At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'يشرّع' yourself, but you might see it in very simple texts about how a country works. Think of it as a fancy way to say 'makes rules'. Just like a teacher makes rules for a classroom, a parliament 'يشرّع' rules for a country. At this stage, focus on recognizing the root 'ش ر ع' which you will also see in the word 'Sharia'. You can think of it as the 'Rule-Maker' word. If you see it, just remember it has to do with laws and government. You won't hear this in a supermarket, but you might see it on a poster about government buildings. It is a big word for a big job!
By A2, you are starting to learn about different professions and places. You know 'government' (حكومة) and 'law' (قانون). The verb 'يشرّع' is what the government does with the law. When you read a simple news headline, you might see 'The Parliament legislates (يشرّع) a law.' It is important to notice the 'y' at the beginning, which tells you it is happening now (present tense). You should also notice the shadda (the little 'w' shape) on the middle letter. This shadda makes the word strong, just like the act of making a law is a strong action. Try to remember it as 'to make-law'. If someone asks 'What does the parliament do?', you can answer 'It makes laws' (يشرّع قوانين).
At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'يشرّع' in your own writing and speaking, especially when discussing social issues or politics. You are now expected to understand that this verb is more formal than simply saying 'يضع' (puts/sets). You can use it to describe the process of change in a society. For example, 'The state legislates laws to protect women's rights.' You should also be able to conjugate it correctly: 'I legislate' (أشرّع - though unlikely you'd say this unless you're a lawmaker!), 'He legislates' (يشرّع), and 'They legislate' (يشرعون). This word helps you move from basic descriptions to more academic and professional Arabic. It is a key verb for discussing the 'how' and 'why' of societal rules.
At the B2 level, you should understand the nuances of 'يشرّع' compared to its synonyms like 'يقنّن' (to codify) or 'يسنّ' (to enact). You are likely reading more complex news articles and watching debates. You will notice that 'يشرّع' is often used in the passive voice (يُشرَّع) in legal discussions to focus on the objective nature of the law. You should also be comfortable using the verbal noun 'تشريع' (legislation) in your sentences. For example, 'The legislative process (عملية التشريع) takes a long time.' You can also use it in a more abstract sense, such as discussing who has the authority to legislate in a modern democracy versus a traditional system. Your vocabulary is now rich enough to use this word to express complex ideas about authority and governance.
At the C1 level, you are expected to have a deep understanding of the word's etymological roots and its implications in different fields. You should be able to discuss the concept of 'Tashri' (legislation) in Islamic law versus secular law with ease. You will encounter 'يشرّع' in high-level academic papers, constitutional documents, and philosophical treatises. You should understand how it relates to 'Shari'ah' (the path) and how that metaphor influences the way law is perceived in Arabic-speaking cultures. You can use the word to analyze the legitimacy of laws and the boundaries of legislative power. Your usage should be precise, distinguishing between 'legislating' a general principle and 'issuing' a specific administrative decree.
At the C2 level, you possess a near-native grasp of 'يشرّع'. You can appreciate the rhetorical use of the word in literature or high-stakes political oratory. You understand the subtle differences in connotation when a writer chooses 'يشرّع' over 'يسنّ' to emphasize the foundational or divine-like nature of a law. You can engage in complex debates about 'legislative sovereignty' (السيادة التشريعية) and use the verb in hypothetical or counterfactual arguments. You are also aware of the rarer, figurative uses of the word in different dialects or older literature. For you, the word is not just a verb but a gateway to understanding the entire history of Arab legal and political thought.

يشرّع in 30 Seconds

  • A formal verb meaning to legislate or enact laws, primarily used in political and legal contexts to describe the work of governing bodies.
  • Derived from the root (ش ر ع), it shares a linguistic heritage with 'Sharia' and 'Tashri' (legislation).
  • Typically used in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) for news, academic writing, and formal discussions about government and authority.
  • Follows the Form II verb pattern, emphasizing the causative act of making something into a law.

The Arabic verb يشرّع (yusharri'u) is a cornerstone of legal, political, and social discourse. At its heart, it refers to the act of legislating, enacting laws, or establishing a framework of rules that govern a society. Derived from the root (ش ر ع), which historically relates to a path or a way leading to water, the word carries a weight of providing a clear, guided direction for people to follow. In modern contexts, you will encounter this word most frequently when discussing the functions of a parliament, the powers of a government, or the religious authority in a theological setting.

Political Context
It describes the primary duty of the legislative branch of government (السلطة التشريعية). When a representative body debates and passes a bill, they are in the process of 'تشريع' (legislation).

البرلمان يشرّع قوانين جديدة لحماية البيئة.
(The parliament legislates new laws to protect the environment.)

Beyond the halls of parliament, the word is also used in a religious sense. In Islamic jurisprudence, 'يشرّع' refers to the divine or prophetic establishment of rules (Sharia). It implies that the source of the law is authoritative and foundational. Interestingly, the verb is also used figuratively in some dialects to mean 'to open wide,' such as opening a door or a window, though this is less common in formal Modern Standard Arabic (MSA).

Usage in Media
News anchors use this verb to report on constitutional changes. You will hear it in phrases like 'يشرّع الدستور' (the constitution stipulates/legislates).

هل يحق للحكومة أن تشرّع دون الرجوع للبرلمان؟
(Does the government have the right to legislate without referring to parliament?)

Using يشرّع correctly requires understanding its role as a Form II verb (Fa''ala). Form II verbs often carry a causative or intensive meaning, and in this case, it means 'to make' or 'to cause to be' a law. It is a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes a direct object—the law or regulation being enacted.

Grammatical Pattern
The verb follows the pattern (يُفَعِّلُ). The present tense is 'يُشرّع', the past is 'شرّع', and the verbal noun is 'تشريع'.

When constructing a sentence, the subject is typically an entity with authority. This could be a person (like a king or a leader), a body (like a council), or an abstract concept (like history or necessity). For example, you might say 'Necessity legislates its own rules' in a philosophical context.

المجلس الوطني يشرّع ضوابط جديدة للتجارة الإلكترونية.
(The National Council legislates new regulations for e-commerce.)

In complex sentences, you can use the particle 'أن' (that) after the verb to describe what is being legislated. For example, 'The law legislates that every citizen must pay taxes.' This structure is very common in formal legal documents and academic writing about political science.

لا يمكن للدولة أن تشرّع ما يخالف الدستور.
(The state cannot legislate what contradicts the constitution.)

Agreement
Since 'البرلمان' (parliament) is masculine, use 'يشرّع'. Since 'اللجنة' (the committee) is feminine, use 'تشرّع'.

If you tune into an Arabic news channel like Al Jazeera or Al Arabiya, you will hear يشرّع almost daily. It is a staple of 'Political Arabic.' The word is used to describe the ongoing activities of governing bodies across the Arab world and internationally. You will also find it in the headlines of newspapers like Asharq Al-Awsat, especially in the 'Local News' or 'Politics' sections.

عاجل: البرلمان يشرّع قانوناً طارئاً لمواجهة الأزمة الاقتصادية.
(Breaking: Parliament legislates an emergency law to face the economic crisis.)

Another common place to hear this word is in university lecture halls, specifically in the faculties of Law (حقوق) and Political Science (علوم سياسية). Professors discuss the philosophy of law and who has the right to 'يشرّع'. In these academic settings, the word is used with precision to distinguish between different types of rules, such as primary legislation versus secondary regulations.

In religious sermons (Khutbah), the word might be used to discuss the origins of Islamic law. A preacher might say, 'Allah legislated for us a religion of ease,' using the past tense 'شرّع الله لنا'. Here, the word takes on a sacred tone, emphasizing the divine origin of the rules being discussed. This dual usage—both highly secular/political and deeply religious—makes it a versatile and essential word for any intermediate learner.

Daily Conversations
While not common in casual slang, educated speakers use it when complaining about bureaucracy or discussing new government mandates that affect their lives.

لماذا يشرّعون مثل هذه القوانين الصعبة؟
(Why do they legislate such difficult laws?)

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with يشرّع is confusing it with other verbs derived from the same root. Arabic roots are productive, and small changes in the vowel pattern or verb form can completely change the meaning. For instance, the Form I verb 'شرع' (shara'a) can mean 'to begin' or 'to start' when followed by a present tense verb, which is a very different usage.

Form I vs Form II
'شرع يكتب' (He began writing) vs 'يشرّع القانون' (He legislates the law). Notice the shadda on the middle letter in the legislative version.

Another common error is confusing it with 'أشرع' (ashra'a - Form IV), which can mean to point a weapon (like a sword or a gun) at someone. While the spelling is similar, the context and the 'Alif' at the beginning of Form IV make them distinct. Mixing these up in a political essay could lead to some very confusing (and potentially violent) imagery!

خطأ: هو شرع في البرلمان.
صواب: هو يشرّع في البرلمان.
(Correction: The first implies he 'started' in parliament; the second correctly says he 'legislates'.)

Learners also sometimes struggle with the prepositional usage. Unlike some English verbs that require 'for' or 'against', 'يشرّع' is usually directly transitive. You legislate a law (يشرّع قانوناً), you don't 'legislate *for* a law' in the same way. However, you can say 'يشرّع للمجتمع' (He legislates for the society), where the 'Li-' indicates the beneficiary.

Pronunciation Pitfall
Ensure you pronounce the 'Ayn' (ع) at the end clearly. If you drop it, the word becomes unrecognizable to native speakers.

While يشرّع is the most formal and common word for enacting laws, there are several alternatives depending on the nuance you want to convey. Understanding these synonyms will help you sound more like a native speaker and allow you to navigate different registers of the language.

سنّ القوانين (Sanna al-qawanin)
This is perhaps the most common synonym. 'سنّ' literally means to sharpen or to prescribe. It is used almost interchangeably with 'يشرّع' in journalistic contexts.
قنّن (Qannana)
This verb specifically means 'to codify' or to turn something into a formal 'Qanun' (law). It is used when a set of existing customs or informal rules are officially written into the legal code.

بدلاً من يشرّع، يمكننا قول 'يضع القوانين'.
(Instead of 'legislates', we can say 'sets the laws'.)

If you are looking for a more general term, you can use 'أصدر' (asdara), which means 'to issue'. This is used for decrees (مرسوم) or decisions (قرار) that might not be full 'laws' but still carry legal weight. For example, a president might 'issue a decree' (يصدر مرسوماً) rather than 'legislate' it, as legislation is usually the job of a parliament.

Comparison Table
  • يشرّع: General, formal, covers both secular and religious law.
  • سنّ: Common in news, implies establishing a precedent.
  • قنّن: Technical, implies codification and organization.
  • أصدر: Executive action, used for decrees and orders.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

""

Neutral

""

Informal

""

Child friendly

""

Slang

""

Fun Fact

The word for 'street' (شارع) comes from the same root, because a street is a 'path' just as a law is a 'path' for society.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ju.ʃar.riʕ/
US /ju.ʃar.riʕ/
The stress is on the second syllable: yu-SHAR-ri'u.
Rhymes With
يُسَرِّع (yusarri'u - to speed up) يُقَرِّع (yuqarri'u - to scold) يُتَرِّع (yutarri'u) يُبَرِّع (yubarri'u) يُدَرِّع (yudarri'u) يُفَرِّع (yufarri'u) يُجَرِّع (yujarri'u) يُخَرِّع (yukharri'u)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing it 'yushari'u' without the double 'r'.
  • Dropping the 'ayn' at the end, making it sound like 'yusharri'.
  • Confusing the 'u' prefix with 'a' (asharri'u).
  • Pronouncing the 'sh' as 's'.
  • Mixing up the vowels (yusharru'u).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in news headlines.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct conjugation and shadda placement.

Speaking 4/5

The 'ayn' sound at the end can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation in formal media.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

قانون حكومة مجلس شريعة وضع

Learn Next

دستور برلمان مشرّع قضاء تنفيذ

Advanced

فقه اجتهاد قوننة مرسوم لائحة

Grammar to Know

Form II Verbs

شرّع - يشرّع (Intensive/Causative action)

Transitive Verbs

يشرّع القانون (Takes a direct object)

Passive Voice

يُشرَّع القانون (The law is legislated)

Verbal Noun (Masdar)

التشريع (Legislation)

Active Participle

المشرّع (The Legislator)

Examples by Level

1

البرلمان يشرّع قوانين.

The parliament legislates laws.

Simple Subject-Verb-Object structure.

2

هو يشرّع قانوناً جديداً.

He legislates a new law.

The word 'قانوناً' has an 'an' sound at the end because it's the object.

3

الملك يشرّع للناس.

The king legislates for the people.

Using 'li-' (for) to show who the law is for.

4

من يشرّع هنا؟

Who legislates here?

Question form using 'Man' (Who).

5

هي تشرّع قواعد في البيت.

She legislates (makes) rules in the house.

Feminine form 'tusharri'u'.

6

نحن لا نشرّع القوانين.

We do not legislate the laws.

Negative form using 'la'.

7

هل تشرّع الحكومة اليوم؟

Does the government legislate today?

Question form using 'hal'.

8

هم يشرّعون كل سنة.

They legislate every year.

Plural form 'yusharri'una'.

1

المجلس يشرّع قوانين المرور.

The council legislates traffic laws.

Compound noun 'qawanin al-murur'.

2

يشرّع القاضي في المحكمة.

The judge legislates (decides) in the court.

Verb-Subject order.

3

لماذا يشرّع الرئيس هذا؟

Why does the president legislate this?

Question word 'Limadha' (Why).

4

يشرّع الله لنا الخير.

God legislates for us the good.

Religious context.

5

البرلمان يشرّع لحماية الأطفال.

The parliament legislates to protect children.

Using 'li-' + infinitive (to protect).

6

الدولة تشرّع نظاماً تعليمياً.

The state legislates an educational system.

Adjective following the noun 'nizaman'.

7

يشرّعون قوانين العمل الآن.

They are legislating labor laws now.

Present continuous sense.

8

هل يمكن أن يشرّع البرلمان هذا؟

Can the parliament legislate this?

Using 'yumkin an' (it is possible that).

1

يشرّع البرلمان قوانين صارمة ضد التلوث.

The parliament legislates strict laws against pollution.

Adjective 'sarimah' (strict) matching 'qawanin'.

2

يجب أن يشرّعوا قوانين تحمي الخصوصية.

They must legislate laws that protect privacy.

Subjunctive mood after 'an'.

3

كان البرلمان يشرّع قانوناً جديداً عندما حدثت الأزمة.

The parliament was legislating a new law when the crisis happened.

Past continuous using 'kana' + present verb.

4

من الصعب أن يشرّع المرء لنفسه.

It is difficult for one to legislate for oneself.

Impersonal 'al-mar'u' (one/the person).

5

يشرّع المجتمع أعرافاً غير مكتوبة.

Society legislates (establishes) unwritten customs.

Figurative use of 'legislates'.

6

سوف يشرّع البرلمان القانون الشهر القادم.

The parliament will legislate the law next month.

Future tense using 'sawfa'.

7

لم يشرّع البرلمان أي قانون هذا العام.

The parliament did not legislate any law this year.

Jussive mood after 'lam'.

8

تشرّع الدول المتقدمة قوانين للتكنولوجيا الحيوية.

Developed countries legislate laws for biotechnology.

Feminine plural agreement with 'al-duwal'.

1

يشرّع المشرعون القوانين بناءً على احتياجات الشعب.

Legislators legislate laws based on the needs of the people.

Using the active participle 'al-musharri'una' (legislators).

2

يُشرَّع القانون عادةً بعد نقاشات طويلة.

The law is usually legislated after long debates.

Passive voice 'yusharra'u'.

3

لا يحق لأي جهة أن تشرّع دون تفويض.

No entity has the right to legislate without authorization.

Using 'la yahiqu li-' (no right to).

4

يشرّع الدستور المبادئ الأساسية للدولة.

The constitution legislates (stipulates) the basic principles of the state.

Abstract subject 'al-dustur'.

5

من المهم أن يشرّع البرلمان قوانين تواكب العصر.

It is important that parliament legislates laws that keep pace with the times.

Using 'tuwakibu' (to keep pace with).

6

يشرّع الفقيه الأحكام بناءً على الأدلة.

The jurist legislates (derives) rulings based on evidence.

Specialized term 'al-faqih' (jurist).

7

هل تشرّع المنظمات الدولية قوانين ملزمة؟

Do international organizations legislate binding laws?

Adjective 'mulzimah' (binding).

8

يشرّع العقل قواعد المنطق.

The mind legislates the rules of logic.

Philosophical usage.

1

تشرّع الدولة القوانين لضمان السلم الاجتماعي.

The state legislates laws to ensure social peace.

Infinitive 'li-daman' (to ensure).

2

تشرّع السلطة التشريعية القوانين بينما تنفذها السلطة التنفيذية.

The legislative branch legislates laws while the executive branch implements them.

Contrast between 'tusharri'u' and 'tunaffidhu'.

3

يشرّع البرلمان قانوناً قد يثير جدلاً واسعاً.

The parliament legislates a law that might spark widespread controversy.

Use of 'qad' to show possibility.

4

يشرّع الإسلام قواعد للتعامل المالي.

Islam legislates rules for financial dealings.

Religious legislative context.

5

يشرّع التاريخ دروساً لا يمكن تجاهلها.

History legislates (sets) lessons that cannot be ignored.

Literary/Metaphorical usage.

6

يشرّع القانون الدولي حماية حقوق الإنسان.

International law legislates the protection of human rights.

Abstract subject.

7

تشرّع المجالس المحلية قوانين خاصة بالمنطقة.

Local councils legislate laws specific to the region.

Specific context of local government.

8

يشرّع الفكر الفلسفي أسساً للأخلاق.

Philosophical thought legislates foundations for ethics.

Highly academic usage.

1

تشرّع الأمم قوانينها استجابةً للتحولات التاريخية.

Nations legislate their laws in response to historical transformations.

Using 'istijabatan li-' (in response to).

2

يشرّع المشرع الحكيم ما ينفع الناس في مآلهم.

The wise legislator legislates what benefits people in their ultimate outcome.

Nuanced vocabulary like 'ma'al' (outcome).

3

تشرّع الطبيعة قوانينها الخاصة التي لا ترحم.

Nature legislates its own laws which are merciless.

Personification of nature.

4

يشرّع البرلمان في ظل ظروف سياسية معقدة.

The parliament legislates under complex political circumstances.

Prepositional phrase 'fi dhill' (in light of/under).

5

يشرّع الوعي الجمعي معايير السلوك المقبول.

Collective consciousness legislates the standards of acceptable behavior.

Psychological/Sociological context.

6

تشرّع المؤسسات الدولية معايير الشفافية.

International institutions legislate transparency standards.

Technical term 'al-shaffafiyyah'.

7

يشرّع الفن قوانين الجمال الخاصة به.

Art legislates its own laws of beauty.

Aesthetic context.

8

يشرّع العرف ما عجز القانون عن تنظيمه.

Custom legislates what the law failed to organize.

Contrast between 'urf' (custom) and 'qanun' (law).

Common Collocations

يشرّع قانوناً
يشرّع نظاماً
يشرّع ضوابط
يشرّع دستوراً
يشرّع عقوبات
يشرّع حقوقاً
يشرّع إجراءات
يشرّع معايير
يشرّع للمستقبل
يشرّع باسم الشعب

Common Phrases

المشرع

— The Legislator (the person or body that makes laws).

يهدف المشرع إلى حماية المجتمع.

السلطة التشريعية

— The Legislative Branch (Parliament).

تختص السلطة التشريعية بسن القوانين.

حق التشريع

— The right to legislate.

من يملك حق التشريع في هذه الدولة؟

عملية التشريع

— The legislative process.

تمر عملية التشريع بعدة مراحل.

التشريع الإسلامي

— Islamic Legislation (Sharia).

يعتمد التشريع الإسلامي على القرآن والسنة.

التشريعات النافذة

— Effective/Current legislations.

يجب احترام التشريعات النافذة.

تعديل التشريع

— Amending the legislation.

اقترح النائب تعديل التشريع الحالي.

غياب التشريع

— Absence of legislation.

نعاني من غياب التشريع في هذا المجال.

فلسفة التشريع

— Philosophy of legislation.

درسنا فلسفة التشريع في الجامعة.

سيادة التشريع

— Supremacy of legislation.

تؤمن الدولة بسيادة التشريع.

Idioms & Expressions

"يشرّع الأبواب"

— To open the doors wide (figurative). Often used for opportunities or welcomes.

يشرّع البلد أبوابه للمستثمرين.

Literary
"يشرّع نوافذ الأمل"

— To open the windows of hope.

هذا القرار يشرّع نوافذ الأمل للشباب.

Poetic
"قانون لا يشرّع"

— A law that doesn't make sense or isn't valid (informal).

هذا كلام لا يشرّع!

Informal
"يشرّع سيفه"

— To draw his sword (Form IV 'Ashra'a' is often confused here, but sometimes Form II is used figuratively).

يشرّع سيفه في وجه الظلم.

Classic
"يشرّع قلبه"

— To open one's heart.

يشرّع قلبه لكل من يحتاج مساعدة.

Poetic
"يشرّع للغابة"

— To legislate for a jungle (meaning to make chaotic or unfair laws).

هذا ليس قانوناً، أنت تشرّع للغابة!

Political Sarcasm
"المشرع صامت"

— The legislator is silent (legal term for when there's no law for a specific case).

المشرع صامت تجاه هذه القضية.

Legal
"تحت عباءة التشريع"

— Under the cloak of legislation (doing something questionable using law as a cover).

فعلوا ذلك تحت عباءة التشريع.

Critical
"يشرّع ما لا يملك"

— To legislate what one doesn't own (to overstep authority).

لا يشرّع أحد ما لا يملك.

Formal
"روح التشريع"

— The spirit of the law/legislation.

يجب أن نطبق روح التشريع لا نصه فقط.

Legal

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Related

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'SHARing' rules. A 'SHAR-ri'u' is someone sharing the rules with the country.

Visual Association

Imagine a judge or a king drawing a 'path' (Sharia) on the ground for people to walk on. That path is the law.

Word Web

Law Parliament Sharia Street Legislator Constitution Rules Order

Challenge

Try to write a sentence using 'yusharri'u' and its noun 'tashri' in the same paragraph.

Word Origin

From the Arabic root (ش ر ع - Sh-R-').

Original meaning: The root originally referred to a clear path or a road leading to a watering hole.

Semitic (Arabic).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using it in religious versus secular contexts; some people believe only God can 'legislate' in the truest sense.

In English, 'legislate' sounds very cold and bureaucratic. In Arabic, 'yusharri'u' feels more foundational and path-setting.

The Quran mentions God as the ultimate 'Mugharri' (Legislator). Modern Arab constitutions always specify that the 'Parliament legislates'. Legal textbooks like 'Al-Wajiz fi al-Tashri''.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Parliamentary Debates

  • يشرّع المجلس
  • نقاش التشريع
  • مقترح قانون
  • تصويت على التشريع

Legal Education

  • أصول التشريع
  • تاريخ القوانين
  • حقوق وواجبات
  • نصوص قانونية

Religious Studies

  • شرع الله
  • أحكام الشريعة
  • الفقه الإسلامي
  • مقاصد التشريع

News Reporting

  • صدر اليوم
  • يشرّع قانوناً طارئاً
  • تعديلات تشريعية
  • ردود فعل

Business Regulation

  • يشرّع ضوابط السوق
  • قوانين التجارة
  • حماية المستهلك
  • نظام الشركات

Conversation Starters

"هل تعتقد أن البرلمان يشرّع قوانين كافية لحماية البيئة؟"

"كيف يشرّع بلدك القوانين الجديدة؟"

"من يملك الحق في أن يشرّع في مجتمعك؟"

"هل يشرّع القانون للناس أم للشركات؟"

"ما هو أغرب قانون رأيته يشرّع في حياتك؟"

Journal Prompts

اكتب عن قانون تتمنى أن يشرّع في بلدك ولماذا.

صف عملية التشريع كما تتخيلها في مدينة فاضلة.

هل تعتقد أن الذكاء الاصطناعي يمكن أن يشرّع القوانين يوماً ما؟

ناقش الفرق بين أن يشرّع البرلمان وأن يشرّع العرف.

اكتب رسالة إلى مشرّع تطلب منه تغيير قانون معين.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!