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يَقْسِم

A2 verb #4,500 most common 9 min read

يَقْسِم

yaqsimu Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips يَقْسِم in 30 Seconds

Explanation يَقْسِم in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'yaqsimu' (he divides) is introduced in its most literal and physical sense. Learners at this stage focus on simple actions involving everyday objects. For example, a student might learn how to say 'He divides the apple' or 'He divides the bread.' The focus is on the basic present tense conjugation for the third person masculine singular. The goal is to help the learner describe simple sharing actions. Grammatically, the learner is introduced to the idea that this verb needs an object (what is being divided). At this level, we avoid complex prepositions and focus on the core meaning: making one thing into two or more parts. Visual aids are often used, showing a person cutting a fruit or sharing a toy, to ground the verb in concrete reality. The vocabulary surrounding 'yaqsimu' at A1 includes simple nouns like 'food,' 'fruit,' 'bread,' and 'paper.' By the end of this stage, a student should be able to recognize the word in a simple sentence and understand that it involves splitting something.

At the A2 level, learners expand their use of 'yaqsimu' to include more social and organized contexts. This is the stage where the word becomes truly functional for daily life. A2 students learn to use the verb with prepositions like 'ila' (into) and 'bayna' (between/among). They can now say things like 'We divide the tasks' or 'She divides the cake into four pieces.' This level also introduces the mathematical use of the word in basic arithmetic, such as 'ten divided by two.' The learner's ability to conjugate the verb expands to include 'I,' 'you,' and 'we' forms. Culturally, the word is used to discuss sharing meals and bills, which are common topics in A2-level conversations about social outings. The focus shifts from just 'breaking' something to 'organizing' or 'sharing' it. Students are encouraged to use 'yaqsimu' to describe their daily schedules—how they divide their day between work, rest, and study. This helps them move from simple descriptions to more structured narratives about their lives.

At the B1 level, 'yaqsimu' begins to be used in more abstract and professional contexts. Learners are expected to handle the verb in discussions about time management, project planning, and social issues. For example, a B1 student might explain how a company divides its profits or how a government divides its budget. The complexity of the sentences increases, often involving subordinate clauses: 'It is important that we divide the work so that everyone is happy.' The learner also starts to encounter the root in different forms, such as the noun 'qism' (department/section) or 'taqseem' (partition/division). This level requires a deeper understanding of the nuance between 'yaqsimu' and its synonyms like 'yuwazzi'u' (distribute). B1 students should be able to participate in a debate about whether a certain policy 'divides' people or brings them together. The focus is on the impact of the division, not just the physical act. They also learn common idiomatic expressions and how the verb functions in news reports and articles.

At the B2 level, 'yaqsimu' is used to discuss complex social, political, and philosophical divisions. A learner at this stage can analyze a text that discusses how a major historical event 'divided' a nation. They are comfortable using the verb in the passive voice ('the land was divided') and can use it to describe intricate mathematical or scientific processes. The vocabulary used alongside 'yaqsimu' becomes more specialized—words like 'inheritance,' 'jurisdiction,' 'segments,' and 'factions.' B2 learners can distinguish between the literal division of objects and the metaphorical division of opinions or loyalties. They can write essays about the 'division of labor' in modern society or the 'division of power' in a political system. The focus here is on precision and the ability to use the verb to express nuanced viewpoints. The learner is also expected to understand the historical and cultural weight of the root, especially in the context of the 'Taqseem' (partition) of various Arab countries in the 20th century.

At the C1 level, the use of 'yaqsimu' reaches a high degree of sophistication. The learner can use the verb in academic, legal, and literary contexts with ease. They might analyze how an author uses the theme of 'division' in a novel or how a legal text defines the 'division of assets.' At this stage, the learner is fully aware of the etymological depth of the root Q-S-M and can appreciate the linguistic beauty of its various derivations. They can use the verb to describe philosophical concepts, such as the division between the mind and the body, or the division of time into metaphysical eras. C1 students can engage in high-level discussions about economic theories regarding the division of resources on a global scale. Their use of the verb is marked by perfect grammatical accuracy and a rich selection of accompanying adjectives and adverbs. They can also recognize and use rare or archaic forms of the root found in classical literature or religious texts, understanding the subtle shifts in meaning over centuries.

At the C2 level, the learner has a native-like command of 'yaqsimu' and its entire word family. They can use the verb in any context, from a casual joke to a complex scientific dissertation. They understand the most subtle connotations and can use the word to create rhetorical effects in public speaking or creative writing. A C2 learner can navigate the most complex legal documents regarding 'partition' and 'distribution' without difficulty. They can also discuss the mathematical properties of 'division' at an advanced level, using specialized terminology. At this stage, the word is not just a tool for communication but a part of a vast linguistic network that the learner can manipulate with precision and style. They are aware of regional variations in how the verb is used and can adapt their speech accordingly. The C2 learner appreciates the role of the root Q-S-M in the development of the Arabic language and can discuss its significance in various historical and cultural milestones. Their mastery is such that they can use the word to express the most delicate nuances of human experience and thought.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

يَقْسِم in 30 Seconds

A versatile verb meaning 'to divide' or 'to share,' essential for describing daily tasks and organization.
Used physically for objects, conceptually for time/work, and mathematically for numbers.
Commonly paired with prepositions 'ila' (into) for parts and 'bayna' (between) for people.
Key for A2 learners to express fairness, distribution, and systematic partitioning in social and formal contexts.

The Arabic verb يَقْسِم (yaqsimu) is a fundamental Form I verb derived from the root ق-س-م (Q-S-M), which fundamentally relates to the act of partitioning, dividing, or distributing a whole into smaller parts. At its core, it describes the physical or conceptual act of taking a single entity and breaking it down into segments. This can range from a father dividing a piece of bread among his children to a mathematician dividing a number in a complex equation. The beauty of this word lies in its versatility across various domains of life, including domestic chores, financial transactions, and abstract time management. When you use يَقْسِم, you are often implying a sense of order or fairness in how things are being distributed. It is not just about breaking something; it is about the systematic allocation of portions.

Physical Division: This refers to splitting tangible objects like food, land, or resources. For example, dividing a cake into eight equal slices.
Conceptual Partitioning: This involves non-physical entities such as time, labor, or responsibilities. A manager might divide the work among the team members.
Mathematical Operation: In arithmetic, this is the standard term for the operation of division (e.g., dividing ten by two).

الأب يَقْسِم الرغيف بين أطفاله الصغار بالتساوي.
(The father divides the loaf between his young children equally.)

In social contexts, يَقْسِم is often associated with the concept of قِسْمَة (qisma), which means 'fate' or 'allotment.' This linguistic connection suggests that the act of dividing is often viewed through a lens of destiny or what has been 'portioned out' for an individual. Whether you are in a market negotiating shares or in a classroom solving a math problem, this verb will be your primary tool. It is essential for A2 learners because it bridges the gap between simple object manipulation and more complex social interactions involving sharing and cooperation. Understanding how to use this verb correctly allows a speaker to describe daily routines, such as how they divide their day between study and leisure, or how they share a meal with friends.

المعلم يَقْسِم الطلاب إلى مجموعات صغيرة للبحث.
(The teacher divides the students into small groups for research.)

Daily Life: Used when sharing food, bills at a restaurant, or tasks at home.

The frequency of this word in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is high, particularly in news reports discussing the 'partition' of regions or the 'division' of budgets. In dialects, the root remains strong, though the pronunciation might shift slightly (e.g., 'yiqsim' in Egyptian or Levantine). However, the core meaning of splitting a whole into parts remains universal across the Arab world. By mastering يَقْسِم, you gain the ability to express the logic of distribution, which is a key component of functional communication in any language.

Using the verb يَقْسِم correctly requires an understanding of its transitive nature. In most cases, it takes a direct object (the thing being divided) and often uses prepositions like إلى (ila - into) or بين (bayna - between/among) to specify the result or the recipients of the division. For example, if you are dividing a cake into pieces, you would say يَقْسِم الكعكة إلى قطع. If you are sharing that cake among friends, you would say يَقْسِم الكعكة بين الأصدقاء. This distinction is crucial for clear communication. The verb follows the standard conjugation for Form I sound verbs, where the present tense prefix changes according to the subject (e.g., أَقْسِم for 'I divide', نَقْسِم for 'we divide').

هو يَقْسِم وقته بين العمل والدراسة بانتظام.
(He divides his time between work and study regularly.)

Grammar Note: Prepositions: Use 'إلى' for the physical result (parts, halves) and 'بين' for the beneficiaries (people, entities).

When dealing with numbers, يَقْسِم is the verb of choice. In a classroom setting, a teacher might say, اقسم عشرة على اثنين (Divide ten by two). Notice here the use of the preposition على (ala - on/by), which is specific to mathematical division. This illustrates how the choice of preposition can significantly alter the context of the verb. In more formal or literary contexts, the verb can take on a more metaphorical meaning, such as dividing one's loyalties or dividing a nation's history into eras. The flexibility of يَقْسِم makes it a powerful verb for describing any process of categorization or segmentation.

نحن نَقْسِم الفاتورة في المطعم دائماً.
(We always divide the bill in the restaurant.)

Furthermore, the verb is often used in the passive voice in legal or formal documents. For instance, تُقْسَم الميراث (The inheritance is divided). While A2 learners primarily focus on the active present tense (يَقْسِم), being aware that the root remains the same in passive or past forms (قَسَمَ) helps in building a cohesive vocabulary. Practice using it with different nouns: يَقْسِم الأرض (divides the land), يَقْسِم التفاحة (divides the apple), يَقْسِم المهام (divides the tasks). Each usage reinforces the core concept of splitting a whole into parts for a specific purpose.

You will encounter يَقْسِم in a variety of real-world scenarios. One of the most common places is in the kitchen or around the dining table. In Arab culture, sharing food is a central social activity. You might hear a mother say to her children, يَقْسِم الأخ الأكبر الخبز (The older brother divides the bread). This usage highlights the communal aspect of the word. In a more formal setting, such as a business meeting, you might hear a project manager say, سوف نَقْسِم العمل إلى مراحل (We will divide the work into stages). Here, the word is used to organize complex tasks into manageable parts, showing its utility in professional environments.

في المدرسة، المعلم يَقْسِم الأرقام على السبورة.
(In school, the teacher divides the numbers on the blackboard.)

Another frequent context is the news and media. When journalists discuss geopolitical issues, they often use this verb to describe the partitioning of territories or the division of political parties. For example, هذا القرار يَقْسِم المجتمع (This decision divides the society). In this sense, the word takes on a more abstract and sometimes negative connotation, implying discord or fragmentation. However, it is also used positively in economic reports, such as when discussing the distribution of profits or shares in a company. Hearing the word in these diverse contexts helps the learner understand its semantic breadth.

Media Usage: Common in headlines regarding political splits or economic distributions.

In religious or legal contexts, the root Q-S-M is ubiquitous. While يَقْسِم specifically refers to the act of dividing, related words like قَسَم (oath) or قِسْمَة (destiny) are heard in sermons and legal proceedings. For instance, in inheritance law, which is a significant part of Islamic jurisprudence, the verb is used to describe the precise division of assets according to law. Even in casual conversation, if someone is trying to be fair, they might say, دعنا نَقْسِم هذا بالتساوي (Let's divide this equally). Whether it's a simple act of sharing a snack or a complex legal distribution, يَقْسِم is the verb that describes the action.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with يَقْسِم is confusing it with its Form IV counterpart, يُقْسِم (yuqsimu), which means 'to swear an oath.' The difference is subtle in spelling (just the vowel on the first letter) but massive in meaning. يَقْسِم (with a fat-ha on the 'ya') is 'to divide,' while يُقْسِم (with a damma on the 'ya') is 'to swear.' Learners often accidentally say they are 'swearing a cake' when they mean they are 'dividing' it. Pay close attention to the short vowels, as they are the key to distinguishing these two very different actions.

خطأ: هو يُقْسِم التفاحة. (He swears the apple.)
صح: هو يَقْسِم التفاحة. (He divides the apple.)

Another common error involves the misuse of prepositions. As mentioned earlier, يَقْسِم uses different prepositions depending on the context. Using بين (between) when you mean إلى (into) can lead to confusion. If you say يَقْسِم الكعكة بين قطعتين, it sounds like you are placing the whole cake between two pieces, rather than dividing the cake into two pieces. Remember: إلى for the parts, بين for the people. Additionally, in mathematical contexts, forgetting to use على (by) is a common slip. Saying 'divide ten two' without the 'on/by' is grammatically incomplete in Arabic.

Preposition Pitfall: Mistaking 'ila' (into) for 'bayna' (between) changes the physical logic of the sentence.

Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the conjugation of Form I verbs. Because يَقْسِم is a sound verb, it follows a regular pattern, but beginners might confuse the present tense vowel (the 'i' in -qsim-). Some might try to say 'yaqsamu' or 'yaqsumu.' The correct present tense stem vowel for this verb is a kasra on the 'seen' (سِ). Consistent practice with the present tense table—أَقْسِم، تَقْسِم، يَقْسِم، نَقْسِم—is the best way to avoid these morphological errors. By focusing on these three areas—vowel distinction, preposition accuracy, and correct stem vowels—learners can use يَقْسِم with confidence and precision.

While يَقْسِم is the most general and common word for dividing, Arabic offers several synonyms that carry different nuances. Understanding these can help you choose the most appropriate word for your specific situation. For example, يُوَزِّع (yuwazzi'u) means 'to distribute' or 'to hand out.' While يَقْسِم focuses on the act of splitting the whole, يُوَزِّع focuses on the act of giving those parts to different people. If you divide a pizza, you تَقْسِم it; if you then give a slice to each friend, you تُوَزِّع it. This distinction is important in social and business contexts.

يَقْسِم (Yaqsimu): General act of splitting or partitioning a whole into parts.
يُوَزِّع (Yuwazzi'u): To distribute or allocate portions to various recipients.
يُفَرِّق (Yufarriqu): To separate or distinguish between things, often implying distance or difference.

Another alternative is يُجَزِّئ (yujazzi'u), which means 'to segment' or 'to break into small pieces.' This verb is often used in more technical or scientific contexts, such as segmenting a market or breaking down a chemical compound. If you are talking about physically breaking something into many small, perhaps irregular pieces, يُجَزِّئ might be more accurate than يَقْسِم, which often implies a more orderly or mathematical division. Similarly, يَفْصِل (yafṣilu) means 'to separate' or 'to disconnect.' You would use this when two things that were joined are now being pulled apart, like separating two fighting children or separating the layers of a cake.

بدلاً من يَقْسِم، يمكننا استخدام "يُوَزِّع" إذا كنا نتحدث عن الهدايا.
(Instead of 'divides,' we can use 'distributes' if we are talking about gifts.)

In summary, while يَقْسِم is your 'go-to' verb for division, keep يُوَزِّع for distribution, يُفَرِّق for separation/differentiation, and يُجَزِّئ for segmentation in mind. By learning these alternatives, you enrich your vocabulary and become a more expressive and precise speaker of Arabic. Each of these words shares a family resemblance but serves a unique purpose in the rich tapestry of the Arabic language.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The name of the famous historical figure 'Al-Qasim' (the son of Prophet Muhammad) comes from this root, meaning 'the one who distributes' or 'the divider.'

Pronunciation Guide

UK /jaq.sim/

US /jæk.sɪm/

The primary stress is on the first syllable: YAQ-sim.

Rhymes With

يرسم (yarsum - he draws) يحسم (yahsim - he settles) يبسم (yabsim - he smiles - rare form) يوسم (yawsam - he marks) يقصم (yaqsim - he breaks - different root) يهزم (yahzim - he defeats) يخدم (yakhdim - he serves) يقحم (yuqhim - he involves)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'q' like 'k' (yaksim).
Changing the 'i' to 'a' (yaqsam).
Confusing the damma (yuqsim) for the fat-ha (yaqsim).
Softening the 's' into a 'z' sound.
Failing to emphasize the glottal nature of the Qaf.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in text due to the distinct Q-S-M root.

Writing 3/5

Requires care with the Qaf and the present tense stem vowel.

Speaking 3/5

The 'Q' sound can be challenging for English speakers to master.

Listening 2/5

Very common word, usually clear in standard speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

يأكل (He eats) يعمل (He works) وقت (Time) بين (Between) إلى (To/Into)

Learn Next

يوزع (He distributes) يشارك (He shares) يجمع (He gathers) حساب (Account/Bill)

Advanced

استقسام (Divination) تقسيط (Installment) انقسامي (Divisive) محاصصة (Quotas/Portioning)

Grammar to Know

Form I Verb Conjugation

أنا أَقْسِم، نحن نَقْسِم، هو يَقْسِم.

Transitive Verbs (Al-Fi'l al-Muta'addi)

يَقْسِم الولد (Subject) التفاحة (Object).

Use of 'Ila' for Result

يَقْسِم الخشب إلى قطع.

Use of 'Bayna' for Distribution

يَقْسِم المال بين الفقراء.

Mathematical Preposition 'Ala'

اقسم ستة على ثلاثة.

Examples by Level

هو يَقْسِم التفاحة.

He divides the apple.

Simple Subject + Verb + Object structure.

أنا أَقْسِم الخبز.

I divide the bread.

First person singular 'I' (Ana) changes the prefix to 'a'.

هي تَقْسِم الورقة.

She divides the paper.

Third person feminine 'She' (Hiya) changes the prefix to 't'.

نحن نَقْسِم الكعكة.

We divide the cake.

First person plural 'We' (Nahnu) changes the prefix to 'n'.

أنتَ تَقْسِم البرتقالة.

You (m) divide the orange.

Second person masculine singular 'You' uses the 't' prefix.

يَقْسِم الولد الحلوى.

The boy divides the candy.

Verb precedes the subject in standard VSO order.

البنت تَقْسِم البيتزا.

The girl divides the pizza.

Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order is also common.

يَقْسِم الرجل الجبن.

The man divides the cheese.

The object 'cheese' (al-jubn) is definite.

يَقْسِم المعلم الطلاب إلى مجموعتين.

The teacher divides the students into two groups.

Uses 'ila' (into) to show the result of division.

نحن نَقْسِم الفاتورة في المطعم.

We divide the bill in the restaurant.

Contextual use for social sharing of costs.

يَقْسِم الأب وقته بين العمل والبيت.

The father divides his time between work and home.

Uses 'bayna' (between) for conceptual division.

هل تَقْسِم هذه المهام معي؟

Will you divide these tasks with me?

Interrogative form using 'hal'.

يَقْسِم المهندس الأرض إلى قطع صغيرة.

The engineer divides the land into small plots.

Professional context involving physical partitioning.

يَقْسِم الطالب عشرة على اثنين.

The student divides ten by two.

Mathematical use with the preposition 'ala'.

يَقْسِم الجزار اللحم للزبائن.

The butcher divides the meat for the customers.

Dative use with 'li' (for) the customers.

هي تَقْسِم الغرفة مع أختها.

She divides (shares) the room with her sister.

Using the verb to mean 'sharing' space.

يَقْسِم المدير المسؤوليات على الموظفين.

The manager divides the responsibilities among the employees.

Abstract objects (responsibilities) being divided.

يَقْسِم هذا النهر المدينة إلى شطرين.

This river divides the city into two halves.

Inanimate subject (the river) performing the action.

يَقْسِم الكاتب كتابه إلى خمسة فصول.

The author divides his book into five chapters.

Organizational use in literature.

يجب أن نَقْسِم الأرباح بعدل.

We must divide the profits fairly.

Use of 'yajibu an' (must) followed by the subjunctive mood.

يَقْسِم السور الحديقة عن الشارع.

The fence divides the garden from the street.

Use of 'an' (from) to show separation.

يَقْسِم العلماء التاريخ إلى عصور مختلفة.

Scientists divide history into different eras.

Academic categorization context.

يَقْسِم هذا القانون الآراء في البرلمان.

This law divides opinions in the parliament.

Metaphorical division causing disagreement.

يَقْسِم المصمم المساحة بشكل ذكي.

The designer divides the space in a smart way.

Adverbial phrase 'bi-shakl dhaki' (in a smart way).

يَقْسِم الدستور السلطات بين ثلاث جهات.

The constitution divides powers among three branches.

Formal political terminology.

يَقْسِم هذا القرار الحزب إلى معسكرين متنافسين.

This decision divides the party into two competing camps.

Describing internal political conflict.

يَقْسِم الباحثون العينة إلى مجموعات تجريبية وضابطة.

Researchers divide the sample into experimental and control groups.

Scientific research methodology.

يَقْسِم الميراث حسب الشريعة الإسلامية.

The inheritance is divided according to Islamic law.

Legal context with specific cultural reference.

يَقْسِم الفيلسوف الوجود إلى مادي ومعنوي.

The philosopher divides existence into material and spiritual.

Abstract philosophical classification.

يَقْسِم هذا المشروع الميزانية إلى بنود محددة.

This project divides the budget into specific line items.

Financial management and accounting context.

يَقْسِم المخرج الفيلم إلى عدة مشاهد درامية.

The director divides the film into several dramatic scenes.

Artistic and technical production context.

يَقْسِم الحائط الغرفة الكبيرة إلى مكتب وغرفة نوم.

The wall divides the large room into an office and a bedroom.

Architectural and structural division.

يَقْسِم المفكر التراث العربي إلى مراحل فكرية متباينة.

The thinker divides Arabic heritage into distinct intellectual stages.

Advanced historiographical analysis.

يَقْسِم هذا الصراع المجتمع إلى فئات متناحرة.

This conflict divides the society into feuding factions.

Sociological description of deep-seated conflict.

يَقْسِم القانون الدولي المياه الإقليمية بين الدول المتجاورة.

International law divides territorial waters between neighboring countries.

Complex legal and geopolitical context.

يَقْسِم الناقد الرواية إلى مستويات سردية متعددة.

The critic divides the novel into multiple narrative levels.

Literary theory and structural analysis.

يَقْسِم علماء النفس الشخصية إلى أنماط سلوكية معقدة.

Psychologists divide personality into complex behavioral patterns.

Psychological classification and theory.

يَقْسِم هذا النظام الضريبي الدخل إلى شرائح تصاعدية.

This tax system divides income into progressive brackets.

Economic and fiscal terminology.

يَقْسِم المترجم النص إلى وحدات ترجمية دقيقة.

The translator divides the text into precise translation units.

Translation studies and linguistics.

يَقْسِم عالم الاجتماع المدينة إلى مناطق طبقية.

The sociologist divides the city into class-based zones.

Urban sociology and demographic analysis.

يَقْسِم الميتافيزيقي الجوهر إلى عرض وجوهر فرد.

The metaphysician divides substance into accident and individual essence.

Highly specialized philosophical terminology.

يَقْسِم هذا البحث الذرة إلى جسيمات دون ذرية متناهية الصغر.

This research divides the atom into infinitesimal subatomic particles.

Advanced theoretical physics context.

يَقْسِم الفقه المقارن الأحكام إلى واجب ومندوب ومباح ومكروه وحرام.

Comparative jurisprudence divides rulings into obligatory, recommended, permissible, disliked, and prohibited.

Intricate legal and religious categorization.

يَقْسِم هذا النموذج الرياضي الفضاء إلى أبعاد غير إقليدية.

This mathematical model divides space into non-Euclidean dimensions.

Advanced geometry and mathematics.

يَقْسِم المحلل الجيوسياسي العالم إلى مناطق نفوذ استراتيجي.

The geopolitical analyst divides the world into zones of strategic influence.

Global political strategy and analysis.

يَقْسِم هذا المنهج اللغوي اللغة إلى دال ومدلول.

This linguistic approach divides language into signifier and signified.

Semiotic and structuralist linguistics.

يَقْسِم عالم البيولوجيا الخلية إلى مكونات وظيفية دقيقة.

The biologist divides the cell into precise functional components.

Advanced cellular biology.

يَقْسِم هذا النظام القضائي الجرائم إلى جنايات وجنح ومخالفات.

This judicial system divides crimes into felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions.

Complex criminal law classification.

Common Collocations

يَقْسِم الوقت

يَقْسِم المهام

يَقْسِم بالتساوي

يَقْسِم إلى أجزاء

يَقْسِم الميراث

يَقْسِم الميزانية

يَقْسِم الأرض

يَقْسِم العدد

يَقْسِم الغرفة

يَقْسِم الأرباح

Common Phrases

قَسَمَ بالله

— He swore by Allah. (Note: This uses the past tense of the same root, often confused with division).

قَسَمَ بالله أنه صادق.

قسمة ونصيب

— Fate and destiny. A very common phrase used to describe marriage or life events.

الزواج قسمة ونصيب.

قِسْم العمل

— Division of labor or Department of Work.

أنا أعمل في قِسْم المبيعات.

بالتساوي

— Equally. Frequently used after 'yaqsimu'.

نَقْسِم الربح بالتساوي.

خط التقسيم

— The dividing line or partition line.

هذا هو خط التقسيم بين المدينتين.

على اثنين

— By two (in math).

اقسم ثمانية على اثنين.

إلى نصفين

— Into two halves.

يَقْسِم البرتقالة إلى نصفين.

بين الناس

— Among people.

يَقْسِم الخير بين الناس.

عملية القسمة

— The process of division (math).

نتعلم اليوم عملية القسمة.

حصص متساوية

— Equal shares.

نَقْسِم الكعكة إلى حصص متساوية.

Often Confused With

يَقْسِم vs يُقْسِم (Yuqsimu)

Means 'to swear an oath'. Differs only by the first vowel (damma vs fat-ha).

يَقْسِم vs يُقَسِّم (Yuqassimu)

Form II verb. Means to divide into many parts or to categorize. More intensive.

يَقْسِم vs يَقْصِم (Yaqṣimu)

With a 'Sad' instead of 'Seen'. Means to break or shatter something violently.

Idioms & Expressions

"قَسَمَ ظهره"

— It broke his back. Used to describe a catastrophic event or a heavy burden.

هذا الخبر قَسَمَ ظهره.

Informal/Metaphorical

"قَسَمَ الأرزاق"

— God divides the livelihoods. Used to express that wealth is determined by fate.

الله هو الذي يَقْسِم الأرزاق.

Religious/Cultural

"قَسَمَ الكلمة"

— To interrupt or 'cut' someone's speech (rare, usually 'qata'a').

لا تَقْسِم كلامي.

Dialectal influence

"بيني وبينك قِسْمَة"

— There is a shared destiny or 'deal' between us.

يا صديقي، بيني وبينك قِسْمَة.

Literary/Poetic

"قَسَمَ الطريق"

— To take a path or divide a journey.

يَقْسِم المسافر الطريق إلى مراحل.

Neutral

"قَسَمَ الوقت بالمسطرة"

— To divide time very strictly (literally 'with a ruler').

هو يَقْسِم وقته بالمسطرة.

Idiomatic

"قسيم المشاعر"

— One who shares feelings or a soulmate (poetic).

أنت قسيم روحي.

Poetic

"قَسَمَ المجتمع"

— To polarize or cause division in society.

هذه السياسة تَقْسِم المجتمع.

Journalistic

"ما قَسَمَ الله"

— What God has allotted. Used to express contentment with what one has.

نحن راضون بما قَسَمَ الله.

Religious/Cultural

"قَسَمَ الخبز والملح"

— To share bread and salt. Represents a deep bond of friendship and loyalty.

لقد قَسَمنا الخبز والملح معاً.

Cultural/Traditional

Easily Confused

يَقْسِم vs يُوَزِّع

Both involve parts of a whole.

'Yaqsimu' is the act of splitting; 'Yuwazzi'u' is the act of giving those parts away.

أولاً تَقْسِم الكعكة، ثم تُوَزِّعها.

يَقْسِم vs يَفْصِل

Both create a boundary.

'Yaqsimu' implies creating portions from one thing; 'Yafṣilu' implies separating two things that are together.

يَفْصِل الحائط بين الغرفتين.

يَقْسِم vs يُفَرِّق

Both involve making things distinct.

'Yufarriqu' often implies causing a split between people or distinguishing between concepts.

يُفَرِّق المعلم بين الطالب المجتهد والكسول.

يَقْسِم vs يَشُقّ

Both involve splitting.

'Yashuqqu' is more physical and often involves cutting through something long or hard.

يَشُقّ السكين الخشب.

يَقْسِم vs يُجَزِّئ

Both mean to divide.

'Yujazzi'u' is more technical and implies breaking something into many small segments.

يُجَزِّئ العالم المادة إلى ذرات.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] [Verb] [Object].

هو يَقْسِم الخبز.

[Subject] [Verb] [Object] إلى [Parts].

هي تَقْسِم الكعكة إلى أربعة.

[Subject] [Verb] [Object] بين [People].

نحن نَقْسِم الطعام بيننا.

يجب أن [Subjunctive Verb] [Object].

يجب أن نَقْسِم العمل.

[Subject] [Verb] وقته بين [A] و [B].

يَقْسِم وقته بين العمل والرياضة.

[Subject] [Verb] [Abstract Object] على [People].

يَقْسِم المدير المسؤوليات على الموظفين.

يَقْسِم [Concept] إلى مستويات [Adjective].

يَقْسِم الناقد النص إلى مستويات دلالية.

[Subject] [Verb] [Complex Entity] إلى [Categorical Parts].

يَقْسِم الفقه الأحكام إلى خمسة أقسام.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High frequency in both spoken and written Arabic.

Common Mistakes

Using 'yuqsimu' for division. → yaqsimu (يَقْسِم)
Yuqsimu means to swear an oath. Yaqsimu means to divide. The prefix vowel is crucial.
Saying 'yaqsimu al-k'aka bayna qit'atayn'. → yaqsimu al-k'aka ila qit'atayn.
Use 'ila' (into) for parts and 'bayna' (between) for people.
Pronouncing it as 'yaksim'. → yaqsim (with a deep Q).
The letter is Qaf (ق), not Kaf (ك). Pronouncing it correctly is vital for comprehension.
Omitting the preposition in math. → yaqsimu thamania ala ithnayn.
In Arabic, you must say 'divides eight ON two' using 'ala'.
Using the wrong stem vowel (yaqsamu). → yaqsimu.
This is a Form I verb with a 'i' (kasra) in the present tense stem.

Tips

Stem Vowel Alert

Remember that the present tense stem vowel is a kasra (i). It is 'yaqsimu', not 'yaqsamu'. This is a common point of error for beginners.

Sharing vs. Dividing

In English, we say 'share a pizza.' In Arabic, you can say 'yaqsimu al-pizza' to describe the physical act of cutting it for everyone.

Mastering the Qaf

The 'Q' in 'yaqsimu' is a deep sound. Practice by making a 'k' sound but much further back in your throat.

Root Power

Learning the root Q-S-M will help you understand words like 'qism' (department) and 'qisma' (fate) instantly.

Fairness

When using this verb in a social setting, adding 'bi-l-tasawi' (equally) shows you value fairness, which is highly respected.

Arithmetic

This is the primary verb for division. Use it with 'ala' (on/by) to sound like a native math student.

Vowel Marking

When writing, if you aren't using all vowels, at least put the fat-ha on the 'ya' to distinguish it from 'yuqsimu' (to swear).

News Context

When you hear 'taqseem' on the news, it usually refers to the partitioning of land or political boundaries.

The 'Q' Cut

Think of the letter 'Q' as a circle being cut by a line. This visual matches the meaning of 'yaqsimu'.

Qisma

Embrace the word 'qisma' (fate) as it relates to this verb; it explains a lot about the Arabic worldview of allotment.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Yaqsim' as 'Yak-sim'. You take a 'Yak' and 'split' it into 'sim'-ilar parts. The 'Q' is the sound of the knife hitting the board: Q-q-q-q-q.

Visual Association

Imagine a large pizza with a knife hovering over it. As the knife cuts (Q), the pizza becomes divided (Yaqsim).

Word Web

Divide Share Math Partition Department Fate Bill Time

Challenge

Try to use 'yaqsimu' in three different sentences today: once for food, once for time, and once for a math problem.

Word Origin

From the Semitic root Q-S-M, which is found in many ancient Semitic languages referring to the act of cutting, portioning, or deciding by lot.

Original meaning: The primary sense in Proto-Semitic involved the physical act of splitting or cutting an object into pieces, often for distribution.

Afroasiatic -> Semitic -> Central Semitic -> Arabic.

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'yaqsimu' in political contexts, as it can imply the painful partition of countries or communities.

English speakers might use 'share' and 'divide' interchangeably, but in Arabic, 'yaqsimu' is more about the act of partitioning, while 'yutasharaku' is more about the state of sharing.

The 'Sykes-Picot Agreement' is often referred to in Arabic history as a 'Taqseem' (partition) of the Arab world. The Quranic concept of 'Al-Qassam' (The Divider) or 'Qismatullah' (God's allotment). Modern Arabic literature often uses 'division' as a metaphor for the post-colonial state.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a Restaurant

نَقْسِم الفاتورة؟
اقسم البيتزا إلى أربعة.
هل تَقْسِم طعامك معي؟
نَقْسِم الحساب بالتساوي.

In the Classroom

اقسم عشرة على اثنين.
المعلم يَقْسِم الطلاب.
نَقْسِم الدرس إلى جزئين.
عملية القسمة سهلة.

At Work

نَقْسِم المهام اليوم.
يَقْسِم المدير الميزانية.
نَقْسِم المشروع إلى مراحل.
أنا في قِسْم التكنولوجيا.

At Home

يَقْسِم الأطفال الألعاب.
أمي تَقْسِم الفاكهة.
نَقْسِم العمل المنزلي.
يَقْسِم الأخ غرفته.

In the News

هذا القانون يَقْسِم الشعب.
تَقْسِم الحدود البلاد.
إعادة تَقْسِيم الدوائر.
انقسام في الآراء.

Conversation Starters

"كيف تَقْسِم وقتك بين الدراسة والراحة عادةً؟"

"هل تفضل أن نَقْسِم الفاتورة بالتساوي أم كل شخص يدفع لنفسه؟"

"إذا كان لديك كعكة واحدة، كيف تَقْسِمها بين عشرة أشخاص؟"

"هل تعتقد أن التكنولوجيا تَقْسِم الناس أم تجمعهم؟"

"كيف يَقْسِم الناس المهام في بلدك داخل الأسرة؟"

Journal Prompts

اكتب عن يوم قمت فيه بتقسيم عمل كبير مع أصدقائك وكيف كان الشعور.

صف كيف تَقْسِم ميزانيتك الشهرية بين الضروريات والترفيه.

تحدث عن كتاب أو فيلم يَقْسِم المجتمع إلى مجموعتين مختلفتين.

كيف تَقْسِم وقتك خلال عطلة نهاية الأسبوع لكي تستمتع وتستريح؟

اكتب عن أهمية تقسيم المهام في العمل الجماعي لنجاح أي مشروع.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

You use the verb 'yaqsimu' followed by the preposition 'ala'. For example, 'Yaqsimu ashara ala ithnayn' means 'He divides ten by two.' This is the standard way to express division in a mathematical context.

While both mean to divide, 'yuqassimu' (Form II) is often more intensive or refers to dividing something into many small parts or categories. 'Yaqsimu' (Form I) is the general, more common term for simple division or sharing.

No, for sharing a secret, you would use 'yubihu' (to reveal) or 'yushariku' (to share). 'Yaqsimu' is strictly for partitioning a whole into parts.

Technically, no. 'Yaqsimu' (with fat-ha) means to divide. 'Yuqsimu' (with damma) means to swear. They share the same root, which is why they are often confused by learners.

The 'we' form is 'naqsimu' (نَقْسِم). For example, 'Nahnu naqsimu al-fatira' (We divide the pie).

Use the preposition 'ila' (إلى). For example, 'Yaqsimu al-waraqa ila nisfayn' (He divides the paper into two halves).

Yes, it is very common in dialects, though the pronunciation of the 'Q' might change to a glottal stop (like 'yi'sim') in Egyptian or a 'G' sound in some Gulf dialects.

The most common noun forms are 'qism' (a part/section) and 'taqseem' (the act of dividing).

Yes, but it often implies a social or political split. For example, 'Hatha al-qarar yaqsimu al-sha'b' (This decision divides the people).

You can say 'taqseem 'adil' (تقسيم عادل) or use the adverb 'bi-l-tasawi' (equally) with the verb 'yaqsimu'.