حاسم
ḥāsim/ħaː.sim/
The English word "decisive" is translated into Arabic as حاسم (ḥāsim).
حاسم is an adjective used to describe something marked by promptness and decision. In Arabic syntax, the adjective follows the noun it modifies, such as in the phrase قرار حاسم (a decisive decision).
Meaning: marked by promptness and decision (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word حاسم is an active participle derived from the root H-S-M (حسم), which relates to cutting or settling something definitively. It can mean "decisive" or "one who decides".
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine plural form is created by adding the suffix -un (ون) to the root, resulting in حاسمون.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as /ħaː.sim/. It has two syllables.
Did you know?
- The root of حاسم is shared with the word for 'deduction' or 'discount' in a financial context, خصم or حسم. This links the idea of a 'decisive' cut to the act of cutting a price from a total.
- In classical Arabic poetry, a 'decisive' moment is often metaphorically linked to the sharpness of a sword, reflecting the root's connection to cutting.
- While حاسم is the standard term for 'decisive', in some dialects, using a word related to 'cutting' can imply a level of harshness or abruptness that the English 'decisive' does not always convey.
Examples in context
- إنه رئيس حازم جداًHe is a very decisive leader
- اتخذ قرارًا قاطعًا في مواجهة التحديات.He made a decisive decision in the face of challenges.
- كان هذا قراراً حاسماً.kana hadha qararan hasiman.This was a decisive decision.
- نحن بحاجة إلى إجراء حاسم الآن.nahnu bi-hajatin ila ijra'in hasimin al-an.We need a decisive action now.
- لقد كان فوزاً حاسماً للفريق.laqad kana fawzan hasiman lil-fariq.It was a decisive victory for the team.
Example conversation
Ahmad and Layla are discussing a business matter in an office.
- أحمد Ahmedهل اتخذتِ قراراً حاسماً يا ليلى؟hal ittakhadhti qararan hasiman ya Layla?Have you made a decisive decision, Layla?
- ليلى Laylaنعم، لقد اتخذتُ قراراً حاسماً اليوم.na'am, laqad ittakhadhtu qararan hasiman al-yawm.Yes, I made a decisive decision today.
- أحمد Ahmedهذا رائع، نحن بحاجة لهذا.hadha ra'i', nahnu bi-hajatin li-hadha.That is great, we need this.
- ليلى Laylaشكراً لك يا أحمد.shukran laka ya Ahmad.Thank you, Ahmad.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry حاسم, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
