اهدأ من فضلك
ihda' min faḍlik
The English phrase "please be quiet" can be translated into Arabic as اهدأ من فضلك (ihda' min faḍlik).
اهدأ من فضلك is used as a polite request for someone to stop making noise or to calm down.
Which one should you use?
While اهدأ من فضلك is a polite request, the word اسكت is a much more blunt and potentially rude way to say "shut up".
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a group of people instead of an individual, the verb changes to اهدأوا من فضلكم.
How do you pronounce it?
ihda' min faḍlik
Did you know?
- The phrase من فضلك (min fadlik) literally translates to 'from your grace' or 'from your favor', elevating the request from a mere command to a compliment of the listener's character.
- In certain much more casual settings, an Arabic speaker might say خلاص (khalas), which means 'enough' or 'finished', to demand silence.
- If you are in a library or a place of worship, simply gesturing with a finger to your lips is often seen as more effective than even a polite اهدأ من فضلك.
Examples in context
- رجاءً، كن هادئًا في الصفPlease be quiet in the classroom
- إيه يا جماعة يا ريت تهدوا شويةHey guys, I wish you would be quiet a bit
- اهدأ من فضلك، الطفل نائم.ihda' min fadlak, al-tifl na'im.Please be quiet, the baby is sleeping.
Example conversation
Ahmed and Sarah are in a library.
- أحمد Ahmedسارة، اهدأ من فضلك، نحن في المكتبة.Sarah, ihda'i min fadlik, nahnu fil-maktaba.Sarah, please be quiet, we are in the library.
- سارة Saraأنا آسفة يا أحمد، لم أنتبه.ana asifa ya Ahmed, lam antabih.I am sorry Ahmed, I didn't notice.
- أحمد Ahmedلا بأس، فقط لنحافظ على الهدوء.la ba's, faqat linuhafiz 'ala al-hudu'.No problem, let's just keep the silence.
- سارة Saraحسناً، سأكون هادئة.hasanan, sa-akun hadi'a.Okay, I will be quiet.
