لاحقاً
lahiqan
The Arabic word for later is لاحقاً (lahiqan).
لاحقاً is an adverb used to indicate that an action will occur afterward in time.
Meaning: afterward in time (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The word لاحقاً is derived from the root ل–ح–ق (l-ḥ-q), which relates to the concept of following, catching up or succeeding.
Which one should you use?
While لاحقاً is a direct adverb meaning later, فِيمَا بَعْد is a more formal phrase typically used to mean afterward or subsequently within a narrative or a logical sequence. Additionally, بعدين is the colloquial way to express the same idea in spoken dialects.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
لاحقاً is used in Modern Standard Arabic. For highly formal conversations or written texts, you may use فِيمَا بَعْد. In informal, everyday spoken Arabic, the word بعدين is much more common.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Levantine Arabic, you might hear the specific phrase بشوفك بعدين to mean I'll see you later.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
lahiqan
Did you know?
- In many Arabic dialects, saying بعدين (later) can sometimes imply 'never' or 'not now' depending on the tone, often used to politely postpone a request indefinitely.
- The concept of 'catching up' is hidden within the word لاحقاً, suggesting that the 'later' event is chasing the present moment.
- While لاحقاً is the standard dictionary term, using it in a casual street conversation might make you sound like a news anchor or a character in a historical drama.
Examples in context
- من فضلك إتّصل بي لاحقاً.Please call me up later.This sentence shows how to ask someone to call you لاحقاً.Tatoeba #370613 by saeb, translation #240126 by CK
- لنناقش هذه المشكلة لاحقاً.Let's discuss that problem later.This sentence is used to suggest discussing a problem لاحقاً.Tatoeba #1108633 by saeb, translation #1101569 by CK
- قالت بأنها ستتصل بك لاحقاً.She says she will call you later.This sentence describes a person stating they will call لاحقاً.Tatoeba #508764 by saeb, translation #313542 by CK
- أراك فيما بعد.See you later.
- بشوفك بعدين.I'll see you later.
- آجي بعدين.I'll come later.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Omar and Noor are deciding when to go to the store.
- عمر Omarهل تريد الذهاب إلى السوق الآن؟Hal tureed al-dhahab ila al-souq al-an?Do you want to go to the market now?
- نور Nourأنا مشغولة الآن، لنذهب لاحقاً.Ana mashghoola al-an, lanadhhab lahiqan.I am busy now, let's go later.
- عمر Omarمتى يكون الوقت مناسباً لكِ؟Mata yakoon al-waqt munasiban laki?When would the time be convenient for you?
- نور Nourيمكننا الذهاب بعد ساعة لاحقاً.Yumkinuna al-dhahab ba'da sa'a lahiqan.We can go an hour later.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
