُبِ فِي المَكْتَبَةِ.
Furthermore, 'jamīʿ' can also appear as an adverbial 'jamīʿan' (جَمِيعاً), meaning 'together' or 'all together.' This is a very common way to express that a group of people did something as one unit. For instance, 'dhahabnā jamīʿan' means 'we went all together.' This dual role as a determiner and an adverb makes it one of the most essential words to master in early intermediate Arabic. It provides the speaker with the tools to describe totalities and collective actions with precision and stylistic flair.
Using جَمِيع correctly requires an understanding of its two primary grammatical roles: as the first part of an 'idafa' construction and as a 'tawkid' (emphasis). In the 'idafa' construction, 'jamīʿ' acts like a noun that 'owns' the following noun. The following noun must be definite (usually with 'al-') and is in the genitive case (majrur). This is the most common way to say 'all of...' in Arabic.
- The Idafa Construction
- Structure: [Jamīʿ] + [Definite Plural Noun]. Example: 'jamīʿ al-nās' (all the people). In this case, 'jamīʿ' takes the case required by its position in the sentence (nominative, accusative, or genitive), while 'al-nās' is always genitive.
شَرِبَ الضُّيُوفُ جَمِيعَ العَصِيرِ.
The second role is 'tawkid' or emphasis. In this construction, the noun you want to quantify comes first, and 'jamīʿ' follows it, attached to a pronoun that matches the noun in gender and number. This is often used for stylistic emphasis or to clarify that the action applied to the whole group without exception. For example, instead of 'all the students left,' you might say 'the students, all of them, left.'
جَاءَ المُعَلِّمُونَ جَمِيعُهُم.
- Case Matching in Emphasis
- When used as emphasis, 'jamīʿ' must follow the case of the noun it emphasizes. If the noun is the subject (marfu'), 'jamīʿ' ends with a damma. If it is the object (mansub), it ends with a fatha. If it follows a preposition (majrur), it ends with a kasra.
سَلَّمْتُ عَلَى الحَاضِرِينَ جَمِيعِهِم.
Another important usage is 'jamīʿan' (جَمِيعاً) as a 'hal' (circumstantial adverb). In this form, it is always indefinite and in the accusative case (ending with tanwin fatha). It translates to 'together' or 'all together.' It describes the state of the subjects while they are performing an action. It is extremely common in both spoken and written Arabic to express unity in action.
نَحْنُ نَعْمَلُ جَمِيعاً مِنْ أَجْلِ النَّجَاحِ.
- Abstract vs. Concrete
- 'Jamīʿ' can be used with concrete nouns like 'books' or 'people,' but also with abstract nouns like 'jamīʿ al-ihtimalat' (all possibilities) or 'jamīʿ al-waqt' (all the time). This makes it a versatile tool for expressing comprehensive ideas in any domain.
In summary, whether you are placing it before a noun to define a group, after a noun to emphasize it, or using it as an adverb to show togetherness, 'jamīʿ' is a cornerstone of Arabic sentence structure. Mastering its case endings and pronoun attachments will significantly elevate your fluency and grammatical accuracy.
The word جَمِيع is ubiquitous in the Arab world, appearing in contexts ranging from high-level diplomacy to the warmth of a family living room. While dialects often favor 'kull' for 'all,' 'jamīʿ' remains the standard for anything written, broadcast, or delivered in a formal setting. If you turn on a news channel like Al Jazeera or Al Arabiya, you will hear it constantly. News anchors use it to refer to 'all parties' (jamīʿ al-atraf) in a conflict or 'all citizens' (jamīʿ al-muwatinin) in a country. It provides a sense of officialdom and comprehensive coverage that is essential for journalism.
- In the Media
- You will hear phrases like 'jamīʿ anha' al-alam' (all parts of the world) or 'jamīʿ al-majalat' (all fields). It is the go-to word for describing global or nationwide phenomena.
بَثَّتِ القَنَاةُ الخَبَرَ إِلَى جَمِيعِ أَنْحَاءِ العَالَمِ.
In educational and professional environments, 'jamīʿ' is the language of instruction and administration. A university professor will address 'jamīʿ al-tullab' (all students), and a corporate email will be sent to 'jamīʿ al-muwadhdhafin' (all employees). In these settings, using 'jamīʿ' ensures that the communication is perceived as professional and inclusive. It leaves no room for ambiguity—everyone is included.
أَهْلاً بِـجَمِيعِ الحُضُورِ فِي هَذَا الحَفْلِ.
- Literature and Poetry
- Arabic literature, both classical and modern, utilizes 'jamīʿ' to create a sense of scale and grandeur. It is used to describe the totality of human experience, the vastness of nature, or the completeness of an emotion.
تَجَمَّعَ النَّاسُ جَمِيعاً فِي المَيْدَانِ.
Even in semi-formal social settings, like a wedding or a large dinner, the host might use 'jamīʿ' to address the guests. 'Atamanna li-jamīʿikum waqtan sa'idan' (I wish you all a happy time) is a standard polite expression. By using 'jamīʿ,' the host acknowledges the group as a whole, fostering a sense of community and shared experience. Whether you are reading a newspaper, listening to a speech, or attending a formal event, 'jamīʿ' is the word that binds the audience together.
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with جَمِيع is confusing its usage with 'kull' (كُل). While they both mean 'all,' they are not always interchangeable. The most critical difference is that 'kull' can be followed by an indefinite singular noun to mean 'every' (e.g., 'kull talib' - every student), whereas 'jamīʿ' is almost exclusively followed by a definite plural or collective noun. Saying 'jamīʿ talib' is a major grammatical error that sounds very unnatural to native speakers.
- Mistake 1: Indefinite Nouns
- Incorrect: 'jamīʿ walad' (all boy). Correct: 'jamīʿ al-awlad' (all the boys). Always ensure the noun following 'jamīʿ' has the definite article 'al-' or is otherwise definite.
❌ غَلَط: زُرْتُ جَمِيعَ مَدِينَة.
✅ صَح: زُرْتُ جَمِيعَ المَدِينَةِ.
Another common error involves the 'tawkid' (emphasis) construction. Learners often forget to match the case of 'jamīʿ' with the noun it is emphasizing. If the noun is the subject, 'jamīʿ' must be nominative. If it is the object, it must be accusative. Furthermore, the attached pronoun must match the gender and number of the noun. Using 'jamīʿuhum' for a group of women ('jamīʿuhunna') is a common slip-up.
- Mistake 2: Case and Pronoun Mismatch
- Incorrect: 'ra'aytu al-nisa' jamīʿuhum' (I saw the women, all of them - wrong pronoun). Correct: 'ra'aytu al-nisa' jamīʿahunna'. Also, 'jamīʿahunna' takes the fatha because 'al-nisa'' is the object.
❌ غَلَط: مَرَرْتُ بِالطُّلابِ جَمِيعُهُم.
✅ صَح: مَرَرْتُ بِالطُّلابِ جَمِيعِهِم.
- Mistake 3: Misusing 'Jamīʿan'
- Learners sometimes use 'jamīʿan' when they mean 'all of the...'. Remember that 'jamīʿan' (with tanwin) means 'together' or 'as a whole group' and usually comes at the end of the sentence or after the verb. It does not take a following noun.
Lastly, avoid overusing 'jamīʿ' in very casual spoken conversation. While it is perfectly understandable, it can sound a bit 'stiff' or like you are reading from a textbook. In many dialects, 'kull' or 'al-kull' is the preferred way to say 'everyone' or 'all.' However, if you are aiming for Modern Standard Arabic or a formal tone, 'jamīʿ' is your best friend. Pay close attention to the definiteness of the following noun and the case endings, and you will avoid the most common pitfalls.
In the rich vocabulary of Arabic, several words share the semantic space of 'all' or 'totality' with جَمِيع. Understanding the nuances between these words is key to achieving advanced proficiency. The most common alternative is كُل (kull). While 'jamīʿ' emphasizes the collective whole, 'kull' is more versatile. It can mean 'every' (when followed by an indefinite singular) or 'all' (when followed by a definite plural). 'Kull' is also much more frequent in spoken dialects.
- Jamīʿ vs. Kull
- 'Kull' is the general-purpose word for 'all/every.' 'Jamīʿ' is more formal and emphasizes the 'gathering' or 'totality' of the group. Use 'kull' for 'every day' (kull yawm), but use 'jamīʿ' for 'all the members of the committee' (jamīʿ a'da' al-lajna).
كُلُّ طَالِبٍ (Every student) vs. جَمِيعُ الطُّلابِ (All the students).
Another high-register alternative is كَافَّة (kāffa). This word is very formal and is often used in legal, official, or highly literary contexts. It usually appears at the end of a phrase or as an 'idafa' and carries a sense of 'all-encompassing' or 'without exception.' You will often see it in phrases like 'kāffat al-muwatinin' (all citizens, without exception).
- Jamīʿ vs. Kāffa
- 'Kāffa' is even more formal than 'jamīʿ.' It is often used to ensure that a rule or statement applies to absolutely everyone in a legal sense. 'Jamīʿ' is more common in general formal writing.
يَجِبُ عَلَى كَافَّةِ المَجَالِسِ الالتِزَامُ بِالقَانُونِ.
- Summary of Totality Words
-
- Kull: Most common, versatile, 'every/all.'
- Jamīʿ: Formal, collective, 'all/whole.'
- Kāffa: Very formal, legalistic, 'all-encompassing.'
- Sā'ir: Formal, 'the rest of' or 'all of' in some contexts.
- Tamām: Often used for 'completeness' (e.g., 'bi-tamāmihi' - in its entirety).
Choosing the right word depends on the register of your speech and the specific emphasis you want to convey. If you are writing an essay or giving a presentation, 'jamīʿ' is usually the perfect balance of formality and clarity. If you are chatting with friends, 'kull' is more natural. By learning these alternatives, you gain the ability to shade your meaning and match the tone of any Arabic-speaking environment.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The word for 'university' (jāmiʿa) and 'mosque' (jāmiʿ) both come from this same root because they are places where people gather together.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the final 'ʿ' (ayn) as a simple 'a' or 'h'. It must be a distinct throat sound.
- Making the 'ee' sound too short. It is a long vowel (mad).
- Pronouncing the 'j' as a 'y' (common in some dialects but not in MSA).
Difficulty Rating
Easy to recognize due to its distinct shape and common usage.
Requires knowledge of idafa and case endings for accuracy.
The final 'ayn' sound can be tricky for beginners.
Very common in formal broadcasts and clear to hear.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Idafa Construction
جَمِيعُ (First part) + النَّاسِ (Second part, genitive).
Tawkid (Emphasis)
النَّاسُ جَمِيعُهُم (Matches case and adds pronoun).
Adverbial Hal
جَاءُوا جَمِيعاً (Indefinite, accusative, meaning 'together').
Case Matching
رَأَيْتُ جَمِيعَ (Accusative) vs. مَرَرْتُ بِجَمِيعِ (Genitive).
Definiteness Requirement
Must be 'jamīʿ al-kutub', not 'jamīʿ kutub'.
Examples by Level
جَمِيعُ الأَوْلادِ فِي المَدْرَسَةِ.
All the boys are in the school.
'Jamīʿu' is the subject (nominative) and 'al-awladi' is the possessor (genitive).
أُحِبُّ جَمِيعَ الفَوَاكِه.
I love all the fruits.
'Jamīʿa' is the object (accusative) of the verb 'uhibbu'.
هَلْ جَمِيعُ العَائِلَةِ هُنَا؟
Is all the family here?
'Jamīʿu' is used with a collective singular noun 'al-ʿā'ila'.
نَحْنُ نَلْعَبُ جَمِيعاً.
We are all playing together.
'Jamīʿan' is an adverb meaning 'together'.
جَمِيعُ الكُتُبِ جَدِيدَة.
All the books are new.
'Jamīʿu' precedes the plural noun 'al-kutub'.
شُكْراً لِجَمِيعِ الأَصْدِقَاء.
Thanks to all the friends.
'Jamīʿi' is in the genitive case because of the preposition 'li-'.
جَمِيعُ الطُّلابِ يَكْتُبُون.
All the students are writing.
The verb 'yaktubuna' matches the plural meaning of 'jamīʿu al-tullab'.
أَكَلْنَا جَمِيعَ الطَّعَام.
We ate all the food.
'Jamīʿa' is the object of 'akalnā'.
جَمِيعُنَا نَتَكَلَّمُ العَرَبِيَّة.
All of us speak Arabic.
'Jamīʿu' is attached to the pronoun '-nā' (us).
زُرْتُ جَمِيعَ المَتَاحِفِ فِي المَدِينَة.
I visited all the museums in the city.
'Jamīʿa' is the object of 'zurtu'.
هَلْ قَرَأْتَ جَمِيعَ هَذِهِ القِصَص؟
Did you read all of these stories?
'Jamīʿa' is followed by a demonstrative 'hādhihi' and then the noun.
جَمِيعُهُم وَصَلُوا مُتَأَخِّرِين.
All of them arrived late.
'Jamīʿuhum' uses the pronoun '-hum' (them) and is the subject.
نُرِيدُ أَنْ نَذْهَبَ جَمِيعاً إِلَى السُّوق.
We want to go all together to the market.
'Jamīʿan' acts as an adverb of manner.
جَمِيعُ الغُرَفِ فِي الفُنْدُقِ نَظِيفَة.
All the rooms in the hotel are clean.
'Jamīʿu' is the first part of the idafa 'jamīʿu al-ghuraf'.
سَلَّمْتُ عَلَى جَمِيعِ الحَاضِرِين.
I greeted all those present.
'Jamīʿi' is genitive because of 'ala'.
جَمِيعُ السَّيَّارَاتِ هُنَا زَرْقَاء.
All the cars here are blue.
'Jamīʿu' is the subject of the nominal sentence.
فَهِمْتُ جَمِيعَ النِّقَاطِ الَّتِي شَرَحْتَهَا.
I understood all the points that you explained.
'Jamīʿa' is the object of 'fahimtu'.
تَجَمَّعَ النَّاسُ جَمِيعاً لِمُشَاهَدَةِ العَرْض.
The people all gathered together to watch the show.
'Jamīʿan' emphasizes the collective action of gathering.
جَمِيعُ الاحْتِمَالاتِ مُمْكِنَةٌ فِي هَذَا الوَقْت.
All possibilities are possible at this time.
'Jamīʿu' is used with the abstract noun 'al-ihtimalat'.
أَرْسَلْتُ الدَّعْوَةَ إِلَى جَمِيعِ زُمَلائِي.
I sent the invitation to all my colleagues.
'Jamīʿi' is genitive and followed by a noun with a possessive pronoun.
يَجِبُ أَنْ نَحْتَرِمَ جَمِيعَ الآرَاء.
We must respect all opinions.
'Jamīʿa' is the object of the verb 'nahtarima'.
الحَاضِرُونَ جَمِيعُهُم وَافَقُوا عَلَى الخُطَّة.
Those present, all of them, agreed to the plan.
This is the 'tawkid' (emphasis) construction with 'jamīʿuhum'.
قَضَيْتُ جَمِيعَ العُطْلَةِ فِي القَرْيَة.
I spent all the vacation in the village.
'Jamīʿa' is used with a singular noun 'al-utla' to mean 'the whole'.
جَمِيعُ مَنْ فِي القَاعَةِ صَفَّقُوا بِحَرَارَة.
Everyone in the hall clapped warmly.
'Jamīʿu' is followed by the relative pronoun 'man' (who/those who).
تَسْعَى الحُكُومَةُ لِتَوْفِيرِ الخِدْمَاتِ لِجَمِيعِ المُواطِنِين.
The government seeks to provide services to all citizens.
Formal usage of 'jamīʿ' in a socio-political context.
تَمَّتْ مُنَاقَشَةُ المَوْضُوعِ مِنْ جَمِيعِ الجَوَانِب.
The subject was discussed from all aspects.
'Jamīʿ' used with 'al-jawanib' to indicate comprehensiveness.
أَثَّرَتِ الأَزْمَةُ عَلَى جَمِيعِ القِطَاعَاتِ الاقْتِصَادِيَّة.
The crisis affected all economic sectors.
'Jamīʿ' followed by a plural noun and an adjective.
نَشْكُرُكُمْ جَمِيعاً عَلَى جُهُودِكُمُ المَبْذُولَة.
We thank you all for your exerted efforts.
'Jamīʿan' used as an adverb after the object pronoun '-kum'.
إِنَّ جَمِيعَ الدَّلائِلِ تُشِيرُ إِلَى بَرَاءَتِهِ.
All the evidence points to his innocence.
'Jamīʿa' follows 'inna' and is therefore in the accusative case.
اسْتَطَاعَ الفَرِيقُ تَجَاوُزَ جَمِيعِ العَقَبَات.
The team was able to overcome all obstacles.
'Jamīʿ' used with the plural 'al-aqabat' (obstacles).
جَمِيعُ مَا قُلْتَهُ كَانَ صَحِيحاً.
All that you said was correct.
'Jamīʿ' followed by the relative pronoun 'mā' (that which).
لَقَدْ تَمَّ فَحْصُ جَمِيعِ الأَجْهِزَةِ قَبْلَ التَّشْغِيل.
All the devices were inspected before operation.
Passive construction followed by 'jamīʿ' in an idafa.
يَنْبَغِي النَّظَرُ إِلَى القَضِيَّةِ فِي جَمِيعِ سِيَاقَاتِهَا التَّارِيخِيَّة.
The issue should be looked at in all its historical contexts.
High-level academic usage with 'jamīʿ' and a plural noun with a suffix.
تَتَطَلَّبُ العَدَالَةُ مُسَاوَاةَ جَمِيعِ الأَفْرَادِ أَمَامَ القَانُون.
Justice requires the equality of all individuals before the law.
Legal/Philosophical context using 'jamīʿ' for absolute inclusivity.
لَقَدْ سَخَّرَ حَيَاتَهُ لِخِدْمَةِ الإِنْسَانِيَّةِ جَمِيعِهَا.
He dedicated his life to the service of all humanity.
Emphasis construction (tawkid) matching the genitive 'al-insaniyya'.
جَمِيعُ هَذِهِ الظَّوَاهِرِ تَرْتَبِطُ بِعَلاقَاتٍ مُعَقَّدَة.
All these phenomena are linked by complex relationships.
'Jamīʿ' used with 'al-dhawahir' (phenomena) in a scientific context.
إِنَّ جَمِيعَ مَا نَرَاهُ اليَوْمَ هُوَ نَتِيجَةُ عَمَلٍ دَؤُوب.
All that we see today is the result of diligent work.
Rhetorical use of 'jamīʿ' to summarize a large-scale outcome.
يَجِبُ تَوْحِيدُ جَمِيعِ الجُهُودِ لِمُوَاجَهَةِ هَذَا التَّحَدِّي.
All efforts must be unified to face this challenge.
Formal call to action using 'jamīʿ' to emphasize unity.
لَمْ يَتْرُكِ الكَاتِبُ جَمِيعَ التَّفَاصِيلِ لِلصُّدْفَة.
The writer did not leave all the details to chance.
Literary analysis context.
جَمِيعُ مَنِ اهْتَمُّوا بِالفَلْسَفَةِ وَجَدُوا فِيهَا عَزَاءً.
All those who were interested in philosophy found solace in it.
'Jamīʿ' followed by the relative 'man' and a plural verb.
تَتَجَلَّى الحَقِيقَةُ فِي جَمِيعِ تَجَلِّيَاتِهَا عِنْدَمَا نَتَأَمَّلُ الكَوْن.
Truth manifests in all its manifestations when we contemplate the universe.
Highly abstract and philosophical use of the root J-M-ʿ.
إِنَّ جَمِيعَ المَذَاهِبِ الفِكْرِيَّةِ تَلْتَقِي فِي نُقْطَةٍ مَا.
All intellectual schools of thought meet at some point.
Sophisticated academic discourse.
قَامَ البَاحِثُ بِاسْتِقْرَاءِ جَمِيعِ المَصَادِرِ المَتَاحَةِ بِدِقَّةٍ تَنَاهَتْ.
The researcher surveyed all available sources with extreme precision.
Formal research context using 'jamīʿ' for exhaustive study.
يُمَثِّلُ هَذَا العَمَلُ خُلاصَةَ جَمِيعِ تَجَارِبِهِ السَّابِقَة.
This work represents the summary of all his previous experiences.
Critique of a lifelong achievement.
لا يُمْكِنُ اخْتِزَالُ جَمِيعِ الأَبْعَادِ الإِنْسَانِيَّةِ فِي مُعَادَلَةٍ وَاحِدَة.
It is not possible to reduce all human dimensions into a single equation.
Philosophical argument against reductionism.
لَقَدْ أَجْمَعَ العُلَمَاءُ جَمِيعُهُمْ عَلَى صِحَّةِ هَذِهِ النَّظَرِيَّة.
The scientists, all of them, reached a consensus on the validity of this theory.
Use of 'ajma'a' (verb) and 'jamīʿuhum' (emphasis) for absolute certainty.
تَضَمَّنَ الدُّسْتُورُ نُصُوصاً تَحْمِي جَمِيعَ أَطْيَافِ المُجْتَمَع.
The constitution included texts that protect all spectra of society.
High-level legal and social terminology.
إِنَّ جَمِيعَ مَا نَحْنُ فِيهِ مِن نِعَمٍ هُوَ بِفَضْلِ الله.
All the blessings we are in are by the grace of God.
Religious and spiritual expression of totality.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— A common way to say 'Good luck to everyone.'
أَتَمَنَّى التَّوْفِيقَ لِلْجَمِيع.
— Used to mean 'from all sides' or 'comprehensively.'
دَرَسْنَا المَوْضُوعَ مِنْ جَمِيعِ الجَوَانِب.
— A polite response to a blessing, meaning 'all of us, God willing.'
Person A: 'Barak Allah fik.' Person B: 'Jamīʿan in sha' Allah.'
— Meaning 'for everyone without exception.'
هَذَا القَانُونُ لِلْجَمِيعِ دُونَ اسْتِثْنَاء.
— Meaning 'in all cases' or 'under all circumstances.'
سَأُسَافِرُ فِي جَمِيعِ الأَحْوَال.
— The standard phrase for 'All rights reserved.'
جَمِيعُ الحُقُوقِ مَحْفُوظَة © 2023.
— Meaning 'on all levels' (political, social, etc.).
تَعَاوُنٌ عَلَى جَمِيعِ الأَصْعِدَة.
— Meaning 'to whom it may concern.'
إِلَى جَمِيعِ مَنْ يَهُمُّهُ الأَمْر.
— An idiom meaning 'we are all in the same boat' (literally: in one trench).
يَجِبُ أَنْ نَتَعَاوَنَ، جَمِيعُنَا فِي خَنْدَقٍ وَاحِد.
Often Confused With
Kull can mean 'every' (singular) or 'all' (plural). Jamīʿ is almost always 'all' (plural/collective).
Jamāʿa is a noun meaning 'a group'. Jamīʿ is a determiner meaning 'all'.
Jāmiʿ is a noun meaning 'mosque' or 'gatherer'. Don't confuse it with the determiner jamīʿ.
Idioms & Expressions
— We are all facing the same danger or situation together.
نَحْنُ جَمِيعاً فِي خَنْدَقٍ وَاحِد ضِدَّ المَرَض.
Informal/Neutral— In front of everyone; publicly.
حَدَثَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى مَرْأَى وَمَسْمَعٍ مِنَ الجَمِيع.
Formal— To be very famous or well-known by everyone.
هُوَ عَالِمٌ يُشَارُ إِلَيْهِ بِالبَنَانِ مِنْ جَمِيعِ النَّاس.
Literary— To be welcoming or accessible to everyone.
المَرْكَزُ فَتَحَ أَبْوَابَهُ لِلْجَمِيع.
Neutral— All roads lead to Rome (many ways to reach the same goal).
لا تَقْلَق، جَمِيعُ الطُّرُقِ تُؤَدِّي إِلَى رُومَا.
Common— By unanimous agreement of all.
تَمَّ اخْتِيَارُهُ بِإِجْمَاعِ الآرَاء.
Formal— All eggs in one basket (risking everything on one thing).
لا تَضَعْ جَمِيعَ البَيْضِ فِي سَلَّةٍ وَاحِدَة.
Common— The center of everyone's attention.
كَانَتِ العَرُوسُ مَحَلَّ أَنْظَارِ الجَمِيع.
Neutral— All cards are on the table (everything is transparent).
الآنَ جَمِيعُ الأَوْرَاقِ مَكْشُوفَة بَيْنَنَا.
Neutral— To be liked or approved by everyone.
هُوَ شَخْصٌ يَرْضَى عَنْهُ الجَمِيع.
NeutralEasily Confused
Same root.
Jama'a is a verb meaning 'to collect'. Jamīʿ is a determiner.
جَمَعَ الرَّجُلُ جَمِيعَ الأَوْرَاقِ (The man collected all the papers).
Similar meaning.
Majmūʿ is a noun meaning 'total' or 'sum'. Jamīʿ means 'all'.
مَجْمُوعُ الدَّرَجَاتِ لِجَمِيعِ الطُّلابِ (The total of grades for all the students).
Adverbial form.
Jamīʿan means 'together'. Jamīʿ means 'all of'.
نَحْنُ هُنَا جَمِيعاً (We are all here together).
Same root.
Jum'a means 'Friday' or 'gathering'.
نَلْتَقِي جَمِيعاً يَوْمَ الجُمْعَة (We all meet on Friday).
Adjective form.
Jamāʿī means 'collective' or 'group-based'.
عَمَلٌ جَمَاعِيٌّ لِجَمِيعِ الفَرِيق (Collective work for all the team).
Sentence Patterns
جَمِيعُ + [Plural Noun]
جَمِيعُ الأَوْلادِ
جَمِيعُ + [Pronoun]
جَمِيعُنا
[Verb] + جَمِيعاً
نَأْكُلُ جَمِيعاً
[Noun] + جَمِيعُ + [Pronoun]
الطُّلابُ جَمِيعُهُم
فِي جَمِيعِ [Plural Noun]
فِي جَمِيعِ المَدَارِس
إِنَّ جَمِيعَ [Noun]
إِنَّ جَمِيعَ النَّاسِ
مِنْ جَمِيعِ الجَوَانِب
دَرَسْنَا المَوْضُوعَ مِنْ جَمِيعِ الجَوَانِب
جَمِيعُ مَا [Verb]
جَمِيعُ مَا نَرَاهُ
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Extremely high in Modern Standard Arabic; moderate in dialects.
-
jamīʿ talib
→
jamīʿ al-tullab
You cannot use 'jamīʿ' with an indefinite singular noun. It must be definite and usually plural.
-
al-jamīʿ al-tullab
→
jamīʿ al-tullab
Do not put 'al-' on 'jamīʿ' when it is the first part of an idafa.
-
ra'aytu al-awlad jamīʿuhum
→
ra'aytu al-awlad jamīʿahum
The emphasis 'jamīʿ' must match the case (accusative) of the noun 'al-awlad'.
-
jamīʿan al-nās
→
jamīʿ al-nās
'Jamīʿan' is an adverb meaning 'together'. It cannot be followed by a noun.
-
jamīʿ al-bint
→
jamīʿ al-banat
Use the plural form of the noun after 'jamīʿ' when referring to individuals.
Tips
Always Definite
The noun after 'jamīʿ' must have 'al-' or be definite. Never say 'jamīʿ kutub'.
Formal Tone
Use 'jamīʿ' in essays and presentations to sound more academic and professional.
The Adverbial Form
Remember 'jamīʿan' for 'together'. It's a very common and useful word in social settings.
Root Connection
Link 'jamīʿ' to 'jāmiʿa' (university). A university is where 'all' students gather.
Emphasis
To sound more eloquent, try using the emphasis form: 'al-asdiqa' jamīʿuhum'.
News Keywords
In news, 'jamīʿ' is a keyword for global or collective events. Listen for it!
Case Matching
Always check the case of the noun before using 'jamīʿ' as an emphasis.
Inclusivity
Using 'jamīʿ' shows you are considering the whole group, which is culturally polite.
Synonym Choice
Use 'kull' for 'every' and 'jamīʿ' for 'all/whole' to be more precise.
Final Ayn
Don't drop the 'ayn' at the end; it's what makes the word 'jamīʿ'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Jamīʿ' as a 'Jam' session where 'everyone' is 'gathered' together. The 'J' is for Join, the 'M' is for Many, and the 'EE' is for Everyone.
Visual Association
Imagine a large circle encompassing a huge crowd of people. The circle is 'jamīʿ', holding everyone inside its boundary.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'jamīʿ' in three different ways today: once to describe your family, once to describe your books, and once to say 'together' (jamīʿan).
Word Origin
Derived from the Arabic root J-M-ʿ (ج-م-ع), which is a primary Semitic root found in many languages to denote gathering or assembly.
Original meaning: The original sense is the act of bringing separate parts together into a single unit or pile.
Afroasiatic -> Semitic -> Central Semitic -> Arabic.Cultural Context
Always use 'jamīʿ' when you want to be inclusive. In political or social discourse, failing to include 'jamīʿ' groups can be seen as exclusionary.
English speakers often use 'all' or 'every' interchangeably, but in Arabic, 'jamīʿ' is more specific to the 'all' (collective) sense, while 'kull' covers both.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Classroom
- جَمِيعُ الطُّلاب
- اقْرَأُوا جَمِيعاً
- هَلْ جَمِيعُكُم هُنَا؟
- شُكْراً لِلْجَمِيع
Workplace
- جَمِيعُ المُوَظَّفِين
- اجْتِمَاعُ الجَمِيع
- إِلَى جَمِيعِ الأَعْضَاء
- بِالتَّوْفِيقِ لِلْجَمِيع
Travel
- جَمِيعُ الفَنَادِق
- جَمِيعُ التَّذَاكِر
- فِي جَمِيعِ المَحَطَّات
- جَمِيعُ الرِّحْلات
Social Gathering
- أَهْلاً بِالجَمِيع
- كَيْفَ حَالُ الجَمِيع؟
- سَلِّمْ عَلَى جَمِيعِ العَائِلَة
- نَحْنُ جَمِيعاً سُعَدَاء
News/Media
- جَمِيعُ أَنْحَاءِ العَالَم
- جَمِيعُ الأَطْرَاف
- جَمِيعُ المَصَادِر
- جَمِيعُ المُتَابِعِين
Conversation Starters
"هَلْ زُرْتَ جَمِيعَ المَعَالِمِ السِيَاحِيَّةِ فِي هَذِهِ المَدِينَة؟ (Have you visited all the tourist landmarks in this city?)"
"مَا هُوَ رَأْيُ جَمِيعِ أَفْرَادِ عَائِلَتِكَ فِي هَذَا المَوْضُوع؟ (What is the opinion of all your family members on this subject?)"
"هَلْ يُمْكِنُنَا أَنْ نَذْهَبَ جَمِيعاً إِلَى المَطْعَمِ اليَوْم؟ (Can we all go together to the restaurant today?)"
"كَيْفَ حَالُ جَمِيعِ الأَصْدِقَاءِ فِي بَلَدِكَ؟ (How are all the friends in your country?)"
"هَلْ قَرَأْتَ جَمِيعَ الكُتُبِ المَوْجُودَةِ عَلَى هَذَا الرَّف؟ (Have you read all the books on this shelf?)"
Journal Prompts
اكْتُبْ عَنْ يَوْمٍ قَضَيْتَهُ مَعَ جَمِيعِ أَصْدِقَائِكَ. (Write about a day you spent with all your friends.)
مَا هِيَ الأَشْيَاءُ الَّتِي تُرِيدُ تَحْقِيقَهَا فِي جَمِيعِ مَجَالاتِ حَيَاتِكَ؟ (What are the things you want to achieve in all areas of your life?)
صِفْ مَكَاناً زُرْتَهُ وَرَأَيْتَ فِيهِ جَمِيعَ أَنْوَاعِ الزُّهُور. (Describe a place you visited where you saw all types of flowers.)
كَيْفَ تَتَعَاوَنُ مَعَ جَمِيعِ زُمَلائِكَ فِي العَمَلِ أَوِ الدِّرَاسَة؟ (How do you cooperate with all your colleagues at work or study?)
تَحَدَّثْ عَنْ أَهَمِّيَّةِ الوَحْدَةِ بَيْنَ جَمِيعِ النَّاسِ فِي العَالَم. (Talk about the importance of unity among all people in the world.)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions'Kull' is more common and can mean 'every' (with singular indefinite) or 'all' (with plural definite). 'Jamīʿ' is more formal and almost always means 'all' (collective). For example, 'kull talib' is 'every student,' but 'jamīʿ al-tullab' is 'all the students.'
Yes, but only if the singular noun is a collective noun or represents a whole entity, like 'jamīʿ al-ʿā'ila' (all the family) or 'jamīʿ al-waqt' (all the time). You cannot use it with a countable singular like 'jamīʿ talib'.
Use 'jamīʿan' (with tanwin fatha) when you want to say 'together' or 'all together.' It usually describes how a group of people did something. Example: 'Dhahabnā jamīʿan' (We went together).
Yes, 'jamīʿ' is a declinable noun. It can be nominative (jamīʿu), accusative (jamīʿa), or genitive (jamīʿi) depending on its role in the sentence.
You say 'jamīʿunā.' You attach the pronoun '-nā' (us) directly to the word 'jamīʿ'.
It is less common in daily street speech, where 'kull' or 'al-kull' is preferred. However, it is understood by everyone and used in any formal or semi-formal conversation.
The root is J-M-ʿ (ج-م-ع), which relates to gathering, collecting, and bringing things together.
Yes, this is called 'tawkid.' You place it after the noun with a matching pronoun. Example: 'Al-tullabu jamīʿuhum' (The students, all of them).
The word 'jamīʿ' itself is treated as a masculine noun, but when used as emphasis, the attached pronoun must match the gender of the noun it emphasizes (e.g., jamīʿuhunna for females).
The standard translation is 'jamīʿ al-huquq mahfudha' (جَمِيعُ الحُقُوقِ مَحْفُوظَة).
Test Yourself 190 questions
Write a sentence using 'jamīʿ' to say 'All the students are in the library.'
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Translate: 'We all went to the park together.'
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Use 'jamīʿ' as an emphasis for 'The books' (Al-kutub).
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Write a formal greeting to everyone present.
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Translate: 'I understood all the points.'
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Write a sentence with 'jamīʿunā' (all of us).
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Translate: 'All rights reserved.'
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Use 'jamīʿ' with the word 'family'.
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Translate: 'The teachers, all of them, arrived.'
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Write a sentence about 'all parts of the world'.
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Translate: 'I ate all the food.'
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Use 'jamīʿan' in a sentence about working.
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Translate: 'All possibilities are possible.'
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Write a sentence with 'jamīʿuhum' (all of them).
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Translate: 'Thanks to all the friends.'
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Write a formal sentence about 'all citizens'.
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Translate: 'We read all the books.'
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Use 'jamīʿ' in a question.
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Translate: 'All that I said is true.'
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Write a sentence about 'all fields'.
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Pronounce: جَمِيع (jamīʿ)
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Pronounce: جَمِيعاً (jamīʿan)
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Say 'All of us' in Arabic.
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Say 'All the students' in Arabic.
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Say 'Together' in Arabic.
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Say 'Welcome to everyone' in Arabic.
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Say 'All of them' in Arabic.
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Say 'All parts of the world' in Arabic.
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Say 'All rights reserved' in Arabic.
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Say 'Good luck to all' in Arabic.
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Pronounce the phrase: جَمِيعُ الأَصْدِقَاء (jamīʿu al-asdiqa')
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Say 'We are all here' in Arabic.
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Say 'All the books' in Arabic.
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Say 'All the time' in Arabic.
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Say 'All of you' in Arabic.
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Say 'All possibilities' in Arabic.
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Say 'All citizens' in Arabic.
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Say 'From all aspects' in Arabic.
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Say 'The people, all of them' in Arabic.
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Say 'All that I saw' in Arabic.
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Listen and identify the word: 'جَمِيع'
Listen and identify the word: 'جَمِيعاً'
What word is used for 'all' in: 'جَمِيعُ الطُّلابِ نَجَحُوا'?
Listen to the sentence: 'نَحْنُ نَعْمَلُ جَمِيعاً'. What does it mean?
Listen to: 'جَمِيعُ الحُقُوقِ مَحْفُوظَة'. Is this formal or informal?
Identify the pronoun in: 'جَمِيعُنَا'.
Identify the pronoun in: 'جَمِيعُهُم'.
Listen to: 'جَمِيعُ أَنْحَاءِ العَالَمِ'. What is the topic?
Listen to: 'شُكْراً لِلْجَمِيعِ'. Who is being thanked?
Listen to: 'جَمِيعُ مَا قُلْتَهُ'. What does 'mā' refer to?
Listen and distinguish: 'جَمِيع' vs 'جَمِيل'.
Listen and distinguish: 'جَمِيع' vs 'جَمَعَ'.
Listen to: 'أَهْلاً بِجَمِيعِ الحَاضِرِينَ'. Where might you hear this?
Listen to: 'جَمِيعُ الاحْتِمَالاتِ مُمْكِنَة'. What is the speaker talking about?
Listen to: 'مِنْ جَمِيعِ الجَوَانِبِ'. What does it imply?
/ 190 correct
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Summary
The word 'jamīʿ' is your primary tool for expressing 'all' in formal Arabic. Whether you use it to quantify a group ('jamīʿ al-nās') or to emphasize unity ('jamīʿan'), it conveys a sense of completeness and collective identity. Example: 'Jamīʿ al-tullab najahu' (All the students succeeded).
- Jamīʿ means 'all' or 'the whole' and is used to describe a collective group.
- It is more formal than 'kull' and is common in Modern Standard Arabic.
- It can be used before a noun (idafa) or after a noun (emphasis) with a pronoun.
- The adverbial form 'jamīʿan' means 'together' or 'all together' as a group.
Always Definite
The noun after 'jamīʿ' must have 'al-' or be definite. Never say 'jamīʿ kutub'.
Formal Tone
Use 'jamīʿ' in essays and presentations to sound more academic and professional.
The Adverbial Form
Remember 'jamīʿan' for 'together'. It's a very common and useful word in social settings.
Root Connection
Link 'jamīʿ' to 'jāmiʿa' (university). A university is where 'all' students gather.
Related Content
More general words
عادةً
A1Usually, normally; under normal conditions.
عادةً ما
B2Usually, as a general rule.
إعداد
B2The action or process of preparing something; preparation.
عاضد
B2To support, to assist, to aid.
عادي
A1Normal, ordinary.
عاقبة
B1A result or effect of an action or condition, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant.
أعلى
A1Up, higher.
عال
B1High or loud.
عالٍ
A2High, loud (describes elevation or volume).
عَالَمِيّ
B1Relating to the whole world; worldwide or global.