انتبه
intabih
The phrase "be careful" in Arabic is translated as انتبه, or intabih.
انتبه is used as a warning to tell someone to pay attention to a potential danger or mistake. While it is a common way to say "be careful," it focuses more on mental alertness and noticing things than the physical act of avoiding a collision.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb انتبه is derived from a root meaning "to pay attention" or "to notice."
Which one should you use?
انتبه is focused on mental alertness. For the physical act of avoiding a collision or a more direct warning to watch out, one might use احذر.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the imperative changes depending on who you are addressing: انتبه is used for a single male, انتبهي is used for a single female and انتبهوا is used when addressing a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
intabih
Did you know?
- In some Arabic dialects, a common way to say 'be careful' is دير بالك, which literally translates to 'turn your mind' or 'take care of your mind'.
- When giving a warning in a highly formal or religious context, one might use حذارِ, a rare imperative form that conveys a much more severe or prophetic level of caution than the standard احذر.
- The root of انتبه is linked to the concept of waking up or becoming aware. It suggests a transition from a state of distraction to one of sharp focus.
Examples in context
- انتبه، الصندوق قابل للكسر.Be careful. The box is fragile.This sentence shows how to use انتبه to warn about a fragile object.Tatoeba #11896710 by Safa_Alfulaij, translation #6327179 by Hybrid
- انتبه لما تتمنّاه.But be careful what you wish for.This sentence uses انتبه in a cautionary sense regarding one's wishes.Tatoeba #6304020 by OsoHombre, translation #6302404 by OsoHombre
- .انتبهوا يا ناس. هناك مجرمين يسعون لتفشي الفيروس التاجي ليجنوا أموالا هائلة من بيع أدويتهمBe careful, people. There are criminals who seek the outbreak of the coronavirus to make huge money from selling their medications.This sentence demonstrates the plural form انتبهوا when addressing a group of people.Tatoeba #8651706 by MessDjaaf, translation #8651710 by MessDjaaf
Example conversation
Mariam is warning Omar about a hot plate on the table.
- مريم Maryamانتبه يا عمر، الصحن ساخن جداً.Intabih ya Omar, al-sahn sakhin jiddan.Be careful Omar, the plate is very hot.
- عمر Omarشكراً لكِ يا مريم، سأكون حذراً.Shukran laki ya Mariam, sa-akunu hadhiran.Thank you Mariam, I will be careful.
- مريم Maryamانتبه أيضاً من السائل المسكوب هنا.Intabih aydan min al-sa'il al-maskub huna.Be careful also of the spilled liquid here.
- عمر Omarحسناً، سأبتعد عن هذه المنطقة.Hasanan, sa-abta'id an hadhihi al-mintaqa.Okay, I will stay away from this area.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
