What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb tawaqqaf (stop), the preposition an (from/about) and the gerund al-bukā (the crying).
Which one should you use?
While توقف عن البكاء is a standard way to express this, you can also use كفى بكاءً to mean "enough crying" or the informal خلاص to mean "stop" or "enough".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal tone, you can use كفى بكاءً which means "enough crying". In very informal or colloquial settings, you might hear بس خلاص to mean "enough already" or "stop it".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many spoken Arabic dialects, people use بس خلاص as a natural, informal way to tell someone to stop an emotional outburst or a repetitive action.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a female, use توقفي عن البكاء. To address a group of people, use the plural form توقفوا عن البكاء.
How do you pronounce it?
tawaqqaf 'an al-bukā'
Did you know?
- The preposition عن used in توقف عن البكاء is etymologically linked to the root for 'eye' and 'vision', suggesting an action of distancing oneself from a sight.
- The word بس used to mean 'stop' or 'enough' literally translates to 'only' in Arabic.
- The root of the verb توقف is the same root used for 'standing' or 'stationing' oneself.
Examples in context
- ارجوكِ كفى بكاءًPlease, enough crying.
- خلاص، لا تبكيEnough, don't cry.
- توقف عن البكاء الآن.tawaqqaf 'an al-buka' al-aan.Stop crying now.
- من فضلك، توقف عن البكاء.min fadlik, tawaqqaf 'an al-buka'.Please, stop crying.
- توقف عن البكاء، الأمر بسيط.tawaqqaf 'an al-buka', al-amr baseet.Stop crying, it is simple.
Example conversation
Ahmed is comforting Leila after she dropped her ice cream.
- أحمد Ahmedلا تحزني يا ليلى.La tahzani ya Layla.Don't be sad, Layla.
- ليلى Laylaلكنني أحب المثلجات!Lakinnani uhibbu al-muthallajat!But I love ice cream!
- أحمد Ahmedتوقف عن البكاء، سأشتري لكِ واحدة أخرى.Tawaqqaf 'an al-buka', sa-ashtari laki wahidatan ukhra.Stop crying, I will buy you another one.
- ليلى Laylaشكراً لك يا أحمد.Shukran laka ya Ahmad.Thank you, Ahmed.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries توقف, عن, CC BY-SA 4.0.
