انتظر من فضلك
intazir min fadlik
In Arabic, "please wait" is translated as انتظر من فضلك (intazir min fadlik).
This phrase is used as a polite request to ask someone to stay where they are or to delay an action for a short time.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the phrase changes depending on whom you are addressing. The default form انتظر من فضلك is used when addressing a male. To address a female, change the verb and the suffix to انتظري من فضلك. To address a group of people, use the plural form انتظروا من فضلكم.
How do you pronounce it?
intazir min fadlik
Did you know?
- The word فضل in the phrase من فضلك literally means 'grace' or 'virtue'. When you ask someone to wait, you are essentially asking them to act out of their inherent goodness or generosity toward you.
- While انتظر is the standard way to say 'wait', in many Arabic dialects, people might use the word استنى (istanna) instead. This is often more common in daily street conversation than the formal version found in textbooks.
- In highly formal Modern Standard Arabic, the phrase من فضلك is often replaced by لو سمحت, which literally means 'if you allow'.
Examples in context
- أنت هناك! انتظر من فضلك.Hey you! Please wait.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use انتظر من فضلك in a direct command.Tatoeba #616572 by saeb, translation #410598 by CK
- انتظر من فضلك، أنا قادمة.intadhir min fadlik, ana qadima.Please wait, I am coming.
Example conversation
Laila and Ziad are at the door of a house.
- ليلى Laylaزياد، انتظر من فضلك!Ziad, intadhir min fadlik!Ziad, please wait!
- زياد Ziadماذا هناك يا ليلى؟Madha hunaka ya Laila?What is it, Laila?
- ليلى Laylaلقد نسيت مفاتيحك.Laqad nasita mafatihaka.You forgot your keys.
- زياد Ziadشكراً لكِ.Shukran laki.Thank you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
