وَعْد
waʕdmasculine
The English word promise translates to Arabic as وَعْد (waʕd). Wiktionary also lists وَعْدَة (waʕda).
Meaning: vow (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| وَعْد | waʕd | masculine |
| وَعْدَة | waʕda | feminine |
وَعْد is used as a noun meaning a vow.
Which one should you use?
While وَعْد is a general promise, تَعَهُّد is used for a more formal commitment or undertaking.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Levantine Arabic, the informal way to say 'You promised me' is وعدتني.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the noun وَعْد is وُعُود. If you wish to use the verb, وَعَدَ is the masculine singular past tense form meaning 'he promised' and يَعِدُ is the masculine singular present tense form of the verb to promise. Other related verbs include بَشَّرَ, which means to give grounds for expectation, especially of something good and تَعَهَّدَ, which means to commit to something.
How do you pronounce it?
waʕd
Did you know?
- A promise made on the honor of a family member, known as وعد شرف, is often viewed as a binding social contract that carries more weight than a formal legal agreement.
- While English speakers 'keep' a promise, Arabic speakers 'fulfill' a promise using the verb أَوْفَى, which describes the act as if it were paying off a debt or completing a duty.
- In religious or high-formal contexts, a promise to God is called a مِيثَاق, which is translated as 'covenant' and is significantly more solemn than a standard وَعْد.
Examples in context
- أَعِدُكَ بِمُساعَدَتِكَ في هَذا الأمْرِ.I promise to help you with this matter.
- حَلَفْتَ عَلَيَّ أَنْ تُسَاعِدَنِي.You promised me to help.
- هذا وَعْدٌ منِّي لَكَ.Hatha wa'dun minni laka.This is a promise from me to you.
- أَلْغَى الرَّجُلُ وَعْدَهُ الْقَدِيمَ.Algha al-rajulu wa'dahu al-qadim.The man broke his old vow.
Example conversation
Yousef and Maryam are discussing a plan for the weekend.
- يوسف Youssefهل ستأتي إلى الحفلة يا مريم؟Hal sata'ti ila al-hafla ya Maryam?Will you come to the party, Maryam?
- مريم Maryamنعم، أعطيك وَعْداً بأنني سأحضر.Na'am, u'tika wa'dan bi-annani sa-ahdar.Yes, I give you a promise that I will attend.
- يوسف Youssefأنا أثق في كلامك.Ana athiqu fi kalamiki.I trust your word.
- مريم Maryamيوسف، أنا لا أخلف وَعْدي أبداً.Yousef, ana la akhlifu wa'di abadan.Yousef, I never break my promise.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “promise” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
