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A2 verb 8 min read

يَدْفَع

yadfa'
Examples يَدْفَع in 30 Seconds
Explanation يَدْفَع in your Level:
At the A1 level, you only need to know 'yadfa‘' as 'to pay' in simple shopping contexts. You will mostly use it in the first person: 'Adfa‘' (I pay) or 'Kam adfa‘?' (How much do I pay?). It is one of the first verbs you learn for survival Arabic. You might also see it on 'Push' signs on doors. Focus on the connection between money and buying things. You don't need to worry about complex prepositions or abstract meanings like 'defending' yet. Just think of it as the 'money verb' you use at the grocery store or a cafe. It is a regular verb in the present tense, so it follows the easy patterns you are learning for 'ya-' (he), 'ta-' (she), and 'a-' (I).
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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'yadfa‘' in more varied sentences. You should be able to say what you are paying for using 'yadfa‘u thaman...' (He pays the price of...). You will also learn to use it with different payment methods, like 'yadfa‘u naqdan' (He pays in cash) or 'bi-bitaqah' (by card). You might start to see the 'push' meaning in physical descriptions, like 'yadfa‘u al-baab' (He pushes the door). You should also be comfortable with the past tense 'dafa‘a' (he paid). This level is about expanding from 'how much' to 'how' and 'what' you are paying or pushing in everyday life.
At the B1 level, you should understand the more abstract 'pushing' meanings. This includes 'motivation'—what 'pushes' someone to do something. You will also encounter the preposition '‘an' for the first time in the sense of 'defending'. Phrases like 'yadfa‘u ‘an ra’yihi' (He defends his opinion) become important. You will also see it used in more complex grammar, such as with 'an' (to) like 'yuridu an yadfa‘a' (he wants to pay). Your vocabulary will expand to include the noun 'daf‘' (payment/pushing) and 'dafi‘' (motive/incentive). You are moving from simple transactions to describing motivations and basic arguments.
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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'yadfa‘' in professional and social contexts with nuance. This includes understanding its use in news reports regarding political pressure ('yadfa‘u bi-ittijah...' - pushing towards...). You should be familiar with legal and formal uses, like 'yadfa‘u al-tuham' (repelling accusations). You will also understand the difference between 'yadfa‘' and synonyms like 'yusaddid' (to settle a debt) or 'yunfiq' (to spend). You can use the verb to describe social forces and economic trends. Your ability to use the correct preposition ('li', '‘an', 'bi', 'ila') should be mostly accurate, as these change the meaning significantly at this level.
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At the C1 level, you should appreciate the rhetorical and literary power of 'yadfa‘'. You will encounter it in classical literature and advanced essays where it describes the 'repelling' of philosophical doubts or the 'driving' force of history. You should be able to use it in complex idioms and understand its role in creating flow in formal writing. You will also recognize the derived forms of the root, like Form VI 'tadafa‘a' (to push each other/crowd) and Form VIII 'indafa‘a' (to rush/dash). You can discuss the etymology and the conceptual link between physical force and financial value in Arabic thought. Your usage should be indistinguishable from a native speaker in formal contexts.
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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'yadfa‘' across all historical and modern registers. You can analyze its use in the Quran or pre-Islamic poetry where 'daf‘' has deep tribal and defensive connotations. You can use it to articulate subtle distinctions in legal defense or economic theory. You are comfortable with the most obscure idiomatic expressions and can play with the word's multiple meanings for irony or poetic effect. You understand how the concept of 'daf‘' (repelling) is central to certain Islamic theological concepts (like 'daf‘ al-darar' - repelling harm). Your command of the verb includes all its morphological variations and their most subtle semantic shifts.
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Examples

يَدْفَع in 30 Seconds

  • Yadfa' is the primary Arabic verb for 'to pay' money in transactions.
  • It also literally means 'to push' an object like a door or a car.
  • When used with 'an', it means to defend or repel harm/accusations.
  • It acts as a metaphor for 'motivation' or 'driving' someone toward a goal.

The Arabic verb يَدْفَع (yadfa‘) is a multi-faceted word that primarily translates to "to pay" in a financial context, but its root meaning is far more physical and dynamic. At its core, the root د-ف-ع (d-f-') signifies the act of pushing, thrusting, or repelling. When you pay for something in Arabic, you are metaphorically "pushing" the money toward the seller. This dual nature makes it one of the most versatile verbs in the Arabic language, essential for everything from daily commerce to philosophical debates about motivation.

Financial Transaction
In the modern world, this is the most frequent usage. It covers paying bills, paying for groceries, or even paying a fine. It is almost always followed by the object being paid for, often using the preposition 'thaman' (price) or 'li' (to/for).

يَجِبُ أَنْ يَدْفَعَ الزَّبُونُ الثَّمَنَ نَقْدًا. (The customer must pay the price in cash.)

Physical Motion
If you see a sign on a door in an Arabic-speaking country, it will likely say 'Idfa‘' (Push) or 'Is-hab' (Pull). Here, the verb retains its original physical sense of applying force to move an object away from oneself.

هُوَ يَدْفَعُ العَرَبَةَ بِقُوَّةٍ. (He pushes the cart with force.)

Beyond these, the word is used in legal and defensive contexts. To 'defend' someone or 'repel' an attack is often expressed using this verb with the preposition '‘an' (from/about). For instance, 'yadfa‘u ‘an nafsihi' means he defends himself. It also appears in psychology to describe motivation; something that 'pushes' you to succeed is a 'dafi‘' (motive). Understanding this word requires seeing the link between physical force and the transfer of value or the act of protection.

الحَاجَةُ تَدْفَعُ الإِنْسَانَ لِلإِبْدَاعِ. (Need pushes/drives a human to innovate.)

Repelling Harm
In classical and religious texts, 'daf‘' is used to describe God repelling evil or people defending their land. It implies a protective barrier or an active resistance against an incoming force.

المُحَامِي يَدْفَعُ التُّهَمَةَ عَنْ مُوَكِّلِهِ. (The lawyer repels/refutes the accusation against his client.)

Using يَدْفَع correctly depends heavily on the prepositions that follow it. Unlike English, where 'pay' and 'push' are distinct, the context and the particles 'li' (to), '‘an' (from/defend), or 'bi' (with/by) dictate the specific meaning. Mastery of this verb requires practicing these different structures until they become second nature.

Direct Object (Paying Money)
When paying a specific amount or a bill, the money or the bill is the direct object. Example: 'Yadfa‘u al-faturah' (He pays the bill). If you want to say 'pay for', you often use 'thaman' (price of).

هَلْ يُمْكِنُنِي أَنْ أَدْفَعَ بِبِطَاقَةِ الِائْتِمَانِ؟ (Can I pay with a credit card?)

The Preposition '‘an' (Defense)
This is a crucial academic and formal usage. 'Yadfa‘u ‘an' means to defend or protect. It suggests 'pushing away' harm from the object. 'Yadfa‘u al-jundi ‘an al-watan' (The soldier defends the homeland).

نَحْنُ نَدْفَعُ الضَّرَائِبَ كُلَّ عَامٍ. (We pay taxes every year.)

In the present tense, the verb follows standard Form I patterns. For 'he pays' it is 'yadfa‘u', for 'she pays' it is 'tadfa‘u', and for 'I pay' it is 'adfa‘u'. Remember that in many Arabic dialects, the 'u' at the end is dropped in casual speech. However, in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), the final vowel changes depending on the grammatical case (mood) of the verb (indicative, subjunctive, or jussive).

لَنْ يَدْفَعَ أَحَدٌ عَنْكَ حِسَابَكَ. (No one will pay your bill for you.)

Pushing Towards an Action
To describe motivation, use 'yadfa‘u' + object + 'ila' (towards). 'Yadfa‘uni al-shawqu ila al-safar' (Longing pushes/drives me to travel).

مَنْ يَدْفَعُ لَكَ رَاتِبَكَ؟ (Who pays you your salary?)

The environment in which you hear يَدْفَع drastically changes its meaning. From the bustling markets of Cairo to the high-stakes courtrooms of Dubai, this verb is ubiquitous. Understanding these contexts helps you anticipate which meaning is being intended without needing to translate every word in your head.

The Marketplace and Retail
This is the most common place. You will hear it at the 'kashir' (cashier). A common question is 'Kam adfa‘?' (How much do I pay?). Sellers might say 'Idfa‘ huna' (Pay here). It is the language of exchange.

سَأَقُومُ بِـ دَفْعِ الحِسَابِ الآنَ. (I will perform the payment of the bill now.)

News and Politics
In news broadcasts, 'yadfa‘' is often used in the context of 'pushing' for peace or 'repelling' an invasion. You might hear 'yadfa‘u bi-ittijah al-taswiyah' (pushing in the direction of a settlement). It describes political pressure.

الحُكُومَةُ تَدْفَعُ نَحْوَ التَّغْيِيرِ. (The government is pushing toward change.)

In academic or religious lectures, 'daf‘' is used to talk about 'repelling' doubts (daf‘ al-shubuhat). Here, it is an intellectual act. If a student is being encouraged, a teacher might say 'Ma al-ladhi yadfa‘uka lil-dirasah?' (What pushes/motivates you to study?). This psychological push is a very common usage in motivational speaking and education.

الإِيمَانُ يَدْفَعُ الإِنْسَانَ لِعَمَلِ الخَيْرِ. (Faith pushes/drives the human to do good.)

Daily Logistics
In a car, if it breaks down, you might hear someone yell 'Idfa‘!' (Push!). In a crowded bus, someone might say 'La tadfa‘!' (Don't push!). This is the literal, physical application of the word.

مَنْ سَيَقُومُ بِـ دَفْعِ تَمَنِ التَّذَاكِرِ؟ (Who will perform the payment of the tickets' price?)

English speakers often struggle with يَدْفَع because of its dual meaning and the specific way Arabic handles prepositions. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your Arabic sound much more natural and precise.

Confusing 'Pay' with 'Give'
Beginners often use 'a‘ta' (to give) when they mean 'to pay'. While paying involves giving money, 'yadfa‘' specifically implies a transaction or a settlement of a debt. If you are at a shop, use 'yadfa‘'. If you are giving a gift, use 'a‘ta'.

خَطَأ: أَعْطَيْتُ الفَاتُورَةَ. صَح: دَفَعْتُ الفَاتُورَةَ. (Wrong: I gave the bill. Right: I paid the bill.)

Preposition Errors with 'Defend'
In English, we 'defend' (direct object). In Arabic, you 'push from' (yadfa‘ ‘an). Forgetting the '‘an' changes the meaning to 'paying for' or 'pushing' the person. 'Dafa‘tu ‘anhu' means I defended him. 'Dafa‘tuhu' means I pushed him.

يَجِبُ أَنْ تَدْفَعَ عَنْ حَقِّكَ. (You must defend [push for] your right.)

Another common mistake is using 'yadfa‘' when you mean 'to pay back' a loan. While 'yadfa‘' can be used, 'yusaddid' (to settle/plug) is much more common for debts. Also, watch out for the pronunciation of the 'ayn' (ع) at the end. If you don't pronounce it clearly, it might sound like 'dafa' (warmth), leading to total confusion.

خَطَأ: هُوَ يَدْفَعُ الدَّيْنَ. صَح: هُوَ يُسَدِّدُ الدَّيْنَ. (Though 'yadfa' is okay, 'yusaddid' is better for debt settlement.)

Mixing up 'Push' and 'Pull'
Because 'yadfa‘' is so often used as 'pay' in the classroom, students forget its physical meaning. On doors, 'Idfa‘' is push. 'Is-hab' is pull. Mixing these up is a classic tourist mistake in the Arab world.

لا تَدْفَعِ البَابَ، بَلِ اسْحَبْهُ. (Don't push the door, rather pull it.)

While يَدْفَع is the most versatile word for paying and pushing, Arabic has a rich vocabulary of synonyms that offer more specific nuances. Choosing the right one depends on whether you are talking about money, physics, or motivation.

يُسَدِّد (Yusaddid) - To Settle/Pay Back
This verb is specifically used for settling a debt, a loan, or a bill in full. It comes from a root meaning 'to point' or 'to be straight/correct'. It implies that the payment has closed the matter.

عَلَيْكَ أَنْ تُسَدِّدَ قَرْضَ البَنْكِ. (You must settle/pay back the bank loan.)

يُنْفِق (Yunfiq) - To Spend
While 'yadfa‘' is the act of paying for a specific thing, 'yunfiq' is the general act of spending money or resources. It is often used in the context of charity or household expenses.

هُوَ يُنْفِقُ الكَثِيرَ عَلَى مَلابِسِهِ. (He spends a lot on his clothes.)

In terms of physical pushing, you might encounter 'yazuqq' (يَزُقّ) in Egyptian or Levantine dialects, which is much more common for 'pushing' a car or a person than the formal 'yadfa‘'. For 'repelling', you might see 'yasuddu' (to block) or 'yuqawimu' (to resist). For 'motivation', 'yuharriku' (to move/stimulate) is a strong alternative.

هَذَا الفِيلْمُ يُحَرِّكُ المَشَاعِرَ. (This movie moves/pushes the emotions.)

يَحْمِي (Yahmi) - To Protect
While 'yadfa‘ ‘an' means to defend by repelling, 'yahmi' is the general word for 'protect'. Use 'yahmi' for safety and 'yadfa‘ ‘an' for active defense or legal justification.

سَوْفَ تَدْفَعُ ثَمَنَ غَلَطَتِكَ. (You will pay the price for your mistake.)

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Examples by Level

1

أَنَا أَدْفَعُ الآنَ.

I am paying now.

Present tense, 1st person singular.

2

هَلْ تَدْفَعُ نَقْدًا؟

Are you paying in cash?

Interrogative sentence using the 2nd person singular.

3

هُوَ يَدْفَعُ الثَّمَنَ.

He pays the price.

Subject-Verb-Object structure.

4

اِدْفَعِ البَابَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ.

Push the door, please.

Imperative (command) form.

5

هِيَ تَدْفَعُ لِلْخُبْزِ.

She pays for the bread.

Present tense, 3rd person feminine.

6

كَمْ أَدْفَعُ هُنَا؟

How much do I pay here?

Question word 'Kam' followed by the verb.

7

نَحْنُ نَدْفَعُ فِي المَطْعَمِ.

We pay in the restaurant.

1st person plural 'nahnu'.

8

لا تَدْفَعْ بِقُوَّةٍ.

Don't push strongly.

Negative imperative.

1

دَفَعْتُ الحِسَابَ أَمْسِ.

I paid the bill yesterday.

Past tense 'dafa'tu'.

2

يَدْفَعُ الطَّالِبُ ثَمَنَ الكُتُبِ.

The student pays the price of the books.

Verb-Subject order common in MSA.

3

هَلْ يُمْكِنُنِي أَنْ أَدْفَعَ بِالبِطَاقَةِ؟

Can I pay with the card?

Subjunctive mood after 'an'.

4

يَدْفَعُ الرَّجُلُ العَرَبَةَ فِي السُّوقِ.

The man pushes the cart in the market.

Literal physical use of the verb.

5

تَدْفَعُ الشَّرِكَةُ رَوَاتِبَ جَيِّدَةً.

The company pays good salaries.

Plural object 'rawatib'.

6

لِمَاذَا لَمْ تَدْفَعِ الفَاتُورَةَ بَعْدُ؟

Why haven't you paid the bill yet?

Jussive mood after 'lam'.

7

يَدْفَعُونَ الكَثِيرَ مِنَ المَالِ.

They pay a lot of money.

3rd person plural 'yadfa'una'.

8

أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَدْفَعَ عَنْ صَدِيقِي.

I want to pay for my friend.

The preposition 'an' here means 'on behalf of'.

1

مَا الَّذِي يَدْفَعُكَ لِلنَّجَاحِ؟

What pushes (motivates) you to succeed?

Metaphorical use for motivation.

2

يَدْفَعُ المُحَامِي عَنِ المُتَّهَمِ.

The lawyer defends the accused.

Preposition 'an' indicates defense.

3

دَفَعَتْنِي الحَاجَةُ لِلْعَمَلِ لَيْلاً.

Need pushed me to work at night.

Feminine subject 'al-hajah' (need).

4

يَجِبُ أَنْ نَدْفَعَ الضَّرَارَ عَنِ النَّاسِ.

We must repel harm from the people.

Moral/ethical obligation.

5

يَدْفَعُ التَّاجِرُ البَضَائِعَ إِلَى المَخْزَنِ.

The merchant pushes the goods to the warehouse.

Physical movement with direction 'ila'.

6

هَذَا الخَبَرُ يَدْفَعُنَا لِلتَّفَاؤُلِ.

This news pushes us toward optimism.

Causative sense of the verb.

7

لَمْ يَدْفَعْ أَيَّ شَيْءٍ مُنْذُ شَهْرٍ.

He hasn't paid anything for a month.

Jussive mood with 'lam'.

8

يَدْفَعُ الجَيْشُ العَدُوَّ عَنِ الحُدُودِ.

The army repels the enemy from the borders.

Military context of repelling.

1

الحُكُومَةُ تَدْفَعُ بِاتِّجَاهِ الإِصْلاحِ الِاقْتِصَادِيِّ.

The government is pushing toward economic reform.

Political/Economic register.

2

يَدْفَعُ الفُضُولُ العُلَمَاءَ لِلِاكْتِشَافِ.

Curiosity drives scientists to discovery.

Abstract subject 'al-fudul'.

3

دَفَعَ ثَمَنًا بَاهِظًا لِحُرِّيَّتِهِ.

He paid a heavy price for his freedom.

Idiomatic use of 'heavy price'.

4

يَدْفَعُ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ كُلَّ التُّهَمِ البَاطِلَةِ.

He refutes all the false accusations against himself.

Reflexive use 'an nafsihi'.

5

تَدْفَعُ هَذِهِ السِّيَاسَةُ إِلَى زِيَادَةِ الِاسْتِهْلاكِ.

This policy leads to (pushes toward) increased consumption.

Systemic cause and effect.

6

لَقَدْ دَفَعَنِي كَلامُكَ إِلَى التَّفْكِيرِ مَلِيًّا.

Your words pushed me to think deeply.

Emphasis with 'laqad'.

7

يَدْفَعُ المَوْجُ السَّفِينَةَ نَحْوَ الصُّخُورِ.

The waves push the ship toward the rocks.

Natural forces as subjects.

8

هَلْ تَدْفَعُ الرُّسُومَ سَنَوِيًّا أَمْ شَهْرِيًّا؟

Do you pay the fees annually or monthly?

Formal vocabulary 'al-rusum' (fees).

1

يَدْفَعُ الكَاتِبُ بِحُجَجٍ قَوِيَّةٍ فِي مَقَالِهِ.

The writer puts forward (pushes) strong arguments in his article.

Intellectual/Literary register.

2

دَفَعَ اللهُ عَنَّا البَلاءَ.

May God repel the affliction from us.

Religious/Supplicatory context.

3

يَدْفَعُ هَذَا الِاكْتِشَافُ حُدُودَ المَعْرِفَةِ البَشَرِيَّةِ.

This discovery pushes the boundaries of human knowledge.

Grand, academic style.

4

تَدْفَعُ الظُّرُوفُ القَاسِيَةُ النَّاسَ لِلْهِجْرَةِ.

Harsh conditions drive people to migrate.

Sociological analysis.

5

يَدْفَعُ المَرْءُ ضَرِيبَةَ الشُّهْرَةِ مِنْ خُصُوصِيَّتِهِ.

One pays the tax of fame from their privacy.

Philosophical/Idiomatic.

6

دَفَعَ بِبَرَاءَتِهِ أَمَامَ المَحْكَمَةِ العُلْيَا.

He pleaded his innocence before the Supreme Court.

Legal terminology 'dafa'a bi-'.

7

يَدْفَعُ التَّطَوُّرُ التِّكْنُولُوجِيُّ بِالعَالَمِ نَحْوَ المَجْهُولِ.

Technological development is pushing the world toward the unknown.

Abstract global subject.

8

إِنَّ مَا يَدْفَعُنِي لِلْقَوْلِ بِهَذَا هُوَ الوَاقِعُ المَلْمُوسُ.

What drives me to say this is the tangible reality.

Complex sentence structure with 'inna'.

1

يَدْفَعُ النَّصُّ الأَدَبِيُّ القَارِئَ لِتَأْوِيلَاتٍ مُتَعَدِّدَةٍ.

The literary text pushes the reader toward multiple interpretations.

Literary criticism register.

2

دَفَعَ الصَّائِلَ عَنْ مَالِهِ وَعِرْضِهِ.

He repelled the aggressor from his property and honor.

Classical/Legal terminology 'al-sa'il'.

3

يَدْفَعُ هَذَا المَنْطِقُ بِالتَّسَاؤُلِ إِلَى أَقْصَى مَدَاهُ.

This logic pushes the questioning to its furthest extent.

Philosophical discourse.

4

دَفَعَ بِالقَوْلِ إِنَّ التَّارِيخَ يُعِيدُ نَفْسَهُ.

He advanced the argument that history repeats itself.

Formal argumentation.

5

تَدْفَعُ الضَّرُورَةُ الشِّعْرِيَّةُ الشَّاعِرَ لِخَرْقِ القَوَاعِدِ.

Poetic necessity pushes the poet to break the rules.

Specialized linguistic context.

6

يَدْفَعُ عَنْ عَقِيدَتِهِ بِكُلِّ مَا أُوتِيَ مِنْ بَيَانٍ.

He defends his creed with all the eloquence he was given.

High rhetoric.

7

دَفَعَ بِرُؤْيَةٍ جَدِيدَةٍ لِلْعَلاقَاتِ الدَّوْلِيَّةِ.

He proposed (pushed) a new vision for international relations.

Diplomatic/Strategic register.

8

يَدْفَعُ الاسْتِبْدَادُ بِالشُّعُوبِ إِلَى حَافَّةِ الِانْفِجَارِ.

Tyranny pushes peoples to the brink of explosion.

Political science terminology.

Common Collocations

دَفْعُ الثَّمَنِ
دَفْعُ الفَاتُورَةِ
دَ
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