Bedeutung
About to happen, very close to doing something.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is a polite way to manage expectations. In a culture where hospitality is key, saying 'I am about to arrive' (أنا على وشك الوصول) shows respect for the host's time. Arabic news (Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya) uses this phrase constantly to create a sense of 'breaking news' or urgency regarding political events. Modern Arabic novels use 'على وشك' to build suspense. It is often used to describe a character's internal state before a major decision. While MSA is used, Egyptians often blend it with 'خلاص' (khalas) to emphasize that the 'brink' has been reached.
Use the Masdar
For the most natural sound, follow 'على وشك' with a noun (Masdar) like 'الخروج' or 'النوم' instead of a verb.
Don't conjugate!
Remember that 'على وشك' is a fixed phrase. Don't try to make it feminine or plural.
Bedeutung
About to happen, very close to doing something.
Use the Masdar
For the most natural sound, follow 'على وشك' with a noun (Masdar) like 'الخروج' or 'النوم' instead of a verb.
Don't conjugate!
Remember that 'على وشك' is a fixed phrase. Don't try to make it feminine or plural.
The 'Wait' Factor
In some Arab cultures, 'على وشك' might still mean 10-15 minutes. Don't take it literally as '1 second' every time!
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct form (Noun or 'أن' + Verb).
أنا جائع جداً، أنا على وشك ______ (الأكل / أكلتُ).
We use the Masdar (الأكل) after 'على وشك'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct sentence:
'على وشك' does not change for gender and doesn't take 'في'.
Complete the dialogue.
أحمد: هل انتهيت من التقرير؟ سارة: ليس بعد، ولكنني ______.
This is the most natural way to say you are almost done.
Match the situation to the sentence.
Situation: You see dark clouds and feel the first drop of water.
The event is imminent, so 'على وشك' is perfect.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgabenأنا جائع جداً، أنا على وشك ______ (الأكل / أكلتُ).
We use the Masdar (الأكل) after 'على وشك'.
Choose the correct sentence:
'على وشك' does not change for gender and doesn't take 'في'.
أحمد: هل انتهيت من التقرير؟ سارة: ليس بعد، ولكنني ______.
This is the most natural way to say you are almost done.
Situation: You see dark clouds and feel the first drop of water.
The event is imminent, so 'على وشك' is perfect.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes! Just add 'كان' (kana) before it. 'كنت على وشك الخروج' means 'I was about to leave'.
It is neutral. You can use it with your friends, your boss, or in a formal essay.
'على وشك' is much more immediate (minutes/seconds), while 'قريباً' can mean days or weeks.
Yes, you can be 'on the brink of failure' (على وشك الفشل) just as easily as success.
No, it sounds incomplete. You must say what you are about to do.
In Egypt, people say 'خلاص هـ...' or 'قربت'. In the Levant, they might say 'على وصول'.
You say 'على وشك النفاد' (about to run out) or 'على وشك الموت' (informal).
The root is W-Sh-K (و-ش-ك), which relates to speed and quickness.
Yes, 'على وشك أن' + present verb is a very common and correct structure.
The verb form 'أوشك' is not in the Quran, but similar proximity verbs like 'عسى' and 'كاد' are.
Verwandte Redewendungen
كاد أن
synonymAlmost / Nearly
على أعتاب
similarOn the threshold of
قريباً
builds onSoon
في اللحظة الأخيرة
contrastAt the last minute
