اصبر
isbir
To say "be patient" in Arabic, you use اصبر (isbir).
The phrase is used as a request or command to encourage someone to remain calm and tolerant while waiting or enduring a difficult situation.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the command form, you must change it based on who you are addressing: use اصبري (isbirī) when addressing a female and اصبروا (isbirū) when addressing a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
isbir
Did you know?
- The root word صبر (sabr) is also the Arabic word for the 'aloe vera' plant, because the plant's bitterness is seen as a metaphor for the bitterness of enduring hardship.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, the command اصبر is often paired with the phrase صبر جميل, which translates to 'a beautiful patience'. It implies enduring a hardship without complaining to others.
- The word for 'patient' as a person, صابر, is also used in formal contexts to describe someone who is extremely reliable and steady in their work or character.
Examples in context
- كن صبوراًBe patient
- اصبر، فالفرج قريب.Isbir, fal-faraju qarib.Be patient, relief is near.
- اصبر على هذا الظرف الصعب.Isbir 'ala hadha al-zarf al-sa'b.Be patient with this difficult circumstance.
- اصبر قليلاً حتى ينتهي العمل.Isbir qalilan hatta yantahi al-'amal.Be patient a little until the work is finished.
Example conversation
A woman is encouraging her brother while they wait in a long queue.
- سارة Saraاصبر يا عمر، سنصل قريباً.Isbir ya Omar, sanasilu qariban.Be patient, Omar, we will arrive soon.
- عمر Omarالطابور طويل جداً يا سارة.Al-taburu tawilun jiddan ya Sarah.The queue is very long, Sarah.
- سارة Saraأعلم، لكن اصبر قليلاً فقط.A'lam, lakin isbir qalilan faqat.I know, but just be patient a little.
- عمر Omarحسناً، سأحاول أن أكون هادئاً.Hasanan, sa-uhawilu an akuna hadi'an.Okay, I will try to be calm.
