Ways to say it
| Iraqi Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| بكرة | bukra | |
| باجر | bacher | also heard, Gulf influenced |
| بعد بكرة | ba'ad bukra | day after tomorrow |
Some Iraqis, especially in the south closer to the Gulf, also say باجر (bacher), the same word used across the Gulf for tomorrow. بعد بكرة (ba'ad bukra) means 'the day after tomorrow'.
What does it mean word for word?
بكرة shares its root with the word for 'early morning', بكرة also meaning 'early'. بعد means 'after'.
Which one should you use?
بكرة is the word most Iraqis use day to day, shared with the Levant and Egypt. باجر marks a speaker as influenced by Gulf speech, more common in Basra and the south.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Neither word is formal or informal in itself. Both are the plain, everyday way to talk about tomorrow.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The split between بكرة and باجر roughly follows Iraq's geography, with باجر more common toward the Gulf-facing south.
How does it change in a sentence?
To talk about further days ahead, Iraqis keep stacking بعد: بعد بعد بكرة means 'three days from now'.
How do you pronounce it?
بكرة is said with the stress on the first syllable, 'BUK-ra', with a short, clipped second syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Learners sometimes assume باجر is the only Iraqi word for tomorrow because it resembles Gulf speech, but بكرة is in fact the more widespread form across the country.
When do people say it?
As in much of the region, plans made for بكرة are often said with إن شاء الله, 'God willing', leaving room for change.
Did you know?
- بكرة and the word for 'early morning' share the same root, linking the idea of tomorrow to the next sunrise rather than a full day ahead.
- Hearing باجر instead of بكرة is one small clue that points to a speaker from southern Iraq, closer to the Gulf.
Examples in context
- نشوفك بكرة الصبح؟nshufak bukra is-subh?Shall we see you tomorrow morning?
- بكرة عندي دوام بس بعد بكرة فاضي.bukra indi dawam bas ba'ad bukra fathi.I have work tomorrow but I am free the day after.
- إن شاء الله بكرة أحسن.in sha' Allah bukra ahsan.God willing tomorrow will be better.
Example conversation
Zainab and her friend Hiba plan a visit to Baghdad.
- Zainabتقدرين تجين بكرة؟tigdareen tjeen bukra?Can you come tomorrow?
- Hibaبكرة ما أقدر، بس بعد بكرة زينة.bukra ma agdar, bas ba'ad bukra zeina.I can't tomorrow, but the day after works.
- Zainabزين، نحدد الساعة بعدين.zein, nhaddid is-sa'a ba'dein.Good, we'll fix the time later.
- Hibaتمام، إن شاء الله يصير زين.tamam, in sha' Allah ysir zein.Okay, God willing it will go well.
