اصبر
isbir
To say 'have patience' in Arabic, use اصبر (isbir).
This phrase is an instruction to remain calm and tolerant while waiting for something or enduring a difficult situation.
What does it mean word for word?
The command اصبر is derived from a root meaning to be patient or to endure.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the command changes depending on who you are addressing. Use اصبر (isbir) when addressing a single male, اصبري (isbirī) when addressing a female and اصبروا (isbirū) when addressing a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
isbir
Did you know?
- In Arabic, الصبر (as-sabr) refers to both the virtue of patience and the bitter aloe vera plant. The linguistic connection suggests that enduring hardship is as bitter as tasting aloe.
- The root of اصبر is shared with the word for 'grip' or 'binding'. In an ancient sense, patience was viewed not as a passive wait but as an active act of binding one's soul to prevent it from reacting.
- In many Arabic dialects, instead of using the command form, people say الصبر جميل (al-sabru jamīl), which means 'patience is beautiful'.
Examples in context
- اصبر، فالفرج قريب.isbir, fal-faraju qarib.Have patience, relief is near.
- اصبر على هذا الوضع الصعب.isbir 'ala hadha al-wad' al-sa'b.Have patience with this difficult situation.
- اصبر قليلاً حتى ينتهي العمل.isbir qalilan hatta yantahiya al-'amal.Have patience a little longer until the work is finished.
Example conversation
Ziyad is feeling frustrated while waiting for a slow computer.
- زياد Ziadهذا الكمبيوتر بطيء جداً!hadha al-kumbyutar bati' jiddan!This computer is very slow!
- ليلى Laylaاصبر يا زياد، إنه يحمل الملفات.isbir ya Ziyad, innahu yuhammil al-malaffat.Have patience, Ziyad, it is loading the files.
- زياد Ziadلكنني في عجلة من أمري.lakinnani fi ajala min amri.But I am in a hurry.
- ليلى Laylaسينتهي الأمر في دقيقة واحدة.sayantahi al-amr fi daqiqa wahida.It will be finished in one minute.
