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A2 verb #7,500 most common 7 min read

يزوج

yuzawwij Top 7,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips يزوج in 30 Seconds

Explanation يزوج in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the root of the word. You probably already know 'zawj' (husband) and 'zawja' (wife). The verb 'yuzawwij' is a bit more advanced because it's a Form II verb, but you can think of it as 'making someone a husband or wife.' At this stage, just recognize that it relates to marriage and family. You might see it in simple stories about families where a father helps his children start their own homes. Don't worry about the complex grammar yet; just remember: Zawj = Husband, Yuzawwij = To make a marriage happen.

At the A2 level, you begin to use verbs to describe family actions. You can use 'yuzawwij' to talk about social traditions. For example, 'The father marries off his son' (al-abu yuzawwiju ibnahu). You should start to distinguish between 'yatazawwaj' (he gets married) and 'yuzawwij' (he marries someone off). This is a great level to practice your sentence structure by identifying the subject (the person arranging) and the object (the person getting married). You will encounter this word in basic texts about culture and traditions in the Arab world.

At the B1 level, you can use 'yuzawwij' in more complex discussions about society. You might talk about the age of marriage or the role of parents in choosing partners. You should be comfortable using the verb in different tenses: 'zawwaja' (past), 'yuzawwij' (present), and 'yu-zaw-wij' (command/imperative). You will also start to see the passive form 'yuzawwaju' (to be married off) in texts discussing social issues. This level requires you to understand the nuance of the Form II 'shadda' and how it changes the meaning from a personal action to a causative one.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'yuzawwij' in legal and formal contexts. You might read news articles about marriage laws or watch documentaries where experts discuss the 'guardianship' (wilayah) and who has the right to 'marry off' another person. You should also understand its metaphorical uses, such as 'joining' two things together in a technical or scientific context. Your vocabulary should expand to include related nouns like 'Tazwij' (the act of marrying someone off). You can debate the pros and cons of arranged marriages using this specific terminology.

At the C1 level, you will encounter 'yuzawwij' in classical literature and advanced legal texts (Fiqh). You should understand the historical evolution of the word and its roots in the Quran and Hadith. You will be able to analyze how the verb is used to describe the joining of souls, ideas, or celestial bodies in poetry. You should also be aware of the subtle differences between 'yuzawwij' and more archaic synonyms like 'yankihu' or 'yuzawwij' in the context of different Islamic schools of thought. Your use of the word should be precise, reflecting a deep understanding of Arabic social structures.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of the verb 'yuzawwij'. You can appreciate the linguistic beauty of its Form II structure and how it implies a complete transition of status for the object. You can read complex philosophical treatises that use the concept of 'Tazwij' to describe the union of the mundane and the divine. You are capable of navigating the most intricate legal disputes involving marriage contracts where the exact definition of who 'yuzawwij' whom is of paramount importance. You can use the word with full awareness of its social, historical, and religious connotations across different Arabic dialects and eras.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

يزوج in 30 Seconds

A Form II Arabic verb meaning 'to marry off' or 'to facilitate a marriage' for another person, typically used for parents or guardians.
Differs from 'yatazawwaj' (to get married) by being causative; it focuses on the person arranging the union rather than the couple.
Commonly found in legal, social, and religious contexts regarding family responsibilities and the formalization of marriage contracts.
Can be used metaphorically in literature and science to mean 'joining' or 'pairing' two distinct elements or ideas together.

The Arabic verb يزوج (yuzawwij) is the present tense, third-person singular masculine form of the Form II verb زوّج. In Arabic linguistics, Form II verbs often carry a causative or intensive meaning. While the Form V verb يتزوج (yatazawwaj) means 'to get married' (reflexive), يزوج means 'to marry someone off' or 'to arrange a marriage for someone else.' This distinction is crucial for English speakers because English often uses the word 'marry' for both actions, whereas Arabic requires distinct forms to indicate who is performing the action and who is the recipient of the arrangement.

Causative Action: The subject of the verb is not the person entering the union, but the agent facilitating it, such as a parent, a guardian, or a religious official.

الأب يزوج ابنته لرجل صالح.
(The father marries off his daughter to a righteous man.)

In traditional Middle Eastern contexts, the concept of 'marrying off' is deeply rooted in the social fabric. It implies more than just a ceremony; it encompasses the negotiation, the legal contract (Nikah), and the social responsibility of the guardian (Wali). When you hear يزوج, you are likely listening to a discussion about family planning, legal requirements, or social duties. It is rarely used in a casual, individualistic sense but rather in a communal or familial context.

Legal Context: In Islamic jurisprudence, the Qadi (judge) or the Ma'dhun (marriage registrar) is the one who 'yuzawwij' the couple by finalizing the contract.

القاضي يزوج اليتيمة بولايته.
(The judge marries off the orphan girl through his guardianship.)

Furthermore, the verb can be used metaphorically or in technical fields. In biology, it might refer to the mating of animals or the cross-pollination of plants. In literature, it might refer to the joining of two ideas or elements. However, 90% of its usage remains within the sphere of human matrimonial arrangements. It is a word that carries weight, responsibility, and often a sense of tradition.

Social Register: It is a formal to semi-formal word. In daily street slang, people might use simpler terms, but in any discussion regarding family law or formal news, 'yuzawwij' is the standard.

هل يزوج المجتمع الشباب في سن مبكرة؟
(Does society marry off young people at an early age?)

Using يزوج correctly requires understanding its transitive structure. Unlike intransitive verbs that describe an action the subject does alone, this verb requires a subject (the facilitator) and an object (the person being married off). Often, a second object or a prepositional phrase with من (from/to) or لـ (to) is used to indicate the spouse.

Basic Structure: Subject (Facilitator) + Verb (يزوج) + Object (Bride/Groom) + [Preposition + Spouse].

هو يزوج ابنه من ابنة عمه.
(He marries off his son to his cousin.)

In this sentence, 'He' is the one arranging the marriage. 'His son' is the one being married off. 'To his cousin' clarifies the other party. Notice how the focus is on the father's action. If you wanted to say the son is getting married, you would use يتزوج.

Passive Usage: The passive form 'يُزوَّج' (yuzawwaju) is also common, meaning 'to be married off' (against or with one's will, or simply as a statement of fact).

يُزوَّج الأيتام برعاية الدولة.
(Orphans are married off under state care.)

When discussing plural subjects, the verb changes to يزوجون (yuzawwijun). This is common when speaking about parents or societies as a whole. For example, 'Parents marry off their children.' This highlights the collective responsibility in traditional settings.

Negative Forms: To say someone does NOT marry off, use 'لا يزوج' (la yuzawwij).

الأب لا يزوج ابنته إلا برضاها.
(The father does not marry off his daughter except with her consent.)

The word يزوج is a staple in several specific domains of Arabic life. If you are watching an Arabic drama (Musalsal), particularly those set in historical or rural contexts, you will hear this word constantly. Characters often debate who will 'marry off' whom, reflecting the patriarchal or hierarchical structures of the story's setting.

In Legal Courts: Family law (Ahwal Shakhsiya) is where this verb is most technically applied. Lawyers and judges use it to define the rights of the guardian.

هل يحق للوصي أن يزوج القاصر؟
(Does the guardian have the right to marry off the minor?)

In news reports, you might hear it during discussions about social reforms or statistics. For instance, a report on 'early marriage' (al-zawaj al-mubakkir) will frequently use the verb to describe families who marry off their children before they reach a certain age. It is a word that often appears in the context of social critique or policy making.

Religious sermons (Khutbah) are another common place. Imams often speak about the duties of parents to 'marry off' their children to pious partners. Here, the word is used with a sense of moral obligation and religious fulfillment. It is seen as a virtuous act to facilitate a stable family unit.

من يزوج شاباً فله أجر كبير.
(Whoever marries off a young man [helps him get married] gets a great reward.)

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is confusing يزوج (yuzawwij) with يتزوج (yatazawwaj). Because English uses 'marry' for both 'I marry her' and 'I marry them off,' learners often default to the simpler form or use the wrong voice. Remember: yuzawwij is something you do to someone else; yatazawwaj is something you do yourself.

Mistake 1: Wrong Subject: Saying 'أنا أزوج' (I marry off) when you mean 'أنا أتزوج' (I am getting married).

Incorrect: أريد أن أزوج غداً.
Correct: أريد أن أتزوج غداً.

Another error involves the preposition. While in English we say 'marry someone to someone,' in Arabic, يزوج often takes the preposition من (min) or لـ (li). Using the wrong preposition can make the sentence sound unnatural or change the meaning entirely.

Learners also sometimes forget that يزوج is transitive. You cannot just say 'He marries off.' You must specify WHO is being married off. If the object is missing, the sentence is grammatically incomplete in Arabic, whereas in English, 'He marries' might imply his own action.

Incorrect: هو يزوج الآن.
Correct: هو يزوج ابنته الآن.

Arabic is a language rich in synonyms, each with its own nuance. While يزوج is the most common word for arranging a marriage, there are several alternatives depending on the formality and the specific legal or social context.

ينكح (Yankihu): This is a highly formal, Quranic, and legal term. It specifically refers to the act of entering into a marriage contract (Nikah). While 'yuzawwij' is about the arrangement, 'yankihu' is often about the legal union itself.

Comparison: يزوج is social/causative; ينكح is legal/contractual.

Another word is يقرن (yuqrin), which means 'to link' or 'to pair.' This is more metaphorical and is used when talking about 'coupling' things together in a broader sense, though it can occasionally be used for people in a poetic context.

In some dialects, you might hear يعرس (yu'arris), which comes from 'Ars' (wedding). This is much more informal and focuses on the celebration and the party aspect rather than the legal act of marrying someone off.

Dialect variation: يزوج (Standard) vs. يجوز (Some dialects like Egyptian/Levantine).

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'Zawj' in the Quran is used for both husband and wife, as it essentially means 'one of a pair'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /juˈzaw.widʒ/

US /juˈzɑːw.wɪdʒ/

Stress is on the second syllable (the one with the shadda).

Rhymes With

يخرج (yukhrij) يدرج (yudrij) يعرج (yu'arij) يتوج (yutawwij) يموج (yamuj) يهوج (yahuj) يروج (yaruwj) يزج (yazujj)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it 'yuzawij' with a single 'w' sound.
Confusing it with 'yatazawwaj' (reflexive).
Dropping the final 'j' sound.
Misplacing the stress on the first syllable.
Pronouncing the 'z' as an 's'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know the root Z-W-J, but shadda is important.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct placement of shadda and understanding of transitivity.

Speaking 4/5

Must distinguish from 'yatazawwaj' clearly in pronunciation.

Listening 3/5

The 'w' doubling is a distinct acoustic feature.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

زوج (husband) زوجة (wife) عرس (wedding) أب (father) بنت (daughter)

Learn Next

يتزوج (to get married) طلاق (divorce) خطوبة (engagement) مهر (dowry) نكاح (marriage contract)

Advanced

ولاية (guardianship) كفاءة (suitability) مأذون (marriage official) قران (union) إشهار (announcement)

Grammar to Know

Form II Verbs (Fa''ala)

يزوج (yuzawwij) is the present of زوّج (zawwaja).

Transitivity (Ta'addi)

يزوج requires an object (the person being married off).

Subjunctive with 'An'

يريد أن يزوجَ (yuzawwija) - note the fatha on the last letter.

Passive Voice Construction

يُزوَّج (yuzawwaju) - the first letter takes damma and the middle takes fatha.

Prepositional Usage

يزوج (A) لـ (B) or يزوج (A) من (B).

Examples by Level

الأب يزوج ابنه.

The father marries off his son.

Subject (Father) + Verb (yuzawwij) + Object (Son).

هو يزوج البنت.

He marries off the girl.

Simple transitive sentence.

هل يزوج الأخ أخته؟

Does the brother marry off his sister?

Question form using 'Hal'.

الرجل يزوج ابنه اليوم.

The man marries off his son today.

Adding a time adverb 'Alyawm'.

أنا لا أزوج أحداً.

I do not marry anyone off.

Negative form using 'La'.

هو يريد أن يزوج ابنه.

He wants to marry off his son.

Using 'An' with the subjunctive.

يزوج الأب ابنته لرجل.

The father marries off his daughter to a man.

Using the preposition 'Li' (to).

لماذا يزوج ابنه؟

Why does he marry off his son?

Question using 'Limadha'.

يزوج جدي كل أبنائه في القرية.

My grandfather marries off all his sons in the village.

Plural object 'Abna'ahu'.

المجتمع يزوج الشباب مبكراً.

Society marries off young people early.

Abstract subject 'Al-mujtama'.

لا يزوج الأب ابنته بدون رضاها.

The father does not marry off his daughter without her consent.

Using 'Bidun' (without).

هو يزوج ابنته من رجل غني.

He marries off his daughter to a rich man.

Preposition 'Min' used for 'to'.

هل يزوج القاضي الناس؟

Does the judge marry people off?

Identifying the role of the judge.

العم يزوج ابنة أخيه اليتيمة.

The uncle marries off his orphaned niece.

Complex object phrase.

يزوجون أولادهم في الصيف.

They marry off their children in the summer.

Present tense plural 'Yuzawwijun'.

متى يزوج الملك ابنه؟

When does the king marry off his son?

Question using 'Mata'.

يعتقد البعض أن الأهل يجب أن يزوجوا أولادهم.

Some believe that parents must marry off their children.

Subjunctive plural 'Yuzawwiju' after 'An'.

كان الأب يزوج بناته الواحدة تلو الأخرى.

The father used to marry off his daughters one after another.

Imperfect past 'Kan yuzawwij'.

يُزوَّج الشاب عادة بعد إنهاء دراسته.

A young man is usually married off after finishing his studies.

Passive voice 'Yuzawwaju'.

هل يمكن للأم أن تزوج ابنتها قانونياً؟

Can the mother legally marry off her daughter?

Feminine form 'Tuzawwij'.

يصعب على الفقير أن يزوج جميع أبنائه.

It is difficult for a poor person to marry off all his sons.

Complex sentence with 'Yas'ub'.

يزوج المأذون الزوجين في المسجد.

The marriage official marries off the couple in the mosque.

Specific noun 'Al-Ma'dhun'.

لماذا يصر الوالد على أن يزوج ابنه من هذه العائلة؟

Why does the father insist on marrying off his son to this family?

Verb 'Yusirr' (insists) followed by 'Ala'.

يزوج الناس بناتهم لمن يثقون به.

People marry off their daughters to those they trust.

Relative clause 'Liman yathiqun bihi'.

القانون يمنع أي شخص أن يزوج قاصراً دون إذن.

The law prevents anyone from marrying off a minor without permission.

Formal legal context.

كانت القبائل تزوج بناتها لتقوية التحالفات.

Tribes used to marry off their daughters to strengthen alliances.

Historical/Sociological context.

يزوج المربي طيوره لإنتاج سلالات جديدة.

The breeder mates (marries off) his birds to produce new breeds.

Biological/Technical usage.

من يزوج ابنته بغير كفء فقد ظلمها.

Whoever marries off his daughter to an unsuitable person has wronged her.

Conditional structure 'Man... faqad'.

تستمر العادات في بعض المناطق حيث يزوج الأب ابنه مبكراً جداً.

Customs persist in some areas where the father marries off his son very early.

Relative adverb 'Haythu'.

يُحاول المصلحون تغيير الطريقة التي يزوج بها الناس أطفالهم.

Reformers are trying to change the way people marry off their children.

Relative phrase 'Allati yuzawwij biha'.

يزوج المخرج الشخصيات في نهاية الفيلم بشكل درامي.

The director pairs off (marries off) the characters at the end of the film dramatically.

Metaphorical usage in arts.

هل يزوج الدين الأرملة بدون ولي؟

Does religion allow marrying off a widow without a guardian?

Religious/Legal inquiry.

يزوج الشاعر في قصيدته بين الليل والنهار في عناق أبدي.

The poet joins (marries off) night and day in an eternal embrace in his poem.

High literary metaphor.

الفقه الإسلامي يفصل فيمن يزوج المرأة عند غياب الأب.

Islamic jurisprudence details who marries off a woman in the absence of the father.

Advanced legal terminology 'Fasala fi'.

يزوج الفيلسوف بين العقل والإيمان في نظريته الجديدة.

The philosopher marries (joins) reason and faith in his new theory.

Intellectual metaphor.

لم يكن يزوج ابنته إلا لمن استوفى شروط المروءة.

He would only marry off his daughter to someone who met the conditions of chivalry.

Exclusionary structure 'Lam... illa'.

يزوج العلم بين التكنولوجيا والطب لخدمة البشرية.

Science marries technology and medicine to serve humanity.

Abstract institutional subject.

كان الحاكم يزوج أبناءه من بنات الملوك المجاورين سياسياً.

The ruler used to marry off his sons to the daughters of neighboring kings for political reasons.

Political adverb 'Siyasiyan'.

يزوج الكاتب في روايته بين الواقع والخيال ببراعة.

The writer marries reality and fiction brilliantly in his novel.

Literary analysis.

يُمنع شرعاً أن يزوج الرجل ابنتين لأخوين في عقد واحد دون فصل.

It is religiously forbidden for a man to marry off two daughters to two brothers in one contract without separation.

Complex legal ruling.

يزوج الوجود بين المتناقضات ليخلق توازناً كونياً.

Existence marries opposites to create a cosmic balance.

Ontological/Philosophical usage.

إن من يزوج الفكر بالعمل يحقق المعجزات في هذا العصر.

Indeed, whoever marries thought with action achieves miracles in this age.

Rhetorical 'Inna' and 'Man' conditional.

يزوج النص بين البلاغة القديمة والروح المعاصرة.

The text marries ancient eloquence with a contemporary spirit.

Stylistic critique.

لا يزوج التاريخ بين الحق والباطل مهما طال الزمن.

History does not marry truth and falsehood, no matter how much time passes.

Metaphorical negation.

يزوج الصوفي بين فناء الذات وبقاء الروح في تجلياته.

The Sufi marries the annihilation of the self and the persistence of the spirit in his manifestations.

Mystical/Theological context.

يزوج الاقتصاد بين الموارد المحدودة والحاجات غير المتناهية.

Economics marries limited resources and infinite needs.

Academic definition.

يزوج القدر بين القلوب المتباعدة في لحظة غير متوقعة.

Fate marries distant hearts in an unexpected moment.

Poetic fatalism.

يزوج المبدع بين الألوان المتنافرة ليصنع لوحة متناغمة.

The creator marries clashing colors to make a harmonious painting.

Artistic theory.

Common Collocations

يزوج ابنته

يزوج ابنه

يزوج قاصراً

يزوج بالولاية

يزوج من عائلة

يزوج رغماً عن

يزوج برضا

يزوج في سن

يزوج الحيوانات

يزوج بين الأفكار

Common Phrases

يزوج ويطلق

— To have the power to marry and divorce. Refers to absolute authority over family matters.

كان زعيم القبيلة يزوج ويطلق في قومه.

يزوج ابنه ليستر عليه

— To marry off a son to keep him out of trouble or protect his reputation.

قرر الأب أن يزوج ابنه ليستر عليه ويستقر.

يزوج بناته بالسترة

— To marry off daughters with dignity and protection.

كل هم الأب أن يزوج بناته بالسترة.

يزوج على سنة الله ورسوله

— To marry off according to Islamic law and tradition.

يزوج المأذون الشباب على سنة الله ورسوله.

يزوج بالمال

— To marry off someone using money as an incentive or via a dowry arrangement.

لا يزوج الرجل ابنته بالمال فقط.

يزوج من يشاء

— To marry off whomever one wants (implies control).

القدر يزوج من يشاء بمن يشاء.

يزوج الغريب

— To marry off a daughter to a stranger (someone outside the family).

في الماضي، كان من الصعب أن يزوج الأب ابنته للغريب.

يزوج القريب

— To marry off to a relative (cousin marriage).

يفضل البعض أن يزوج ابنه من القريب.

يزوج بالوكالة

— To marry someone off by proxy (through a representative).

يمكن للقاضي أن يزوج المسافر بالوكالة.

يزوج لغرض سياسي

— To marry off for political purposes or alliances.

كان الملوك يزوجون أبناءهم لأغراض سياسية.

Often Confused With

يزوج vs يتزوج (yatazawwaj)

This means 'to get married' (himself/herself). Yuzawwij is for someone else.

يزوج vs يزور (yuzur)

This means 'to visit'. Sounds slightly similar but completely different root (Z-W-R).

يزوج vs يزود (yuzawwid)

This means 'to provide' or 'to supply'. One letter difference (D instead of J).

Idioms & Expressions

"يزوج البحر بالبر"

— To attempt the impossible or to join two vastly different things.

أنت تحاول أن تزوج البحر بالبر بخطتك هذه.

Informal/Poetic

"يزوج الذئب على الغنم"

— To put someone in charge of something they will destroy (unholy alliance).

تعيينه مديراً كأنك تزوج الذئب على الغنم.

Sarcastic

"يزوج الحجر بالشجر"

— To be extremely persuasive or to join things that don't belong together.

هذا التاجر فصيح، يمكنه أن يزوج الحجر بالشجر.

Dialect

"يزوج بناته في ليلة واحدة"

— To finish a massive task all at once (often used for getting rid of burdens).

باع كل بضاعته، كأنه يزوج بناته في ليلة واحدة.

Metaphorical

"يزوج الهم للفرح"

— To mix sadness with happiness.

الحياة تزوج الهم للفرح دائماً.

Poetic

"يزوج النار بالماء"

— To reconcile two irreconcilable enemies.

صلحهما كأنه يزوج النار بالماء.

Literary

"يزوج الريح للسحاب"

— To describe a natural harmony or a fleeting union.

يزوج القدر الريح للسحاب لتمطر.

Poetic

"يزوج الكلمة للعمل"

— To be a man of action who fulfills his promises.

هو رجل صادق يزوج الكلمة للعمل.

Formal

"يزوج الليل للنهار"

— To work tirelessly around the clock.

كان يزوج الليل للنهار لينتهي من المشروع.

Literary

"يزوج الفقر للصبر"

— To endure poverty with patience.

المؤمن يزوج الفقر للصبر في حياته.

Religious/Moral

Easily Confused

يزوج vs يزوج (yuzawwij)

Looks like 'yatazawwaj'.

Yuzawwij is Form II (causative); Yatazawwaj is Form V (reflexive).

الأب يزوج ابنه (Father marries him off) vs الابن يتزوج (Son gets married).

يزوج vs يزود (yuzawwid)

One letter difference (J vs D).

Yuzawwid is to supply/provide; Yuzawwij is to marry off.

يزود الجيش بالسلاح (Supplies the army) vs يزوج ابنه (Marries off his son).

يزوج vs يزوق (yuzawwiq)

One letter difference (J vs Q).

Yuzawwiq is to decorate/embellish; Yuzawwij is to marry off.

يزوق البيت (Decorates the house) vs يزوج ابنته (Marries off his daughter).

يزوج vs يزوع (yazu'u)

Similar sound.

Yazu'u is to vomit (rare/classical); Yuzawwij is to marry off.

يزوع الطعام (Vomits food) vs يزوج الشاب (Marries off the youth).

يزوج vs يزج (yazujju)

Shortened sound.

Yazujju is to throw into (like jail); Yuzawwij is to marry off.

يزج به في السجن (Throws him in jail) vs يزوج ابنه (Marries off his son).

Sentence Patterns

الأب يزوج [Object]

الأب يزوج ابنه.

هو يزوج [Object] من [Spouse]

هو يزوج ابنته من جاره.

يجب أن يزوج [Subject] [Object]

يجب أن يزوج الولي اليتيمة.

يُزوَّج [Subject] برضا [Object]

يُزوَّج الشاب برضا والده.

يزوج [Subject] بين [A] و [B]

يزوج الكاتب بين الحقيقة والخيال.

لم يزوج [Subject] إلا لـ [Condition]

لم يزوج ابنته إلا لذي خلق.

يزوج [Abstract] [A] بـ [B]

يزوج القدر الأرواح التائهة بالسكينة.

ما كان ليزوج [Object] لولا [Condition]

ما كان ليزوج ابنته لولا إصرارها.

Word Family

Nouns

زواج (Zawaj) - Marriage

زوج (Zawj) - Husband/Pair

زوجة (Zawja) - Wife

تزويج (Tazwij) - The act of marrying someone off

مزدوج (Muzdawij) - Double/Dual

Verbs

تزوج (Tatazawwaj) - To get married

تزاوج (Tazawaj) - To mate/interbreed

ازدوج (Izdawaj) - To become double

Adjectives

زوجي (Zawji) - Matrimonial/Even (number)

متزوج (Mutazawwij) - Married

مُزَوَّج (Muzawwaj) - Married off

ولي (Wali) - Guardian

مأذون (Ma'dhun) - Marriage official

عقد (Aqd) - Contract

مهر (Mahr) - Dowry

نكاح (Nikah) - Marriage union

How to Use It

frequency

Common in family and legal discussions.

Common Mistakes

أنا أزوج غداً (I marry off tomorrow) → أنا أتزوج غداً (I am getting married tomorrow)
The speaker used the causative form instead of the reflexive form.
الأب يزوج (The father marries off) → الأب يزوج ابنه (The father marries off his son)
The verb 'yuzawwij' is transitive and requires an object.
يزوج مع (Marries off with) → يزوج من / لـ (Marries off to)
The preposition 'ma' (with) is rarely used with this verb; 'min' or 'li' are standard.
يزوج ابنه إلى (Marries off his son to [ila]) → يزوج ابنه لـ / من (Marries off his son to [li/min])
While 'ila' might be understood, 'li' or 'min' are the grammatically correct collocations.
يُزوِج (Yuzwij - without shadda) → يُزوِّج (Yuzawwij - with shadda)
Without the shadda, the word loses its Form II causative meaning.

Tips

Watch the Shadda

The shadda on the 'waw' is what makes it 'marry off' instead of 'pair'. Without it, the word changes meaning or becomes invalid.

Don't forget the Object

You can't just say 'He marries off'. You must say 'He marries off his son/daughter'.

Understand the 'Wali'

In Arab culture, the person who 'yuzawwij' is usually the 'Wali' (legal guardian), which is an important legal concept.

Related to 'Zawj'

Remember that 'Zawj' means 'a pair'. So 'yuzawwij' is literally 'making a pair' out of two people.

Double the 'W'

When speaking, linger on the 'w' sound. 'Yu-zaw-w-ij'. This makes your Arabic sound more authentic and clear.

Subjunctive Case

After 'An' (to), the verb becomes 'yuzawwija'. Example: 'Yuridu an yuzawwija' (He wants to marry off).

Use for Breeding

If you are talking about horses or birds, 'yuzawwij' is the correct term for 'breeding' or 'mating' them.

Literary Joining

Use it in poetry to describe joining two contrasting ideas, like 'marrying silence to the storm'.

Confusing with 'Yatazawwaj'

This is the #1 mistake. Always ask: 'Is he doing it to himself or to someone else?'

Identify the Agent

When you hear 'yuzawwij', immediately look for the subject. It's usually a parent or a judge.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'W' in 'yuzawwij' as two people. The 'shadda' (doubling) means the subject is bringing those TWO people together.

Visual Association

Imagine a father (Subject) holding the hands of his son and a bride (Objects) and bringing them together.

Word Web

Marriage Pair Guardian Couple Contract Father Family Join

Challenge

Try to use 'yuzawwij' in a sentence about a historical king and then in a sentence about a modern social law.

Word Origin

From the Semitic root Z-W-J, which relates to pairing or making a couple. This root is shared across several Semitic languages.

Original meaning: To make a pair or to join two things together.

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

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'yuzawwij' in the context of 'forced marriage'. Always clarify if it is with consent ('bi-rida') to avoid negative connotations in modern social discussions.

In English, 'marry' can mean 'to take a spouse' or 'to perform the ceremony'. 'Yuzawwij' only means 'to perform the ceremony' or 'to arrange it'.

Quranic verses regarding Nikah and Tazwij. Traditional Arabic songs like 'Ya Abu al-Arousa' (O Father of the Bride). Egyptian films like 'Umm al-Arusa' (Mother of the Bride) where the theme is marrying off daughters.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Family Gatherings

متى ستزوج ابنك؟
نريد أن نزوج الشباب.
هو يزوج بناته باكراً.
الحمد لله الذي زوجهم.

Legal/Court

هل يزوجها القاضي؟
لا يزوج الولي القاصر.
عقد التزويج باطل.
من يزوج هذه اليتيمة؟

Religious Sermon

حث الإسلام على أن يزوج الأهل أبناءهم.
يزوج المؤمن ابنته للصالح.
أجر من يزوج شاباً.
سنة التزويج.

Literature/Poetry

يزوج الليل بالنهار.
يزوج فكره بقلمه.
يزوج الورد للشوك.
قدر يزوج الأرواح.

Biology/Science

يزوج الباحث فصيلتين.
كيف يزوج النحل الزهر؟
يزوج المربي الخيول.
تزويج النباتات.

Conversation Starters

"هل تعتقد أن الأب يجب أن يزوج ابنه في سن صغيرة؟"

"من يزوج الناس في بلدك، القاضي أم الكاهن؟"

"هل سمعت عن الملك الذي يزوج بناته الثلاث في يوم واحد؟"

"كيف يزوج المجتمع الفقراء في ظل غلاء المهور؟"

"هل يصح أن يزوج الأخ أخته إذا غاب الأب؟"

Journal Prompts

اكتب عن تقاليد التزويج في عائلتك وكيف يشارك الأهل فيها.

هل تعتقد أن كلمة 'يزوج' تعبر عن سلطة الأب أم عن حبه واهتمامه؟

تخيل أنك قاضٍ، كيف ستزوج شخصين لا يملكان ولياً؟

اكتب قصة قصيرة عن رجل يحاول أن يزوج ابنه من ابنة عدوه اللدود.

ناقش الفرق بين أن 'يتزوج' الشخص بنفسه وبين أن 'يزوج' من قبل أهله.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'yuzawwij' means the subject is marrying SOMEONE ELSE off. If the man himself is getting married, the verb is 'yatazawwaj'.

Yes, in modern contexts or in certain legal interpretations, a mother can 'tuzawwij' (marry off) her children, though traditionally it was the father.

Yes, it can mean 'to mate' or 'to breed' animals by bringing a male and female together.

The past tense is 'zawwaja' (زوّج). Example: 'Zawwaja ibnahu' (He married off his son).

The noun (Masdar) is 'Tazwij' (تزويج), which means 'the act of marrying someone off'.

Yes, very common when discussing family plans, weddings, or social gossip about who is marrying off their children.

Not inherently. It is a neutral/positive word about family duty, but in 'forced marriage' contexts, it can be used negatively.

Technically yes, in a very formal or linguistic sense, but 'yuzawwij' is almost exclusively for marriage. For objects, 'yuqrin' or 'yaj'al zawjan' is better.

'Yuzawwij' is the social/causative act. 'Yankihu' is the formal/legal entry into the contract. 'Yankihu' is often more formal.

Use the passive voice: 'Yuzawwaju' (يُزوَّج). The damma on the 'ya' is the key.