صَرَفَ
ṣarafa
The English phrase 'to dismiss' (meaning to order to leave) can be translated into Arabic using the verb صَرَفَ (ṣarafa).
Meaning: to order to leave (verb)
Which one should you use?
The formal term رَفْضَ can be used to convey the sense of dismissing something and the formal term تَجَاهَلَ serves as a formal way to express dismiss.
How do you pronounce it?
ṣarafa
Did you know?
- In Arabic grammar, the word صَرْف refers to morphology, the study of word formation. This is because morphology 'diverts' or 'transforms' a root word into different patterns.
- The verb صَرَفَ is also commonly used to mean 'to spend' or 'to expend' when talking about money or time, showing how the concept of 'sending away' can apply to resources.
- In a professional setting, if you are 'dismissed' from a job, the phrase often shifts from the verb صَرَفَ to the more formal طَرَدَ, which literally means 'to expel' or 'to kick out'.
Examples in context
- تَمَ رَفْضُ طَلَبِكَ لِلْتَرْقِيَةِ.Your request for promotion has been dismissed.
- رَفَضَ الشَّيْخُ طَلَبَهُ.The sheikh dismissed his request.
- صَرَفَ الموظفَ من العمل.ṣarafa al-muwaẓẓafa min al-'amal.He dismissed the employee from work.
- صَرَفَ الجنديَّ من الخدمة.ṣarafa al-jundiyya min al-khidma.He dismissed the soldier from service.
- صَرَفَ المديرُ الحارسَ اليوم.ṣarafa al-mudīru al-ḥārisa al-yawm.The manager dismissed the guard today.
Example conversation
A manager and an assistant discussing staff at the office.
- يوسف Youssefيا نور، هل صَرَفَ المديرُ العمالَ؟ya Noor, hal sarafa al-mudeeru al-ummala?Noor, did the manager dismiss the workers?
- نور Nourنعم يا يوسف، لقد غادروا جميعاً.na'am ya Yusuf, laqad ghadaru jami'an.Yes Yusuf, they have all left.
- يوسف Youssefجيد، أريد إنهاء هذا العمل بهدوء.jayyid, ureedu inha' hadha al-amal bi-hudu'.Good, I want to finish this work in peace.
- نور Nourسأقوم بتنظيف المكتب الآن.sa-aqoomu bi-tanzeef al-maktab al-aan.I will clean the office now.
