لوحدي
liwahdi
The English phrase "alone" can be translated into Arabic as لوحدي (liwahdi).
Meaning: by oneself (adj)
Which one should you use?
While لوحدي is a common way to express being alone, the more formal Modern Standard Arabic term is بمفردي. In a formal register, you might also encounter المُنفَرِد.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal or Modern Standard Arabic approach, use بمفردي. The word المُنفَرِد is also a formal option.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Gulf Arabic, the word لوحدك is often used as an informal way to refer to being alone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes its suffix depending on who is being described as being alone: liwahdi means by myself, liwahdak means by yourself (masculine) and liwahdik means by yourself (feminine). To refer to a third-person masculine subject, use لوحده.
How do you pronounce it?
liwahdi
Did you know?
- In many Arabic dialects, the phrase لوحدي is constructed from the word 'wahd' (one), literally translating to 'to my oneness'.
- While English uses 'alone' as a general adjective, using لوحدي in certain social contexts can sometimes imply a sense of isolation or being abandoned rather than just being solitary.
- The formal term بمفردي uses the root 'fard', which is the same root used for 'individual' or 'unique', suggesting a more dignified type of solitude.
Examples in context
- احب أن اكون لوحديI love being alone.This sentence shows how to express a preference for being alone using لوحدي.Tatoeba #4911080 by mr_turki, translation #2208363 by CK
- لا تتركني لوحدي أرجوك.Don't leave me alone, please.This sentence is a request not to be left alone using لوحدي.Tatoeba #4224735 by Alaakhalid, translation #2208521 by CK
- لا يمكنني قضاء ليلة أخرى لوحدي.I can't spend another night alone.This sentence describes the inability to spend a night alone using لوحدي.Tatoeba #11960162 by dididodo, translation #8392881 by Amastan
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ziyad is leaving a party early.
- زياد Ziadسأعود إلى البيت لوحدي.Sa-a'oodu ila al-bayti lawahdi.I will go back home alone.
- نور Nourلماذا لا نذهب معاً يا زياد؟Limadha la nadhabu ma'an ya Ziyad?Why don't we go together, Ziyad?
- زياد Ziadأريد أن أفكر لوحدي قليلاً.Ureedu an ufakkira lawahdi qalilan.I want to think by myself for a bit.
- نور Nourحسناً، تصبح على خير.Hasanan, tusbih 'ala khayr.Alright, good night.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
