في ظل هذه الظروف
Under these circumstances
حرفيًا: In the shadow of these circumstances
Use it to justify decisions or feelings by pointing to the current state of affairs.
في 15 ثانية
- Explains actions based on the current environment or situation.
- Uses the metaphor of a 'shadow' to describe influence.
- Perfect for professional emails, news, or serious personal talks.
المعنى
This phrase is used to set the stage for a decision or a feeling based on the current situation. It's like saying 'given everything that is happening right now' or 'considering the state of affairs.'
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Discussing a business delay
في ظل هذه الظروف، يجب علينا تأجيل المشروع قليلاً.
Under these circumstances, we must postpone the project a bit.
Texting a friend about a busy schedule
من الصعب أن نلتقي في ظل هذه الظروف المزدحمة.
It is difficult to meet under these crowded circumstances.
A news anchor reporting on the economy
تستمر الأسعار في الارتفاع في ظل هذه الظروف الاقتصادية.
Prices continue to rise under these economic circumstances.
خلفية ثقافية
The concept of 'shadow' (Zill) in Arabic is historically linked to protection from the harsh sun, but in modern political and social discourse, it has become a standard way to frame the context of an event. It became especially popular in 20th-century journalism to describe the shifting political landscapes of the Middle East. It reflects a culture that values understanding the 'big picture' before making a move.
The 'Shadow' Secret
While 'under' is the English equivalent, using the word for 'shadow' (`ظل`) makes you sound like a native speaker who understands the poetic roots of the language.
Don't be a Drama Queen
If you use this to explain why you're five minutes late for coffee, your friends might think you're being sarcastic or overly dramatic.
في 15 ثانية
- Explains actions based on the current environment or situation.
- Uses the metaphor of a 'shadow' to describe influence.
- Perfect for professional emails, news, or serious personal talks.
What It Means
Think of this phrase as the backdrop of a movie. It describes the environment or the 'shadow' that current events cast over your life. When you use في ظل هذه الظروف, you are telling your listener that your actions aren't happening in a vacuum. You are reacting to the world around you. It implies that the situation is significant enough to influence what happens next. It’s a sophisticated way to acknowledge reality.
How To Use It
You usually place this phrase at the very beginning or the very end of a sentence. It acts as a justification. If you can't go to a party because of a busy work week, this phrase explains why. It sounds much more thoughtful than just saying 'I'm busy.' It shows you are weighing the situation carefully. You can use it to talk about the economy, your personal life, or even the weather.
When To Use It
This is your go-to phrase for serious discussions. Use it in a business meeting when discussing a pivot. Use it when texting a friend about why you’re feeling stressed. It’s perfect for news reports or writing an email to a professor. It carries a certain weight that makes your words sound more credible. It’s great for explaining why a plan has changed suddenly.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this for tiny, insignificant things. If you’re choosing between chocolate or vanilla ice cream, don’t say في ظل هذه الظروف. You’ll sound like a dramatic philosopher at a dessert stand. It’s also a bit too heavy for very lighthearted banter with close friends. If the mood is 100% jokes and memes, this phrase might kill the vibe. Keep it for moments that actually have some 'circumstance' to them.
Cultural Background
In Arabic culture, the word ظل (shadow) is incredibly important. In the hot desert, the shadow is a place of refuge and protection. However, in this linguistic context, it has evolved. It now represents the 'umbrella' of events covering a situation. It reflects a worldview where individuals are often shaped by their surroundings. It shows a deep awareness of the collective environment rather than just the individual's will.
Common Variations
You might hear people say في ظل هذه الأوضاع (in light of these conditions). Another common one is نظراً لهذه الظروف (given these circumstances). If you want to be even more specific, you could say في ظل هذه الأزمة (in the shadow of this crisis). All of these follow the same logic. They all point to the external factors that are currently calling the shots.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This phrase is a hallmark of high-level Arabic. It transitions you from basic 'because' statements to nuanced, contextual explanations. It is highly respected in professional writing.
The 'Shadow' Secret
While 'under' is the English equivalent, using the word for 'shadow' (`ظل`) makes you sound like a native speaker who understands the poetic roots of the language.
Don't be a Drama Queen
If you use this to explain why you're five minutes late for coffee, your friends might think you're being sarcastic or overly dramatic.
Regional Twists
In some dialects like Levantine, people might swap this for `بهالظروف` (in these circumstances) for a more relaxed, everyday feel.
أمثلة
6في ظل هذه الظروف، يجب علينا تأجيل المشروع قليلاً.
Under these circumstances, we must postpone the project a bit.
A very professional way to deliver bad news to a team.
من الصعب أن نلتقي في ظل هذه الظروف المزدحمة.
It is difficult to meet under these crowded circumstances.
The 'crowded' part refers to a busy life or schedule.
تستمر الأسعار في الارتفاع في ظل هذه الظروف الاقتصادية.
Prices continue to rise under these economic circumstances.
Standard phraseology for Arabic news broadcasts.
كيف يمكنني اتباع حمية في ظل هذه الظروف اللذيذة؟
How can I follow a diet under these delicious circumstances?
Using a formal phrase for a funny, relatable struggle.
شكراً لوقوفك بجانبي في ظل هذه الظروف الصعبة.
Thank you for standing by me under these difficult circumstances.
Shows deep appreciation for support during a crisis.
أعتذر عن الحضور في ظل هذه الظروف الطارئة.
I apologize for not attending under these emergency circumstances.
A polite way to say 'something came up' without over-explaining.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct word to complete the phrase about a difficult situation.
لا يمكننا السفر في ___ هذه الظروف.
The standard expression uses `ظل` (shadow) to mean 'in light of' or 'under'.
Complete the sentence to express a need for patience.
يجب أن نصبر في ظل هذه ___.
`الظروف` means circumstances, which fits the context of needing patience.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality Spectrum
Rarely used, sounds a bit too dramatic for casual chat.
Talking about a video game.
Good for explaining life changes to friends.
Explaining why you moved houses.
The 'sweet spot' for this phrase.
Business emails and news reports.
Used in legal or diplomatic documents.
International treaties.
Where to use 'In the shadow of these circumstances'
Economic Crisis
Discussing inflation or job markets.
Personal Emergency
Explaining a sudden absence.
Office Meeting
Justifying a change in strategy.
Global Events
Talking about a pandemic or weather.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةظل (Zill) literally means 'shadow' or 'shade.' In this phrase, it metaphorically refers to the environment or influence of a situation.
Yes, especially if you are explaining something serious. For example: ما بقدر أجي في ظل هذه الظروف (I can't come under these circumstances).
Usually, yes. It is most often used when the circumstances are challenging, though it can theoretically be used for neutral ones.
That is different! You would say تحت أي ظرف من الظروف (under any of the circumstances) with a negation like لا or لن.
The word ظل is used many times in the Quran to describe the shade of Paradise, but this specific modern idiom is more common in contemporary literature and media.
The plural is ظروف (Zuroof). It can also mean 'envelopes' in a different context, but here it's strictly 'circumstances'.
Absolutely. For example: العمل صعب في ظل هذه الظروف (Work is hard under these circumstances).
No, it is Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and is understood and used from Morocco to Iraq in formal settings.
They are very similar. 'In light of' is often translated as على ضوء (on the light of), while في ظل is 'in the shadow of.' Both are used for context.
It sounds a bit strange for purely happy things. If you won the lottery, you wouldn't say 'under these circumstances, I'm buying a car.' It implies a weight or pressure.
عبارات ذات صلة
بسبب هذه الأوضاع (Because of these conditions)
نظراً لما يحدث (Given what is happening)
في هذا السياق (In this context)
على ضوء ذلك (In light of that)
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