En 15 segundos
- Used to indicate someone or something is currently under threat.
- Works in both serious emergencies and lighthearted, dramatic social contexts.
- Grammatically simple: subject + 'fi khatar' stays the same for everyone.
Significado
This phrase is used to signal that someone or something is in a state of danger or under threat. It is a direct way to say 'in danger' or 'at risk' in almost any situation.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Seeing a child near a pool
الطفل في خطر!
The child is in danger!
Talking about a failing project at work
المشروع في خطر بسبب الميزانية.
The project is in danger because of the budget.
Texting a friend after breaking a vase
أنا في خطر! أمي ستغضب.
I'm in danger! My mom will be angry.
Contexto cultural
In the desert, 'Hunāka khaṭar' is often used to warn about shifting sands or sudden flash floods (Wadi floods). It is a life-saving phrase for travelers. Egyptians often use the dialectal 'Fīh khaṭar' but are very expressive with it. In crowded cities like Cairo, it's frequently used for traffic warnings. In mountainous areas, this phrase is used to warn about snow or rocky paths. It's also used metaphorically in social contexts to warn someone about a 'dangerous' person's reputation. While French is often used for technical safety signs, 'Hunāka khaṭar' remains the standard Arabic warning in media and formal education.
Use with 'Intabih'
To sound more natural and urgent, always precede the phrase with 'Intabih!' (Watch out!).
Don't forget the 'Kh'
If you pronounce 'khaṭar' as 'hatar', people might not understand you. Practice the raspy 'kh' sound.
En 15 segundos
- Used to indicate someone or something is currently under threat.
- Works in both serious emergencies and lighthearted, dramatic social contexts.
- Grammatically simple: subject + 'fi khatar' stays the same for everyone.
What It Means
في خطر is your go-to phrase for trouble. It literally translates to 'in danger.' It is short and punchy. It tells people that the situation is not okay. You can use it for people, animals, or even abstract things like your job or a secret.
How To Use It
Using it is very simple. You just place it after the subject you are talking about. If you want to say 'He is in danger,' you say هو في خطر. If you want to say 'The cat is in danger,' you say القطة في خطر. It does not change based on gender or number. This makes it a very friendly phrase for your brain to remember.
When To Use It
Use it when you see something risky. Maybe your friend is driving too fast. Maybe you see a child playing near a busy street. It is also great for dramatic flair. If you forgot your wife's birthday, you might tell your friend, أنا في خطر! (I am in danger!). It works for serious emergencies and for life's little disasters.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for minor inconveniences. If you ran out of milk, you are not في خطر. That is just annoying. Also, avoid using it in very high-level academic writing unless you are discussing specific safety data. It is a bit too direct for a formal research paper. Keep it for real-life action.
Cultural Background
In Arabic culture, expressing concern for others is a big deal. People often use this phrase to show they care. If someone says a child is في خطر, neighbors will likely rush to help. It is a phrase that triggers a protective instinct. It is deeply rooted in the communal nature of Middle Eastern societies.
Common Variations
If the danger is very big, you can add كبير (big) to make it في خطر كبير. In some dialects, people might say في ورطة (in a fix/mess). But في خطر is understood from Morocco to Iraq. It is the gold standard for warning others.
Notas de uso
The phrase is highly versatile and works across all levels of formality. It is grammatically static, meaning it does not change for gender or plural subjects.
Use with 'Intabih'
To sound more natural and urgent, always precede the phrase with 'Intabih!' (Watch out!).
Don't forget the 'Kh'
If you pronounce 'khaṭar' as 'hatar', people might not understand you. Practice the raspy 'kh' sound.
Dialect Switch
If you are in a casual setting, use 'Fīh khaṭar' to sound like a local.
Ejemplos
6الطفل في خطر!
The child is in danger!
A direct warning to parents or bystanders.
المشروع في خطر بسبب الميزانية.
The project is in danger because of the budget.
Used here in a professional, descriptive sense.
أنا في خطر! أمي ستغضب.
I'm in danger! My mom will be angry.
A humorous, hyperbolic use of the phrase.
هذا الحيوان في خطر الانقراض.
This animal is in danger of extinction.
A factual, educational context.
لا تذهب هناك، أنت في خطر.
Don't go there, you are in danger.
A sincere warning between friends.
نحن في خطر الآن.
We are in danger now.
Classic dramatic usage.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct word for 'danger'.
هُنَاكَ ____ كَبِيرٌ فِي هَذَا المَنْجَم.
We need the noun 'khaṭar' (danger) to follow 'hunāka'. 'Khaṭīr' is an adjective and 'mukhāṭara' means 'a risk/venture'.
Choose the best translation for 'There is no danger'.
How do you say 'There is no danger' in formal Arabic?
'Laysa' is the standard formal negation for existential sentences starting with 'hunāka'.
Match the phrase to the most appropriate situation.
Situation: You see a child playing with a sharp knife.
This is an immediate physical warning, so 'Intabih!' (Watch out!) combined with the phrase is most natural.
Complete the dialogue.
A: هَلْ يُمْكِنُنِي السِّبَاحَةُ هُنَا؟ B: لا، ____.
The person is asking if they can swim, and the answer 'No' implies there is danger.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Noun vs Adjective
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosهُنَاكَ ____ كَبِيرٌ فِي هَذَا المَنْجَم.
We need the noun 'khaṭar' (danger) to follow 'hunāka'. 'Khaṭīr' is an adjective and 'mukhāṭara' means 'a risk/venture'.
How do you say 'There is no danger' in formal Arabic?
'Laysa' is the standard formal negation for existential sentences starting with 'hunāka'.
Situation: You see a child playing with a sharp knife.
This is an immediate physical warning, so 'Intabih!' (Watch out!) combined with the phrase is most natural.
A: هَلْ يُمْكِنُنِي السِّبَاحَةُ هُنَا؟ B: لا، ____.
The person is asking if they can swim, and the answer 'No' implies there is danger.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt's neutral. While 'Fīh khaṭar' is more common in dialect, 'Hunāka khaṭar' is perfectly understood and used in urgent situations.
No, use 'Huwa khaṭīr' (He is dangerous). 'Hunāka khaṭar' refers to the situation or presence of danger.
Use 'Hunāka khaṭar...' followed by the noun, like 'Hunāka khaṭar fayanḍān' (Danger of flood).
The opposite is 'Al-makān āmin' (The place is safe) or 'Laysa hunāka khaṭar' (There is no danger).
No, it can also mean financial risk, legal risk, or social risk.
That is the 'tanween' (nunation) used in formal grammar to show it is an indefinite noun.
Yes, 'Hunāka' works for both singular and plural 'there is/are'.
Yes, just shouting 'Khaṭar!' is common in emergencies.
The root is used, but the specific phrase 'Hunāka khaṭar' is a more modern construction.
Say 'Kāna hunāka khaṭar'.
Frases relacionadas
خَطَرٌ مُمِيت
specialized formDeadly danger
تَحْتَ الخَطَر
similarUnder threat / In danger
مِنْطَقَةُ خَطَر
builds onDanger zone
خَطَرٌ عَلَى الحَيَاة
specialized formLife-threatening danger
