بِالْمُنَاسَبَةِ
bi-l-munāsaba
The English phrase 'by the way' is translated into Arabic as بِالْمُنَاسَبَةِ (bi-l-munāsaba). Wiktionary also lists عَلَى فِكْرَةٍ (ʕalā fikratin).
Meaning: incidentally (prep_phrase)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| بِالْمُنَاسَبَةِ | bi-l-munāsaba |
| عَلَى فِكْرَةٍ | ʕalā fikratin |
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase بِالْمُنَاسَبَةِ is composed of the preposition 'bi-' (with/by), the definite article 'al-' (the) and 'munāsaba' (occasion/suitability), literally meaning 'with the occasion' or 'by the occasion'.
Which one should you use?
بِالْمُنَاسَبَةِ is the more formal or standard way to say 'by the way' compared to the colloquial alternative, while عَلَى فِكْرَةٍ is a common, more informal way to say 'by the way' in spoken Arabic dialects.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, عَلَى فِكْرَةٍ is equivalent to 'by the way'.
How do you pronounce it?
bi-l-munāsaba
Did you know?
- The phrase عَلَى فِكْرَةٍ literally translates to 'upon a thought', which creates a more mental and abstract image than the English 'by the way'.
- In many Arabic dialects, عَلَى فِكْرَةٍ is often used not just to change the subject, but as a subtle way to introduce a correction or a 'just so you know' warning.
- The root of بِالْمُنَاسَبَةِ relates to the word for 'suitability' or 'proportion', suggesting that the new topic is 'fitting' for the current moment.
Examples in context
- بالمناسبة، سمعت أن سارة ستسافر الأسبوع المقبلBy the way, I heard that Sarah will be traveling next week.
- على فكرة، ناوين نروح الأسبوع اللي جايBy the way, we're planning to go next week.
- بِالْمُنَاسَبَةِ، أَيْنَ مِفْتَاحِي؟bi-l-munāsabati, ayna miftāḥī?By the way, where is my key?
- بِالْمُنَاسَبَةِ، هَذَا الْكِتَابُ جَمِيلٌ جِدًّا.bi-l-munāsabati, hādhā al-kitābu jamīlun jiddan.By the way, this book is very beautiful.
- بِالْمُنَاسَبَةِ، أُرِيدُ الْقَهْوَةَ الآنَ.bi-l-munāsabati, urīdu al-qahwata al-āna.By the way, I want coffee now.
Example conversation
Omar and Maryam are sitting in a cafe.
- عمر Omarهَذَا الْمَكَانُ رَائِعٌ.hādhā al-makānu rā'i'un.This place is wonderful.
- مريم Maryamنَعَمْ، هُوَ هَادِئٌ.na'am, huwa hādi'un.Yes, it is quiet.
- عمر Omarبِالْمُنَاسَبَةِ، هَلْ أَتَيْتِ مَعَ أَخِيكِ؟bi-l-munāsabati, hal atayti ma'a akhīki?By the way, did you come with your brother?
- مريم Maryamلَا، جِئْتُ وَحْدِي.lā, ji'tu waḥdī.No, I came alone.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “by the way” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
