تَقْرِيبًا
taqrīban
The English phrase 'almost' can be translated into Arabic using several forms, most commonly تَقْرِيبًا (taqrīban). Wiktionary also lists عَلَى وَشْك (ʕalā wašk) and كَادَ (kāda).
Meaning: very close to (adv)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| تَقْرِيبًا | taqrīban | |
| عَلَى وَشْك | ʕalā wašk | |
| كَادَ | kāda | verb |
Arabic uses different words for 'almost' depending on whether you are describing a quantity or an event that is about to happen.
What does it mean word for word?
The word تَقْرِيبًا is derived from a root meaning 'to bring closer', translating literally to 'approximately' or 'nearly'.
Which one should you use?
Use تَقْرِيبًا when referring to quantities, numbers or degrees. In contrast, use the phrase عَلَى وَشْك when describing imminent events or states.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, تَقْرِيبًا is used to mean 'almost'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb كَادَ is a 'verb of proximity' and is typically followed by a present tense verb to express that an action almost happened.
How do you pronounce it?
taqrīban
Did you know?
- In many Arabic dialects, including Egyptian, تَقْرِيبًا can also be used to mean 'perhaps' or 'probably', adding a layer of uncertainty that 'almost' does not carry in English.
- The phrase عَلَى وَشْك literally translates to 'on the brink', evoking the image of standing on the edge of a cliff or a threshold.
- In classical Arabic literature, كَادَ is frequently used to create dramatic tension by describing a disaster that was narrowly avoided.
Examples in context
- شبه انتهيت من العملI almost finished the work
- أنا تقريبًا نسيتI almost forgot
- الْحَلُّ جَاهِزٌ تَقْرِيبًا.al-ḥallu jāhizun taqrīban.The solution is almost ready.
- انْتَهَيْتُ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ تَقْرِيبًا.intahaytu mina al-ʿamali taqrīban.I am almost finished with the work.
- هَذَا كُلُّ شَيْءٍ تَقْرِيبًا.hādhā kullu shay'in taqrīban.This is almost everything.
Example conversation
Sarah and Omar are waiting for a friend to arrive.
- سارة Saraهل وصل صديقنا بعد؟hal wasala sadiquna ba'd?Has our friend arrived yet?
- عمر Omarنعم، هو هنا تَقْرِيبًا.na'am, huwa huna taqriban.Yes, he is almost here.
- سارة Saraأرى سيارته الآن.ara sayyaratahu al-an.I see his car now.
- عمر Omarرائع، لنذهب إليه.ra'i', linadhhab ilayh.Great, let's go to him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “almost” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
