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Busy
مشغول (mashghūl) is an adjective meaning 'busy' or 'occupied,' describing someone who is engaged in work, activities, or preoccupied with tasks. It conveys the state of being occupied or unavailable due to work or other commitments, and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to explain why someone cannot attend to another matter.
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أنا مشغول جداً بعملي في هذا المشروع.
Anā mashghūl jiddan bi-'amalī fī hādhā al-mashru'.
I am very busy with my work on this project.
والدي مشغول الآن، هل يمكنك الاتصال به لاحقاً؟
Wālidī mashghūl al-ān, hal yumkin-uk al-ittiṣāl bihi lāḥiqan?
My father is busy now, can you call him later?
كانت مشغولة في تحضير العشاء عندما وصلت.
Kānat mashghūlah fī taḥḍīr al-'ashā' 'indamā waṣalt.
She was busy preparing dinner when I arrived.
الشارع مشغول بالسيارات في ساعة الذروة.
Al-shāri' mashghūl bi-al-sayyārāt fī sā'at al-dhurah.
The street is congested with cars during rush hour.
لا أستطيع الحضور لأنني مشغول بالامتحانات.
Lā astāṭī' al-ḥuḍūr li-anna-nī mashghūl bi-al-imtiḥānāt.
I cannot attend because I am busy with exams.
In Arabic-speaking cultures, the term مشغول is frequently used as a polite excuse or explanation for unavailability, reflecting the importance of work and family responsibilities. The phrase 'مشغول البال' (mashghūl al-bāl), literally meaning 'busy in heart/mind,' is especially common and indicates being preoccupied or worried about something. It is considered a respectful way to acknowledge that someone cannot engage at present moment due to their commitments.
Remember that مشغول is an adjective that agrees with the noun it modifies in gender and number—مشغولة for feminine, مشغولون for masculine plural, and مشغولات for feminine plural. It can be used with the preposition 'ب' (bi-) to indicate what someone is busy with (e.g., مشغول بالعمل 'busy with work'). When declining an invitation or offer, saying أنا مشغول is a common and respectful way to politely refuse in Arabic culture.
The Arabic word مشغول (mashghūl) is one of the most commonly used adjectives in everyday Arabic conversation. It describes the state of being busy, occupied, or engaged in work or activities. Whether you're studying Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) or a regional dialect, understanding this word is essential for daily communication.
مشغول literally translates to 'busy' or 'occupied.' It is an adjective derived from the root ش-غ-ل (sh-gh-l), which relates to work and labor. The word is used to describe anyone or anything that is currently engaged, occupied, or unavailable due to activities or commitments. It can describe a person busy with work, a phone line that is busy, or even a street congested with traffic.
As an adjective, مشغول must agree with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case:
In conversation, the adjective typically follows the noun: الرجل المشغول (al-rajul al-mashghūl) means 'the busy man.'
The most common usage pattern involves the preposition ب (bi-, meaning 'with' or 'by') to indicate what someone is busy with:
This construction is extremely common in both formal and informal contexts and allows speakers to specify the nature of their busy schedule.
One of the most culturally significant phrases is مشغول البال (mashghūl al-bāl), which literally means 'busy in the heart/mind.' This expression goes beyond simple busyness—it indicates preoccupation, worry, or distress. When someone is مشغول البال, they are mentally or emotionally occupied with something, often something concerning or important.
Example: إنه مشغول البال بأخباره (Innahū mashghūl al-bāl bi-akhbārihi) - 'He is preoccupied with his news' or 'He is worried about what has happened to him.'
While مشغول is the primary word for 'busy,' several related terms offer subtle variations:
The opposite of مشغول includes:
In business and professional environments, مشغول is used to indicate unavailability:
In casual interactions, it's a polite way to decline invitations:
Beyond people, مشغول can describe situations:
In Arabic-speaking cultures, explaining that one is مشغول is considered a respectful and sufficient excuse. The concept of being busy is deeply tied to notions of productivity and responsibility, which are highly valued. Using this term appropriately demonstrates that you respect the time and commitments of others.
The phrase مشغول البال carries particular cultural weight, as emotional and mental preoccupation is acknowledged as a valid reason for reduced availability or altered behavior. It shows understanding and compassion for someone's emotional state.
To master this word, practice using it in complete sentences with the preposition ب to indicate what you're busy with. Listen to Arabic media, podcasts, or conversations to hear natural usage. Pay attention to how native speakers use مشغول جداً (very busy) for emphasis. Remember that this word is gendered, so practice the four forms: مشغول، مشغولة، مشغولون، مشغولات until gender agreement becomes automatic.
Understanding مشغول and its various uses will significantly enhance your ability to engage in meaningful Arabic conversations about daily life, work, and emotional states.