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B1 verb 8 min read

يقيل

yuqil
Examples Notes & Tips يقيل in 30 Seconds
Explanation يقيل in your Level:
At the A1 level, the word يقيل (yuqīlu) might be a bit advanced, but you can understand it as a way to say 'stop work.' Imagine a boss telling a worker they can't work there anymore. In basic Arabic, we often use simple words like 'no work' or 'go home,' but يقيل is the grown-up version of that. You don't need to use it in your own speaking yet, but if you see it in a picture of an office or a news headline, just remember: it means someone is losing their job. It starts with a 'yu' sound, which tells us someone else is doing the action to a person. Think of it as the opposite of hiring someone. At this level, just focus on recognizing the root letters Q-Y-L and the context of a workplace. If you see a sad person leaving an office with a box, and the word يقيل is nearby, you know what happened!
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For A2 learners, يقيل is a useful word to know when talking about jobs and daily routines. You are starting to learn more 'Form IV' verbs (the ones that start with 'A' in the past and 'Yu' in the present). يقيل is a great example. You can use it in simple sentences like 'The manager dismisses the worker' (المدير يقيل العامل). It is important to distinguish this from the word for 'saying' (يقول). Notice the 'i' sound in يقيل versus the 'u' sound in يقول. You might also encounter the noun form إقالة (iqālah), which means 'dismissal.' If you are reading a simple story about a company or a sports team, this word will likely appear. Learning it now helps you move away from very basic words like 'fire' (يطرد) and makes your Arabic sound more polite and professional.
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At the B1 level, you are expected to understand and use يقيل in professional and social contexts. This is a key vocabulary item for discussing the economy, politics, and employment. You should understand that يقيل is more formal than يفصل and much more polite than يطرد. You should also be able to conjugate it correctly in the present tense: أنا أقيل، أنت تقيل، هو يقيل. A major part of B1 is understanding 'word families,' so you should connect يقيل (to dismiss) with يستقيل (to resign). If the boss يقيل you, it's his choice. If you تستقيل, it's your choice. You should also be able to use it with the preposition من to say 'dismissed from...' (يقيله من منصبه). This word will appear frequently in the 'Business' and 'News' sections of your Arabic textbooks.
B2 learners should have a nuanced understanding of يقيل. You should be able to recognize it in passive forms (يُقال الموظف) and understand how it functions in complex grammatical structures, such as after أنْ or in conditional sentences. You should also start to appreciate its usage in media and legal Arabic. For instance, you should know that in a political context, يقيل is the standard term for a 'cabinet reshuffle' or the removal of a public official. You should also be aware of the noun إقالة and how it's used in headlines like 'إقالة جماعية' (mass dismissal). At this level, you should be able to debate workplace rights and use يقيل to describe various scenarios of contract termination. You are also expected to distinguish it clearly from its homograph يَقيل (to nap) based on the context and the 'damma' on the prefix.
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As a C1 learner, you should explore the deeper legal and historical meanings of يقيل. In Islamic law and classical Arabic, إقالة (the act of dismissing/rescinding) is often discussed as a virtuous act where a seller allows a buyer to cancel a contract out of kindness. This 'rescission' aspect adds a layer of 'mercy' or 'undoing' to the word that isn't present in its modern 'firing' sense. You should be able to read high-level political analysis where يقيل is used to describe the removal of military leaders or the dissolution of entire boards. Your use of the word should be precise—knowing when to use يقيل versus يعفي (relieve) or يسرح (to lay off). You should also be comfortable with the derived forms and their abstract applications, such as 'dismissing' an idea or a concern in highly formal rhetoric.
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At the C2 level, you should master the rhetorical and stylistic weight of يقيل. You should be able to identify its use in classical poetry or prose, where it might take on more metaphorical meanings of 'releasing' or 'forgiving' (as in 'أقال الله عثرتك' - May God forgive your slip/mistake). In modern legal and diplomatic Arabic, you should understand the precise implications of إقالة versus استقالة in international treaties or high-stakes corporate law. You should be able to write sophisticated reports using this verb to describe structural changes in government or industry, employing the full range of its conjugations and derived nouns with perfect accuracy. Your understanding of the word should transcend mere 'job termination' to encompass the broader concept of 'authoritative rescission' and its role in the balance of power and social ethics in Arabic-speaking societies.
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Examples Notes & Tips

يقيل in 30 Seconds

  • A formal verb meaning to dismiss or fire someone from a job.
  • Commonly used in news headlines regarding politicians and executives.
  • Derived from Form IV (Aqala), distinct from Form I (Qala - to say).
  • Carries a professional tone compared to the aggressive word 'Tarada'.

The Arabic verb يقيل (yuqīlu) is the present tense form of the Form IV verb أقال (aqāla). In its primary professional and legal sense, it means 'to dismiss,' 'to discharge,' or 'to relieve someone of their duties.' Unlike more aggressive terms for firing someone, such as طرد (ṭarada - to kick out/expel), يقيل carries a more formal, administrative, and sometimes even respectful tone. It is the standard term used in news reports when a high-ranking official, such as a minister or a general, is removed from their position by a higher authority. Understanding this word is essential for navigating Arabic media, business environments, and legal documents.

Professional Context
This verb is used when an employer or a superior decides to terminate an employment contract or a political appointment. It implies an official decision made from a position of power.

قرر مجلس الإدارة أن يقيل المدير التنفيذي بسبب تراجع الأرباح.

Beyond the corporate world, the word has deep roots in Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh). In the context of a sale or contract, the noun form إقالة (iqālah) refers to the 'rescission' or 'cancellation' of a contract by mutual consent. If you buy something and then regret it, and the seller agrees to take it back and return your money, this act of kindness is called إقالة. This dual nature—dismissal from a job and the merciful cancellation of a contract—makes it a fascinating word that bridges the gap between authority and interpersonal ethics.

Political Usage
In political headlines, you will frequently see 'أقال الرئيس الوزير' (The President dismissed the Minister). It is the standard diplomatic way to describe a cabinet reshuffle.

لا يحق لصاحب العمل أن يقيل الموظف دون سابق إنذار قانوني.

In modern standard Arabic, the word is almost exclusively used for termination of service. It suggests a 'removal' from a post rather than a 'separation' (which would be فصل - fasala). When you hear يقيل, think of a formal decree or a board meeting outcome. It is less about the person's character and more about the cessation of their official role. This makes it a neutral yet powerful verb in the vocabulary of any B1 learner aiming for professional fluency.

Using يقيل correctly requires understanding its transitive nature. The subject is the authority figure (boss, king, board), and the object is the person being removed. Because it is a Form IV verb, the present tense starts with a 'damma' on the prefix (يُـقيل). This is a key grammatical marker for learners. Let's look at how it functions across different sentence structures.

Active Voice
The most common usage where the actor is known. Example: 'The manager dismisses the negligent worker.'

هل تعتقد أن الشركة سوف تقيل المزيد من العمال هذا الشهر؟

In complex sentences, يقيل often appears after particles like أن (an) or لن (lan). For instance, 'The law prevents the company from dismissing employees without cause' would be: يمنع القانون الشركة من أن تقيل الموظفين دون سبب. Notice how the verb adapts to the gender of the subject (the company - feminine). This flexibility allows you to describe various workplace dynamics, from individual firings to mass layoffs.

The Passive Construction
In news, we often hear the passive: 'يُقالُ الموظف' (The employee is being dismissed). The vowel change from 'i' to 'a' in يُقَال is subtle but vital.

إذا استمر الفشل، فمن المتوقع أن يقيل الرئيس طاقمه بالكامل.

When constructing sentences, remember that يقيل is usually followed directly by the person (the object) without a preposition. However, if you want to specify the 'from what' position, you use من (min). For example: يقيل المدير المحاسب من منصبه (The manager dismisses the accountant from his position). This pattern is robust and applies to almost all professional contexts you will encounter.

If you tune into an Arabic news channel like BBC Arabic, Al Jazeera, or Sky News Arabia, you are almost guaranteed to hear the word يقيل during the political segment. It is the 'anchor' word for reporting government changes. When a Prime Minister decides to change his cabinet, the headline will invariably use this verb. It signals a formal, top-down decision. In the Middle East, where political appointments are central to public life, this word carries significant weight and often marks a major shift in policy or power dynamics.

Sports Media
Football is huge in the Arab world. When a team loses several matches, the fans and journalists start asking: 'متى سيقيل النادي المدرب؟' (When will the club dismiss the coach?).

بعد الخسارة الثالثة، لم يكن أمام الإدارة خيار سوى أن تقيل المدرب.

In the corporate environment, you will encounter this word in Human Resources (HR) meetings and official emails. While colleagues might use the word يفصل (yafsilu - to terminate/separate) in casual conversation, the official termination letter will often use the nominal form إقالة. It is also used in legal proceedings. If a contract is being nullified by a judge or by mutual agreement, the verb يقيل or its derivatives will appear in the court transcript. This gives the word a sense of finality and legal authority that other synonyms lack.

Economic Reports
Reports on unemployment or corporate restructuring frequently use this verb to describe downsizing or the removal of executives during a merger.

تخطط الشركة لـ أن تقيل عشرة في المئة من موظفيها لتقليل التكاليف.

Finally, you might hear this in historical dramas or literature. In the context of old caliphates or kingdoms, a Sultan might 'يقيل' a governor who failed to collect taxes or maintain order. This historical usage reinforces the word's connection to sovereign power and administrative order. Whether in a modern skyscraper in Dubai or a history book about Cairo, the core meaning of 'official removal from power' remains consistent, making it a versatile tool for any serious student of the language.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers learning Arabic is confusing يُقيل (yuqīlu - to dismiss) with يَقيل (yaqīlu - to nap). The only difference in writing is the short vowel (haraka) on the first letter. In يُقيل, the 'ya' has a damma (u sound), which is characteristic of Form IV verbs. In يَقيل, the 'ya' has a fatha (a sound). If you say 'The boss is napping the employee,' it will lead to confusion! Always pay attention to the context: if it's about a job, it's almost certainly the 'dismiss' meaning.

The 'Say' Confusion
Beginners often confuse this with يقول (yaqūlu - to say). While they look similar in script, the 'waw' in يقول and the 'ya' in يقيل change the meaning entirely.

خطأ: المدير يقول الموظف (The manager says the employee). صح: المدير يقيل الموظف.

Another common mistake is using the wrong preposition. In English, we 'dismiss someone *from* a job.' In Arabic, you can say يقيل شخصاً (dismisses someone - direct object) or يقيله من عمله (dismisses him from his work). Some learners try to use عن (an) instead of من (min). While عن is used with verbs like يتنحى (to step down), يقيل strictly takes من when specifying the position being vacated.

Overusing 'Tarada'
Learners often use يطرد (to fire/kick out) for every situation. Remember that يقيل is more professional. Using يطرد for a minister or a CEO sounds uneducated or overly aggressive.

تجنب قول: 'الملك طرد الوزير' إلا إذا كان هناك غضب شديد. الأفضل: 'الملك أقال الوزير'.

Lastly, pay attention to the subject-verb agreement. Since يقيل is often used with collective nouns like 'مجرد الإدارة' (the board) or 'الحكومة' (the government), remember that these can be treated as feminine singular in Arabic. Thus, you would say الحكومة تقيل (The government dismisses) rather than يقيل. Neglecting this feminine 'ta' prefix is a hallmark of intermediate learners that is easy to fix with practice.

Arabic is rich with synonyms for 'dismissal,' each carrying a specific nuance. Choosing the right one depends on the formality of the situation and the reason for the termination. While يقيل is the standard formal term, you should be aware of its neighbors in the semantic field to truly master the language.

يفصل (Yafsilu)
Meaning 'to terminate' or 'to separate.' This is the most common word for firing an employee in a regular business context. It is slightly less formal than يقيل but very common in daily life.
يطرد (Yatrudu)
Meaning 'to expel' or 'to kick out.' Use this only when the dismissal is due to bad behavior or is done in an angry, insulting manner. It is the opposite of 'professional.'
يعفي (Yu'fī)
Meaning 'to excuse' or 'to relieve.' Often used in the phrase يعفيه من مهامه (relieves him of his duties). This is the most polite and diplomatic way to say someone was removed from a post, often implying it wasn't necessarily their fault.

المقارنة:
1. يقيل: قرار رسمي (Official decision).
2. يفصل: إنهاء عقد (Ending a contract).
3. يطرد: طرد مهين (Insulting expulsion).

Another interesting alternative is يستغني عن (yastaghnī 'an), which means 'to dispense with' or 'to no longer need.' This is frequently used during layoffs or when a company is downsizing. It sounds more like an economic necessity than a disciplinary action. For example: اضطرت الشركة أن تستغني عن خدماته (The company was forced to dispense with his services).

In a legal setting, you might see ينقض (yanqudu - to annul) or يلغي (yulghī - to cancel). While يقيل can mean canceling a contract, يلغي is more general and can apply to plans, appointments, or laws. Understanding these subtle differences will help you choose the word that fits the exact 'vibe' of the situation you are describing.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"أقالت الرئاسة وزير الصحة."

Neutral

"المدير يقيل الموظف."

Informal

"سمعت إنهم راح يقيلوه؟"

Child friendly

"المدير قال للرجل: لا تعمل هنا بعد الآن."

Slang

"عطوه إقالة وبرع!"

Fun Fact

The root is shared with 'Qaylulah' (nap). The connection is that during a nap, one is 'released' from the activities of the day.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /juːˈkiːl/
US /juˈkil/
The stress is on the second syllable: yu-QEEL.
Rhymes With
يستقيل (yastaqīl) يسيل (yasīl) جميل (jamīl) طويل (tawīl) بديل (badīl) رحيل (raḥīl) كفيل (kafīl) زميل (zamīl)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing it as 'ya-qeel' (which means to nap).
  • Pronouncing it as 'ya-qool' (which means to say).
  • Softening the 'q' (ق) into a 'k' sound.
  • Missing the long 'ee' sound in the middle.
  • Treating it as a Form I verb.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in context but can be confused with 'to say' or 'to nap'.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of Form IV conjugation and vowel patterns.

Speaking 4/5

The emphatic 'q' and 'i' sound must be precise to avoid confusion.

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Examples by Level

1

المدير يقيل الموظف.

The manager dismisses the employee.

Simple subject-verb-object structure.

2

هو يقيلني من العمل.

He is dismissing me from work.

Uses the object pronoun 'ni' for 'me'.

3

لماذا يقيل الملك الوزير؟

Why does the King dismiss the Minister?

Question form using 'لماذا'.

4

هي تقيل السائق اليوم.

She dismisses the driver today.

Feminine subject 'she' changes the verb to 'ta'.

5

لا يقيل المدير العمال.

The manager does not dismiss the workers.

Negative form using 'لا'.

6

هل يقيلك المدير؟

Does the manager dismiss you?

Question form using 'هل' and object pronoun 'ka'.

7

يقيل الرجل الخادم.

The man dismisses the servant.

Verb comes before the subject.

8

أنا لا أقيل أحداً.

I do not dismiss anyone.

First person 'I' starts with 'A'.

1

قرر المدير أن يقيل الموظف الكسول.

The manager decided to dismiss the lazy employee.

Use of 'أن' makes the verb subjunctive.

2

متى يقيل النادي مدرب الفريق؟

When does the club dismiss the team coach?

Focus on the word 'club' as the subject.

3

لن يقيل المدير أحداً هذا الشهر.

The manager will not dismiss anyone this month.

Future negation using 'لن'.

4

يستطيع المدير أن يقيل أي شخص.

The manager can dismiss anyone.

Use of 'يستطيع أن' (can).

5

لماذا تريد الشركة أن تقيلك؟

Why does the company want to dismiss you?

Feminine subject 'company' with 'ta' prefix.

6

يقيل المعلم الطالب من الفصل.

The teacher dismisses the student from the class.

Usage of 'من' to show 'from where'.

7

هل يقيل الرئيس طاقمه دائماً؟

Does the president always dismiss his staff?

Adverb 'دائماً' (always) at the end.

8

يقيل الأب الولد من المهمة.

The father relieves the boy of the task.

Less formal usage of the verb.

1

من المتوقع أن يقيل مجلس الإدارة المدير التنفيذي.

It is expected that the board of directors will dismiss the CEO.

Passive-like expression 'من المتوقع أن'.

2

إذا لم تتحسن الأرباح، سيقيلون المدير.

If profits don't improve, they will dismiss the manager.

Conditional 'إذا' and future 'sa'.

3

القانون يمنع صاحب العمل من أن يقيل الموظف تعسفياً.

The law prevents the employer from dismissing the employee arbitrarily.

Use of 'تعسفياً' (arbitrarily) as an adverb.

4

هل يحق له أن يقيلني دون سبب؟

Does he have the right to dismiss me without a reason?

Phrase 'هل يحق له' (does he have the right).

5

يقيل الوزير الموظفين الذين لا يعملون بجد.

The minister dismisses the employees who do not work hard.

Relative clause using 'الذين'.

6

بدلاً من أن يقيل الموظف، أعطاه فرصة ثانية.

Instead of dismissing the employee, he gave him a second chance.

Phrase 'بدلاً من أن' (instead of).

7

يقيل البنك الموظف بسبب خيانة الأمانة.

The bank dismisses the employee due to breach of trust.

Reasoning using 'بسبب'.

8

لا يمكنه أن يقيل أحداً قبل نهاية العقد.

He cannot dismiss anyone before the end of the contract.

Temporal phrase 'قبل نهاية'.

1

أقالت الحكومة الوزير بعد فضيحة الفساد.

The government dismissed the minister after the corruption scandal.

Past tense 'أقالت' for feminine subject.

2

يُقال إن الرئيس سيقيل رئيس الوزراء قريباً.

It is said that the President will dismiss the Prime Minister soon.

Passive 'يُقال' (it is said) vs active 'يقيل'.

3

الشركة التي تقيل موظفيها فجأة تفقد سمعتها.

The company that dismisses its employees suddenly loses its reputation.

Relative clause 'التي' for feminine 'company'.

4

قبل أن يقيل المدير السكرتير، استشار المحامي.

Before the manager dismissed the secretary, he consulted the lawyer.

Time clause 'قبل أن'.

5

لا بد أن يقيل المدير الموظف إذا خالف القواعد.

The manager must dismiss the employee if he violates the rules.

Necessity phrase 'لا بد أن'.

6

يقيل القاضي العقد إذا ثبت الغش.

The judge annuls the contract if fraud is proven.

Legal usage meaning 'to annul/rescind'.

7

كيف يمكن للمدير أن يقيل نصف الموظفين؟

How can the manager dismiss half of the employees?

Interrogative 'كيف' with 'يمكن لـ'.

8

أخشى أن يقيلني المدير بسبب تأخري المستمر.

I fear the manager will dismiss me because of my constant lateness.

Verb 'أخشى' (I fear).

1

من صلاحيات الرئيس أن يقيل أعضاء الحكومة.

It is within the President's powers to dismiss members of the government.

Formal phrase 'من صلاحيات'.

2

تتمتع الهيئة بسلطة أن تقيل أي عضو يخالف الميثاق.

The entity has the authority to dismiss any member who violates the charter.

Complex subject 'الهيئة' and object 'عضو'.

3

لا يجوز لصاحب العمل أن يقيل الموظفة أثناء إجازة الأمومة.

An employer may not dismiss a female employee during maternity leave.

Legal prohibition 'لا يجوز'.

4

يقيل الله عثرة من أقال نادماً.

God forgives the slip of one who cancels a contract for a regretful person.

Classical religious/ethical usage.

5

قد يقيل المدير الموظف لكنه لا يستطيع منعه من العمل في مكان آخر.

The manager may dismiss the employee, but he cannot prevent him from working elsewhere.

Concessive 'قد' and 'لكنه'.

6

في حال تم إثبات التقصير، سيتم أن يقيل المسؤول فوراً.

In case negligence is proven, the official will be dismissed immediately.

Conditional phrase 'في حال'.

7

يقيل البنك المركزي محافظي البنوك المتعثرة.

The Central Bank dismisses the governors of failing banks.

Financial sector terminology.

8

هل تعتقد أن البرلمان سيقيل الحكومة بأكملها؟

Do you think the parliament will dismiss the entire government?

Political collective noun 'الحكومة'.

1

تخويل المدير بأن يقيل الموظفين دون الرجوع لمجلس الإدارة يعد خرقاً للقانون.

Authorizing the manager to dismiss employees without referring to the board is considered a breach of law.

Gerund 'تخويل' as subject.

2

إن قرار أن يقيل القائد في هذا التوقيت الحرج قد يؤدي إلى كارثة.

The decision to dismiss the leader at this critical time may lead to a disaster.

Emphatic particle 'إن' and complex noun phrase.

3

يسعى القانون الجديد إلى تقنين الحالات التي يقيل فيها صاحب العمل أجيره.

The new law seeks to codify the cases in which an employer dismisses his employee.

Use of 'تقنين' (codification) and 'أجير' (employee/hireling).

4

ما لم يكن هناك سبب وجيه، فليس من حقك أن يقيل الموظف.

Unless there is a valid reason, you do not have the right to dismiss the employee.

Conditional 'ما لم'.

5

أقال الله عثرتك وجعل الجنة منزلتك.

May God forgive your mistake and make Paradise your home.

Highly formal/religious supplication.

6

تضاربت الأنباء حول ما إذا كان الملك سيقيل رئيس الأركان أم لا.

Reports conflicted on whether the King would dismiss the Chief of Staff or not.

Phrase 'تضاربت الأنباء' (reports conflicted).

7

يقيل المدير الموظف بناءً على توصيات لجنة التحقيق.

The manager dismisses the employee based on the recommendations of the investigation committee.

Phrase 'بناءً على' (based on).

8

إنه لمن المحزن أن يقيل المرء صديقه من أجل حفنة من المال.

It is sad that one would 'dismiss' (cut off) his friend for a handful of money.

Metaphorical usage in a formal structure.

Common Collocations

يقيل من منصبه
يقيل مجلس الإدارة
يقيل الوزير
يقيل بسبب الفساد
يقيل بقرار رسمي
يقيل نادماً
يقيل المدرب
يقيل الموظف تعسفياً
يقيل العقد
يقيل الطاقم

Common Phrases

أقيل من العمل

— To be dismissed from work.

أقيل من العمل بالأمس.

إقالة جماعية

— Mass dismissal or mass firing.

شهدت الشركة إقالة جماعية.

قرار إقالة

— A dismissal decree or decision.

صدر قرار إقالة المدير.

أقال عثرته

— To forgive someone's mistake or help them up.

أقال الله عثرتك.

طلب الإقالة

— To ask for a contract to be rescinded.

قدم المشتري طلب إقالة.

إقالة فورية

— Immediate dismissal.

تعرض الموظف لإقالة فورية.

أسباب الإقالة

— Reasons for dismissal.

ما هي أسباب الإقالة؟

تجنب الإقالة

— To avoid being dismissed.

حاول الموظف تجنب الإقالة.

بعد الإقالة

— After the dismissal.

ماذا فعل بعد الإقالة؟

حق الإقالة

— The right to dismiss.

يملك المدير حق الإقالة.

Idioms & Expressions

"أقال الله عثرتك"

— A prayer asking God to forgive one's errors and help them recover from failure.

لا تحزن، أقال الله عثرتك.

Formal/Religious
"أقاله من عثرته"

— To help someone get back on their feet after a failure.

ساعده صديقه وأقاله من عثرته.

Literary
"إقالة عثرة الكرام"

— Forgiving the mistakes of honorable people.

من شيم النبلاء إقالة عثرة الكرام.

Literary
"ضربة الإقالة"

— The final blow that leads to dismissal (metaphorical).

كانت الفضيحة هي ضربة الإقالة.

Journalistic
"حبل الإقالة"

— The threat of being fired (metaphorical).

حبل الإقالة يلف حول عنقه.

Metaphorical
"كرسي الإقالة"

— Being in a position where one is likely to be fired.

المدير الآن على كرسي الإقالة.

Journalistic
"شبح الإقالة"

— The ghost/threat of dismissal hanging over someone.

يواجه المدرب شبح الإقالة.

Sports Media
"باب الإقالة"

— The possibility of being dismissed.

فتح المدير باب الإقالة للجميع.

Neutral
"طعم الإقالة"

— The bitter experience of being dismissed.

ذاق الموظف طعم الإقالة المر.

Literary
"سيف الإقالة"

— The sword of dismissal (constant threat).

سيف الإقالة مسلط على رقابهم.

Journalistic

Word Family

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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Quit' + 'Legal'. When the boss makes you 'Quit' through a 'Legal' process, he 'Yuqīlu' you.

Visual Association

Imagine a judge cutting a contract with scissors. The sound of the scissors is the 'q' in Yuqīlu.

Word Web

Work Boss Contract Fire Dismiss Office Law Resign

Challenge

Try to use 'يقيل' in a sentence about a football coach losing his job after a big game.

Word Origin

The word comes from the Arabic root Q-Y-L (ق ي ل). In its basic form (Form I), it relates to 'midday' or 'napping at noon.'

Original meaning: The original sense of Form IV (Aqala) was to 'release' or 'let go.' This evolved into releasing someone from a contract or a job.

Semitic -> Afroasiatic -> Arabic.

Cultural Context

Be careful using this word with friends; it sounds very boss-like. Use 'Yafsil' for more general conversations.

Equivalent to 'dismissed' or 'relieved of duties' in formal English, rather than 'sacked' or 'fired'.

News headlines about the dismissal of Arab ministers. The Hadith: 'من أقال نادماً أقال الله عثرته' (Whoever cancels a sale for a regretful person, God forgives his sins). Sports reports in Al-Riyadiah newspaper.
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