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Forecast
#10
التوقّع (at-tawaqqu') is an Arabic noun meaning 'forecast,' 'expectation,' or 'anticipation.' It refers to the act of predicting or expecting something to happen in the future, whether based on signs, data, or intuition. This word is commonly used in weather forecasts, business predictions, and everyday conversations about future events.
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التوقّع يشير إلى أن الأمطار ستهطل غداً.
At-tawaqqu' yashīru ilā anna al-amṭār satahṭilu ghadan.
The forecast indicates that rain will fall tomorrow.
لا يمكننا التوقّع بدقة ما سيحدث في المستقبل البعيد.
Lā yumkinunā at-tawaqqu' bi-diqqa mā sayaḥduthu fī al-mustaqbal al-ba'īd.
We cannot accurately forecast what will happen in the distant future.
توقّع الخبراء انخفاض أسعار النفط في الأسابيع القادمة.
Tawaqqu' al-khubarā' inkifāḍ as'ār an-naft fī al-asābī' al-qādima.
Experts forecast a decline in oil prices in the coming weeks.
التوقّعات الاقتصادية تبدو متفائلة هذا العام.
At-tawaqqu'āt al-iqtiṣādiyya tabdū mutafā'ila hādhā al-'ām.
Economic forecasts appear optimistic this year.
بناءً على التوقّع، سنشهد نمواً اقتصادياً قوياً.
Binā'an 'alā at-tawaqqu', sanshhadu numuwan iqtiṣādiyyan qawiyyan.
Based on the forecast, we will witness strong economic growth.
In Arabic-speaking countries, weather forecasts (التوقّعات الجوية) are essential due to the significant impact of weather on daily life, agriculture, and infrastructure. Economic and political forecasts are also widely discussed in media and academic circles. The concept of توقّع reflects the Islamic principle of planning for the future while acknowledging divine will (إن شاء الله).
Remember that التوقّع can be used both as a noun for 'forecast' and in verbal forms meaning 'to expect' or 'to anticipate.' In formal contexts like weather or business, use التوقّعات (plural). When expressing personal expectations, you might say 'أتوقّع' (I expect). Be aware that this word often implies some degree of uncertainty, unlike يقين (certainty).
The Arabic word التوقّع (at-tawaqqu') is a fundamental noun in Modern Standard Arabic that translates to 'forecast,' 'expectation,' or 'anticipation.' This word derives from the root و-ق-ع (w-q-'a), which carries meanings related to occurrence, timing, and position. The word has become increasingly important in contemporary Arabic, especially in media, business, and scientific contexts.
At its core, التوقّع refers to the act of predicting or expecting something to occur in the future. It encompasses both informed predictions based on data or scientific analysis and personal expectations based on observation or intuition. The term is neutral regarding accuracy—a forecast may prove correct or incorrect, but the word itself simply indicates the action of anticipation or prediction.
In contemporary Arabic-speaking media and society, التوقّع is extensively used across multiple domains:
Weather Forecasting: The phrase "التوقّعات الجوية" (at-tawaqqu'āt al-jawiyya) refers to weather forecasts and is a common fixture in daily news broadcasts. Given the climate challenges in many Arab regions, accurate weather forecasting is particularly important for agriculture, transportation, and public safety.
Economic and Financial Forecasts: Economists and financial analysts frequently use التوقّعات الاقتصادية to discuss future economic conditions, market trends, and growth projections. This usage is prominent in business news, government reports, and academic discussions.
Personal Expectations: In everyday conversation, people use forms of this word to express what they anticipate or expect to happen. The verb "أتوقّع" (atawaqqu') means "I expect" and is widely used in informal and formal settings.
As a noun, التوقّع follows standard Arabic grammatical patterns:
In Arab culture, the concept of forecasting and prediction holds both practical and philosophical significance. While modern forecasting relies on scientific methods and data analysis, there remains an awareness of the unpredictability of life and the Islamic concept of divine will (qadr). It's common to hear phrases like "إن شاء الله" (insha'Allah, God willing) used alongside forecasts, acknowledging that human predictions are subject to divine authority.
The rise of weather services, economic reports, and business analytics in Arab media reflects the region's modernization and integration into global economic systems. These forecasts are now essential for decision-making in agriculture, commerce, and urban planning across the Arab world.
Several related words help illuminate the semantic field around التوقّع:
When learning to use التوقّع, remember that it often implies some degree of uncertainty. Unlike words expressing certainty (like يقين), forecasts are inherently tentative. In formal writing, especially in news or academic contexts, you'll frequently see the plural form التوقّعات. In conversation, the verb forms (أتوقّع, يتوقّع) are more common than the noun form alone.
The phrase "حسب التوقّع" (hasba at-tawaqqu') meaning 'as expected' or 'as forecast' is useful for comparing predictions with actual outcomes. Conversely, "خلاف التوقّع" (khilāf at-tawaqqu') means 'contrary to expectations' and is used when reality diverges from predictions.
التوقّع represents a key vocabulary item for understanding modern Arabic discourse, particularly in news media, business communication, and scientific contexts. Whether discussing weather patterns, economic trends, or personal expectations, this word enables speakers to express anticipation and prediction with sophistication and nuance appropriate to both formal and informal Arabic communication.