مبلغ مقطوع
mablagh maqṭūʿ
In Arabic, 'lump sum' is translated as مبلغ مقطوع (mablagh maqṭūʿ).
The term مبلغ مقطوع is commonly used in legal, financial and employment contexts to describe a single payment instead of installments or a salary.
Meaning: large one-time payment (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 'mablagh' (amount) and 'maqṭūʿ' (cut/severed/fixed), literally meaning a 'cut amount' or a 'fixed amount'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the phrase is مبالغ مقطوعة to refer to multiple lump sum payments.
How do you pronounce it?
mablagh maqṭūʿ
Did you know?
- The word مقطوع (maqṭūʿ) can be used metaphorically in social contexts to describe a person who is 'cut off' from their family or social support systems.
- The word مبلغ (mablagh) comes from the same root used for 'to inform' or 'to convey', implying that an amount is something that 'reaches' a certain limit or destination.
- While English uses 'lump' to describe a physical mass, Arabic uses مقطوع (maqṭūʿ) to evoke the action of a knife. This emphasizes that the payment has been severed from a sequence of installments.
Examples in context
- حصلتُ على مبلغ مقطوع من التأمين.Hasaltu 'ala mablagh maqtoo' min al-ta'meen.I received a lump sum from the insurance.
- نحن نفضل استلام مبلغ مقطوع.Nahnu nufaddil istilaam mablagh maqtoo'.We prefer receiving a lump sum.
Example conversation
Mariam and Omar are discussing a financial settlement at work.
- مريم Maryamهل عرضوا عليك مبلغ مقطوع؟Hal 'aradoo 'alayka mablagh maqtoo'?Did they offer you a lump sum?
- عمر Omarنعم، عرضوا عليَّ مبلغ مقطوع كبير.Na'am, 'aradoo 'alayya mablagh maqtoo' kabeer.Yes, they offered me a large lump sum.
- مريم Maryamهذا عرض جيد جداً يا عمر.Hadha 'ard jayyid jiddan ya Omar.That is a very good offer, Omar.
- عمر Omarأنا أفكر في قبول العرض.Ana ufakkir fi qabool al-'ard.I am thinking of accepting the offer.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries مبلغ, مقطوع, CC BY-SA 4.0.
