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A1 verb #1,200 most common 8 min read

قرر

Top 1,200

At the A1 level, the verb قرر (qarrara) is introduced as a basic action word meaning 'to decide'. Beginners learn to use it in simple, past-tense sentences to talk about personal choices. The focus is on the most common conjugations: أنا قررت (I decided), هو قرر (He decided), and هي قررت (She decided). Students learn to combine it with basic vocabulary, such as deciding to go, to eat, or to sleep. The structure 'قرر أن' (decided to) is introduced as a fixed phrase followed by a simple present tense verb. For example, 'أنا قررت أن أدرس' (I decided to study). At this stage, the nuances of the root system or complex grammar are not emphasized; rather, the goal is functional communication. It allows learners to express basic agency and narrate simple past events. Teachers often use it in classroom instructions or simple dialogues about daily routines and weekend plans. The pronunciation is practiced to ensure the 'qaf' and the doubled 'ra' are articulated clearly enough to be understood.

At the A2 level, learners expand their use of قرر to include a wider range of subjects and tenses. They practice conjugating the verb for 'we' (نحن قررنا) and 'they' (هم قرروا). The present tense forms, such as يقرر (he decides) and أقرر (I decide), are introduced to talk about ongoing decision-making processes or general habits. Learners at this level begin to use قرر with verbal nouns (masdar) instead of just the 'أن + verb' structure, recognizing phrases like 'قرر السفر' (decided to travel) alongside 'قرر أن يسافر'. They also learn to formulate simple questions using question words like متى (when) and لماذا (why) combined with the verb. The vocabulary surrounding the verb becomes richer, incorporating words related to shopping, travel, and basic work or school situations. Negation in the past using 'لم يقرر' or 'ما قرر' is practiced. The goal is to enable learners to tell short stories or anecdotes about choices they or others have made, providing reasons for those decisions.

At the B1 level, the usage of قرر becomes more sophisticated. Learners are expected to handle complex sentences where the decision involves multiple clauses or conditions. The distinction between making a choice (اختار) and making a decision (قرر) is clarified. Students encounter the verb frequently in reading materials such as news articles, short stories, and opinion pieces. They learn the noun form قرار (decision) and the phrase اتخذ قراراً (made a decision), using them interchangeably with the verb depending on the desired level of formality. The passive voice might be introduced receptively, allowing students to understand sentences like 'قُرر تأجيل الموعد' (It was decided to postpone the appointment). In spoken Arabic, learners are encouraged to use the verb to express opinions, negotiate plans, and discuss future intentions with greater fluency. They also begin to notice dialectal variations in pronunciation and usage, although the focus remains on producing accurate Modern Standard Arabic.

At the B2 level, learners have a strong command of قرر and use it naturally in both formal and informal contexts. They can effortlessly switch between the verbal noun structure and the 'أن + subjunctive' structure based on stylistic preference. The verb is used in abstract and professional discussions, such as debating policy changes, analyzing historical events, or discussing corporate strategies. Learners understand the subtle implications of the verb, such as the finality and authority it conveys compared to weaker verbs of intention. They can comprehend and produce complex compound sentences, such as 'بالرغم من الصعوبات، قررت الإدارة المضي قدماً في المشروع' (Despite the difficulties, the administration decided to proceed with the project). Idiomatic expressions and collocations involving the root ق-ر-ر are explored. The focus is on precision, fluency, and the ability to articulate complex reasoning behind decisions in debates and essays.

At the C1 level, the mastery of قرر is near-native. Learners use the verb and its derivatives with high precision in academic, legal, and literary contexts. They understand the etymological depth of the root ق-ر-ر (to settle/establish) and how it informs the meaning of 'decision'. They can analyze texts where the verb is used rhetorically to emphasize agency or responsibility. At this level, learners are comfortable with highly formal structures and rare conjugations. They can effortlessly read and draft official reports, legal documents, and academic papers where decisions are articulated formally. They understand the nuances of synonyms like حسم (to resolve conclusively) and بتّ (to decide definitively) and can choose the exact right word for the context. Their spoken Arabic reflects a sophisticated ability to narrate complex decision-making processes, incorporating cultural idioms and appropriate register shifts seamlessly.

At the C2 level, the user has complete, nuanced control over the verb قرر and the entire semantic field of decision-making in Arabic. They can deconstruct the linguistic and cultural implications of the word in classical literature, poetry, and modern political discourse. They are aware of historical shifts in usage and regional idiosyncrasies at a microscopic level. They can use the verb playfully, ironically, or with profound gravity, perfectly matching the tone of any situation. Their writing and speech demonstrate an intuitive grasp of the most elegant and complex syntactic structures involving the verb, such as advanced conditional clauses and rhetorical inversions. They can critique the use of the word in media and literature, understanding how the choice of 'قرر' versus 'اتخذ قراراً' might reflect the author's subtle biases or stylistic intentions. At this ultimate level of proficiency, the word is a fully integrated tool for sophisticated intellectual and artistic expression.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

قرر in 30 Seconds

Core meaning: To decide, resolve, or make a choice.
Grammar: Form II verb (qarrara), takes direct object or 'أن + verb'.
Usage: Extremely common in all dialects and formal Arabic.
Noun form: تقرير (taqreer) means decision or report.

The Arabic verb قرر (qarrara) is a fundamental vocabulary item that translates to 'to decide', 'to resolve', or 'to make a decision'. It is a Form II verb derived from the root ق-ر-ر (q-r-r), which carries the core meaning of settling, establishing, or remaining firm. When you use this verb, you are expressing that a thought process has concluded and a firm choice has been made. This word is incredibly versatile and is used across all registers of the Arabic language, from highly formal Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) found in news broadcasts and official documents, to the everyday spoken dialects across the Arab world. Understanding how to use قرر effectively is crucial for any Arabic learner, as it allows you to express agency, intention, and future plans. In everyday conversation, people use it to talk about personal choices, such as deciding what to eat, where to go, or what to study. In more formal contexts, it is used to describe the actions of governments, organizations, and committees. The psychological weight of the word implies a transition from a state of uncertainty or deliberation to a state of clarity and action.

Form II Verb: The verb is characterized by the shadda (doubling) on the middle root letter (ر), which intensifies the meaning of the base root.

هو قرر السفر غداً.

Furthermore, the verb is often accompanied by prepositions depending on the dialect, but in standard Arabic, it directly takes an object or an object clause. The concept of decision making in Arab culture is often tied to consultation (shura), but the final act of deciding is encapsulated perfectly by this verb. It is a word that signifies leadership, autonomy, and resolution.

Root Meaning: The root q-r-r means to settle or rest, showing that a decision is a settled thought.

أنا قررت أن أدرس اللغة العربية.

The beauty of this verb lies in its straightforward conjugation and its universal applicability. Whether you are a beginner constructing simple sentences or an advanced learner debating complex political decisions, قرر is indispensable. It bridges the gap between thought and action.

Masdar (Verbal Noun): The verbal noun is تقرير (taqreer), which means 'decision' or 'report'.

المدير قرر إلغاء الاجتماع.

نحن قررنا البقاء في المنزل.

هل قررت ماذا ستفعل؟

Learning to master this word will significantly boost your fluency and confidence in expressing your own will and understanding the will of others in Arabic discourse.

Using the verb قرر (qarrara) in sentences requires an understanding of Arabic sentence structure, specifically verbal sentences (جملة فعلية) and the use of complementary clauses. In Arabic, a verbal sentence typically starts with the verb, followed by the subject, and then the object. When using قرر, the object is often an action that has been decided upon. This action can be expressed in two primary ways: using a verbal noun (المصدر) or using the particle أن (an) followed by a verb in the present subjunctive tense (المضارع المنصوب). For example, to say 'He decided to travel', you can say 'قرر السفر' (qarrara as-safar), where 'as-safar' is the verbal noun for traveling. Alternatively, you can say 'قرر أن يسافر' (qarrara an yusafira), where 'an yusafira' translates literally to 'that he travels'. Both structures are grammatically correct and widely used, though the 'أن + verb' structure is often preferred by learners because it avoids the need to memorize the verbal noun forms of every verb.

Structure 1: Verb (قرر) + Subject + Verbal Noun (المصدر).

الرئيس قرر الاستقالة.

It is also important to note how the verb conjugates according to the subject. In the past tense, it follows the standard Form II conjugation pattern: أنا قررتُ (I decided), أنتَ قررتَ (You [m] decided), أنتِ قررتِ (You [f] decided), هو قررَ (He decided), هي قررتْ (She decided), نحن قررنا (We decided), هم قرروا (They decided).

Structure 2: Verb (قرر) + Subject + أن + Present Tense Verb.

اللجنة قررت أن توافق على المشروع.

When forming questions, you simply place a question word at the beginning of the sentence. For example, 'متى قررت؟' (When did you decide?) or 'لماذا قرروا ذلك؟' (Why did they decide that?). The verb can also take a direct object pronoun attached to the end of it, though this is less common with this specific verb compared to others.

Negation: To negate the past tense in MSA, use لم + present jussive (لم يقررْ) or ما + past tense (ما قررَ).

أخي قرر شراء سيارة جديدة.

الطلاب قرروا تنظيم حفلة.

متى قررت الانتقال إلى هنا؟

Mastering these sentence structures will give you the flexibility to express complex decisions clearly and accurately in both written and spoken Arabic.

The verb قرر (qarrara) is ubiquitous in the Arabic-speaking world, appearing in virtually every context where human agency and choices are discussed. You will hear it constantly in daily life, media, business, and literature. In everyday informal conversations, it is the go-to word for discussing plans. Friends will ask each other 'شو قررت؟' (What did you decide?) in Levantine Arabic, or 'قررت إيه؟' in Egyptian Arabic, when making weekend plans or deciding on a restaurant. It is a staple of family discussions regarding education, marriage, and finances.

News Media: In journalism, it is frequently used to report on the actions of governments, courts, and international bodies.

المحكمة قررت تأجيل الجلسة.

In the business world, قرر is essential for meetings and corporate communications. You will hear phrases like 'قرر مجلس الإدارة' (The board of directors decided) or 'قررنا الاستثمار' (We decided to invest). It conveys authority and definitive action. In literature and storytelling, it marks pivotal moments in a narrative where a character makes a life-changing choice.

Dialectal Variations: While the MSA pronunciation is strict, dialects might soften the 'qaf' to a glottal stop (أرر) or a 'g' sound (گرر).

أخيراً قررت أن أتحدث معه.

Furthermore, the word is prevalent in legal and academic contexts. Judges 'decide' verdicts, and researchers 'decide' on methodologies. The noun form, تقرير (report/decision), is equally common in these spheres.

Everyday Plans: Used constantly to finalize social arrangements and personal daily choices.

الشركة قررت زيادة الرواتب.

ماذا قررت أن تدرس في الجامعة؟

الحكومة قررت بناء مستشفى جديد.

Because it spans all levels of formality, mastering the recognition and production of قرر is a high-yield investment for any student of the Arabic language.

When learning the verb قرر (qarrara), English speakers often make a few predictable grammatical and syntactical errors. The most common mistake involves the misuse of prepositions. In English, we say 'decide ON something' or 'decide TO do something'. Beginners often try to translate these prepositions directly into Arabic, resulting in incorrect phrases like 'قرر على' (qarrara 'ala). In standard Arabic, قرر is a transitive verb that takes its object directly without a preposition when referring to an action. You simply say 'قرر السفر' (He decided the travel) or 'قرر أن يسافر' (He decided that he travels).

Preposition Error: Do not use 'على' (on) or 'لـ' (to) after قرر when expressing the decision to do an action.

هو قرر الذهاب. (Correct) vs. هو قرر للذهاب. (Incorrect)

Another frequent error is related to the conjugation of the verb following 'أن' (an). When using the 'قرر أن' structure, the subsequent verb must be in the present tense (المضارع) and must be in the subjunctive mood (منصوب), which usually means ending with a fatha for singular verbs. Students often mistakenly use the past tense after 'أن' or forget to change the ending vowel.

Tense after 'An': Always use the present tense verb after the particle أن.

أنا قررت أن أقرأَ الكتاب.

Furthermore, learners sometimes confuse the active verb قرر (qarrara - he decided) with the passive form قُرر (qurrira - it was decided) or the related noun قرار (qarar - a decision). Mixing up the vowels changes the meaning entirely.

Vowel Confusion: Pay close attention to the short vowels (tashkeel) to distinguish between active and passive voices.

المدير قرر الخطة. (The manager decided the plan.)

قُرر تأجيل الاجتماع. (It was decided to postpone the meeting.)

نحن قررنا عدم المشاركة.

By avoiding these common pitfalls, your Arabic will sound much more natural and grammatically precise.

While قرر (qarrara) is the most direct and common way to say 'to decide' in Arabic, there are several nuanced alternatives and related words that can enrich your vocabulary and allow you to express different shades of meaning. One common alternative is حسم (hasama), which means 'to settle', 'to resolve', or 'to decide conclusively'. You would use حسم when a decision ends a long debate or conflict, implying a final, cutting resolution. Another related word is اختار (ikhtaara), which means 'to choose' or 'to select'. While deciding often involves choosing, اختار focuses specifically on the act of picking one option from multiple possibilities, whereas قرر focuses on the resolution to act.

حسم (Hasama): Used for settling a dispute or making a final, irrevocable decision.

القاضي حسم القضية، لكنه لم يقرر العقوبة بعد.

Another useful phrase is اتخذ قراراً (ittakhadha qaraaran), which literally translates to 'he took a decision'. This is a slightly more formal and extended way of saying قرر, often used in journalistic or official writing to sound more elevated. For expressing intention rather than a finalized decision, you might use نوى (nawaa), meaning 'to intend'.

اختار (Ikhtaara): Focuses on the selection process among alternatives rather than the commitment to action.

هو اختار القميص الأحمر، وقرر شراءه.

In dialectal Arabic, you might hear expressions like 'رسى على' (rasaa 'ala) in Egyptian or Levantine, which means 'to settle on' a choice after some deliberation. Understanding these alternatives allows you to be more precise in your communication.

نوى (Nawaa): Expresses an internal intention that may not yet be a firm, actionable decision.

أنا نويت السفر، ثم قررت حجز التذكرة.

الرئيس اتخذ قراراً مهماً، أي أنه قرر أمراً مصيرياً.

بعد تفكير طويل، قرر أخيراً.

Expanding your vocabulary with these synonyms will greatly enhance your ability to express complex thoughts and narratives in Arabic.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"قرر مجلس الوزراء الموافقة على الميزانية."

Neutral

"قررت الشركة توظيف مدير جديد."

Informal

"أنا قررت أروح السينما اليوم."

Child friendly

"الولد قرر يلعب بالكرة."

Slang

"رسيت على إيه؟ (Egyptian)"

Fun Fact

The Arabic word for 'continent' (قارة - qaarah) comes from the same root, because a continent is a massive, settled, unmoving landmass. Similarly, a decision (قرار) is a settled thought.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /qar.ra.ra/

US /kɑr.rɑ.rɑ/ (approximate for learners)

qar-RA-ra (Stress is on the middle syllable due to the heavy doubled consonant).

Rhymes With

برّر (barrara - justified) حرّر (harrara - freed) مرّر (marrara - passed) كرّر (karrara - repeated) سرّر (sarrara - made happy) غرّر (gharrara - deceived) ضرّر (dharrara - damaged) قرّ (qarra - settled)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'qaf' (ق) as a 'kaf' (ك), making it sound like 'karrara' (which means to repeat, not to decide).
Failing to double the 'r' (ر), making it sound like 'qarara' (which means a settled place).
Making the short 'a' vowels too long.
In dialects, pronouncing the 'qaf' as a hard 'g' or a glottal stop 'a', which is fine for dialect but incorrect for MSA.
Stressing the first syllable instead of the middle one.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Very easy to read, but learners must distinguish it from 'قرأ' (read) and 'كرر' (repeated) visually and contextually.

Writing 3/5

Spelling is simple, but remembering to use 'أن' with the correct present tense verb ending requires practice.

Speaking 4/5

Pronouncing the 'qaf' and the doubled 'ra' correctly can be challenging for English speakers.

Listening 3/5

Easily recognizable once the 'qaf' sound is mastered, though dialects may change the 'qaf' to an 'a' or 'g'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

أنا (I) هو (He) أن (That/To) فعل (To do) ذهب (To go)

Learn Next

اختار (To choose) فكر (To think) قرار (Decision) رأي (Opinion) وافق (To agree)

Advanced

حسم (To resolve) استقر (To settle down) أقر (To admit/approve) بتّ (To decide definitively) صمم (To be determined)

Grammar to Know

The Particle أن (an) with Subjunctive

قررت أن أذهبَ (I decided to go). The verb after أن takes a fatha.

Verbal Nouns (Masdar) as Objects

قرر السفرَ (He decided to travel). The verbal noun acts as a direct object taking a fatha.

Form II Verb Conjugation

قرّر، يقرّر، تقريراً. The middle radical is doubled, affecting pronunciation and meaning intensity.

Negation of Past Tense

لم يقررْ (He did not decide). Using لم with the jussive present tense to negate the past.

Passive Voice of Form II

قُررَ الأمر (The matter was decided). Vowel change to u-i-a.

Examples by Level

أنا قررت أن أنام.

I decided to sleep.

First person past tense 'قررت' followed by 'أن' and present tense verb.

هو قرر السفر.

He decided to travel.

Third person masculine past tense followed by a verbal noun.

هي قررت أن تأكل.

She decided to eat.

Third person feminine past tense.

الولد قرر اللعب.

The boy decided to play.

Subject before the verb is also common in modern simple sentences.

نحن قررنا الذهاب.

We decided to go.

First person plural past tense 'قررنا'.

هل قررت؟

Did you decide?

Question form using 'هل'.

أبي قرر شراء سيارة.

My dad decided to buy a car.

Using a family member as the subject.

أنا لم أقرر بعد.

I haven't decided yet.

Negative present tense used for 'haven't decided'.

قررت الأسرة السفر إلى مصر في الصيف.

The family decided to travel to Egypt in the summer.

Verb at the beginning of a verbal sentence.

الطلاب قرروا دراسة اللغة العربية.

The students decided to study the Arabic language.

Plural subject taking plural verb 'قرروا'.

متى قررت الانتقال إلى هذه المدينة؟

When did you decide to move to this city?

Question word 'متى' with the past tense.

هي قررت أن تشتري هدية لأمها.

She decided to buy a gift for her mother.

أن + present tense verb 'تشتري'.

أنا أقرر ماذا سأفعل غداً.

I am deciding what I will do tomorrow.

Present tense 'أقرر' for ongoing action.

لماذا قررتم البقاء في المنزل؟

Why did you (plural) decide to stay at home?

Plural 'you' form 'قررتم'.

المدير قرر تغيير موعد الاجتماع.

The manager decided to change the meeting time.

Using a verbal noun 'تغيير' as the object.

ماذا قررت أن تلبس للحفلة؟

What did you decide to wear to the party?

Question word 'ماذا' with the verb.

قررت الشركة تعيين موظفين جدد هذا العام.

The company decided to hire new employees this year.

Formal business context using verbal noun 'تعيين'.

بعد تفكير طويل، قررت أن أستقيل من عملي.

After long thought, I decided to resign from my job.

Introductory phrase 'بعد تفكير طويل'.

الحكومة لم تقرر بعد بشأن القانون الجديد.

The government has not decided yet regarding the new law.

Negation 'لم تقرر' with preposition 'بشأن'.

قرر الأطباء إجراء العملية الجراحية فوراً.

The doctors decided to perform the surgery immediately.

Plural subject with singular verb at the start of the sentence.

رغم الصعوبات، قررنا الاستمرار في المشروع.

Despite the difficulties, we decided to continue with the project.

Contrastive phrase 'رغم الصعوبات'.

هل قررت اللجنة الفائز في المسابقة؟

Did the committee decide the winner in the competition?

Verb taking a direct object 'الفائز'.

قررت أن أتعلم لغة جديدة لتحسين سيرتي الذاتية.

I decided to learn a new language to improve my resume.

Using 'لـ' (to/for) to express purpose after the decision.

الرئيس قرر إلغاء زيارته بسبب الطقس السيء.

The president decided to cancel his visit due to bad weather.

Cause and effect structure 'بسبب'.

قررت المحكمة العليا نقض الحكم السابق وإعادة المحاكمة.

The Supreme Court decided to overturn the previous ruling and order a retrial.

Legal terminology and multiple verbal nouns.

بناءً على المعطيات الحالية، قررنا تأجيل إطلاق المنتج.

Based on the current data, we decided to postpone the product launch.

Formal introductory phrase 'بناءً على'.

من الصعب أن تقرر مصيرك في لحظة غضب.

It is difficult to decide your fate in a moment of anger.

Infinitive use 'أن تقرر' as the subject of the sentence.

قررت السلطات فرض حظر تجول للسيطرة على الوضع.

The authorities decided to impose a curfew to control the situation.

Advanced vocabulary 'فرض حظر تجول'.

لم يقرر الكاتب بعد كيف سينهي روايته.

The author has not yet decided how he will end his novel.

Embedded question 'كيف سينهي' as the object.

قرر المجلس بالإجماع الموافقة على الميزانية المقترحة.

The council decided unanimously to approve the proposed budget.

Adverbial phrase 'بالإجماع' (unanimously).

بمجرد أن تخرجت، قررت السفر حول العالم لاكتساب الخبرة.

As soon as she graduated, she decided to travel the world to gain experience.

Time clause 'بمجرد أن'.

القرار الذي قرره كان له تأثير كبير على حياته.

The decision he made had a great impact on his life.

Using the verb in a relative clause 'الذي قرره'.

قررت الإدارة التنفيذية إعادة هيكلة الشركة لمواجهة التحديات الاقتصادية.

The executive management decided to restructure the company to face economic challenges.

Highly formal corporate register.

في خطوة مفاجئة، قرر البنك المركزي خفض أسعار الفائدة.

In a surprising move, the central bank decided to lower interest rates.

Journalistic style 'في خطوة مفاجئة'.

إن ما تقرره اليوم سيشكل ملامح مستقبلك لعقود قادمة.

What you decide today will shape the contours of your future for decades to come.

Philosophical/rhetorical structure using 'إن ما'.

قرر المفاوضون الانسحاب من المحادثات بعد وصولها إلى طريق مسدود.

The negotiators decided to withdraw from the talks after they reached a dead end.

Advanced vocabulary 'طريق مسدود' (dead end).

لم يكن من السهل عليه أن يقرر التخلي عن مبادئه من أجل المنصب.

It was not easy for him to decide to abandon his principles for the sake of the position.

Complex psychological description.

قررت الجمعية العامة للأمم المتحدة تبني القرار بأغلبية ساحقة.

The UN General Assembly decided to adopt the resolution by an overwhelming majority.

International relations terminology.

مهما قررت، سأظل أدعمك في مسيرتك المهنية.

Whatever you decide, I will continue to support you in your career path.

Conditional concession 'مهما قررت'.

قرر الباحثون توسيع نطاق الدراسة لتشمل عينات أكثر تنوعاً.

The researchers decided to expand the scope of the study to include more diverse samples.

Academic register.

بناءً على استقراء دقيق للمعطيات الجيوسياسية، قررت الدولة تغيير تحالفاتها الاستراتيجية.

Based on a precise extrapolation of geopolitical data, the state decided to shift its strategic alliances.

Highly sophisticated academic/political register.

لقد قرر أن يضرب بجميع التحذيرات عرض الحائط ويمضي في خطته المتهورة.

He decided to ignore all warnings completely and proceed with his reckless plan.

Use of the advanced idiom 'يضرب... عرض الحائط'.

ما قُرر في الغرف المغلقة كان يتناقض تماماً مع التصريحات العلنية.

What was decided in closed rooms completely contradicted the public statements.

Passive voice 'قُرر' in a complex political critique.

قرر الفيلسوف في أطروحته الأخيرة تفكيك المفاهيم التقليدية للأخلاق.

The philosopher decided in his latest thesis to deconstruct traditional concepts of morality.

Philosophical and literary vocabulary.

إن السلطة التي تقرر مصائر الشعوب يجب أن تخضع لمساءلة صارمة.

The authority that decides the destinies of nations must be subject to strict accountability.

Abstract noun usage 'مصائر' (destinies).

بعد تمحيص طويل للأدلة، قررت هيئة المحلفين تبرئة المتهم من كافة التهم المنسوبة إليه.

After a long scrutiny of the evidence, the jury decided to acquit the accused of all charges attributed to him.

Advanced legal terminology 'تمحيص', 'تبرئة'.

قرر الشاعر أن يتخلى عن القوافي التقليدية ليتبنى الشعر الحر تعبيراً عن تمرده.

The poet decided to abandon traditional rhymes to adopt free verse as an expression of his rebellion.

Literary analysis register.

مهما تكن التداعيات، فقد قررنا خوض هذه المعركة حتى النهاية.

Whatever the repercussions may be, we have decided to fight this battle to the end.

Rhetorical phrasing 'مهما تكن التداعيات'.

Common Collocations

قرر نهائياً

قرر بالإجماع

قرر فجأة

قرر مصيره

قرر الاستقالة

قرر المشاركة

لم يقرر بعد

قرر تأجيل

قرر إلغاء

قرر أن يذهب

Common Phrases

ماذا قررت؟

قررت وخلاص

كما تقرر

من يقرر؟

صعب أن تقرر

قرر بنفسك

لم أستطع أن أقرر

قرارك يقرر

قررنا أخيراً

لا تقرر بسرعة

Often Confused With

قرر vs كرر (karrara)

Means 'to repeat'. Differs only by the first letter (ك vs ق). Pronunciation is key.

قرر vs قرأ (qara'a)

Means 'to read'. Beginners sometimes confuse them visually due to the similar start.

قرر vs اختار (ikhtaara)

Means 'to choose'. Choosing is part of deciding, but deciding (قرر) implies the final resolution to act.

Idioms & Expressions

"القرار بيدك"

The decision is in your hands. You have the power to choose.

لقد شرحت لك كل شيء، والآن القرار بيدك.

Neutral

"صاحب القرار"

The decision-maker. The person in charge.

يجب أن نتحدث مع صاحب القرار.

Formal

"قرار لا رجعة فيه"

An irreversible decision. A point of no return.

هذا قرار لا رجعة فيه.

Formal

"قرار مصيري"

A fateful/crucial decision. A life-changing choice.

الزواج هو قرار مصيري.

Neutral

"مطبخ القرارات"

The decision kitchen. The inner circle where decisions are made.

تم الاتفاق على ذلك في مطبخ القرارات.

Journalistic

"قرار جريء"

A bold decision. Taking a risk.

لقد اتخذت قراراً جريئاً.

Neutral

"قرار حكيم"

A wise decision. A good choice.

البقاء في المنزل كان قراراً حكيماً.

Neutral

"في انتظار القرار"

Awaiting the decision. Pending.

نحن في انتظار القرار النهائي.

Formal

"صنع القرار"

Decision making (process).

عملية صنع القرار معقدة.

Academic/Business

"قرار على ورق"

A decision on paper. A decision that is not implemented.

هذا مجرد قرار على ورق.

Informal

Easily Confused

قرر vs كرر

Sounds very similar to English speakers who struggle to differentiate 'k' and 'q'.

كرر (karrara) means to do something again (repeat). قرر (qarrara) means to make a decision. The 'q' is deeper in the throat.

قرر أن يكرر المحاولة. (He decided to repeat the attempt.)

قرر vs قرار

It is the noun form of the verb, and learners sometimes use the noun when they need the verb.

قرار is a noun (a decision). قرر is the verb (he decided). You cannot say 'أنا قرار' to mean 'I decided'.

هذا قرار جيد. (This is a good decision.)

قرر vs أقر

Shares the same root and looks similar.

أقر (aqarra) means to admit, confess, or officially approve something. It is Form IV, not Form II.

أقر بذنبه. (He confessed his guilt.)

قرر vs استقر

Shares the same root.

استقر (istaqarra) means to settle down (like in a new city) or stabilize. It does not mean to make a mental decision.

استقر في لندن. (He settled in London.)

قرر vs قُرر

Exact same spelling without short vowels, but passive voice.

قُرر (qurrira) means 'it was decided'. It takes a passive structure.

قُرر تأجيل الحفل. (It was decided to postpone the party.)

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] + قرر + أن + [Present Verb]

أنا قررت أن أنام.

[Subject] + قرر + [Verbal Noun]

هو قرر السفر.

لم + يقرر + [Subject] + بعد

لم يقرر المدير بعد.

قرر + [Subject] + [Verbal Noun] + لـ + [Reason]

قررت الشركة زيادة الرواتب لتحفيز الموظفين.

من المقرر أن + [Present Verb]

من المقرر أن يعقد الاجتماع غداً.

بناءً على... قرر + [Subject]

بناءً على التقارير، قرر المجلس...

بعد + [Verbal Noun]، قرر + [Subject]

بعد التفكير، قررت الرفض.

ماذا + قرر + [Subject] + ؟

ماذا قررت الأسرة؟

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely High. Top 500 words in Arabic.

Common Mistakes

Saying 'قرر على السفر' (He decided on traveling). → قرر السفر (He decided to travel).
English speakers often add 'على' (on) because of English syntax. In Arabic, قرر takes a direct object without a preposition.
Saying 'قررت أن سافرت' (I decided that I traveled). → قررت أن أسافر (I decided to travel).
After the particle 'أن' (an), you must use the present tense verb, not the past tense.
Pronouncing it as 'karrara' (كرر). → Pronouncing it with a deep 'qaf' (قرر).
Substituting the 'q' with a 'k' changes the meaning to 'he repeated'.
Saying 'أنا قرار' to mean 'I decided'. → أنا قررت.
Confusing the noun قرار (decision) with the verb قرر (decided).
Saying 'قرر أن يذهبُ' with a damma at the end. → قرر أن يذهبَ (with a fatha).
The particle 'أن' makes the following present tense verb subjunctive, which requires a fatha ending for singular verbs.

Tips

Master the 'أن' Structure

The easiest way for beginners to use this verb is to memorize the chunk 'قررت أن' (I decided to) and just add any present tense verb after it. It saves you from having to know every verbal noun.

Double the R

Don't forget the shadda on the 'ر'. Hold the 'r' sound slightly longer. Say 'qar-rara', not 'qarara'. This distinguishes it from other words.

Learn the Noun

Learn the word قرار (decision) at the same time. You will hear 'اتخذ قراراً' (took a decision) just as often as the verb itself in formal news.

Listen for the 'A' sound

If you are in Egypt or the Levant, don't be confused if you hear 'أررت' (arrart). It's the exact same word, just with the dialectal dropping of the 'qaf'.

No Prepositions

Resist the English urge to translate 'decide ON'. Do not write 'قرر على'. Just write the verb and the object directly.

News Keywords

When listening to Al Jazeera or BBC Arabic, 'قرر' is a major keyword. It usually signals the main action of the headline.

Expressing Uncertainty

Memorize 'والله، لم أقرر بعد' (By God, I haven't decided yet). It's a very natural, native-sounding way to respond to invitations you aren't sure about.

Plural Agreement

Remember that if the subject is a non-human plural (like 'companies'), the verb should be feminine singular: 'قررت الشركات' (The companies decided).

Collocations

Learn words that naturally go with it, like 'نهائياً' (finally/definitively). 'قرر نهائياً' sounds much better than just 'قرر'.

Politeness

If someone asks you to decide something for the group, it's polite to say 'القرار لك' (The decision is yours) before giving your own opinion.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a CAR (قر - qar) that is driving fast, but then the driver hits the brakes and the CAR Rests (قرر - qarrara). The driver has DECIDED to stop.

Visual Association

Picture a judge's gavel hitting a wooden block. The sound is a sharp 'QAR-RA-RA', finalizing the decision.

Word Web

قرر (Decided) قرار (Decision) اختار (Chose) فكر (Thought) أن (That/To) سافر (Traveled) فعل (Did) خطة (Plan)

Challenge

Write three sentences about what you decided to do this morning, what you decided to eat for lunch, and what you decided to do tonight, using 'قررت أن'.

Word Origin

The verb قرر comes from the ancient Semitic root ق-ر-ر (q-r-r). This root fundamentally relates to the concepts of coldness, resting, settling, and remaining firm in a place. Over time, the physical concept of 'settling' in a place evolved metaphorically into 'settling' a matter in one's mind.

Original meaning: To make something settle, rest, or become firm and established.

Afroasiatic > Semitic > Central Semitic > Arabic.

Cultural Context

No specific cultural sensitivities, but be aware that saying 'I decided' bluntly in a family context without prior consultation might be seen as overly independent or rebellious in traditional settings.

In English, we 'make' a decision. In Arabic, the verb itself means 'to decide', but you can also 'take' a decision (اتخذ قراراً), which is a direct parallel to the French 'prendre une décision'.

The UN Resolution 242 is known in Arabic as 'قرار 242' (Qarar 242). Many famous Arabic songs feature the word, such as 'قررت أفرح' (I decided to be happy). Historical treaties often begin with 'قرر الطرفان' (The two parties decided).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Making Daily Plans

ماذا قررت؟
قررت أن أذهب
لم أقرر بعد
قررنا البقاء

Business and Work

قرر المدير
قررت الإدارة
قرار نهائي
اتخاذ قرار

News and Politics

قررت الحكومة
قررت المحكمة
قرار وزاري
مشروع قرار

Education

قررت دراسة
قرر الجامعة
المقرر الدراسي
قرر التخصص

Travel

قرر السفر
قررنا حجز
قرر إلغاء الرحلة
أين قررت الذهاب؟

Conversation Starters

"هل قررت أين ستقضي عطلتك الصيفية هذا العام؟"

"ما هو أصعب شيء قررت القيام به في حياتك؟"

"متى قررت أن تبدأ في تعلم اللغة العربية؟"

"إذا كان عليك أن تقرر الآن، ماذا ستختار؟"

"كيف تقرر عادة عندما تكون محتاراً بين أمرين؟"

Journal Prompts

اكتب عن قرار مهم اتخذته مؤخراً وكيف أثر على حياتك.

تخيل أنك رئيس دولة، ما هو أول قانون ستقرر إصداره؟

صف موقفاً لم تستطع فيه أن تقرر ماذا تفعل، وماذا حدث في النهاية.

اكتب عن قرار ندمت عليه ولماذا.

ما هي العوامل التي تساعدك عندما تقرر شراء شيء غالي الثمن؟

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, in Standard Arabic, قرر is a transitive verb. It takes its object directly. You say 'قرر السفر' (He decided the travel), not 'قرر على السفر'. However, in some dialects, you might hear prepositions used informally.

اختار means 'to choose' from options (e.g., choosing the red shirt over the blue one). قرر means 'to decide' to take an action (e.g., deciding to buy the shirt). You choose an item, but you decide to act.

The most common and natural way in Standard Arabic is 'لم أقرر بعد' (lam uqarrir ba'd). In dialects, you might say 'لسا ما قررت' (lissa ma qarrart).

The particle 'أن' (an) is a subjunctive particle in Arabic. It forces the following present tense verb to take a fatha (an 'a' sound) at the end if it's singular. So 'أذهبُ' becomes 'أن أذهبَ'.

Generally no, because deciding requires consciousness. However, in poetic or metaphorical contexts, or when referring to organizations (like 'the court decided' or 'the company decided'), it is perfectly fine.

The verbal noun (masdar) is تقرير (taqreer), which can mean 'decision' or 'report'. Another very common noun is قرار (qarar), which specifically means 'a decision'.

The 'qaf' (ق) is pronounced deep in the back of the throat, lower than the English 'k'. Imagine swallowing slightly while saying 'k'. If you can't do it, a glottal stop (like the catch in 'uh-oh') is acceptable in many dialects.

Yes, it is a completely regular Form II verb. It conjugates predictably without any weak letters dropping out or changing, making it very easy to learn.

The imperative form is قَرِّرْ (qarrir) for a male, قَرِّري (qarriri) for a female, and قَرِّروا (qarriruu) for a group. Example: قرر الآن! (Decide now!).

مقرر (muqarrar) is the passive participle. It means 'decided' or 'determined'. In an educational context, it means 'syllabus' or 'curriculum' (the determined course of study).