Loading...
Await
انتظر (intaẓara) is a common Arabic verb meaning 'to await,' 'to wait for,' or 'to expect.' It expresses the action of remaining in a state of expectancy for someone or something to arrive or occur. This verb is frequently used in both formal and informal contexts to describe waiting with anticipation or patience.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
Get a new Arabic word delivered to your inbox every day — with pronunciation, meaning, and cultural context.
أنا أنتظر الحافلة في محطة النقل.
Anā antaẓiru al-ḥāfilah fī maḥṭṭat an-naql.
I am waiting for the bus at the transportation station.
هل تنتظر صديقك أمام المدرسة؟
Hal tantaẓiru ṣadīqak amāma al-madrasa?
Are you waiting for your friend in front of the school?
انتظرنا ساعة كاملة حتى وصل.
Intaẓarnā sāʿa kāmila ḥattā waṣal.
We waited for a full hour until he arrived.
لا تنتظر الكثير من الحياة، استمتع باللحظة الحالية.
Lā tantaẓir al-kathīr min al-ḥayāh, istamtaʿ bi-al-laḥẓa al-ḥāliya.
Don't expect too much from life; enjoy the present moment.
ننتظر أخبارك بفارغ الصبر.
Nantaẓiru akhbārak bi-fārigh aṣ-ṣabr.
We await your news with bated breath.
In Arab culture, waiting and patience (صبر - sabr) are considered virtues deeply rooted in Islamic teachings. The phrase 'انتظار بفارغ الصبر' (waiting with bated breath) reflects the cultural value placed on patience and endurance. Waiting in Arab communities often carries a social dimension, with people frequently gathering together while waiting, making it a communal experience rather than an individual one.
Remember that انتظر takes a direct object (the thing being waited for) and can be followed by either an infinitive or a noun. When expressing 'waiting for someone,' use 'انتظر + person,' such as 'انتظرت صديقتي' (I waited for my friend). The verb changes form based on the subject pronoun, so practice conjugations with different subjects to master its use in conversation.
The Arabic verb انتظر (intaẓara) is one of the most commonly used words in everyday Arabic conversation. It means 'to await,' 'to wait,' 'to wait for,' or 'to expect.' This versatile verb appears in both modern standard Arabic (MSA) and colloquial dialects, making it essential for learners at all proficiency levels.
انتظر is a regular Arabic verb (Form VIII) derived from the root ظ-ر-ر, which relates to concepts of seeing, watching, and observing. The verb conjugates according to the subject and tense:
The past tense follows similar patterns: انتظرت (intaẓart - I waited), انتظرنا (intaẓarnā - we waited).
One of the most frequent uses of انتظر is to express waiting for someone to arrive or waiting for something to happen. For example:
The verb also conveys the meaning of expectation or anticipation of future events:
In many contexts, انتظر carries connotations of patience and perseverance, particularly in traditional or literary usage.
The noun form انتظار (intaẓār) means 'waiting' or 'expectation.' The active participle منتظر (muntaẓar) means 'awaited' or 'expected,' often used in phrases like "الضيف المنتظر" (the expected guest).
In Arab culture, the concept of waiting is often associated with the virtue of patience (صبر - sabr), which holds deep religious and philosophical significance. The famous phrase "انتظار بفارغ الصبر" literally means 'waiting with emptied patience,' expressing eager anticipation or waiting with great expectation.
When using انتظر, always remember to include the object of your waiting. Unlike English where we sometimes omit it, Arabic typically requires clarity about what or whom you're waiting for. Additionally, this verb frequently appears in hospitality contexts: "في انتظارك" (in awaiting you/looking forward to seeing you) is a common polite expression.
The phrase "انتظر قليلاً" (wait a moment) is one of the most useful in daily conversation. You'll also frequently hear "لا تنتظر طويلاً" (don't wait long) and the formal "في انتظاركم" (awaiting you all).
Mastering انتظر opens doors to more natural, fluent Arabic communication, as it's deeply embedded in daily discourse and social interactions throughout the Arab world.