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Tenser
متوتر (mutawattir) is an adjective meaning 'tense,' 'stressed,' or 'strained.' It describes a state of emotional or physical tension, anxiety, or strain. The word is commonly used to describe both mental/emotional states and situations characterized by tension or difficulty.
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كان متوتراً قبل امتحانه الهام.
Kāna mutawattiran qabla imtiḥānuhu al-muhimm.
He was tense before his important exam.
الأجواء متوترة جداً في المكتب بعد قرار الشركة.
Al-ajwā' mutawattira jiddan fī al-maktab baʿda qarār al-sharika.
The atmosphere is very tense at the office after the company's decision.
شعرت بعلاقتنا متوترة في الأسابيع الأخيرة.
Shaʿart bi-ʿalāqatinā mutawattira fī al-asābiʿ al-akhīra.
I felt our relationship was strained in recent weeks.
إن الأوضاع السياسية متوترة للغاية.
Inna al-awḍāʿ al-siyāsiyya mutawattira li-al-ghāya.
The political situation is extremely tense.
يبدو متوتراً عندما يتحدث في الاجتماعات.
Yabdu mutawattiran ʿinda mā yatakallam fī al-ijtimāʿāt.
He appears tense when he speaks in meetings.
In Arab culture, emotional expression is important, and the word متوتر is frequently used in everyday conversations to describe both personal emotional states and broader social or political situations. The word reflects the Arabic-speaking world's attention to emotional and social dynamics, and is commonly heard in media, literature, and casual discussions about current events. Understanding this word helps learners recognize how Arabs discuss stress and tension in both personal relationships and public affairs.
Remember that متوتر is an adjective that agrees in gender and number with the noun it describes—use متوترة for feminine nouns and متوترون/متوترات for plurals. It can describe both people ('he is tense') and abstract situations ('the atmosphere is tense'). When speaking with native speakers, using this word naturally will help you discuss emotional states and current situations more authentically.
The Arabic adjective متوتر (mutawattir) translates to "tense," "stressed," or "strained" in English. It is one of the most commonly used words in modern Arabic to express states of anxiety, tension, or emotional strain. The word comes from the root و-ت-ر and is formed as a participle from the verb توتّر (tawattara), which means "to become tense" or "to strain."
As an adjective, متوتر must agree with the noun it modifies in gender and number:
Example: "الرجل متوتر" (al-rajul mutawattir) - "The man is tense," but "المرأة متوترة" (al-marʾa mutawattira) - "The woman is tense."
متوتر is used in a wide range of contexts in Arabic:
Understanding the word family around متوتر helps deepen comprehension:
Native speakers frequently use متوتر in these common phrases:
When learning متوتر, it's helpful to know similar words that express related concepts:
The opposite states to متوتر include:
In Arab culture, discussing emotions and social dynamics is a natural and important part of communication. The word متوتر reflects this cultural emphasis on emotional awareness and social sensitivity. You'll frequently hear it in:
When using متوتر, remember:
متوتر (mutawattir) is an essential adjective for learners of Arabic who want to express and understand emotional states and social situations. Its widespread use in modern Arabic media, literature, and everyday conversation makes it an important word to master. By understanding its grammatical properties, cultural context, and related vocabulary, you'll significantly enhance your ability to communicate naturally with Arabic speakers about feelings, relationships, and current events.