C2 Expression Formal 3 min read

من الأساسي التذكير

It is fundamental to remind

Literally: From the fundamental [is] the reminding

Use this to anchor your argument in a foundational truth during formal or serious discussions.

In 15 Seconds

  • Used to highlight a crucial, foundational point in a serious discussion.
  • Common in professional, academic, and journalistic Arabic contexts.
  • Signals that the following information is a non-negotiable core truth.

Meaning

This phrase is used to emphasize a foundational truth or a crucial point that must be kept in mind during a discussion. It’s like saying, 'Before we proceed, we absolutely must acknowledge this core fact.'

Key Examples

3 of 7
1

In a corporate strategy meeting

من الأساسي التذكير بأن هدفنا الأول هو رضا العميل.

It is fundamental to remind that our first goal is customer satisfaction.

💼
2

Writing a political or social essay

من الأساسي التذكير بحقوق الإنسان في هذا السياق.

It is fundamental to remind of human rights in this context.

👔
3

Giving serious advice to a sibling

من الأساسي التذكير بأن العائلة تأتي أولاً دائماً.

It is fundamental to remind that family always comes first.

💭
🌍

Cultural Background

The phrase stems from the classical Arabic tradition of structured debate. In modern times, it is a staple of 'Fusha' (Modern Standard Arabic) used in journalism and high-level diplomacy. It reflects the value placed on historical or logical consistency in Arab intellectual circles.

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The 'B' Connection

Always remember that `التذكير` loves the letter `ب`. Whether it's `بأن` (that) or just `بـ` (of), that little preposition is the bridge to your next point.

⚠️

Don't Overuse It

If everything is 'fundamental,' then nothing is. Save this for the 1 or 2 truly vital points in your conversation to keep its impact high.

In 15 Seconds

  • Used to highlight a crucial, foundational point in a serious discussion.
  • Common in professional, academic, and journalistic Arabic contexts.
  • Signals that the following information is a non-negotiable core truth.

What It Means

من الأساسي التذكير is a powerhouse phrase in the Arabic language. It acts as a rhetorical anchor for your argument. When you use it, you are signaling that what follows isn't just an opinion. It is a bedrock principle. It translates roughly to 'It is fundamental to remind [us/you].' It suggests that the point you are about to make is so important that forgetting it would invalidate the entire conversation. Think of it as hitting the 'pause' button to ensure everyone is on the same page regarding the basics.

How To Use It

To use this phrase correctly, you usually follow it with the word بأن (that) or بـ (of/with). For example, you might say من الأساسي التذكير بأن الوقت محدود (It is fundamental to remind that time is limited). It sits at the very beginning of a sentence. It sets a serious, intellectual tone immediately. You don't need to conjugate it for gender or number. It stays exactly as it is, making it a very reliable tool for your linguistic belt. Just drop it in and watch your authority grow.

When To Use It

This is your go-to for professional and academic settings. Use it in a business meeting when the team is losing sight of the main goal. It’s perfect for university essays or political debates. You can also use it in a serious heart-to-heart with a friend. If you’re discussing something deep, like the nature of trust, this phrase adds weight. It tells the listener, 'I am being very intentional with my words right now.'

When NOT To Use It

Avoid this phrase in very casual or lighthearted settings. If you’re at a cafe and want to remind your friend they owe you five dollars, don't use this. You’ll sound like a philosophy professor who lost his way to the lecture hall. It’s too heavy for small talk or joking around. Using it while texting about what pizza toppings to get will definitely get you some confused emojis. Keep it for the big moments and the big ideas.

Cultural Background

Arabic culture deeply values eloquence and the art of persuasion, known as Balaagha. This phrase is a direct descendant of that tradition. It reflects a cultural preference for establishing a shared 'truth' before building a complex argument. In Arab discourse, reminding others of shared values is a sign of wisdom and respect. It shows you aren't just talking; you are grounding your words in something solid.

Common Variations

You will often hear من الضروري التذكير (It is necessary to remind) which is slightly less intense. Another common one is يجدر التذكير (It is worth reminding). If you want to sound even more formal, you might use لا بد من التذكير (It is inevitable/must be reminded). Each variation shifts the 'flavor' of the importance slightly. الأساسي (fundamental) is the strongest, implying that the point is the very foundation of the topic.

Usage Notes

This phrase is strictly formal (MSA). Using it in a casual dialect setting will make you sound like a news anchor or a textbook, which can be used for comedic effect but should be avoided in genuine casual talk.

💡

The 'B' Connection

Always remember that `التذكير` loves the letter `ب`. Whether it's `بأن` (that) or just `بـ` (of), that little preposition is the bridge to your next point.

⚠️

Don't Overuse It

If everything is 'fundamental,' then nothing is. Save this for the 1 or 2 truly vital points in your conversation to keep its impact high.

💬

The Sarcasm Shield

In some Arab circles, using this very formal phrase for something obvious (like 'It is fundamental to remind you that water is wet') is a common way to use dry humor.

Examples

7
#1 In a corporate strategy meeting
💼

من الأساسي التذكير بأن هدفنا الأول هو رضا العميل.

It is fundamental to remind that our first goal is customer satisfaction.

Re-focuses the team on the core mission.

#2 Writing a political or social essay
👔

من الأساسي التذكير بحقوق الإنسان في هذا السياق.

It is fundamental to remind of human rights in this context.

Establishes a moral baseline for the argument.

#3 Giving serious advice to a sibling
💭

من الأساسي التذكير بأن العائلة تأتي أولاً دائماً.

It is fundamental to remind that family always comes first.

Uses a formal structure to emphasize a deep personal value.

#4 Texting a colleague about a project deadline
💼

من الأساسي التذكير بأن الموعد النهائي غداً صباحاً.

It is fundamental to remind that the deadline is tomorrow morning.

Adds a sense of urgency and gravity to the reminder.

#5 A humorous take during a long, boring lecture
😄

من الأساسي التذكير بأننا نحتاج إلى القهوة لنبقى أحياء.

It is fundamental to remind that we need coffee to stay alive.

The formal phrasing makes the trivial statement funny.

#6 In a university debate
👔

من الأساسي التذكير بأن هذه البيانات قديمة.

It is fundamental to remind that this data is old.

Used to challenge the opponent's foundation.

#7 Reminding a partner of a shared promise
💭

من الأساسي التذكير بما اتفقنا عليه في البداية.

It is fundamental to remind of what we agreed upon at the start.

Calls back to a foundational agreement.

Test Yourself

Complete the sentence with the correct preposition to say 'It is fundamental to remind that...'

من الأساسي التذكير ___ النجاح يتطلب صبراً.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: بأن

The word `بأن` is the standard way to connect this phrase to a following clause starting with a noun or pronoun.

Choose the word that makes the phrase mean 'fundamental'.

من ___ التذكير بأهمية الوقت.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: الأساسي

`الأساسي` means fundamental or basic, which fits the structure of this formal expression.

🎉 Score: /2

Visual Learning Aids

Formality Levels of Reminding

Informal

Just a quick heads-up

ما تنسى (Don't forget)

Neutral

Standard reminder

أذكرك بـ (I remind you of)

Formal

Strong, foundational reminder

من الأساسي التذكير (It is fundamental to remind)

Very Formal

Legal or highly academic

يتوجب التنويه والإشارة إلى (It is mandatory to note and point out)

Where to use 'من الأساسي التذكير'

من الأساسي التذكير
📺

News Broadcast

Reminding viewers of a law.

🎓

Academic Paper

Stating a core theory.

💼

Business Strategy

Reiterating company values.

⚖️

Serious Debate

Correcting a basic premise.

Frequently Asked Questions

12 questions

It literally translates to 'From the fundamental [is] the reminding.' It’s a grammatical structure that highlights 'reminding' as a core necessity.

Not usually. It's quite formal. You'd hear it on the news or in a lecture rather than at a grocery store.

Only if you are discussing something very serious or if you are being intentionally dramatic/humorous.

أساسي means fundamental or foundational, while ضروري means necessary. أساسي feels a bit 'deeper'.

No, the phrase is impersonal and static. It stays من الأساسي التذكير regardless of who you are talking to.

It is mostly a Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha) phrase. In dialects, people would use simpler words like لازم نتذكر (we must remember).

Yes, it is excellent for formal emails, especially when you want to reiterate a key project requirement.

Usually بأن followed by a sentence, like من الأساسي التذكير بأننا تأخرنا (It is fundamental to remind that we are late).

It's not aggressive, but it is very assertive. It shows you are confident in the importance of your point.

Absolutely. It's a great 'hook' to ground your audience in a specific reality before you dive into details.

The root is ذ-ك-ر (dh-k-r), which relates to memory and mentioning. It's the same root as ذِكر (remembrance/dhikr).

You could just say يجب أن نتذكر (We must remember), but it lacks the 'foundational' weight of the original phrase.

Related Phrases

يجدر بالذكر

It is worth mentioning

من الجدير بالذكر

It is noteworthy to mention

لا بد من التنويه

It is necessary to point out

من البديهي أن

It is self-evident that

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