تسوية in 30 Seconds
- Taswiya means settlement or compromise.
- Used in legal, financial, and political contexts.
- Derived from the root for 'equality' and 'leveling'.
- Requires mutual concessions to be successful.
The Arabic word تسوية (Taswiya) is a multifaceted noun derived from the root س-و-ي (S-W-Y), which fundamentally pertains to equality, evenness, and straightness. In a modern context, it is most frequently encountered in legal, financial, and political spheres to denote a 'settlement' or 'compromise'. Imagine two uneven surfaces being leveled out until they meet at a single, flat horizontal line; this physical imagery is the essence of Taswiya. When two parties in a conflict 'level' their differences, they have reached a Taswiya.
- Legal Context
- In the courtroom or during arbitration, Taswiya refers to the formal resolution of a dispute. It implies that both parties have agreed to terms that conclude the disagreement without a final, perhaps more aggressive, judicial verdict. It is the 'out-of-court settlement' that lawyers often strive for.
وقع الطرفان على تسوية ودية لإنهاء النزاع القانوني المستمر منذ سنوات.
- Financial Context
- In banking and accounting, Taswiya is used for the 'reconciliation' of accounts or the 'settlement' of debts. If you owe a bank money and negotiate a lower payment to close the account, you are performing a Taswiyat al-Duyun (Settlement of Debts).
تتطلب التسوية المالية مراجعة دقيقة لجميع الفواتير والمستندات البنكية.
- Technical/Physical Context
- Less commonly in daily speech but vital in engineering, Taswiya means 'leveling' the ground. Before building a house, the 'Taswiya' of the soil is the first step to ensure a stable foundation.
بدأ العمال في تسوية الأرض تمهيداً لعملية البناء.
لا يمكن تحقيق السلام دون تسوية عادلة للقضايا الجوهرية.
أدت التسوية الضريبية إلى خفض الغرامات المفروضة على الشركة.
Using Taswiya correctly requires understanding its role as a verbal noun (Masdar). It often functions as the subject or object in sentences concerning resolution. It is frequently paired with adjectives like 'Siyasiya' (political), 'Widdiya' (amicable), or 'Niha'iya' (final). In Arabic syntax, it is common to see it in an 'Idafa' construction (possessive link), such as Taswiyat al-Khilaf (the settlement of the disagreement).
- As a Subject
- When Taswiya is the focus of the sentence, it often starts the phrase to emphasize the importance of the resolution itself over the parties involved.
التسوية هي الحل الوحيد المتاح حالياً لتجنب الحرب.
- With Action Verbs
- Common verbs used with Taswiya include 'Wasala ila' (reached), 'Waqqa'a' (signed), and 'Saa'a ila' (sought). These verbs describe the process of achieving the settlement.
يسعى الوسطاء إلى الوصول إلى تسوية شاملة ترضي الجميع.
تمت تسوية جميع الحسابات المعلقة قبل نهاية السنة المالية.
- In the Idafa Construction
- This is the most natural way to specify what is being settled. 'Taswiyat' followed by a noun like 'Duyun' (debts), 'Mushkilat' (problems), or 'Niza'at' (disputes).
تعتبر تسوية النزاعات الحدودية أمراً حيوياً للاستقرار الإقليمي.
طالب الموظفون بـ تسوية أوضاعهم الوظيفية وزيادة الرواتب.
You will encounter Taswiya most frequently in formal environments. If you watch Al Jazeera or BBC Arabic, it is a staple of news broadcasts regarding international conflicts or local political shifts. In a business meeting in Dubai or Riyadh, it will come up during contract negotiations or financial audits. It is rarely used in casual slang, as it carries a weight of formality and finality.
- News Broadcasts
- News anchors use it to describe diplomatic breakthroughs. 'The UN is pushing for a Taswiya in the region' is a common headline.
أعلن المتحدث الرسمي عن التوصل إلى تسوية تاريخية بين البلدين.
- Legal and Corporate Offices
- Lawyers use it in 'Taswiyat al-Khulaf' (Settlement of disputes) clauses in contracts. Accountants use it for 'Taswiyat al-Bank' (Bank reconciliation).
نحن بحاجة إلى تسوية هذا الخلاف التجاري بعيداً عن المحاكم.
هل تم الانتهاء من تسوية الفروقات المالية في الميزانية؟
Learners often confuse Taswiya with other words that mean 'solution' or 'agreement'. While all settlements are agreements, not all agreements are settlements. A common mistake is using it for a simple 'deal' (Safqa) or a general 'agreement' (Ittifaq) when no prior dispute existed. Taswiya implies a process of fixing something that was broken or uneven.
- Confusing with 'Ittifaq'
- If you agree to go to lunch, that is an Ittifaq. If you agree to pay half a debt because you can't pay the whole thing, that is a Taswiya.
خطأ: قمنا بـ تسوية للذهاب إلى السينما. (Wrong: We made a settlement to go to the cinema).
- Pronunciation Errors
- Be careful with the 'W' sound; it is a double 'W' (Shadda). It is Tas-wiy-ya, not Tas-wi-ya. Mispronouncing it might make it sound like 'Tasmiya' (naming).
صح: توصلنا إلى تسوية بخصوص الإيجار المتأخر. (Correct: We reached a settlement regarding the late rent).
تجنب استخدام الكلمة في سياقات غير رسمية جداً؛ فهي توحي بالجدية.
Arabic is rich with synonyms for resolution and agreement, each with a specific nuance. Knowing which one to use will elevate your Arabic from functional to fluent. While Taswiya focuses on the act of leveling and resolving, other words focus on the result, the relationship, or the contract itself.
- Taswiya vs. Musalaha
- Taswiya: Focuses on the technical details and the 'ending' of the dispute terms.
Musalaha: Focuses on 'reconciliation' and the emotional/social healing between parties.
بعد التسوية المالية، تمت المصالحة بين الشريكين.
- Taswiya vs. Hal
- Hal (حل): A general word for 'solution'. A math problem has a 'Hal', but a border dispute has a 'Taswiya'.
نبحث عن تسوية عادلة تضمن حقوق الجميع.
كانت التسوية مرضية لكلا الجانبين.
How Formal Is It?
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Fun Fact
The same root is used for the word 'Mustawa' (level/standard) and 'Istawa' which is used in the Quran to describe the settling of the throne.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing it as 'Tasmiya' (naming) instead of 'Taswiya'.
- Missing the double 'w' sound.
- Pronouncing the 't' too softly.
- Changing the 's' to a 'z' sound.
- Dropping the final 'a' sound completely.
Difficulty Rating
Common in news and business text.
Requires correct spelling of Shadda and Ta-Marbuta.
Moderate difficulty due to the double 'w' sound.
Easily recognized in formal broadcasts.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Masdar (Verbal Noun)
تسوية is the Masdar of the verb سوّى.
Idafa Construction
تسويةُ النزاعِ (Settlement of the dispute).
Adjective Agreement
تسويةٌ عادلةٌ (A fair settlement).
Gender of Nouns
تسوية is feminine because of Ta-Marbuta.
Prepositions
تستخدم مع حرف الجر 'بـ' أو 'لـ' (تسوية بخصوص / تسوية لـ).
Examples by Level
نريد تسوية بسيطة.
We want a simple settlement.
Taswiya is the object of the verb.
هذه تسوية جيدة.
This is a good settlement.
Taswiya is the predicate.
أين التسوية؟
Where is the settlement?
Definite noun with Al-.
شكراً على التسوية.
Thanks for the settlement.
Used after a preposition.
تمت التسوية بيننا.
The settlement was done between us.
Passive-like structure with 'Tammat'.
أحب هذه التسوية.
I like this settlement.
Direct object.
لا توجد تسوية اليوم.
There is no settlement today.
Negation with La.
التسوية سهلة.
The settlement is easy.
Subject-predicate sentence.
وصلنا إلى تسوية بخصوص الثمن.
We reached a settlement regarding the price.
Verb + prepositional phrase.
هل وقعت على التسوية؟
Did you sign the settlement?
Question form.
نحتاج إلى تسوية سريعة.
We need a quick settlement.
Noun-adjective pair.
التسوية كانت منصفة للطرفين.
The settlement was fair to both parties.
Past tense with 'Kana'.
ابحث عن تسوية لمشكلتك.
Look for a settlement for your problem.
Imperative verb.
لا أقبل بهذه التسوية.
I do not accept this settlement.
Negation in present tense.
التسوية المالية مهمة جداً.
Financial settlement is very important.
Compound noun with adjective.
متى ستتم التسوية؟
When will the settlement happen?
Future tense question.
تم التوصل إلى تسوية ودية لإنهاء النزاع.
An amicable settlement was reached to end the dispute.
Passive voice 'Tumma'.
تتضمن الاتفاقية تسوية لجميع الديون المتأخرة.
The agreement includes a settlement of all late debts.
Noun as part of a complex sentence.
يسعى البنك إلى تسوية أوضاع المقترضين.
The bank seeks to settle the status of the borrowers.
Idafa construction 'Taswiyat Awda'.
تعتبر هذه التسوية خطوة نحو السلام.
This settlement is considered a step toward peace.
Passive verb 'Tu'tabar'.
رفضت الشركة تسوية الخلاف خارج المحكمة.
The company refused to settle the dispute out of court.
Direct object of 'Rafadat'.
يجب إجراء تسوية بنكية كل شهر.
A bank reconciliation must be conducted every month.
Modal verb 'Yajib'.
التسوية السياسية هي المخرج الوحيد من الأزمة.
Political settlement is the only way out of the crisis.
Subject with complex predicate.
قدم المحامي مقترحاً للتسوية النهائية.
The lawyer presented a proposal for the final settlement.
Prepositional phrase with adjective.
تتطلب التسوية الشاملة تنازلات من جميع الأطراف.
A comprehensive settlement requires concessions from all parties.
Present tense with multiple subjects/objects.
أدت التسوية الضريبية إلى تحسين السيولة المالية للشركة.
The tax settlement led to improving the company's financial liquidity.
Causal sentence structure.
لا يمكن فرض تسوية بالقوة على الشعوب.
A settlement cannot be imposed by force on people.
Passive modal construction.
ناقش البرلمان مشروع قانون تسوية النزاعات العقارية.
The parliament discussed a bill for settling real estate disputes.
Complex Idafa.
كانت التسوية نتاج مفاوضات شاقة استمرت شهوراً.
The settlement was the product of arduous negotiations that lasted months.
Relative clause 'istamarrat'.
تهدف التسوية إلى تحقيق توازن بين المصالح المتضاربة.
The settlement aims to achieve a balance between conflicting interests.
Purpose clause with 'ila'.
بموجب هذه التسوية، سيتم إطلاق سراح السجناء.
Under this settlement, the prisoners will be released.
Legal phrase 'Bi-muujib'.
تعتمد استدامة التسوية على التزام الأطراف ببنودها.
The sustainability of the settlement depends on the parties' commitment to its terms.
Abstract noun usage.
تظل التسوية التاريخية مرجعاً أساسياً لحل النزاعات الإقليمية.
The historic settlement remains a primary reference for resolving regional disputes.
Verb 'Tazallu' (remains).
إن غياب التسوية العادلة يؤجج مشاعر الغضب والاحتقان.
The absence of a fair settlement fuels feelings of anger and tension.
Emphasis with 'Inna'.
تقتضي التسوية القضائية تنازلاً متبادلاً عن بعض المطالبات.
Judicial settlement requires mutual waiver of some claims.
Formal verb 'Taqtadi'.
تعد تسوية الأوضاع القانونية للمهاجرين ضرورة إنسانية.
Settling the legal status of migrants is a humanitarian necessity.
Passive 'Tu'ad'.
تجاوزت التسوية الحالية سقف التوقعات الأولية للمحللين.
The current settlement exceeded the initial expectations of analysts.
Past tense 'Tajawazat'.
تعتمد فعالية التسوية على آليات التنفيذ والرقابة.
The effectiveness of the settlement depends on implementation and monitoring mechanisms.
Abstract terminology.
ساهمت التسوية في درء مخاطر الانهيار الاقتصادي الوشيك.
The settlement contributed to averting the risks of imminent economic collapse.
Formal verb 'Saahamat'.
إن صياغة تسوية متوازنة تتطلب حنكة سياسية كبيرة.
Drafting a balanced settlement requires great political savvy.
Gerund-based subject.
تتجلى في هذه التسوية روح التسامح والبراغماتية السياسية.
The spirit of tolerance and political pragmatism is manifested in this settlement.
Reflexive verb 'Tatajalla'.
إن أي تسوية لا تعالج جذور المشكلة محكوم عليها بالفشل.
Any settlement that does not address the roots of the problem is doomed to failure.
Conditional emphasis.
تمثل التسوية نقطة تحول جوهرية في تاريخ العلاقات الثنائية.
The settlement represents a fundamental turning point in the history of bilateral relations.
High-level register.
استطاع المفاوضون صياغة تسوية تتجاوز الاستقطاب الحاد.
Negotiators were able to draft a settlement that transcends sharp polarization.
Complex verbal phrases.
تعتبر التسوية الكبرى نتاجاً لتوازنات القوى الإقليمية والدولية.
The grand settlement is the product of regional and international power balances.
Sociopolitical analysis context.
لا تعد التسوية مجرد اتفاق تقني، بل هي رؤية للمستقبل.
The settlement is not merely a technical agreement, but a vision for the future.
Contrastive 'Bal' (but rather).
يؤكد الفلاسفة أن التسوية هي جوهر العقد الاجتماعي.
Philosophers emphasize that settlement is the essence of the social contract.
Academic discourse.
تظل إشكالية التسوية قائمة ما لم تتوفر الإرادة السياسية.
The problem of settlement remains as long as political will is not available.
Complex conditional 'Ma lam'.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Tasmiya means 'naming' or 'designation'. Only one letter difference.
Tasfiya means 'liquidation' or 'filtering'. Often used in finance but more final than Taswiya.
Ittifaq is any agreement; Taswiya is specifically a settlement of a problem.
Idioms & Expressions
— Settling scores (metaphorically or literally).
جاء الوقت لتسوية الحسابات القديمة.
Metaphorical— To clarify things to reach a settlement.
يجب وضع النقاط على الحروف للوصول إلى تسوية.
Idiomatic— A middle-ground solution (often used alongside Taswiya).
التسوية هي دائماً حل وسط.
General— No winner and no loser (the goal of a Taswiya).
خرجنا بتسوية: لا غالب ولا مغلوب.
Political— Bringing viewpoints closer to reach a settlement.
ساهم الوسيط في تقريب وجهات النظر للوصول إلى تسوية.
Formal— Holding the stick from the middle (finding balance).
المفاوض الناجح يمسك العصا من المنتصف لتحقيق تسوية.
Idiomatic— Opening a new page (the result of a settlement).
بعد التسوية، فتحنا صفحة جديدة.
Social— Mending hearts/feelings (social aspect of settlement).
كانت التسوية تهدف إلى جبر الخواطر.
SocialEasily Confused
Same root (S-W-Y).
Musawa means 'equality' as a concept; Taswiya is the 'act of settling/leveling'.
نطالب بالمساواة في الحقوق، ولكن نحتاج لتسوية هذا الخلاف.
Similar sound.
Tawsi'a means 'expansion'.
تمت توسعة الطريق بعد تسوية الأرض.
Similar sound.
Tawsiya means 'recommendation'.
قدمت اللجنة توصية بإجراء تسوية.
Both used in debt contexts.
Tasfiya is clearing out/closing; Taswiya is reaching a middle ground.
تسوية الديون قد تؤدي إلى تصفية الشركة.
Same word, different field.
One is abstract (dispute), one is physical (leveling ground).
تسوية الأرض ضرورية قبل تسوية الخلاف مع الجيران حول الحدود.
Sentence Patterns
نحن بحاجة إلى تسوية لـ...
نحن بحاجة إلى تسوية للمشكلة.
تم التوصل إلى تسوية بخصوص...
تم التوصل إلى تسوية بخصوص الإيجار.
تعتبر هذه التسوية خطوة نحو...
تعتبر هذه التسوية خطوة نحو الاستقرار.
تقتضي الضرورة إجراء تسوية لـ...
تقتضي الضرورة إجراء تسوية للأوضاع.
ما لم تتوفر الإرادة، فلن تنجح أي تسوية.
ما لم تتوفر الإرادة، فلن تنجح أي تسوية سياسية.
وافقت الأطراف على بنود التسوية.
وافقت الأطراف على بنود التسوية المقترحة.
أدت التسوية إلى إنهاء حالة التوتر.
أدت التسوية إلى إنهاء حالة التوتر في المنطقة.
صياغة التسوية تتطلب دقة متناهية.
صياغة التسوية تتطلب دقة متناهية في اختيار الكلمات.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
High in professional and news contexts.
-
Using 'Taswiya' for a simple plan.
→
Ittifaq (Agreement) or Khitta (Plan).
Taswiya requires a conflict or unevenness to resolve.
-
Pronouncing it as 'Tasmiya'.
→
Taswiya.
Tasmiya means 'naming'. One letter changes the whole meaning.
-
Saying 'Taswiya al-mushkila' without Idafa.
→
Taswiyat al-mushkila.
Use the Idafa construction for 'Settlement of the problem'.
-
Using 'Taswiya' to mean 'Equality'.
→
Musawa.
Musawa is the state of equality; Taswiya is the act of settling.
-
Writing it with 'Alif' instead of 'Ta-Marbuta'.
→
تسوية
The word ends in a Ta-Marbuta, not an Alif.
Tips
Watch the Gender
Remember 'Taswiya' is feminine. Say 'Taswiya Jayyida' (Good settlement) not 'Jayyid'.
Use with 'Reach'
The most natural verb to use is 'Wasala ila' (Reached). Example: 'Wasalna ila taswiya'.
Business Context
Use this word when discussing debts or contracts to sound more professional than using 'Hal' (solution).
Social Harmony
In social contexts, seeking a 'Taswiya' is seen as a sign of wisdom and maturity.
The Shadda
Don't rush the 'w'. It's a double sound. Tas-wiy-ya.
Spelling
Don't forget the dots on the Ta-Marbuta (ة) at the end.
News Keywords
In news, 'Taswiya' is often followed by 'Siyasiya' (political) or 'Shamilat' (comprehensive).
Root Connection
Connect it to 'Mustawa' (level) to remember it means leveling out problems.
Settling Scores
Use 'Taswiyat Hisabat' only when you mean settling a score, often in a slightly negative or firm way.
Physical vs Abstract
90% of the time you'll use the abstract meaning (settlement), but remember the physical (leveling) exists.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'Saw' (سوى) leveling a bumpy road until it's 'Taswiya' (flat).
Visual Association
A balanced scale or two hands shaking over a flat table.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'Taswiya' in a sentence about a disagreement you had recently.
Word Origin
From the Arabic root S-W-Y (س-و-ي), which is found in Semitic languages meaning 'to be equal' or 'even'.
Original meaning: The act of making a physical surface flat and horizontal.
Afroasiatic -> Semitic -> Central Semitic -> Arabic.Cultural Context
Be aware that in some political contexts, 'Taswiya' can be viewed negatively as a 'sell-out' or a 'compromise of principles'.
In the West, 'settlement' often implies a purely legal or financial transaction, whereas in Arabic, 'Taswiya' can still carry a social expectation of restoring harmony.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Legal Dispute
- تسوية خارج المحكمة
- اتفاقية تسوية
- محامي التسوية
- بنود التسوية
Banking/Finance
- تسوية الحساب
- تسوية الديون
- كشف التسوية
- تاريخ التسوية
International Relations
- تسوية سلمية
- خارطة طريق للتسوية
- مفاوضات التسوية
- تسوية إقليمية
Construction
- تسوية التربة
- تسوية السطح
- آلة تسوية
- مستوى التسوية
Human Resources
- تسوية الأوضاع الوظيفية
- تسوية المعاش
- تسوية المستحقات
- تسوية الخلافات العمالية
Conversation Starters
"هل تعتقد أن التسوية السياسية ممكنة في هذا الوقت؟"
"كيف يمكننا الوصول إلى تسوية ودية بخصوص هذا المشروع؟"
"هل تم توقيع أوراق التسوية المالية للشركة؟"
"ما رأيك في بنود التسوية التي اقترحها المحامي؟"
"لماذا فشلت محاولات التسوية السابقة بين الطرفين؟"
Journal Prompts
اكتب عن موقف اضطررت فيه للوصول إلى تسوية مع صديق.
هل تفضل التسوية دائماً أم الإصرار على رأيك حتى النهاية؟ ولماذا؟
صف شعورك بعد التوصل إلى تسوية لمشكلة كانت تؤرقك.
تخيل أنك وسيط، كيف ستقترح تسوية لنزاع حدودي بين بلدين؟
ما هي أهمية التسوية المالية في حياتنا اليومية؟
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThe root is S-W-Y (س-و-ي), which relates to being equal or level. It is a Form II verbal noun.
Yes, but it usually implies there was some difference or minor issue to resolve first. 'Taswiya Widdiya' is a common phrase for a friendly settlement.
It is less common in casual slang, but very common in daily business, banking, and news.
It means 'Bank Reconciliation', the process of matching bank statements with accounting records.
You say 'Taswiya kharij al-mahkama' (تسوية خارج المحكمة).
Yes, in many contexts, especially political and social, it is the standard word for compromise.
Yes, it is used when referring to multiple settlements or a series of adjustments.
The verb is 'Sawwa' (سوّى), meaning to settle, level, or make even.
The verb 'Sawwa' means to cook, but the noun 'Taswiya' is rarely used for the process of cooking itself; 'Tahy' is preferred.
It is 'Taswiya Siyasiya', an agreement that ends a political conflict through negotiations.
Test Yourself 75 questions
هذا تسوية جيد.
Write a sentence using 'تسوية الديون'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'We reached a fair settlement.'
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Use 'تسوية شاملة' in a sentence.
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الوصول إلى تسوية تاريخي.
Translate: 'The tax settlement was successful.'
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What is the difference between Ittifaq and Taswiya?
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Write a sentence with 'تسوية تاريخية'.
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نحن نريد تسوية سياسي.
Translate: 'The final settlement was fair.'
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Write: 'A settlement is better than a fight.'
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Translate: 'Settlement of borders'.
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Translate: 'Amicable settlement of accounts'.
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Write a sentence with 'بنود التسوية'.
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Translate: 'The lawyer suggested a settlement.'
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التسوية هي الحل الأفضل لإنهاء النزاعات.
/ 75 correct
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Summary
The word 'Taswiya' is essential for professional Arabic, representing the 'leveling' of differences to reach a formal agreement or resolution in disputes, finances, or construction.
- Taswiya means settlement or compromise.
- Used in legal, financial, and political contexts.
- Derived from the root for 'equality' and 'leveling'.
- Requires mutual concessions to be successful.
Watch the Gender
Remember 'Taswiya' is feminine. Say 'Taswiya Jayyida' (Good settlement) not 'Jayyid'.
Use with 'Reach'
The most natural verb to use is 'Wasala ila' (Reached). Example: 'Wasalna ila taswiya'.
Business Context
Use this word when discussing debts or contracts to sound more professional than using 'Hal' (solution).
Social Harmony
In social contexts, seeking a 'Taswiya' is seen as a sign of wisdom and maturity.
Example
وصل الطرفان إلى تسوية ودية للنزاع.
