نجح في الامتحان

You start with the verb نجح. You then add the preposition في. Finally, you add the object الامتحان. If you want to say 'I passed,' you change the verb to نجحتُ (najahtu). If you are talking about a girl, you say نجحتْ (najahat). It is like building a LEGO set. Just swap the verb ending to match who you are talking about.

Use this phrase whenever academic results come out. You can use it in a text message to your parents. You can use it in a formal email to a professor. It is also perfect for professional certifications or even a driving test. If there is a grade involved and you got a passing one, this is your phrase. It is the verbal equivalent of a high-five.

Do not use this phrase for winning a sports match. For that, you would use the verb فاز (faza). Also, avoid using it for 'passing' someone on the street. That requires a totally different word. This phrase is strictly for 'success' in a structured evaluation. Using it for a race would sound like you took a written test about running!

In Arab culture, passing an exam is rarely a solo victory. It is a family celebration. When a student passes a major exam, the house fills with people. Parents often buy large trays of Baklawa or Kunafa to share with neighbors. You might even hear the 'Zaghrouta' (ululation) from the windows. Success is seen as a blessing for the whole community.

You might hear نجح بتفوق (najaha bi-tafawwuq), which means 'passed with excellence' or 'aced it.' In some dialects, people might just say نِجِح (nijih) with a slightly different vowel sound. Another common one is عدّى الامتحان (adda al-imtiḥān) in Egypt, which literally means 'he crossed the exam.' But نجح في الامتحان remains the gold standard for everyone.