متأخر
muta'akhkhir
The English word 'late' is translated into Arabic as متأخر (muta'akhkhir).
The adjective متأخر is used to describe someone or something that is not arriving until after an expected time. In more formal contexts, if you wish to convey the idea of something being 'untimely' or 'inappropriate in terms of timing', you can use the expression غير ملائم للوقت.
Meaning: not arriving until after an expected time (adj)
Which one should you use?
The adjective متأخر is used to describe a noun, while the adverbial form مُتَأَخِّرًا is used to describe an action occurring past a designated time.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the colloquial expression متتأخرش is used to say 'don't be late'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, متأخر changes based on the noun it describes: use the feminine form متأخرة for feminine nouns and the masculine plural form متأخرون for a group of men or a mixed group. To use the word as an adverb meaning 'at a late hour', use the form متأخرًا.
How do you pronounce it?
muta'akhkhir
Did you know?
- While متأخر describes a person who is late, the word for a 'late' (deceased) person in formal Arabic is often expressed by the phrase المرحوم, which means 'the one who was shown mercy'.
- While متأخر means 'late', Arabic has a specific word, سهر, which describes the act of staying up late at night specifically for socializing or enjoyment.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, the concept of being متأخر is viewed more flexibly than in the West, often reflecting a 'polychronic' view of time where social relationships take precedence over strict schedules.
Examples in context
- وصلت متأخراً ليلة أمس.Last night I arrived late.This sentence shows how to use the form متأخر to describe arriving late.Tatoeba #458386 by saeb, translation #456291 by lukaszpp
- وصلتُ إلى البيت متأخرا.I got home late.This sentence uses the form متأخر to describe getting home late.Tatoeba #11636834 by elmassoudi, translation #11636877 by elmassoudi
- يظهر لي أن القطار متأخر.It seems to me that the train is late.This sentence uses the form متأخر to describe a late train.Tatoeba #608269 by Samer, translation #2456 by Zifre
- نعتذر عن التأخير في الاجتماع.We apologize for the delay in the meeting.
- آسف على أنني وصلت متأخراً.Sorry that I arrived late.
- آسف على التأخير.Sorry for the delay/lateness.
- الشاهد كان متأخرًا عن الموعد.The witness was late for the appointment.
- متتأخرش علينا.Don't be late on us.
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sara is waiting for Ziad at a cafe.
- سارة Saraهل أنت متأخر يا زياد؟hal anta muta'akhir ya Ziad?Are you late, Ziad?
- زياد Ziadنعم، أنا متأخر بسبب الزحام.na'am, ana muta'akhir bisabab al-zahma.Yes, I am late because of the traffic.
- سارة Saraلا بأس، لقد وصلت أخيراً.la ba's, laqad wasalta akhiran.It's okay, you finally arrived.
- زياد Ziadشكراً لسعة صدرك يا سارة.shukran li-sa'at sadrik ya Sara.Thank you for your patience, Sara.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
