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mā fī kifāya
Not enough
ما في كفاية (mā fī kifāya) is a colloquial Arabic phrase meaning 'not enough' or 'insufficient.' It literally translates as 'there is not sufficiency' and is commonly used in everyday conversation across Arabic-speaking regions to express that something is inadequate or lacking. This phrase combines the negative particle 'ما' (mā) with 'في' (fī, meaning 'in' or 'there is') and 'كفاية' (kifāya, meaning 'sufficiency' or 'enough'), forming an idiomatic expression frequently heard in Modern Standard Arabic and various dialects.
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المال اللي عندك ما في كفاية للسفر.
Al-māl allī 'indak mā fī kifāya li-l-safar.
The money you have is not enough for the trip.
ما في كفاية وقت لإنهاء المشروع اليوم.
Mā fī kifāya waqt li-inhāʾ al-mashroʿ al-yawm.
There is not enough time to finish the project today.
هذا الطعام ما في كفاية لعشرة أشخاص.
Hādhā al-ṭaʿām mā fī kifāya li-ʿasharat ashkhāṣ.
This food is not enough for ten people.
ما في كفاية معلومات عن الموضوع.
Mā fī kifāya maʿlūmāt ʿan al-mawḍūʿ.
There is insufficient information about the subject.
الراتب ما في كفاية لتغطية المصروفات.
Al-rātib mā fī kifāya li-taghṭiyat al-masrūfāt.
The salary is not enough to cover expenses.
This phrase is extremely common in daily Arabic conversation, particularly in Modern Standard Arabic and colloquial dialects. Arabs frequently use this expression when discussing budgeting, time management, food portions, and resource allocation. The phrase reflects the practical, straightforward communication style of Arabic speakers when expressing needs and concerns about insufficiency in everyday situations.
Remember that 'ما في كفاية' is primarily a colloquial expression, so it's more common in spoken Arabic and informal writing than in formal written Arabic. The phrase can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns. Note that this is a negative construction, so you don't need to add another negative particle before the noun that follows.
The Arabic phrase ما في كفاية (mā fī kifāya) literally translates to 'there is not sufficiency,' but it's commonly used in Arabic to mean 'not enough' or 'insufficient.' This colloquial expression is widely used across Arabic-speaking countries in both formal and informal contexts, making it an essential phrase for learners of Arabic.
The phrase breaks down into three main components:
Together, these elements form a negation of sufficiency, expressing inadequacy or insufficiency. This construction is fundamental in Arabic and demonstrates how the language uses particle combinations to create meaningful expressions.
You'll hear ما في كفاية frequently in everyday conversations about:
When using this phrase, you should understand that it functions as a complete predicate expressing negation. When followed by a noun, the phrase directly precedes the noun without requiring additional negative particles. For example:
The phrase works with both countable nouns (like 'people' and 'books') and uncountable nouns (like 'money,' 'time,' and 'patience'), making it versatile for various contexts.
While ما في كفاية is common in colloquial Arabic, there are formal alternatives:
These variations allow you to express the same idea with different levels of formality depending on your context.
In Arab culture, expressing that something is 'not enough' is a practical and direct way to communicate needs and concerns. The phrase reflects the straightforward communication style prevalent in Arabic-speaking communities. Whether discussing family budgets, work projects, or social gatherings, Arabs regularly use this expression to manage expectations and address resource limitations.
Imagine you're planning a family gathering:
Or discussing a project deadline:
Or when budgeting:
When learning to use ما في كفاية, remember that:
ما في كفاية is an indispensable phrase for anyone learning Arabic, reflecting how the language expresses inadequacy and insufficiency in everyday communication. By mastering this phrase and its variations, you'll significantly improve your ability to express needs, concerns, and practical limitations in Arabic, whether in personal, professional, or academic settings.