حوالي
ḥawālay/ħa.waː.laj/
In Arabic, 'about' can be translated in several ways depending on the context. The default form is حوالي (ḥawālay).
The word حوالي is primarily used to express approximate quantities or time, similar to 'about' or 'around' in English.
Meaning: concerning (prep)
What does it mean word for word?
The word حوالي is derived from the root meaning 'around' or 'surrounding', used here to mean 'approximately'.
Which one should you use?
While حوالي is used for approximations of numbers and time, the preposition عن is used when 'about' means 'concerning' or 'regarding' a topic.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ħa.waː.laj/ (ḥawālay). It has three syllables.
Did you know?
- The word عن can be used to mean 'on behalf of' or 'instead of' a person, a meaning that has no connection to the English 'about'.
- In many spoken dialects, the word تقريباً is used for approximations because it is derived from the root for 'bringing closer' or 'approaching'.
- Depending on the dialect, a speaker might use different words for 'around' entirely, making حوالي sound overly formal or 'bookish' in a casual street conversation.
Examples in context
- كان هناك حوالي عشرين دولاراً.It was about twenty dollars.This sentence shows how to use حوالي to indicate an approximate amount of money.Tatoeba #389089 by saeb, translation #42830 by CK
- كان توم يربح حوالي مليون دولار سنويا.Tom was making about a million dollars a year.This sentence demonstrates using حوالي for an approximate annual income.Tatoeba #11683532 by dididodo, translation #4630166 by Amastan
- أتوقع الوصول إلى بوسطن بعد حوالي ساعة.I'm expecting to reach Boston in about an hour.This sentence illustrates the use of حوالي to express an approximate duration of time.Tatoeba #11687177 by dididodo, translation #3896759 by Amastan
- هَلْ يُمْكِنُكَ أَنْ تَحْكِيَ لِي عَنْ تَجَرُبَتِكَ فِي السَّفَرِ؟Can you tell me about your travel experience?
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Layla and Ahmed are discussing a project deadline.
- ليلى Laylaمتى ينتهي المشروع يا أحمد؟Matā yantahī al-mashrū' yā Ahmad?When does the project end, Ahmed?
- أحمد Ahmedسأنهيه حوالي الساعة الخامسة.Sa-unhīhu hawālī as-sā'ah al-khāmisah.I will finish it about five o'clock.
- ليلى Laylaهل هذا الوقت كافٍ؟Hal hādhā al-waqt kāfin?Is this time enough?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، حوالي ذلك الوقت سأكون جاهزاً.Na'am, hawālī dhālika al-waqt sa-akūn jāhizan.Yes, about that time I will be ready.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry حوالي, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
