انتظر
intazir
The English phrase "hold up" can be translated into Arabic as انتظر (intazir).
Meaning: to wait or delay (verb)
Which one should you use?
You may use ارجو الانتظار when you want to say "Please wait" and انتظر شوية when you mean "Wait a little".
How do you pronounce it?
intazir
Did you know?
- In many Arabic dialects, instead of saying 'wait', people use the word اصبر (isbir), which literally means 'be patient'. This shifts the focus from the time passing to the person's emotional state.
- When asking someone to wait, it is common to use the phrase الله يخليك meaning 'may God keep you' to soften the command انتظر.
- The root of انتظر is shared with the word for 'expectation' or 'hope' in Arabic.
Examples in context
- انتظر هنا قليلاً.intadhir huna qalilan.Wait here for a little while.
- انتظرني في الخارج.intadhirni fil-kharij.Wait for me outside.
Example conversation
Ziad and Maryam are leaving the house.
- زياد Ziadهيا بنا، نحن متأخرون.Hayya bina, nahnu muta'akhirun.Let's go, we are late.
- مريم Maryamانتظر يا زياد، نسيت مفتاحي.Intazir ya Ziyad, nasitu miftahi.Hold up Ziad, I forgot my key.
- زياد Ziadأين تركتِ المفتاح؟Ayna tarakti al-miftah?Where did you leave the key?
- مريم Maryamإنه على الطاولة في الداخل.Innahu 'ala al-tawila fil-dakhil.It is on the table inside.
