قيد البناء
Abuilding
Difficulty Level
Description
قيد البناء (qaid al-bina') is a prepositional phrase meaning 'under construction' or 'in the process of being built.' It describes something, typically a building or project, that is currently being constructed and not yet completed. This phrase is commonly used in real estate, construction contexts, and general descriptions of ongoing building projects.
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Example Sentences
المبنى الجديد قيد البناء ويتوقع أن ينتهي في نهاية السنة.
Al-mabna al-jadid qaid al-bina' wa yatawaqaa' an yantahi fi nihayat al-sana.
The new building is under construction and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
الطريق السريعة قيد البناء لذا يرجى استخدام الطرق البديلة.
Al-tariq al-sari'a qaid al-bina' li-dhalika yurja' istikhdam al-turuq al-badila.
The highway is under construction, so please use alternative routes.
المشروع قيد البناء والعمال يعملون بجد لإنجازه بسرعة.
Al-mashroo' qaid al-bina' wa al-'ummal ya'malun bi-jidd li-injazih bi-sur'a.
The project is under construction and workers are working hard to complete it quickly.
المستشفى الجديد قيد البناء ويحتاج إلى ستة أشهر أخرى.
Al-mustashfa al-jadid qaid al-bina' wa yahtaj ila sitta ashur ukhra.
The new hospital is under construction and needs six more months.
منزلنا قيد البناء حالياً والعمل يسير بشكل جيد.
Manziluna qaid al-bina' haliyyan wa al-'amal yasir bi-shakl jayyid.
Our house is currently under construction and the work is progressing well.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Words
Cultural Notes
In Arabic-speaking countries, the phrase قيد البناء is frequently used in urban development contexts, real estate advertisements, and municipal announcements. This phrase reflects the rapid construction and modernization occurring throughout the Middle East and North Africa. It's a practical expression that helps manage public expectations about ongoing infrastructure projects and development timelines.
Usage Tips
Remember that قيد البناء is a fixed phrase where قيد means 'under' or 'pending' and البناء means 'construction.' Use it as a predicate nominative to describe the status of buildings or projects. It's commonly placed after the noun it modifies, similar to 'the building under construction' in English. This phrase works best when discussing concrete structures and development projects rather than abstract concepts.
Understanding قيد البناء (Under Construction)
The Arabic phrase قيد البناء (qaid al-bina') is a fundamental expression used across the Arab world to indicate that a building, project, or infrastructure is actively being constructed and not yet complete. This phrase combines two key words: قيد (qaid), meaning 'under' or 'pending,' and البناء (al-bina'), meaning 'construction' or 'building.'
Meaning and Usage
قيد البناء is a prepositional phrase that functions as a status descriptor for buildings and projects. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, from real estate advertisements to government announcements and daily conversations. When something is described as قيد البناء, it explicitly states that construction is ongoing and the structure or project is not yet finished or ready for use.
Grammar and Structure
The phrase consists of the preposition قيد (qaid) followed by the masculine noun البناء (al-bina'). In Arabic sentences, it typically appears as a predicate nominative after the verb 'to be' (كان, ان, or implied). For example: "المبنى قيد البناء" (al-mabna qaid al-bina') - "The building is under construction."
The phrase maintains its form regardless of whether it describes singular or plural nouns, making it a consistent and reliable expression for construction status descriptions. It can also be combined with temporal adverbs like الآن (now) or with future indicators like سيكون (will be) to specify the timing.
Common Contexts
You'll frequently encounter قيد البناء in:
- Real Estate Announcements: Developers use this phrase to advertise properties still under construction, often with projected completion dates
- Traffic Updates: Government agencies announce that roads or highways are قيد البناء to inform the public about traffic disruptions
- Infrastructure Projects: Municipal and national projects use this term in official statements
- Casual Conversation: Arabs discuss local construction projects using this phrase in everyday dialogue
Related Expressions
Several synonymous phrases convey similar meanings:
- في طور الإنشاء (fi tour al-insha') - literally "in the process of creation"
- قيد الإنجاز (qaid al-injaz) - "under completion"
- في مرحلة البناء (fi marhalat al-bina') - "in the construction phase"
These alternatives may carry slightly different emphases but generally communicate the same status of ongoing construction.
Cultural Context
Across the Middle East and North Africa, rapid urbanization and infrastructure development have made قيد البناء an increasingly common phrase in daily life. Major cities from Cairo to Dubai experience constant construction, making this expression essential for discussing urban development. The phrase reflects the region's ongoing modernization and expansion.
Practical Examples in Real Estate
When browsing Arabic real estate websites or reading property descriptions, you'll commonly see: "شقة قيد البناء بسعر مميز" (apartment under construction at a special price). This indicates that buyers can purchase the property before completion, often at reduced prices, with the agreement that they'll receive it upon construction completion.
Using قيد البناء Correctly
When learning to use this phrase, remember that it's typically permanent in form and doesn't change based on gender or number of the noun it describes. You should place it after the noun it modifies: "الفندق قيد البناء" (the hotel is under construction), not before it.
The phrase is most appropriately used for concrete, physical structures and projects rather than abstract concepts. It's professional enough for formal business writing but casual enough for everyday conversation, making it versatile across contexts.
Conclusion
قيد البناء is an essential Arabic phrase for anyone living in or doing business in Arab countries. Understanding this expression allows learners to comprehend real estate discussions, follow news about infrastructure projects, and participate in conversations about local development. Its straightforward structure and clear meaning make it an achievable target for intermediate Arabic learners.