استنّى
istannamasculine, everyday
In Lebanese Arabic "wait" is استنّى (istanna) when you speak to a man and استنّي (istanni) to a woman. To a group you say استنّو (istannu).
Meaning: to stay until something happens (verb)
Ways to say it
| Lebanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| استنّى | istanna | masculine, everyday |
| استنّي | istanni | feminine, everyday |
Add شوي (shwayy) for "a little": استنّى شوي (istanna shwayy). To ask someone to wait for you, say استنّيني (istannīni).
Which one should you use?
Standard Arabic uses انتظر (intaẓir). Lebanese speakers say استنّى in everyday talk.
Did you know?
- People often ask for a moment with ثانية (tānye), "a second", or دقيقة (daʔīʔa), "a minute", instead of the verb.
Examples in context
- استنّى شوي.istanna shwayy.Wait a little.
- استنّيني عالباب.istannīni ʿal-bāb.Wait for me at the door.
- عم استنّاك من ساعة.ʿam istannāk min sāʿa.I have been waiting for you for an hour.
Example conversation
Dalia and her friend Maher are about to leave a café.
- Daliaاستنّى شوي، نسيت شنطتي.istanna shwayy, nsīt shanṭti.Wait a little, I forgot my bag.
- Maherماشي، عم استنّاكي برّا.māshi, ʿam istannāki barra.Okay, I am waiting for you outside.
- Daliaجاية هلق.jāye hallaʔ.I am coming now.
