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يَتَّفِق

A2 verb #3,500 most common 9 min read

يَتَّفِق

yattafiq Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips يَتَّفِق in 30 Seconds

Explanation يَتَّفِق in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'yattafiqu' means 'to agree.' You will mostly use it in very simple sentences like 'I agree with you' (Ana at-tafiqu ma'aka) or 'He agrees' (Huwa yattafiqu). Think of it as a more formal way of saying 'yes' to someone's idea. It's a useful word for basic conversations where you want to show you understand and support what someone else is saying. You should focus on the present tense for now, as it's the most common in daily talk. Remember to use 'ma'a' if you are agreeing with a person. This is one of the first 'Form VIII' verbs you might see, but don't worry about the grammar yet—just memorize the sound 'yattafiqu.'

At the A2 level, you should start using 'yattafiqu' with prepositions more accurately. You will learn that 'yattafiqu ma'a' is for people and 'yattafiqu 'ala' is for things like plans, times, or prices. You will also start to see the past tense 'ittafaqa' (he agreed). This level is where you begin to participate in making plans with others, so phrases like 'We agree on the time' (Nattafiqu 'ala al-waqt) are very important. You should also be able to negate the verb using 'la' (la yattafiqu). Understanding the difference between this and 'yuwafiqu' (to approve) starts to become relevant here, as you might use 'yuwafiqu' for a teacher's permission and 'yattafiqu' for a friend's opinion.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'yattafiqu' in more complex discussions and debates. You will use it to express degrees of agreement, such as 'I partially agree' (attafiqu ma'aka juz'iyyan) or 'I completely agree' (attafiqu ma'aka tamaman). You will also encounter the word in news articles and formal letters. You should be comfortable with all the conjugations (I, you, we, they) and the past, present, and future tenses. This level also introduces the noun 'ittifaq' (agreement) and the adjective 'muttafaq' (agreed). You might start to use it in written essays to link ideas that are consistent with one another.

At the B2 level, 'yattafiqu' becomes a tool for nuanced argumentation. You will use it to describe how different theories, data sets, or political positions align or clash. You will hear it in academic lectures and professional meetings. You should understand how the root W-F-Q relates to other words like 'tawfiq' (success/luck) and 'muwafaqah' (approval). At this stage, you should also be familiar with passive constructions like 'muttafaq 'alayhi' (agreed upon) and how it's used in specialized fields like Islamic law or international relations. You will be able to handle complex sentence structures where 'yattafiqu' is part of a subordinate clause.

At the C1 level, you will use 'yattafiqu' with high precision. You will distinguish between it and its many synonyms like 'yansajimu' (harmonizes) or 'yatatabaqu' (coincides perfectly). You will use it in legal, literary, and philosophical contexts. You should be able to appreciate the stylistic choices an author makes when choosing 'yattafiqu' over 'yuwafiqu.' You will also be able to use the verb in more abstract ways, such as describing the agreement between a literary style and its subject matter. Your mastery of the verb's morphology, including the assimilation of the root 'waw', should be complete.

At the C2 level, you use 'yattafiqu' as a native speaker would, with full awareness of its historical and cultural baggage. You can use it in highly formal diplomatic drafting, complex legal contracts, and sophisticated literary analysis. You understand the subtle differences it carries in various Arabic dialects compared to Modern Standard Arabic. You can use the verb to create rhetorical effects or to engage in deep philosophical discourse about the nature of consensus and harmony. You are also familiar with rare or archaic usages of the root in classical poetry and texts.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

يَتَّفِق in 30 Seconds

A common verb meaning 'to agree' or 'to be in harmony', essential for daily and formal Arabic.
Requires the preposition 'ma'a' for people and 'ala' for topics or plans.
Derived from the root W-F-Q, emphasizing success and suitability.
Used in everything from casual coffee chats to international news and legal contracts.

The Arabic verb يَتَّفِق (yattafiqu) is a cornerstone of interpersonal communication and logical reasoning in the Arabic language. Rooted in the triliteral root و-ف-ق (W-F-Q), which fundamentally relates to harmony, suitability, and success, the Form VIII verb ittafaqa (past) and yattafiqu (present) describes the act of coming to an agreement or being in a state of accord. Unlike simple consent, this verb often implies a reciprocal alignment of thoughts, conditions, or circumstances. It is used extensively in both formal diplomatic contexts and the most mundane daily interactions. When you find common ground with a friend, you use this word. When two scientific theories lead to the same conclusion, they are said to 'agree' using this same verb.

Morphological Insight: The verb is Form VIII (Ifta'ala). Notice the 'shadda' on the 'ta'. The original 'waw' of the root (W-F-Q) assimilated into the 'ta' of the pattern, a common feature in Arabic verbs starting with 'waw'. This grammatical transformation emphasizes the 'coming together' aspect of the meaning.

نحن نَتَّفِق على شروط العقد الجديد.
We agree on the terms of the new contract.

In academic circles, the word is used to describe consistency between data and hypotheses. For example, if a result matches a prediction, the result 'yattafiqu' with the theory. This versatility makes it essential for anyone moving beyond basic Arabic into A2 and B1 levels, where expressing opinions and negotiating terms becomes more frequent. It is also the base for the noun 'ittifaq' (agreement/treaty), which you will see daily in news headlines across the Arab world.

هل تَتَّفِق مَعي في هذا الرأي؟
Do you agree with me on this opinion?

Social Context: In Arab culture, reaching an 'ittifaq' is often a social ritual involving negotiation, hospitality, and mutual respect. The verb carries a weight of commitment.

Furthermore, the verb can take on a nuance of 'coinciding.' If two events happen at the same time by chance, one might say they 'agreed' in time. This illustrates the deep Arabic concept of 'tawfiq' (success granted by God), where elements align perfectly to achieve a goal. To use this word correctly, you must perceive it not just as a 'yes' but as a 'matching' of two separate entities into a single harmonious state.

لا يَتَّفِق كلامُه مع أفعالِه.
His words do not agree (align) with his actions.

Legal Usage: In legal documents, you will see 'yattafiqu al-tarafan' (the two parties agree), establishing the foundation of a contract.

يَتَّفِق الجميع على أهمية التعليم.
Everyone agrees on the importance of education.

Using يَتَّفِق correctly requires understanding its prepositional requirements. In Arabic, verbs are often 'transitive' through specific prepositions. To agree *with* someone, you must use مَعَ (ma'a). To agree *on* a topic or plan, you must use عَلَى (ala). Failing to use these prepositions can make the sentence sound incomplete or grammatically incorrect. For instance, 'I agree you' is as wrong in Arabic as it is in English.

Agreement with People: Structure: [Subject] + [Verb] + مَعَ + [Person]. Example: 'Ana at-tafiqu ma'aka' (I agree with you).

الطالب يَتَّفِق مع الأستاذ في وجهة النظر.
The student agrees with the professor on the viewpoint.

When talking about multiple parties reaching a consensus, the verb often moves to the plural form or follows the plural subject. In Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), if the verb comes before a plural subject, it remains singular (masculine or feminine depending on the subject), but if it follows the subject, it must match in number. This is a vital rule for A2 learners transitioning to B1.

Agreement on Topics: Structure: [Subject] + [Verb] + عَلَى + [Topic]. Example: 'At-tafaqu 'ala al-waqt' (They agreed on the time).

هل تَتَّفِقُونَ على هذا الموعد؟
Do you (plural) agree on this appointment?

In more advanced usage, يَتَّفِق can describe abstract alignment. For instance, 'This result agrees with the laws of physics.' Here, the verb acts as a synonym for 'to be consistent with' or 'to correspond to.' This is particularly useful in scientific or logical writing.

هذا اللون يَتَّفِق مع ديكور الغرفة.
This color matches (is in harmony with) the room's decor.

The Passive Voice: While rare, 'muttafaq 'alayhi' (agreed upon) is a very common passive participle used to describe consensus, especially in religious texts (Hadith).

هذا الأمر مُتَّفَقٌ عليه بين العلماء.
This matter is agreed upon among the scholars.

If you turn on an Arabic news channel like Al Jazeera or Al Arabiya, you will hear the root of يَتَّفِق within minutes. It is the language of diplomacy. Phrases like 'the two sides agreed to a ceasefire' or 'the ministers agree on the necessity of cooperation' are standard. In this high-register setting, the word carries authority and finality. It signifies that a process of negotiation has concluded successfully.

News & Media: Commonly used in reports about summits, treaties, and political consensus. 'Yattafiqu al-qada' (The leaders agree).

لم يَتَّفِق المفاوضون على حل نهائي بعد.
The negotiators have not yet agreed on a final solution.

In daily life, however, the word is much softer. In a Cairo cafe or a Dubai office, you'll hear friends saying 'nattafiq!' (we agree!) when deciding which movie to watch or where to grab lunch. In dialects (Ammiya), the form might change slightly (like 'nitfi' in Levantine), but the core meaning of reaching a deal remains. It is the verbal handshake of the Arab world.

Business & Commerce: Used when closing deals, setting prices, or agreeing on delivery dates. 'Hal nattafiq 'ala al-si'r?' (Do we agree on the price?).

سوف نَتَّفِق على كل التفاصيل غداً.
We will agree on all the details tomorrow.

You will also encounter this word in literature and philosophy, where authors discuss whether two ideas 'yattafiqan' (the dual form: they both agree). It is used to contrast conflicting ideologies or to show how different cultures might share common values. It is a word of bridge-building.

الفلسفة والدين قد يَتَّفِقَان في بعض الغايات.
Philosophy and religion may agree on some goals.

Legal Contracts: The opening of many contracts starts with 'Ittafaqa al-tarafan...' (The two parties have agreed...).

يَتَّفِق الشريكان على تقسيم الأرباح.
The two partners agree on dividing the profits.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with يَتَّفِق is forgetting the required prepositions. In English, you can say 'I agree' as a standalone sentence, but in Arabic, if you are agreeing *with* someone or *on* something, the omission of 'ma'a' or 'ala' makes the sentence feel 'naked' and grammatically incomplete to a native speaker.

The Preposition Trap: Incorrect: أنا أتفقك (I agree you). Correct: أنا أتفق معك (I agree with you).

خطأ: يَتَّفِق الخطة. صح: يَتَّفِق على الخطة.
Wrong: He agrees the plan. Right: He agrees on the plan.

Another common mistake is confusing يَتَّفِق (yattafiqu) with يُوافِق (yuwafiqu). While they share the same root, yuwafiqu (Form II) often means to 'approve' or 'consent to' something, like a boss approving a vacation request. Yattafiqu (Form VIII) is about mutual agreement or harmony. You 'yattafiq' with a friend's opinion, but your boss 'yuwafiq' on your promotion.

Confusion with 'To Suit': Don't use 'yattafiqu' for clothing. To say 'this shirt suits you,' use 'yunasi-buka' or 'yulayi-muka'.

يجب أن نَتَّفِق قبل البدء.
We must agree before starting.

Learners also struggle with the negation. In the past tense, you should use 'lam yattafiq' (did not agree) or 'ma ittafaqa'. Using 'la' with the past tense is a common beginner error. Also, remember that 'yattafiqu' is a verb; don't confuse it with the noun 'ittifaq' (agreement). You can't say 'I am agreement' (Ana ittifaq).

لم يَتَّفِق الطرفان في الاجتماع.
The two parties did not agree in the meeting.

Gender Agreement: If the subject is feminine, the verb must be 'tattafiqu'. For example: 'Hiya tattafiqu ma'aka' (She agrees with you).

هي تَتَّفِق مع أختها دائماً.
She always agrees with her sister.

Arabic is famous for its rich synonymy, and يَتَّفِق is no exception. Depending on the nuance you want to convey—whether it's legal consent, spiritual harmony, or simple suitability—there are several alternatives you can use to make your Arabic sound more natural and precise.

يُوافِق (Yuwafiqu): More focused on 'granting permission' or 'approving'. Use this when a superior agrees to a request. 'The manager approved the project.'

يَنْسَجِم (Yansajimu): Focuses on 'harmony' or 'blending'. Use this for music, colors, or people who get along very well. 'The colors harmonize with each other.'

أفكاره تَنْسَجِم مع قيمنا.
His ideas harmonize (align) with our values.

If you want to talk about things being identical or matching perfectly, you might use يَتَطَابَق (yatatabaqu). This is often used in technical contexts, like DNA matching or fingerprints. Yattafiqu is more about the state of agreement, while yatatabaqu is about the physical or logical identity of two things.

يَتَلائَم (Yataladamu): Focuses on 'adaptation' or 'fitting'. Use this for things that suit a particular environment or requirement. 'The plant suits this climate.'

هذا الحل يَتَلائَم مع احتياجاتنا.
This solution fits (suits) our needs.

Another interesting alternative is يَجْتَمِع (yajtami'u), which literally means 'to gather' but can be used in the phrase 'yajtami'u 'ala' to mean 'to agree collectively' or 'to reach a consensus'. It highlights the social gathering aspect of the agreement.

يَتَّفِق الجميع على هذا القرار.
Everyone agrees on this decision.

Comparison Table

Yattafiqu: General agreement/harmony.
Yuwafiqu: Formal approval/consent.
Yansajimu: Aesthetic or social harmony.
Yatatabaqu: Exact identical matching.

لا يَتَّفِق هذا مع المنطق.
This does not agree with logic.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'Tawfiq', a common Arabic name meaning 'success', comes from the same root. It implies that God has made your circumstances 'agree' or 'align' with your goals.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /jætˈtæfɪk/

US /jætˈtæfɪk/

The stress is on the second syllable: yat-TA-fiq.

Rhymes With

يَسْتَفِيق (yastafiq) يَلِيق (yaliq) طَرِيق (tariq) - though a noun, it shares the ending sound فَرِيق (fariq) صَدِيق (sadiq) عَمِيق (amiq) دَقِيق (daqiq) حَرِيق (hariq)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 't' as a single consonant instead of a doubled one.
Confusing the 'q' (qaf) with a 'k' (kaf).
Incorrectly vowelizing the 'ya' as 'yu'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts due to the distinct 'it-' prefix.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the shadda and the correct prepositions.

Speaking 3/5

The double 't' and 'q' sound need practice for fluency.

Listening 2/5

Commonly used in news and talk shows, making it easy to spot.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

نعم (yes) مع (with) على (on) رأي (opinion) قال (said)

Learn Next

يوافق (to approve) يختلف (to disagree) قرار (decision) عقد (contract) معاهدة (treaty)

Advanced

تنسيق (coordination) انسجام (harmony) تطابق (identity/matching) إجماع (consensus) مصادقة (ratification)

Grammar to Know

Assimilation in Form VIII

The root W-F-Q becomes Ittafaqa (not iwtafaqa) because the initial 'waw' assimilates into the 'ta'.

Prepositional Usage (Ma'a)

Use 'ma'a' for human objects: 'At-tafiqu ma'aka'.

Prepositional Usage (Ala)

Use 'ala' for abstract topics or plans: 'At-tafiqu 'ala al-khitta'.

Subject-Verb Agreement

If the verb precedes a plural subject, it remains singular: 'Yattafiqu al-nas'.

Jussive Case after Lam

The verb loses its final vowel: 'Lam yattafiq'.

Examples by Level

أنا أتفق معك.

I agree with you.

Uses 'ma'a' for agreement with a person.

هو يتفق مع الأب.

He agrees with the father.

Third person singular masculine.

نحن نتفق.

We agree.

First person plural.

هل تتفق معي؟

Do you agree with me?

Question form using 'hal'.

هي تتفق معكِ.

She agrees with you (feminine).

Feminine singular subject and object.

أنا لا أتفق.

I do not agree.

Negative using 'la'.

هم يتفقون.

They agree.

Third person plural.

تتفق البنت مع أمها.

The girl agrees with her mother.

Verb precedes the feminine subject.

اتفقنا على الموعد.

We agreed on the appointment.

Past tense 'ittafaqna' + 'ala'.

هل تتفق على هذا السعر؟

Do you agree on this price?

Agreement on a topic using 'ala'.

يتفق الطلاب على الرحلة.

The students agree on the trip.

Plural subject with singular verb.

لم يتفق الرجل مع زوجته.

The man did not agree with his wife.

Past negation using 'lam' + jussive.

نتفق على الغداء غداً.

We agree on lunch tomorrow.

Present tense used for future agreement.

أنا أتفق معك في هذا.

I agree with you in this (matter).

Using 'fi' to specify the area of agreement.

سوف نتفق قريباً.

We will agree soon.

Future tense using 'sawfa'.

هل تتفقين مع المعلمة؟

Do you (feminine) agree with the teacher?

Second person feminine singular.

أتفق معك تماماً في هذه النقطة.

I agree with you completely on this point.

Use of 'tamaman' for emphasis.

يجب أن نتفق على خطة العمل.

We must agree on the work plan.

Using 'yajibu an' + subjunctive.

لا يتفق الجميع على هذا القرار.

Not everyone agrees on this decision.

'Al-jami'' as subject.

اتفق الشريكان على تقسيم العمل.

The two partners agreed on dividing the work.

Dual subject 'al-sharikan'.

هل تتفق مع ما قاله المدير؟

Do you agree with what the manager said?

Agreement with a relative clause.

نحن نتفق جزئياً مع هذا الاقتراح.

We partially agree with this proposal.

Use of 'juz'iyyan' (partially).

يتفق العلماء على أن التدخين مضر.

Scientists agree that smoking is harmful.

Agreement followed by 'an' clause.

لم يتفقوا على مكان الاجتماع.

They did not agree on the meeting place.

Plural past negation.

تتفق هذه النتائج مع دراسات سابقة.

These results agree with previous studies.

Abstract agreement between data.

من الصعب أن يتفق الجميع في السياسة.

It is difficult for everyone to agree in politics.

Impersonal construction 'min al-sa'b an'.

يتفق المفكرون على ضرورة التغيير.

Thinkers agree on the necessity of change.

Agreement on an abstract concept.

هل تتفق هذه الرؤية مع قيم المجتمع؟

Does this vision agree with society's values?

Agreement between a vision and values.

اتفقنا على ألا نختلف مرة أخرى.

We agreed not to disagree again.

Agreement followed by 'an la' (not to).

تتفق آراؤنا في معظم الأحيان.

Our opinions agree most of the time.

Plural non-human subject 'ara'una'.

لا يتفق هذا التصرف مع القانون.

This behavior does not agree with the law.

Agreement as legal consistency.

يتفق الطرفان على سرية المعلومات.

The two parties agree on the confidentiality of information.

Formal legal agreement.

تتفق الفرضية مع المعطيات التجريبية.

The hypothesis agrees with the empirical data.

Scientific terminology.

لا يتفق أسلوب الكاتب مع مضمون الرواية.

The writer's style does not agree with the novel's content.

Literary criticism context.

يتفق المؤرخون على أهمية هذا الحدث.

Historians agree on the importance of this event.

Academic consensus.

تتفق هذه الخطوة مع الاستراتيجية طويلة المدى.

This step agrees with the long-term strategy.

Strategic business context.

هل تتفق غايات الوسيلة مع المبادئ الأخلاقية؟

Do the ends of the means agree with ethical principles?

Philosophical inquiry.

يتفق النقاد على براعة التصوير في الفيلم.

Critics agree on the brilliance of the cinematography in the film.

Artistic criticism.

تتفق بنود الاتفاقية مع المعايير الدولية.

The terms of the agreement agree with international standards.

Legal/International relations.

لا يتفق قوله مع ما يضمره في قلبه.

His words do not agree with what he hides in his heart.

Literary/Psychological depth.

تتفق التوجهات الجيوسياسية الراهنة مع تطلعات القوى الصاعدة.

Current geopolitical trends agree with the aspirations of rising powers.

High-level political discourse.

يتفق الفقهاء على تأصيل هذه القاعدة الفقهية.

Jurists agree on the grounding of this legal principle.

Specialized religious jurisprudence.

هل تتفق البنية السردية مع التفكيكية التي ينتهجها المؤلف؟

Does the narrative structure agree with the deconstructionism pursued by the author?

Post-modern literary theory.

تتفق هذه الظاهرة مع النواميس الكونية الثابتة.

This phenomenon agrees with the fixed cosmic laws.

Philosophical/Scientific register.

يتفق المسار الديمقراطي مع متطلبات التنمية المستدامة.

The democratic path agrees with the requirements of sustainable development.

Socio-political terminology.

لا يتفق الخطاب السياسي مع الواقع المعيش للمواطنين.

The political discourse does not agree with the lived reality of citizens.

Sociological critique.

تتفق مخرجات التعليم مع احتياجات سوق العمل المتغيرة.

Education outcomes agree with the changing needs of the labor market.

Educational policy language.

يتفق وجدان الأمة على رفض الظلم بكافة أشكاله.

The nation's collective conscience agrees on rejecting injustice in all its forms.

Poetic/Nationalistic register.

Common Collocations

يتفق تماماً

يتفق مبدئياً

يتفق الطرفان

يتفق مع المنطق

يتفق في الرأي

يتفق على موعد

يتفق مع الواقع

يتفق مع القيم

يتفق على التفاصيل

يتفق مع الدراسات

Common Phrases

أتفق معك

— I agree with you. Common in daily conversation.

أتفق معك، الجو جميل اليوم.

اتفقنا؟

— Do we have an agreement? Used to confirm a deal.

سأراك في الساعة الخامسة، اتفقنا؟

على ما اتفقنا عليه

— Based on what we agreed upon.

سأقوم بالعمل بناءً على ما اتفقنا عليه.

لم يتفقوا بعد

— They haven't agreed yet. Used in news or negotiations.

المفاوضات مستمرة لكنهم لم يتفقوا بعد.

نحن نتفق في هذا

— We agree on this. Used to show shared ground.

نحن نتفق في هذا الأمر تماماً.

هل تتفق معي؟

— Do you agree with me? A standard question.

هذا الفيلم ممل، هل تتفق معي؟

اتفقنا على كل شيء

— We agreed on everything. Finalizing a discussion.

الحمد لله، لقد اتفقنا على كل شيء.

لا يتفقان أبداً

— They never agree. Used for people with constant conflict.

علي وأحمد لا يتفقان أبداً في السياسة.

اتفقنا على مضض

— We agreed reluctantly.

اتفقنا على مضض بسبب ضيق الوقت.

يتفق الجميع على...

— Everyone agrees on... Used for consensus.

يتفق الجميع على أهمية السلام.

Often Confused With

يَتَّفِق vs يُوافِق

Means to approve or consent. Used when an authority grants a request.

يَتَّفِق vs يُناسِب

Means to suit or fit. Used for clothing or situations.

يَتَّفِق vs يَقْبَل

Means to accept. Used for accepting a gift or an invitation.

Idioms & Expressions

"القلوب عند بعضها"

— Hearts are with each other. Used when two people think of the same thing or agree perfectly.

كنت سأقترح نفس الفكرة! القلوب عند بعضها.

Informal

"على قلب رجل واحد"

— On the heart of one man. Used for total, unanimous agreement and unity.

وقف الشعب على قلب رجل واحد.

Formal/Poetic

"كلمة واحدة"

— One word. Implies a firm agreement or consensus.

نحن على كلمة واحدة في هذا الموضوع.

Neutral

"ضرب عصفورين بحجر"

— To hit two birds with one stone. Often used when an agreement solves two problems.

بهذا الاتفاق ضربنا عصفورين بحجر.

Informal

"وضع النقاط على الحروف"

— To put the dots on the letters. To clarify everything so an agreement can be reached.

يجب أن نضع النقاط على الحروف قبل أن نتفق.

Neutral

"سمن على عسل"

— Ghee on honey. Describes two people who agree and get along perfectly.

العلاقة بين الشريكين سمن على عسل.

Informal

"لا يختلف عليه اثنان"

— Two people do not differ on it. Something so obvious everyone agrees.

جمال هذه المدينة لا يختلف عليه اثنان.

Neutral

"خرجوا باتفاق"

— They came out with an agreement.

بعد ساعات من النقاش، خرجوا باتفاق.

Neutral

"اتفاق جنتلمان"

— A gentleman's agreement. An informal but binding agreement.

بيننا اتفاق جنتلمان ولا نحتاج لعقود.

Informal/Business

"في الهوى سوى"

— Same in the air/desire. Meaning we are in the same boat or agree on the situation.

كلنا في الهوى سوى، نتفق على الصعوبات.

Slang

Easily Confused

يَتَّفِق vs يُوافِق

Both share the root W-F-Q and relate to 'yes'.

'Yattafiqu' is mutual agreement/harmony; 'Yuwafiqu' is approval/consent from one side.

المدير وافق على الإجازة، ونحن نتفق على موعدها.

يَتَّفِق vs يُناسِب

Both can mean 'to fit' in English.

'Yattafiqu' is for opinions/data; 'Yunasi-bu' is for physical objects or suitability.

هذا القميص يناسبك، وأنا أتفق معك.

يَتَّفِق vs يَتَطَابَق

Both involve things matching.

'Yatatabaqu' is for 100% identity (like keys/locks); 'Yattafiqu' is for general accord.

تتطابق البصمات، وتتفق الآراء.

يَتَّفِق vs يَصْلُح

Both relate to being 'right'.

'Yaslu-hu' means to be valid or usable; 'Yattafiqu' means to be in agreement.

هذا الحل يصلح للمشكلة، والكل يتفق عليه.

يَتَّفِق vs يَلْتَقِي

Both involve coming together.

'Yaltaqi' is a physical meeting; 'Yattafiqu' is a mental/logical meeting.

نلتقي في المقهى لنتفق على المشروع.

Sentence Patterns

أنا أتفق معك.

نحن نتفق على [اسم].

نحن نتفق على السعر.

يجب أن نتفق على [اسم].

يجب أن نتفق على الخطة.

لا أتفق مع [شخص] في [أمر].

لا أتفق مع علي في هذا الرأي.

يتفق الجميع على أن [جملة].

يتفق الجميع على أن التعليم مهم.

تتفق [نتائج/أفكار] مع [معايير].

تتفق النتائج مع المعايير الدولية.

من المتفق عليه أن [جملة].

من المتفق عليه أن العدل أساس الملك.

يتفق وجدان [جهة] على [أمر].

يتفق وجدان الأمة على التضامن.

Word Family

Nouns

اتفاق (ittifaq - agreement)

توفيق (tawfiq - success/alignment)

موافقة (muwafaqah - approval)

وفاق (wifaq - harmony)

Verbs

وافق (wafaqa - to suit/approve)

وفّق (waffaqa - to reconcile/make successful)

توافق (tawafaqa - to correspond)

Adjectives

موافق (muwafiq - agreeing/approving)

متفق (muttafiq - agreed/consistent)

وفقي (wafqi - related to agreement)

اتفاقية (ittifaqiyya - treaty)

متوافق (mutawafiq - compatible)

توفيقي (tawfiqi - syncretic/reconciliatory)

وفاقي (wifaqi - consensual)

استيقاف (istiyqaf - related root usage)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written Arabic.

Common Mistakes

أنا أتفقك → أنا أتفق معك
You cannot agree a person directly; you must agree *with* them using 'ma'a'.
يتفق الخطة → يتفق على الخطة
You must use the preposition 'ala' when agreeing on a plan or topic.
لا اتفق في الماضي → لم يتفق / ما اتفق
Use 'lam' or 'ma' for past negation, not 'la'.
هذا القميص يتفق معك → هذا القميص يناسبك
'Yattafiqu' is for opinions, not for how clothing fits a person.
أنا اتفاق → أنا أتفق
'Ittifaq' is a noun; 'attafiqu' is the verb. You can't say 'I am agreement'.

Tips

The Shadda is Key

Always pronounce the 'ta' with a double sound (yat-ta-fiq). If you don't, it might sound like a different word or just be incorrect Arabic.

Preposition Choice

Remember: 'Ma'a' for people (with), 'Ala' for things (on). Using the wrong one is a very common beginner mistake.

Learn the Noun

Learn 'Ittifaq' (agreement) alongside the verb. It's used in almost every news headline.

Softening Disagreement

If you disagree, say 'La attafiqu ma'aka tamaman' (I don't fully agree) to be more polite in social situations.

Two T's for Two Parties

Think of the two 'T's in the spelling of the root as the two parties who are coming together to agree.

Legal Context

In contracts, the verb 'ittafaqa' usually comes first in the sentence, followed by the two parties.

Confirmation

Use 'At-tafaqna?' (Did we agree?) at the end of a negotiation to confirm the deal.

Context Clues

If you hear 'ala', listen for a plan or a price next. If you hear 'ma'a', listen for a person's name or a pronoun.

The W-F-Q Root

Connecting this word to 'Tawfiq' (success) will help you remember that an agreement is a successful alignment of interests.

Academic Writing

Use 'yattafiqu ma'a' to show that your research findings are consistent with existing literature.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Yattafiqu' as 'Yet-a-fact'. When you agree, you accept it as 'yet another fact' you share with someone.

Visual Association

Imagine two puzzle pieces clicking together perfectly. That 'click' is the 'ittifaq'.

Word Web

Agreement Harmony Treaty Consensus Success Suitability Approval Consistency

Challenge

Try to use 'yattafiqu ma'a' and 'yattafiqu 'ala' in the same sentence to describe a meeting you had.

Word Origin

Derived from the Arabic root و-ف-ق (W-F-Q).

Original meaning: To be suitable, to match, or to be right for something.

Semitic (Arabic).

Cultural Context

Agreement is highly valued; direct disagreement can sometimes be seen as impolite. Using 'la attafiqu tamaman' (I don't fully agree) is a softer way to express a different opinion.

English speakers often use 'I agree' broadly. In Arabic, remember to switch to 'yuwafiq' if you are asking for permission from an authority figure.

Hadith: 'Muttafaq 'alayhi' (Agreed upon by the two major scholars). The 'Ittifaqiyyat' (Treaties) in modern Arab history like the Taif Agreement. Arabic proverbs about unity and consensus.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business Meeting

نتفق على السعر
شروط الاتفاق
متى نتفق؟
أنا أتفق مع هذا الاقتراح

Daily Planning

نتفق على الوقت
أين نتفق أن نلتقي؟
اتفقنا على السينما
هل تتفق مع الرحلة؟

Academic Debate

أتفق مع هذه النظرية
لا تتفق النتائج مع الفرضية
يتفق الباحثون على...
نقطة الاتفاق هي...

Legal/Contracts

اتفق الطرفان على ما يلي
بنود الاتفاق
فسخ الاتفاق
توقيع الاتفاق

Social Interaction

أنا أتفق معك تماماً
لا أتفق معك في هذا
هل نحن متفقون؟
القلوب عند بعضها

Conversation Starters

"هل تتفق معي أن الجو اليوم رائع؟ (Do you agree with me that the weather is great today?)"

"على ماذا سنتفق في اجتماع اليوم؟ (What will we agree on in today's meeting?)"

"هل تتفق مع رأي المدير الجديد؟ (Do you agree with the new manager's opinion?)"

"لماذا من الصعب أن يتفق الناس على السياسة؟ (Why is it hard for people to agree on politics?)"

"هل تتفق أن تعلم اللغة العربية ممتع؟ (Do you agree that learning Arabic is fun?)"

Journal Prompts

اكتب عن موقف اتفقت فيه مع صديقك على قرار صعب. (Write about a situation where you agreed with your friend on a difficult decision.)

هل من الأفضل أن نتفق دائماً أم أن نختلف أحياناً؟ ولماذا؟ (Is it better to always agree or to disagree sometimes? Why?)

صف شعورك عندما لا يتفق الناس مع آرائك. (Describe your feeling when people do not agree with your opinions.)

اكتب عن اتفاقية تاريخية تعتقد أنها كانت مهمة. (Write about a historical agreement you think was important.)

كيف نصل إلى اتفاق عندما تكون الآراء مختلفة جداً؟ (How do we reach an agreement when opinions are very different?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In most cases, yes. If you are agreeing with someone, you use 'ma'a'. If you are agreeing on a topic, you use 'ala'. If you just want to say 'I agree' as a short response, you can say 'Ana attafiq,' but it's more natural to add 'ma'aka' (with you).

'Yattafiqu' is the present tense (he agrees), while 'ittafaq' (usually written as 'ittafaqa') is the past tense (he agreed). In Arabic, the root changes based on the time of the action.

No, you should use 'yunasi-bu' for clothing. 'Yattafiqu' is for opinions, ideas, or agreements.

You can say 'At-tafiqu ma'aka mi'a bil-mi'a' (أنا أتفق معك مئة بالمئة) or 'At-tafiqu ma'aka tamaman' (أنا أتفق معك تماماً).

Yes, but the pronunciation might change. For example, in Levantine Arabic, people might say 'mnitfi'' (we agree) or 'mtaf'in' (we are agreed). However, 'yattafiqu' is understood everywhere.

It is a famous term in Islamic Hadith studies meaning 'Agreed upon' by the two most authentic scholars, Bukhari and Muslim. It's a very common phrase.

In the present tense, use 'la yattafiqu'. In the past tense, use 'lam yattafiq' or 'ma ittafaqa'.

Yes, the noun is 'Ittifaq' (اتفاق). A treaty is 'Ittifaqiyya' (اتفاقية).

Yes, if two events happen at the same time, you can say 'ittafaqat al-mawa'id' (the timings coincided/agreed).

Yes, it has a shadda. This is because it is a Form VIII verb where the first root letter 'waw' turned into a 'ta' and merged with the pattern's 'ta'.