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صلاحية

B1 noun #3,500 most common 8 min read

صلاحية

salahiyah Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips صلاحية in 30 Seconds

Explanation صلاحية in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know صلاحية in the context of food and shopping. Think of it as the 'best before' word. When you go to a shop, you might see it on a label. The most important phrase for you is تاريخ الصلاحية (Tarikh al-Salahiyyah), which means 'expiration date.' You don't need to worry about the legal meanings yet. Just remember that if you see this word on a bottle of milk, the date next to it tells you when the milk will go bad. It's a very practical word for daily survival! You might also see it on a simple ID card. If a teacher asks for your ID, and it's old, they might say 'No صلاحية,' meaning it is not valid anymore. At this stage, just associate the word with 'is it still good?' or 'is it still working?' It's a noun, but you'll mostly see it as part of a date. Don't worry about the complex grammar; just look for the word on packages and cards.

At the A2 level, you can start using صلاحية to talk about your travel documents and simple permissions. You will use it to describe your passport or visa. For example, you can say جوازي فيه صلاحية (My passport has validity/is still valid). You are moving beyond just food and into the world of official papers. You should also learn the phrase منتهي الصلاحية (muntahi al-salahiyyah), which means 'expired.' This is very useful if you are at an airport or a government office and someone tells you your document is no longer good. You can also use it to ask questions like 'How long is the صلاحية of this visa?' This shows you understand that the word refers to a period of time during which something is officially accepted. It is still a very concrete word for you, tied to physical objects like food, passports, and tickets.

At the B1 level, you are ready to use صلاحية in a professional or organizational context. This is where you learn that the word also means 'authority' or 'power.' In a job interview or at work, you might talk about the صلاحيات (powers/authorities) of a manager or an employee. You should be able to say things like 'This is within my صلاحيات' or 'I don't have the صلاحية to sign this.' You are also starting to use the word to describe the 'suitability' of things. For example, you might discuss whether a certain car is still صالح (the adjective form) for driving or if a house has the صلاحية for living. You are beginning to see how the root S-L-H (being good/fit) connects all these meanings. You can also understand more complex phrases like مدة الصلاحية (duration of validity) in contracts or agreements. Your vocabulary is expanding from just 'is the food good?' to 'is the person authorized?'

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using صلاحية in formal discussions, such as those regarding law, politics, or business strategy. You understand that صلاحيات (plural) is the standard term for the mandates given to political figures or corporate boards. You can participate in a debate about whether a president has too many صلاحيات or if the صلاحية of a specific law has been challenged in court. You also understand the nuance between صلاحية (validity/authority) and سلطة (power). You can write a formal email asking for an extension of the صلاحية of a contract. Your use of the word is no longer just about 'expiration' but about the 'legitimacy' and 'scope' of actions. You can also use it in technical fields, like IT, to refer to 'user permissions' (صلاحيات المستخدم). You are able to use the word in 'Idafa' constructions with abstract nouns, like صلاحية النظرية (the validity of the theory).

At the C1 level, you use صلاحية with precision and stylistic flair. You can discuss the philosophical or legal foundations of صلاحية—what makes an authority legitimate? You are familiar with legal terms like تجاوز الصلاحيات (exceeding one's authority/ultra vires) and can use them to analyze complex political or legal situations. You understand how the word functions in various registers, from the highly formal language of constitutional law to the specialized language of food science or engineering. You can use the word to describe the 'viability' or 'suitability' of complex systems, such as the صلاحية of a political system to handle a crisis. You are also aware of the historical and etymological roots of the word, seeing how it relates to concepts of 'reform' (إصلاح) and 'righteousness' (صلاح). You can handle the word in all its plural and derived forms without hesitation, and you use it to add a layer of professional authority to your own speech and writing.

At the C2 level, your mastery of صلاحية is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can engage in deep academic or legal discourse regarding the 'separation of powers' and the 'overlapping of صلاحيات' between different state institutions. You can appreciate the word's use in classical texts or modern literature, where it might be used metaphorically to describe a person's moral 'fitness' or the 'validity' of a life's work. You are sensitive to the subtle connotations the word carries in different Arabic dialects versus Modern Standard Arabic. You can draft complex legal documents where the definition of صلاحيات is critical to the agreement's success. You can also use the word to critique the 'validity' of scientific methodologies or philosophical arguments with nuanced vocabulary. For you, صلاحية is not just a word for 'expiration' or 'power'; it is a fundamental concept of order, legitimacy, and fitness that you can wield with total control.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

صلاحية in 30 Seconds

Salahiyyah means validity, authority, or fitness for use.
Commonly used for food expiration dates (Tarikh al-Salahiyyah).
Used in plural (Salahiyyat) for legal and professional powers.
Derived from the root S-L-H, meaning good or proper.

The Arabic word صلاحية (Salahiyyah) is a versatile noun derived from the root ص-ل-ح (S-L-H), which fundamentally relates to being good, proper, fit, or righteous. In modern usage, it acts as a bridge between the physical world of products and the abstract world of law and administration. When you walk into a grocery store in any Arabic-speaking country, you will see this word on almost every package. In that context, it refers to the 'shelf life' or 'expiration date.' However, if you are in a courtroom or a corporate office, the word takes on a much more powerful meaning: 'authority,' 'jurisdiction,' or 'legal validity.' Understanding this word is essential for navigating daily life, from checking if your yogurt is still good to eat to understanding who has the power to sign a contract.

Product Validity: In the consumer context, تاريخ الصلاحية (Tarikh al-Salahiyyah) is the expiration date. It literally means 'the date of fitness' or 'the date of validity.' If a product is منتهي الصلاحية (muntahi al-salahiyyah), it is expired and no longer fit for consumption or use.

يجب التأكد من تاريخ صلاحية الحليب قبل شرائه.
One must check the validity date of the milk before buying it.

Legal and Administrative Power: In a professional or political setting, صلاحيات (the plural form, Salahiyyat) refers to the powers or mandates granted to an individual or an institution. For example, a manager might say, 'This is not within my صلاحيات,' meaning they do not have the official authority to make that decision.

Beyond these two primary uses, the word also covers the concept of 'suitability.' For instance, a building might undergo an inspection for صلاحية السكن (suitability for habitation). If a house is dilapidated, it lacks the صلاحية to be lived in safely. Similarly, in logic or debate, one might discuss the صلاحية of an argument, meaning its logical soundness or validity. It is a word that describes the state of something being 'right' for its intended purpose, whether that purpose is being eaten, being used as a travel document, or being used as a legal justification for an action.

ليس من صلاحياتي التوقيع على هذا العقد.
It is not within my authorities to sign this contract.

Technical Validity: In the world of technology and documentation, صلاحية الجواز refers to the validity of a passport. If your passport has only three months of صلاحية left, many countries will not grant you a visa. Here, it signifies the remaining period during which a document is legally recognized.

Using صلاحية correctly requires understanding its grammatical placement, often appearing in an 'Idafa' (possessive) construction or as the subject of a sentence describing state. Because it is a feminine noun (ending in Ta-Marbuta), any adjectives modifying it must also be feminine. When discussing time, it is frequently paired with words like مدة (duration) or تاريخ (date).

The Idafa Structure: The most common way to use the word is in a noun-noun pair. For example, صلاحية المنتج (the validity of the product) or صلاحية القرار (the validity of the decision). In these cases, the second word specifies what kind of validity we are talking about.

انتهت صلاحية بطاقة الهوية الخاصة بي.
The validity of my ID card has ended (My ID card has expired).

When you want to describe someone's scope of work, you use the plural form صلاحيات followed by a possessive pronoun or a name. For instance, صلاحياتي means 'my authorities.' You will often see the preposition ضمن (within) or خارج (outside) used with it. 'This task is خارج صلاحياتي' (outside my authorities) is a formal way to decline a request that you are not authorized to fulfill.

Verbal Pairings: Common verbs used with صلاحية include انتهت (ended/expired), جدد (renewed), and منح (granted). For example, منحه المدير صلاحيات واسعة (The manager granted him broad authorities).

قرر المجلس تمديد صلاحية القانون الجديد.
The council decided to extend the validity of the new law.

In more advanced contexts, you might discuss صلاحية التربة (the suitability of the soil) for agriculture. Here, the word describes the physical condition and quality of the soil. It indicates that the soil possesses the necessary characteristics to support plant life. This demonstrates how the word transitions from legal and temporal concepts to physical and qualitative ones, all while maintaining the core idea of 'fitness for use.'

If you are living in an Arabic-speaking country, صلاحية is a word you will encounter daily. Its most frequent appearance is in the mundane but vital task of grocery shopping. Every milk carton, bread bag, and canned good features the phrase تاريخ الصلاحية followed by a date. In supermarkets, store clerks are constantly checking for items that are منتهية الصلاحية (expired) to remove them from the shelves. You might even hear a customer asking, 'How much صلاحية does this have left?'

In the Media and News: Turn on the news, and you will hear political analysts discussing the صلاحيات of the Prime Minister or the Parliament. In times of constitutional change, the debate often centers on whether to expand or restrict the صلاحيات of certain government branches. This is a high-level, formal use of the word that is central to political discourse.

ناقش البرلمان تقليص صلاحيات الحكومة في المسائل المالية.
The parliament discussed reducing the government's authorities in financial matters.

In the workplace, صلاحية الوصول (access authority/permissions) is a common term in IT and administration. If you cannot log into a certain system, your colleague might say you don't have the necessary صلاحيات. This mirrors the English use of 'permissions' or 'access rights.' Furthermore, at the airport or any government building, officials will check the صلاحية of your documents. A visa officer might tell you, 'Your visa's صلاحية has expired,' requiring you to renew it immediately.

عذراً، ليس لديك صلاحية الدخول إلى هذا الملف.
Sorry, you do not have the authority (permission) to access this file.

For English speakers learning Arabic, the most common mistake is confusing صلاحية with other words that share the same root. The root ص-ل-ح produces many common words, and it is easy to mix them up if you are not careful. For instance, many students confuse it with مصلحة (Maslahah), which means 'interest' or 'benefit,' or إصلاح (Islah), which means 'repair' or 'reform.'

Salahiyyah vs. Maslahah: If you say 'This is for your صلاحية,' you are saying 'This is for your validity,' which makes no sense. You should use مصلحة (Maslahah) to mean 'This is in your interest.' Salahiyyah is about the state of being fit or authorized, not about personal benefit.

خطأ: هذا من صلاحيتك. (Wrong: This is for your validity)
صح: هذا من مصلحتك. (Correct: This is in your interest)

Another common error is using the noun صلاحية when an adjective like صالح (Salih) is needed. For example, to say 'This food is valid/good,' you should say هذا الطعام صالح. Saying هذا الطعام صلاحية is grammatically incorrect because you are using a noun where an adjective should be. It is like saying 'This food is validity' instead of 'This food is valid.'

Misusing the Plural: Learners often use the singular صلاحية when referring to the broad powers of a leader. While not strictly wrong, it sounds much more natural to use the plural صلاحيات in political or administrative contexts. The singular is usually reserved for the 'validity' of a specific document or product.

Depending on the context, there are several words that can overlap with صلاحية. Choosing the right one depends on whether you are talking about power, time, or quality. Understanding these nuances will make your Arabic sound more precise and native.

Sultah (سلطة) vs. Salahiyyah: Sultah refers to 'authority' or 'power' in a general, often more forceful sense. A government has سلطة. However, صلاحية refers to the specific, legally defined bounds of that power. You might have the سلطة to lead, but your صلاحيات are the specific things you are allowed to do by law.

Nafadh (نفاذ) vs. Salahiyyah: Nafadh refers to the 'effectiveness' or 'execution' of a law or contract. While صلاحية is the state of being valid, نفاذ is the state of being currently in effect and enforceable. A contract might have صلاحية (it is validly signed), but its نفاذ (enforcement) might start next month.

Jawaz (جواز) vs. Salahiyyah: Jawaz means 'permissibility.' In religious or legal contexts, something might be جائز (permissible). This is different from صلاحية, which is about fitness and authority. You might have the صلاحية to do something, but it might not be جائز (permissible) according to certain ethical codes.

Comparison:
- صلاحية: Validity/Authority (Legal/Functional)
- سلطة: Power (General/Political)
- نفاذ: Effectiveness (Temporal/Enforcement)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The name 'Salah' (as in Salahuddin/Saladin) comes from the same root and means 'Righteousness.' So, when you check the 'Salahiyyah' of milk, you are etymologically checking its 'righteousness' for drinking!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /sˤa.laː.ħij.ja/

US /sɑ.lɑ.hi.jə/

The primary stress is on the third syllable: sa-la-HI-yyah.

Rhymes With

حرية (Hurriyyah) مسؤولية (Mas'uliyyah) وطنية (Wataniyyah) قوية (Qawiyyah) بشرية (Bashariyyah) عالمية (Alamiyyah) نفسية (Nafsiyyah) هوية (Hawiyyah)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the first 'S' as a light English 'S' (like 'sun'). It should be heavy (like 'sought').
Missing the deep 'H' (ح) and saying it like a soft 'H' (ه).
Shortening the long 'aa' sound in the second syllable.
Not doubling the 'y' sound at the end.
Treating the Ta-Marbuta at the end as a hard 'T' when not in Idafa.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize on labels, but context determines the specific meaning.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct spelling of the 'H' and 'S' sounds and managing Idafa.

Speaking 4/5

Emphasis and the deep 'H' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 3/5

Very common in news and shops, making it easy to pick up.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

صالح (Salih) تاريخ (Date) انتهاء (End) جواز (Passport) مدير (Manager)

Learn Next

سلطة (Authority) قانون (Law) تجديد (Renewal) إصلاح (Reform) مصلحة (Interest)

Advanced

ولاية (Mandate) اختصاص (Specialization/Jurisdiction) شرعية (Legitimacy) نفاذ (Effectiveness)

Grammar to Know

Idafa Construction

صلاحية المنتج (The validity of the product)

Feminine Agreement

صلاحية واسعة (Broad validity/authority)

Verbal Sentence Structure

انتهت الصلاحية (The validity ended)

Plural of Feminine Nouns (-at)

صلاحية -> صلاحيات

Prepositional Phrases

ضمن الصلاحيات (Within the authorities)

Examples by Level

أين تاريخ الصلاحية؟

Where is the expiration date?

Simple question with 'where'.

هذا الحليب فيه صلاحية.

This milk is still valid (good).

Using 'fih' (in it) to mean 'has'.

التفاح ليس له صلاحية طويلة.

Apples don't have a long shelf life.

Negation with 'laysa'.

متى تنتهي الصلاحية؟

When does the validity end?

Verb 'tan-tahi' (ends) feminine.

هذا الجواز بدون صلاحية.

This passport is without validity (expired).

Preposition 'bidun' (without).

البطاقة لها صلاحية شهر.

The card has a validity of one month.

Possessive 'laha' for the card.

أريد خبزاً بصلاحية جديدة.

I want bread with a new validity (fresh).

Adjective 'jadidah' matches feminine 'salahiyyah'.

تاريخ الصلاحية اليوم.

The expiration date is today.

Simple nominal sentence.

جوازي لديه صلاحية لمدة خمس سنوات.

My passport has validity for five years.

Using 'mudda' (duration).

هل هذه الفيزا ما زالت في الصلاحية؟

Is this visa still within validity?

Phrase 'ma zalat' (still).

الدواء منتهي الصلاحية، لا تشربه.

The medicine is expired, don't drink it.

Compound 'muntahi al-salahiyyah'.

تحتاج إلى تجديد صلاحية البطاقة.

You need to renew the card's validity.

Masdar 'tajdid' (renewing).

هذه التذكرة لها صلاحية ليوم واحد.

This ticket is valid for one day.

Specific time duration.

تأكد من صلاحية العرض قبل الشراء.

Check the validity of the offer before buying.

Imperative 'ta'akkad' (check).

صلاحية هذا المنتج ستنتهي غداً.

The validity of this product will end tomorrow.

Future tense with 'sa'.

لا توجد صلاحية لهذا المفتاح الآن.

There is no validity (access) for this key now.

Negation 'la tujad'.

المدير يملك صلاحية التوقيع على الشيكات.

The manager has the authority to sign checks.

Verb 'yamlik' (possesses).

هذا القرار ضمن صلاحيات اللجنة.

This decision is within the committee's authorities.

Preposition 'dimn' (within).

يجب فحص صلاحية المبنى قبل السكن فيه.

The building's suitability must be checked before living in it.

Passive-like structure with 'yajib fahs'.

ليس من صلاحياتي تغيير الجدول.

It is not within my authorities to change the schedule.

Possessive 'salahiyyati'.

تم منح الموظف صلاحيات جديدة.

The employee was granted new authorities.

Passive 'tumma manh'.

هل تملك هذه المحكمة صلاحية النظر في القضية؟

Does this court have the jurisdiction to look into the case?

Legal term 'salahiyyah al-nathar'.

مدة صلاحية العقد هي سنتان.

The duration of the contract's validity is two years.

Idafa construction.

انتهت صلاحية مفعول الدواء بعد ساعة.

The effectiveness of the medicine expired after an hour.

Abstract validity.

اعترض المحامي على صلاحية الأدلة المقدمة.

The lawyer challenged the validity of the presented evidence.

Verb 'i'tarada' (objected).

تتمتع الحكومة بصلاحيات واسعة في حالات الطوارئ.

The government enjoys broad authorities in emergency cases.

Verb 'tatamatta' (enjoys/possesses).

تم سحب الصلاحيات من المدير التنفيذي.

The authorities were withdrawn from the CEO.

Passive 'sahb' (withdrawing).

يجب تحديد صلاحيات كل قسم بوضوح.

The authorities of each department must be clearly defined.

Verb 'tahdid' (defining).

صلاحية هذه النظرية العلمية لا تزال محل نقاش.

The validity of this scientific theory is still under discussion.

Abstract academic use.

لا يمكن تجاوز الصلاحيات الممنوحة لك.

You cannot exceed the authorities granted to you.

Verb 'tajawuz' (exceeding).

تم تمديد صلاحية العمل بالقانون القديم.

The validity of working with the old law was extended.

Complex passive structure.

تأكد من صلاحية الرابط قبل إرساله.

Check the validity of the link before sending it.

Technical context.

يثير هذا الإجراء تساؤلات حول صلاحية الدستور الحالي.

This procedure raises questions about the validity of the current constitution.

High-level political vocabulary.

يجب الفصل بين الصلاحيات التشريعية والتنفيذية.

There must be a separation between legislative and executive authorities.

Political science terminology.

تعتمد صلاحية البحث على دقة البيانات المستخدمة.

The validity of the research depends on the accuracy of the data used.

Academic 'salahiyyah al-bahth'.

مارس الرئيس صلاحياته الدستورية لحل الأزمة.

The president exercised his constitutional authorities to resolve the crisis.

Verb 'marasa' (exercised).

هناك تداخل في الصلاحيات بين وزارتي العدل والداخلية.

There is an overlap in authorities between the Ministries of Justice and Interior.

Noun 'tadakhul' (overlap).

تعتبر هذه الاتفاقية فاقدة للصلاحية القانونية.

This agreement is considered lacking legal validity.

Phrase 'faqidah lil-salahiyyah'.

تم الطعن في صلاحية تعيين المدير الجديد.

The validity of the new manager's appointment was challenged.

Legal term 'al-ta'n' (challenge/appeal).

تفتقر المنطقة إلى الصلاحية البيئية للزراعة المكثفة.

The region lacks the environmental suitability for intensive agriculture.

Environmental 'salahiyyah'.

إن إشكالية الصلاحية في الفكر المعاصر تتجاوز مجرد النصوص القانونية.

The problematic of validity in contemporary thought goes beyond mere legal texts.

Highly abstract/philosophical.

تستمد السلطة صلاحيتها من العقد الاجتماعي المبرم بين الشعب والحاكم.

Authority derives its validity from the social contract concluded between the people and the ruler.

Political philosophy.

يعد مبدأ 'توازي الصلاحيات' ركيزة أساسية في القانون الإداري.

The principle of 'parallelism of authorities' is a fundamental pillar in administrative law.

Specialized administrative law term.

ثمة هوة سحيقة بين الصلاحيات الاسمية والممارسة الفعلية للسلطة.

There is a vast gap between nominal authorities and the actual exercise of power.

Literary/Metaphorical.

تتوقف صلاحية هذا التأويل التاريخي على اكتشاف وثائق جديدة.

The validity of this historical interpretation depends on the discovery of new documents.

Historiographical use.

إن تقليص صلاحيات الفرد لصالح الجماعة هو جوهر الدولة الحديثة.

Reducing the individual's authorities in favor of the group is the essence of the modern state.

Sociopolitical analysis.

تظل صلاحية هذه القيم الأخلاقية مطلقة في كل زمان ومكان.

The validity of these moral values remains absolute in every time and place.

Ethical/Universalist.

أدى التنازع على الصلاحيات إلى شلل تام في مؤسسات الدولة.

The conflict over authorities led to a complete paralysis in state institutions.

Political crisis description.

Synonyms

فعالية سلطة جواز شرعية

Antonyms

بطلان انتهاء

Common Collocations

تاريخ الصلاحية

منتهي الصلاحية

ضمن صلاحيات

خارج صلاحيات

تجاوز الصلاحيات

سحب الصلاحيات

منح الصلاحيات

مدة الصلاحية

صلاحية السكن

صلاحية الاستخدام

Common Phrases

صلاحية مطلقة

— Absolute authority without any limits.

يتمتع المدير بصلاحية مطلقة.

صلاحية قانونية

— Legal validity recognized by the state.

هل لهذا العقد صلاحية قانونية؟

فقد الصلاحية

— To lose validity or fitness.

فقد الطعام صلاحيته بسبب الحر.

صلاحية محدودة

— Limited powers or short validity period.

لديه صلاحية محدودة في اتخاذ القرار.

تجديد الصلاحية

— Renewing the validity of a document.

يجب تجديد صلاحية الهوية.

صلاحية العمل

— The validity of a work permit or law.

انتهت صلاحية العمل بهذا القرار.

صلاحية الوصول

— Access permissions in IT.

ليس لديك صلاحية الوصول لهذا الملف.

صلاحية النظر

— Jurisdiction to hear a case in court.

المحكمة تملك صلاحية النظر في الشكوى.

صلاحية القيادة

— Fitness/Validity of a driver's license.

تأكد من صلاحية رخصة القيادة.

شهادة صلاحية

— A certificate of fitness or validity.

حصل المصنع على شهادة صلاحية.

Often Confused With

صلاحية vs مصلحة (Maslahah)

Maslahah means interest or benefit. Salahiyyah means validity or authority.

صلاحية vs إصلاح (Islah)

Islah means reform or fixing something broken. Salahiyyah is the state of being fit.

صلاحية vs صلاح (Salah)

Salah is righteousness or a name. Salahiyyah is the noun for validity.

Idioms & Expressions

"انتهت صلاحيته"

— Used metaphorically for a person who is no longer relevant or powerful.

هذا السياسي انتهت صلاحيته.

Informal/Political

"تجاوز الحدود"

— Similar to exceeding authority, but more general.

لقد تجاوزت حدود صلاحياتك.

Neutral

"صالح لكل زمان ومكان"

— Valid for every time and place (usually referring to the Quran or universal truths).

الإسلام صالح لكل زمان ومكان.

Religious/Formal

"ضرب في الصلاحية"

— To challenge the very foundation of someone's authority.

تصرفه ضرب في صلاحية المجلس.

Formal

"بكامل صلاحياته"

— With full powers; fully authorized.

حضر الوزير بكامل صلاحياته.

Formal

"تحت طائلة الصلاحية"

— Within the scope of the rule/authority.

هذا يقع تحت طائلة صلاحياتنا.

Legal

"فقد البوصلة والصلاحية"

— Lost direction and relevance/power.

الحزب فقد البوصلة والصلاحية.

Journalistic

"صلاحية من ورق"

— Authority that exists only on paper but has no real power.

لديه صلاحية من ورق فقط.

Informal

"في أوج صلاحيته"

— At the peak of his power or fitness.

كان اللاعب في أوج صلاحيته البدنية.

Neutral

"بلا حسيب ولا رقيب"

— Without accountability, often used when someone exceeds their Salahiyyat.

يمارس صلاحياته بلا حسيب ولا رقيب.

Critical

Easily Confused

صلاحية vs سلطة (Sultah)

Both mean 'authority'.

Sultah is general power. Salahiyyah is the specific legal limit of that power.

The King has Sultah, and the Minister has specific Salahiyyat.

صلاحية vs نفاذ (Nafadh)

Both relate to laws being 'good'.

Salahiyyah is being validly created. Nafadh is being currently active and enforceable.

The law has Salahiyyah but not yet Nafadh.

صلاحية vs أهلية (Ahliyyah)

Both relate to being 'fit'.

Ahliyyah is personal competence (mental/age). Salahiyyah is situational or document-based fitness.

He has the Ahliyyah to marry, and his ID has Salahiyyah.

صلاحية vs جواز (Jawaz)

Both mean 'it's okay'.

Jawaz is permissibility (is it allowed?). Salahiyyah is validity (is it still working/official?).

Drinking juice is Jawaz, but this juice lost its Salahiyyah.

صلاحية vs قوة (Quwwah)

Both translate to 'power'.

Quwwah is physical or raw strength. Salahiyyah is administrative or legal power.

The army has Quwwah, the judge has Salahiyyah.

Sentence Patterns

أين [اسم] الصلاحية؟

أين تاريخ الصلاحية؟

[اسم] منتهي الصلاحية.

اللبن منتهي الصلاحية.

هذا ضمن [صلاحياتي/صلاحياتك].

هذا ضمن صلاحياتي.

تم [فعل] صلاحية [اسم].

تم تمديد صلاحية العقد.

تثير [اسم] تساؤلات حول صلاحية [اسم].

تثير القضية تساؤلات حول صلاحية القانون.

تستمد [اسم] صلاحيتها من [اسم].

تستمد السلطة صلاحيتها من الدستور.

ليس لدي [صلاحية] لـ [فعل].

ليس لدي صلاحية للتوقيع.

كم [مدة] الصلاحية؟

كم مدة الصلاحية؟

Word Family

Nouns

صلاح (Salah - Righteousness)

مصلحة (Maslahah - Interest)

إصلاح (Islah - Reform)

تصليح (Taslih - Repair)

مصالح (Masalih - Interests/Plural)

Verbs

صلح (Saluha - To be fit)

أصلح (Aslaha - To reform/fix)

صلّح (Sallaha - To repair)

تصالح (Tasalaha - To reconcile)

Adjectives

صالح (Salih - Valid/Good)

مصلح (Muslih - Reformer)

مستصلح (Mustaslah - Reclaimed/Improved)

قانون (Law)

سلطة (Authority)

تاريخ (Date)

انتهاء (End)

تجديد (Renewal)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily life and professional settings.

Common Mistakes

هذا من صلاحيتك → هذا من مصلحتك
You used 'validity' when you meant 'interest/benefit'.
الطعام صلاحية → الطعام صالح
You used a noun where an adjective was needed.
تاريخ الصلاحي → تاريخ الصلاحية
Missing the feminine ending 'ah'.
خارج صلاحيتي → خارج صلاحياتي
Using singular when plural is more natural for professional authority.
صلاحية الجواز انتهى → صلاحية الجواز انتهت
The verb must be feminine to match 'Salahiyyah'.

Tips

Check the Date

Always look for 'Tarikh al-Salahiyyah' on products. It is usually printed on the bottom or the neck of the bottle.

Know Your Limits

In a job, always ask about your 'Salahiyyat' (authorities) so you know what you are allowed to sign or decide.

Passport Validity

Ensure your passport has at least six months of 'Salahiyyah' before traveling to avoid issues at the border.

Feminine Noun

Remember it ends in Ta-Marbuta, so adjectives like 'wasia' (broad) or 'jadida' (new) must also be feminine.

Deep H

Practice the 'Ha' sound by imagining you are trying to fog up a pair of glasses. That is the correct 'H' for Salahiyyah.

Permission

In IT, use 'Salahiyyat al-wusul' to ask for access to folders or software systems.

Root Learning

Learning the root S-L-H will help you understand related words like Islah (reform) and Salih (good).

Politeness

Saying 'This is outside my Salahiyyat' is a very polite and professional way to say 'I can't help you with that' in an office.

Safety First

Never take medicine that is 'Muntahi al-Salahiyyah' (expired). Check the box carefully.

Theory Validity

When writing an essay, use 'Salahiyyah al-nazariyyah' to discuss if a scientific theory is still valid.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Salah' (the name). A person named Salah is a 'good' guy. 'Salahiyyah' is the quality of being 'good' or 'fit' for use.

Visual Association

Imagine a big green checkmark on a milk carton. The checkmark represents 'Salahiyyah'—it is fit, it is valid, it is good.

Word Web

Valid Authorized Fit Fresh Legal Jurisdiction Power Expiration

Challenge

Go to your kitchen and find three items with a 'Tarikh al-Salahiyyah'. Say the date out loud in Arabic using the word.

Word Origin

Derived from the Arabic root ص-ل-ح (S-L-H). This root appears extensively in the Quran and classical literature, signifying the transition from a state of chaos or badness to a state of order, goodness, and fitness.

Original meaning: The original meaning is 'to be sound,' 'to be whole,' or 'to be fit for its purpose.'

Semitic (Arabic).

Cultural Context

None. This is a neutral, formal, and essential word.

In English, we use different words: 'authority' for people and 'expiration' for food. In Arabic, this one word 'Salahiyyah' covers both perfectly.

Used in almost every Arab constitution. Common in legal contracts (Shari'a and Civil). Found on all packaged goods in the Middle East.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Supermarket

متى تنتهي الصلاحية؟
هذا منتهي الصلاحية.
تاريخ الصلاحية قديم.
أريد صلاحية طويلة.

Government Office

صلاحية الجواز.
تجديد الصلاحية.
الفيزا لها صلاحية.
مدة الصلاحية سنة.

Workplace

ضمن صلاحياتي.
ليس من صلاحياتك.
منح الصلاحيات.
تجاوز الصلاحيات.

Courtroom

صلاحية المحكمة.
صلاحية الأدلة.
الطعن في الصلاحية.
سقوط الصلاحية.

Construction/Real Estate

صلاحية السكن.
صلاحية الأرض.
شهادة الصلاحية.
فحص الصلاحية.

Conversation Starters

"هل تأكدت من تاريخ صلاحية هذا المنتج قبل شرائه؟"

"ما هي الصلاحيات التي يملكها المدير الجديد في شركتك؟"

"هل تعتقد أن الرئيس يجب أن يملك صلاحيات واسعة في هذه الأزمة؟"

"متى يجب عليك تجديد صلاحية رخصة القيادة الخاصة بك؟"

"هل واجهت يوماً مشكلة بسبب انتهاء صلاحية جواز سفرك؟"

Journal Prompts

اكتب عن موقف اضطررت فيه لاستخدام صلاحياتك في العمل أو الدراسة.

صف شعورك عندما تكتشف أنك اشتريت منتجاً منتهي الصلاحية.

ناقش أهمية تحديد الصلاحيات في أي علاقة مهنية أو شخصية.

هل تعتقد أن القوانين القديمة تفقد صلاحيتها مع مرور الزمن؟ لماذا؟

اكتب عن رحلة قمت بها وكيف تأكدت من صلاحية أوراق سفرك.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. While it is the most common use in a supermarket, in an office or court, it means authority or legal validity. Context is essential.

You say 'Al-halib muntahi al-salahiyyah' (الحليب منتهي الصلاحية).

Only metaphorically or in terms of their job authority. You can say 'His authorities (Salahiyyat) were taken away,' or slangily, 'He is expired' (meaning irrelevant).

The plural is 'Salahiyyat' (صلاحيات), and it is very common when talking about someone's duties or powers.

Yes, it is a standard Arabic word used in formal documents, news, and everyday labels.

It comes from S-L-H (ص-ل-ح), which means to be good, fit, or right.

Sultah is 'power' in a general sense, while Salahiyyah is 'authority' granted by a specific rule or law.

Yes, 'Salahiyyah al-sakan' means the suitability or fitness of a building for living.

In Arabic-speaking countries, checking the 'Tarikh al-Salahiyyah' is a standard habit for food and medicine.

Yes, it is the 'Ha' (ح), which is a deep breathy sound from the middle of the throat, not the soft English 'H'.