في أي وقت
fī ’ayyi waqt
The English phrase 'anytime' is translated into Arabic as في أي وقت (fī ’ayyi waqt).
في أي وقت is used as an adverb to indicate that an action can occur at any time.
Meaning: at any time (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition في (in), the word أي (any) and the word وقت (time/moment).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
في أي وقت is a standard phrase that is appropriate for both formal writing and polite spoken conversation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Gulf region, the colloquial way to say 'anytime' is أي وقت تبغى.
How do you pronounce it?
fī ’ayyi waqt
Did you know?
- The word وقت might be a 'doublet' of the Arabic word بَخْت, meaning 'luck'. Both may have been borrowed from an old Iranian word meaning 'distributed share' or 'lot'.
Examples in context
- سيسعدني أن أساعدك في أي وقت.I will be glad to help you anytime.This sentence shows how to use في أي وقت to offer help.Tatoeba #392735 by saeb, translation #66203 by CK
- بإمكانك استخدامها في أي وقت.You can use it anytime.This sentence shows how to use في أي وقت to indicate when something can be used.Tatoeba #595443 by saeb, translation #66194 by CK
- يمكنك الاتصال بي في أي وقت.yumkinuka al-ittisal bi fi ayyi waqt.You can call me at any time.
Example conversation
Omar and Layla are discussing a meeting.
- عمر Omarمتى يمكننا التحدث يا ليلى؟mata yumkinuna al-tahadduth ya Layla?When can we talk, Layla?
- ليلى Laylaأنا متاحة في أي وقت اليوم.ana mutaha fi ayyi waqt al-yawm.I am available anytime today.
- عمر Omarسأتصل بكِ بعد ساعة إذاً.sa-attasilu biki ba'da sa'a idhan.I will call you after an hour then.
- ليلى Laylaحسناً، أنا بانتظارك.hasanan, ana bi-intizarika.Okay, I am waiting for you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries أي, في, وقت, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
