B2 Expression Neutre 2 min de lecture

في مجمل الأمر

Overall

Littéralement: In the totality of the matter

Use this to 'zoom out' and provide a balanced summary of any complex situation.

En 15 secondes

  • Use it to summarize a situation or give a final verdict.
  • Equivalent to 'overall' or 'all things considered' in English.
  • Works perfectly in both professional emails and casual reviews.

Signification

This phrase is used to summarize a situation or offer a final judgment after considering all the details. It's like saying 'all in all' or 'looking at the big picture' when you want to wrap up your thoughts.

Exemples clés

3 sur 6
1

Reviewing a restaurant experience

كانت الخدمة بطيئة، لكن في مجمل الأمر الطعام كان ممتازاً.

The service was slow, but overall the food was excellent.

🤝
2

Summarizing a business meeting

في مجمل الأمر، نحن راضون عن نتائج هذا الربع.

Overall, we are satisfied with the results of this quarter.

💼
3

Texting a friend about a trip

في مجمل الأمر، كانت الرحلة متعبة لكنها ممتعة جداً.

Overall, the trip was tiring but very fun.

😊
🌍

Contexte culturel

The word `مجمل` shares the same root as `جميل` (beautiful). In Arabic thought, there is an inherent beauty in completeness and harmony. Using this phrase suggests you are a person of 'Aql' (intellect) who looks beyond minor flaws to see the total value.

💡

The 'But' Bridge

This phrase is most powerful when used after a 'but' (`لكن`). It helps you pivot from small complaints to a positive overall conclusion.

⚠️

Not for Math

Don't use this to say 'the total is 50 dollars.' For math, use `المجموع` (al-majmu') instead. This phrase is for abstract situations.

En 15 secondes

  • Use it to summarize a situation or give a final verdict.
  • Equivalent to 'overall' or 'all things considered' in English.
  • Works perfectly in both professional emails and casual reviews.

What It Means

Think of this phrase as your 'big picture' lens. It helps you zoom out from messy details. You use it to sum up your final thoughts. It is like saying 'all in all' or 'overall.' It signals that you have considered everything.

How To Use It

Place it at the start of your final sentence. It signals that you are finishing your point. It works like a verbal highlighter for your conclusion. You can also use it after a long list of pros and cons. It connects your evidence to your final verdict.

When To Use It

Use it during a business meeting to summarize results. Use it when reviewing a movie with your friends. It is perfect for emails when you want to be clear. It makes you sound organized and thoughtful. Use it when a story gets too long.

When NOT To Use It

Don't use it for simple, one-step actions. Avoid it if you are talking about literal math. It is for situations, not for adding up numbers. Don't use it if you are being very blunt or rude. It is a bit too polished for a heated argument.

Cultural Background

Arabic culture values the art of the summary. Being able to 'gather' a topic is seen as wise. This phrase comes from the root جمل, meaning 'total' or 'sum.' It is about seeing the beauty in the whole. It reflects a balanced way of thinking.

Common Variations

You might hear على العموم in daily street talk. In very formal settings, you will hear خلاصة القول. For a quick text, people might just say بالمختصر. They all aim for the same 'big picture' goal. Each variation fits a different social 'vibe.'

Notes d'usage

This phrase sits in the 'sweet spot' of formality. It is sophisticated enough for a report but natural enough for a coffee-shop chat. Avoid using it for simple arithmetic totals.

💡

The 'But' Bridge

This phrase is most powerful when used after a 'but' (`لكن`). It helps you pivot from small complaints to a positive overall conclusion.

⚠️

Not for Math

Don't use this to say 'the total is 50 dollars.' For math, use `المجموع` (al-majmu') instead. This phrase is for abstract situations.

💬

The Root of Beauty

The word `مجمل` comes from the same root as 'camel' (`جمل`). In ancient times, camels were the 'total' wealth of a person, representing everything they owned.

Exemples

6
#1 Reviewing a restaurant experience
🤝

كانت الخدمة بطيئة، لكن في مجمل الأمر الطعام كان ممتازاً.

The service was slow, but overall the food was excellent.

Used to balance a negative point with a positive conclusion.

#2 Summarizing a business meeting
💼

في مجمل الأمر، نحن راضون عن نتائج هذا الربع.

Overall, we are satisfied with the results of this quarter.

Professional way to conclude a presentation or report.

#3 Texting a friend about a trip
😊

في مجمل الأمر، كانت الرحلة متعبة لكنها ممتعة جداً.

Overall, the trip was tiring but very fun.

Common way to wrap up a long story in a text.

#4 A humorous take on a failed DIY project
😄

في مجمل الأمر، الطاولة مائلة لكنها لا تزال واقفة!

Overall, the table is tilted but it's still standing!

Using the phrase to find a 'silver lining' in a funny failure.

#5 Reflecting on a difficult year
💭

في مجمل الأمر، تعلمت الكثير من هذه التجربة القاسية.

Overall, I learned a lot from this harsh experience.

Adds a sense of wisdom and closure to an emotional topic.

#6 Giving an opinion on a new movie
😊

التمثيل كان ضعيفاً، لكن في مجمل الأمر الفيلم يستحق المشاهدة.

The acting was weak, but overall the movie is worth watching.

Standard way to give a balanced critique.

Teste-toi

Choose the best phrase to summarize a long discussion about a new project.

___، المشروع يحتاج إلى ميزانية أكبر.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : في مجمل الأمر

`في مجمل الأمر` is the only one that means 'overall' or 'in summary.'

Complete the sentence to say: 'Overall, the party was great.'

___، كانت الحفلة رائعة.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : في مجمل الأمر

`في مجمل الأمر` provides the summary 'overall' needed for the context.

🎉 Score : /2

Aides visuelles

Formality of Summarizing Phrases

Informal

Used with close friends or family.

على العموم (Ala al-umum)

Neutral

Safe for work, friends, and writing.

في مجمل الأمر (Fi mujmal al-amr)

Formal

Used in speeches or academic papers.

وخلاصة القول (Wa khulasat al-qawl)

When to use 'Fi Mujmal Al-Amr'

في مجمل الأمر
💼

Ending a meeting

Summarizing the main action points.

📚

Reviewing a book

Giving a final star rating.

📱

Texting a recap

Telling a friend how your date went.

🧠

Self-reflection

Thinking about your progress in Arabic.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It literally means 'in the totality of the matter.' It uses مجمل (totality) and الأمر (the matter/affair).

Not at all! It is quite common in texting when you want to sound a bit more articulate or clear, like في مجمل الأمر، كان يوماً جيداً.

Usually, it comes at the beginning of the concluding sentence. It sets the stage for the final thought.

على العموم is more like 'generally' or 'anyway' and is slightly more casual. في مجمل الأمر sounds more like a considered conclusion.

Yes, it is excellent for interviews. Use it to summarize your skills: في مجمل الأمر، لدي الخبرة الكافية.

It is pronounced MOOJ-mal. The 'j' is soft like the 'j' in 'jam'.

Yes, you can use it for anything. For example: في مجمل الأمر، كانت التجربة مخيبة للآمال (Overall, the experience was disappointing).

It is Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) but is understood and used by educated speakers across all Arab countries.

Yes, to summarize someone's character. في مجمل الأمر، هو شخص طيب (Overall, he is a good person).

Confusing it with إجمالاً (ijmalan). While similar, إجمالاً is often used for statistics, while our phrase is for general situations.

Expressions liées

على العموم

باختصار

بشكل عام

خلاصة القول

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