يَجْمَع in 30 Seconds
- يَجْمَع means to gather, collect, or add.
- It is a Form I verb from the root J-M-3.
- Commonly used for hobbies, social events, and math.
- Often paired with the preposition 'بين' to mean 'combining'.
The Arabic verb يَجْمَع (yajma'u) is a foundational Form I verb derived from the root ج-م-ع (j-m-3). At its core, it signifies the act of bringing disparate elements together into a single unit or location. Whether you are talking about physical objects, people, or abstract concepts like data and thoughts, this verb is the primary vehicle for expressing 'gathering' or 'collecting'. In the context of CEFR A2, it is most frequently used to describe hobbies (like collecting stamps) or social actions (like gathering friends).
- Physical Gathering
- Refers to picking up items from different places and putting them in one spot, such as gathering wood for a fire or collecting toys from the floor.
- Social Assembly
- Used when a person brings people together for a specific purpose, like a leader gathering his team for a meeting.
- Mathematical Addition
- In arithmetic, this verb is used to describe the process of adding numbers together (e.g., 5 + 5).
"الْوَلَدُ يَجْمَعُ الطَّوَابِعَ الْبَرِيدِيَّةَ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ." (The boy collects postage stamps every day.)
"الْمُعَلِّمُ يَجْمَعُ الْأَوْرَاقَ مِنَ الطُّلَّابِ." (The teacher collects the papers from the students.)
- Abstract Collection
- Collecting information, evidence, or even courage. It implies a systematic accumulation.
"هِيَ تَجْمَعُ بَيْنَ الدِّرَاسَةِ وَالْعَمَلِ." (She combines [gathers between] study and work.)
Using يَجْمَع effectively requires understanding its transitivity and its common prepositions. As a Form I verb, it follows the standard present tense conjugation pattern for triliteral roots. It is a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes a direct object (the thing being gathered).
- With People: When gathering people, it implies an active role by the subject. Example: يجمع المدير الموظفين (The manager gathers the employees).
- With Prepositions: The preposition بَيْنَ (between) is frequently used to express combining two different things. Example: يجمع بين الجمال والذكاء (He combines beauty and intelligence).
- In Math: Use it to say 'add'. Example: اجمع خمسة إلى خمسة (Add five to five).
Present Tense Conjugation (Common)
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| أنا (I) | أَجْمَعُ |
| أنتَ (You m.) | تَجْمَعُ |
| هو (He) | يَجْمَعُ |
| نحن (We) | نَجْمَعُ |
You will encounter يَجْمَع in a variety of daily and formal contexts. Its versatility makes it a staple of both spoken dialects and Modern Standard Arabic (MSA).
- In the News
- "يجمع الخبراء على أن..." (Experts agree [gather on the opinion] that...). This is a very common formal expression for consensus.
- At Home
- Parents telling children to gather their toys: "اجمع ألعابك!" (Gather your toys!).
- In Business
- Discussing data collection: "الشركة تجمع البيانات" (The company collects data).
"الْمَسْجِدُ يَجْمَعُ النَّاسَ لِلصَّلَاةِ." (The mosque gathers people for prayer.)
Learners often struggle with the distinction between the active 'gathering' and the passive or mutual 'meeting'.
- Confusing Form I and Form VIII: Students often say "يجمع الطلاب في الفصل" when they mean "The students meet in the class." Correct: "يجتمع الطلاب". Use يجمع only if someone is actively bringing them together.
- Preposition Errors: Using 'مع' (with) instead of 'بين' (between) when combining qualities. While 'مع' is understood, 'بين' is the idiomatic standard for 'combining A and B'.
- Pluralization: Forgetting that the plural of the action (جمع) is used for 'addition' in math, while the verb itself must be conjugated for the subject.
Arabic is rich with synonyms for 'gathering', each with a specific nuance.
- حَشَدَ (Hashada)
- To mobilize or mass together, often used for armies or large protests. It implies a greater scale than 'yajma'.
- لَمَّ (Lamma)
- To pick up or gather quickly, often used for small items or 'gathering one's things' (لمّ شمله).
- كَوَّمَ (Kawwama)
- To heap or pile up. This focuses on the physical shape of the gathered items (a pile).
- رَكَمَ (Rakama)
- To accumulate or stack, often used for clouds or money.
"الرَّاعِي يَجْمَعُ الْغَنَمَ." (The shepherd gathers the sheep.) - Standard usage.
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Present tense conjugation of sound verbs
Direct objects (Mansub)
The use of 'بين' as a preposition
Verbal nouns (Masdar)
Subject-Verb agreement
Examples by Level
أنا أجمع الصور.
I collect pictures.
First person singular present.
هو يجمع الأقلام.
He collects pens.
Third person masculine singular.
أنتَ تجمع الكتب.
You collect books.
Second person masculine singular.
نحن نجمع الألعاب.
We gather the toys.
First person plural.
هي تجمع الزهور.
She gathers flowers.
Third person feminine singular.
هم يجمعون الورق.
They collect paper.
Third person masculine plural.
يجمع الولد ماله.
The boy collects his money.
Verb-Subject-Object order.
البنت تجمع التفاح.
The girl gathers apples.
Subject-Verb-Object order.
المعلم يجمع الطلاب في الساحة.
The teacher gathers the students in the yard.
Transitive use with a group of people.
يجمع المهندس المعلومات للمشروع.
The engineer collects information for the project.
Abstract object (information).
أمي تجمع العائلة على العشاء.
My mother gathers the family for dinner.
Social context.
يجمع أحمد بين الرياضة والدراسة.
Ahmed combines sports and study.
Using 'بين' for combining two things.
يجمع الحساب خمسة وثلاثة.
The calculation adds five and three.
Mathematical context.
الرجل يجمع الحطب للنار.
The man gathers wood for the fire.
Physical gathering.
نحن نجمع التبرعات للفقراء.
We are collecting donations for the poor.
Charity context.
يجمع المتحف القطع القديمة.
The museum collects old pieces.
Institutional subject.
يجمع المحقق الأدلة من مسرح الجريمة.
The investigator collects evidence from the crime scene.
Professional terminology.
يجمع هذا الكتاب بين التاريخ والخيال.
This book combines history and fiction.
Literary description.
يجمع القائد جنوده قبل المعركة.
The leader gathers his soldiers before the battle.
Military context.
يجمع الباحث البيانات من الإنترنت.
The researcher gathers data from the internet.
Modern technical context.
يجمع الفنان ألوانه ليرسم اللوحة.
The artist gathers his colors to paint the portrait.
Creative process.
يجمع هذا العمل بين البساطة والجمال.
This work combines simplicity and beauty.
Abstract qualities.
يجمع الصندوق الكثير من الذكريات.
The box gathers many memories.
Metaphorical use.
يجمع المشروع آراء مختلفة.
The project gathers different opinions.
Plural abstract objects.
يجمع الخبراء على ضرورة التغيير.
Experts agree on the necessity of change.
Idiomatic 'يجمع على' meaning consensus.
يجمع الكاتب في روايته بين الواقع والرمزية.
The writer combines reality and symbolism in his novel.
Literary analysis.
يجمع النظام السياسي بين الديمقراطية والمركزية.
The political system combines democracy and centralization.
Political science context.
يجمع هذا الاكتشاف بين العلم والدين.
This discovery combines science and religion.
Philosophical context.
يجمع المدير بين الحزم واللين في تعامله.
The manager combines firmness and gentleness in his dealings.
Leadership qualities.
يجمع المؤتمر ممثلين من مئة دولة.
The conference gathers representatives from a hundred countries.
Large-scale assembly.
يجمع الباحث بين المنهج الكمي والنوعي.
The researcher combines quantitative and qualitative methods.
Academic research.
يجمع هذا المهرجان بين الفن والموسيقى.
This festival combines art and music.
Cultural event.
يجمع الفيلسوف بين المدارس الفكرية المتناقضة.
The philosopher synthesizes contradictory schools of thought.
High-level synthesis.
يجمع النص بين الجزالة في اللفظ والعمق في المعنى.
The text combines eloquence in phrasing and depth in meaning.
Linguistic criticism.
يجمع القائد شتات الأمة بعد الحرب.
The leader gathers the fragments of the nation after the war.
Metaphorical 'gathering fragments'.
يجمع هذا القانون بين العدالة والرحمة.
This law combines justice and mercy.
Legal philosophy.
يجمع الباحث بين التراث والمعاصرة في دراسته.
The researcher combines heritage and modernity in his study.
Cultural synthesis.
يجمع الفيلم بين الإثارة والرسالة الهادفة.
The film combines excitement and a purposeful message.
Media analysis.
يجمع هذا التصميم بين الأصالة والابتكار.
This design combines authenticity and innovation.
Architectural context.
يجمع الحكيم بين الصمت وحسن الكلام.
The wise man combines silence and good speech.
Proverbial style.
يجمع الله الخلائق يوم القيامة.
God gathers all creatures on the Day of Resurrection.
Theological context.
يجمع هذا البيان الختامي بين الرؤى المتباينة للدول.
This final statement reconciles the divergent visions of the states.
Diplomatic nuance.
يجمع الشاعر في قصيدته بين لوعة الفراق وأمل اللقاء.
The poet combines the agony of separation and the hope of meeting in his poem.
Poetic depth.
يجمع هذا الصرح المعماري بين عبق التاريخ وتطلعات المستقبل.
This architectural landmark combines the fragrance of history and the aspirations of the future.
Rhetorical flair.
يجمع المفكر بين النقد الذاتي والرؤية الاستشرافية.
The thinker combines self-criticism and forward-looking vision.
Intellectual discourse.
يجمع هذا العمل الموسيقي بين المقامات الشرقية والألحان الغربية.
This musical work synthesizes Eastern maqams and Western melodies.
Musicology.
يجمع القاضي بين روح القانون ونصّه.
The judge combines the spirit of the law and its text.
Legal precision.
يجمع هذا الكتاب بين دفتيه خلاصة تجارب العمر.
This book gathers within its covers the essence of a lifetime's experiences.
Idiomatic expression 'بين دفتيه'.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
In math, 'جمع' is addition, 'طرح' is subtraction.
Use 'يجمع' for a host, 'يجتمع' for the guests.
It is very common in academic writing to 'gather' data.
- Using 'يجمع مع' instead of 'يجتمع مع' for meeting friends.
- Forgetting the 'ayn' sound in the present tense.
- Using the wrong preposition when combining two things (use 'بين').
- Confusing the Form I 'يجمع' with Form II 'يجمع' (intensive).
- Misplacing the dammah on the 'ayn' in the present tense.
Tips
Root Recognition
Always look for the J-M-3 root to understand words related to groups or gathering.
Combining Traits
Use 'يجمع بين' to describe someone who has two different qualities, like 'smart and funny'.
Addition
In a math context, this verb is your best friend for 'plus' or 'adding'.
Hosting
If you are the one organizing a party, you are 'يجمع' the guests.
Word Family
Connect 'يجمع' to 'جامعة' (university) to remember it's a place where knowledge is gathered.
Pronunciation
Don't rush the 'ayn' sound; it's the key to sounding authentic.
Formal Consensus
Use 'يجمع الخبراء على' in essays to sound more professional.
Context Clues
If you hear 'يجمع' followed by numbers, it's math. Followed by people, it's social.
The 'Jam' Tip
Think of 'Jamming' things together into a jar to remember 'يجمع'.
Friday Connection
Associate the verb with Friday (Jumu'ah) to anchor it in your memory.
Memorize It
Visual Association
Imagine a magnet pulling small metal pieces into a single pile.
Word Origin
Semitic root G-M-3
Cultural Context
Gathering the family for meals is a sacred daily ritual.
The 'Jami' (Mosque) is literally the 'Gatherer'.
Gathering guests is a sign of generosity.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"ماذا تجمع كهواية؟ (What do you collect as a hobby?)"
"هل تجمع المال للسفر؟ (Are you saving/collecting money for travel?)"
"متى يجمع المعلم الطلاب؟ (When does the teacher gather the students?)"
"كيف تجمع بين العمل والدراسة؟ (How do you combine work and study?)"
"من يجمع العائلة في العيد؟ (Who gathers the family during Eid?)"
Journal Prompts
اكتب عن شيء تجمعه منذ الصغر. (Write about something you have collected since childhood.)
كيف تجمع أفكارك قبل الكتابة؟ (How do you gather your thoughts before writing?)
صف يوماً جمعت فيه أصدقاءك. (Describe a day you gathered your friends.)
لماذا يجمع الناس التحف القديمة؟ (Why do people collect old antiques?)
هل تفضل الجمع بين عدة مهام؟ (Do you prefer combining multiple tasks?)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it is the standard verb for addition. For example, 'يجمع الطالب الأرقام' means 'The student adds the numbers'.
'يجمع' is transitive (he gathers something), while 'يجتمع' is intransitive (they meet together). You use 'يجمع' when one person brings others together.
Yes, it is the perfect verb for hobbies like collecting stamps, coins, or cards.
You say: 'يجمع بين العمل والدراسة'.
Yes, it appears many times, often referring to God gathering people on the Day of Judgment.
The past tense is 'جَمَعَ' (jama'a).
The masdar is 'جَمْع' (jam'), which means 'gathering', 'addition', or 'plural'.
Yes, 'يجمع المال' can mean collecting or saving money for a purpose.
Yes, 'يجمع المعلومات' is very common in research and journalism.
It is 'نحن نَجْمَعُ' (nahnu najma'u).
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Summary
The verb يَجْمَع is the essential Arabic word for any act of bringing multiple parts into a whole, whether you are collecting stamps, gathering a crowd, or adding 2+2.
- يَجْمَع means to gather, collect, or add.
- It is a Form I verb from the root J-M-3.
- Commonly used for hobbies, social events, and math.
- Often paired with the preposition 'بين' to mean 'combining'.
Root Recognition
Always look for the J-M-3 root to understand words related to groups or gathering.
Combining Traits
Use 'يجمع بين' to describe someone who has two different qualities, like 'smart and funny'.
Addition
In a math context, this verb is your best friend for 'plus' or 'adding'.
Hosting
If you are the one organizing a party, you are 'يجمع' the guests.
Related Content
More general words
عادةً
A1Usually, normally; under normal conditions.
عادةً ما
B2Usually, as a general rule.
إعداد
B2The action or process of preparing something; preparation.
عاضد
B2To support, to assist, to aid.
عادي
A1Normal, ordinary.
عاقبة
B1A result or effect of an action or condition, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant.
أعلى
A1Up, higher.
عال
B1High or loud.
عالٍ
A2High, loud (describes elevation or volume).
عَالَمِيّ
B1Relating to the whole world; worldwide or global.
