Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “wait” in Arabic. In this guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways to express this word, with a focus on Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and some regional variations. By the end of this guide, you will be equipped to use the appropriate Arabic term for “wait” in various contexts. Let’s begin!
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Formal Ways to Say “Wait” in Arabic
In formal contexts or when speaking in a more professional setting, you may prefer to use the following phrases to convey the meaning of “wait” in Arabic:
1. انتظر (Intadhir)
This is the most common and general term used in Modern Standard Arabic to express “wait.” It can be used in almost any situation and is widely understood across Arabic-speaking countries. Here are some examples:
Example 1: انتظر هنا، من فضلك. (Intadhir huna, min fadlik)
Translation: Wait here, please.
Example 2: انتظر لحظة، سأعود قريباً. (Intadhir lahza, sa’aoodu qareeban)
Translation: Wait a moment, I will be back soon.
2. أمهل (Amhil)
Used in more formal contexts, أمهل conveys the sense of “wait” or “give me some time.” It implies a request for patience. Consider the following examples:
Example 1: أمهلني يوماً واحداً للتفكير. (Amhileeniyawman wahidan liltafakkur)
Translation: Give me one day to think.
Example 2: أمهلتهم بضع دقائق لكي يتوجهوا إلى الاجتماع. (Amhalthum bi’ada daqaiq liki yatoowajahu ‘ila alijtima’)
Translation: I gave them a few minutes to attend the meeting.
Informal Ways to Say “Wait” in Arabic
When you’re in a casual or familiar setting, you can use the following colloquial expressions to say “wait” in Arabic:
1. صبراً وشويَّة (Sabran w shwayyah)
In informal contexts, this phrase, translating to “wait a little,” is commonly used among Arabic speakers. Here are some examples:
Example 1: صبراً وشويَّة، دقائق قليلة وأنا آتي. (Sabran w shwayyah, daqaiq qaleela wa ana ati)
Translation: Wait a little, I’ll come in a few minutes.
Example 2: انتظرني صبراً وشويَّة بعد العشاء. (Intadhirni sabran w shwayyah ba’d al’asha’)
Translation: Wait for me a little after dinner.
2. أنتظر شويَّة (Intadhir shwayyah)
This is another informal way to ask someone to wait for a short period. Here are a couple of examples:
Example 1: أنتظر شويَّة، سأكون هنا قريباً. (Intadhir shwayyah, sa’akoon huna qareeban)
Translation: Wait a bit, I’ll be here soon.
Example 2: أنتظر شويَّة قبل أن ننطلق. (Intadhir shwayyah qabl an nantalaq)
Translation: Wait a bit before we leave.
Regional Variations
While Modern Standard Arabic is widely understood throughout the Arab world, regional variations do exist. Let’s look at a few variations of how to say “wait” in specific regions:
Egyptian Arabic:
In Egypt, you may hear the term اصبر (Sobr) frequently used, which simply means “wait.” Here is an example:
Example: اصبر شوية، حيجي على طول. (Sobr shwayya, haygey ‘ala tool)
Translation: Wait a bit, they will come right away.
Gulf Arabic:
In the Gulf region, you can often hear the specific term خلّك (Khallik), which can be used to tell someone to “stay” or “wait.” Here is an example:
Example: خلّك قاعد، بشوف شيء. (Khallik qa’id, bishooof shay’)
Translation: Stay seated, I’ll check something.
Final Thoughts
Congratulations! You have now learned different ways to say “wait” in Arabic. Remember to choose the appropriate phrase depending on the level of formality and the Arabic-speaking region you find yourself in. Continuing to practice these phrases in context will contribute greatly to your Arabic language skills. Happy conversing!
