Signification
To use a period of time doing something.
Contexte culturel
In the Levant, 'spending time' often revolves around 'Subhiye' (morning coffee) or 'Sahra' (evening social gathering). People will say 'أمضينا سهرة روعة' (We spent a wonderful evening). Time is often spent in the 'Majlis' or 'Diwaniya'. It is a formal yet social setting where men spend hours discussing news and poetry. Egyptians are famous for 'spending time' on the Corniche or in cafes (Ahwa). The phrase 'يقضي وقت' is much more common than 'يمضي وقت' in daily Cairene speech. In the Maghreb, 'spending time' might be influenced by the French 'passer'. In Darija, they might use 'دوزت الوقت' (duwwazt al-waqt), which literally means 'I made the time pass.'
Use the Masdar
Pair 'أمضى وقتاً' with 'في' + Masdar (e.g., في القراءة) to sound more natural than using a full verb clause.
Money vs Time
Never use 'أمضى' for money. It's a dead giveaway that you're translating from English.
Signification
To use a period of time doing something.
Use the Masdar
Pair 'أمضى وقتاً' with 'في' + Masdar (e.g., في القراءة) to sound more natural than using a full verb clause.
Money vs Time
Never use 'أمضى' for money. It's a dead giveaway that you're translating from English.
Quality Time
In Arabic, adding the adjective 'نوعي' (quality/qualitative) to 'وقتاً' is a modern way to express 'quality time'.
Dialect Switch
If you are in Egypt or Lebanon, feel free to use 'قضى' (Qaḍā) to sound more like a local.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'أمضى' in the past tense.
أنا _______ عطلتي في الجبل.
The subject is 'أنا' (I), so the verb must end in '-tu'.
Which sentence is correct for 'I spend time reading'?
اختر الجملة الصحيحة:
'أُمضي' is the correct present tense for 'I', and 'أمضى' is for time, not money.
Complete the dialogue.
أحمد: أين ستسافر في الصيف؟ خالد: سأسافر إلى تونس و_______ أسبوعين هناك.
Both 'سأمضي' (MSA) and 'سأقضي' (Common) are correct in this context.
Match the phrase to the most appropriate context.
أمضى جُلّ حياته في طلب العلم.
The use of 'جُلّ حياته' (most of his life) and 'طلب العلم' (seeking knowledge) is very formal.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Time vs Money
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesأنا _______ عطلتي في الجبل.
The subject is 'أنا' (I), so the verb must end in '-tu'.
اختر الجملة الصحيحة:
'أُمضي' is the correct present tense for 'I', and 'أمضى' is for time, not money.
أحمد: أين ستسافر في الصيف؟ خالد: سأسافر إلى تونس و_______ أسبوعين هناك.
Both 'سأمضي' (MSA) and 'سأقضي' (Common) are correct in this context.
أمضى جُلّ حياته في طلب العلم.
The use of 'جُلّ حياته' (most of his life) and 'طلب العلم' (seeking knowledge) is very formal.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but it's more common for longer durations. For 5 minutes, you might just say 'استغرق الأمر 5 دقائق'.
'أمضى' is more formal and focuses on the passage of time. 'قضى' is more common in speech and can also mean 'to judge' or 'to finish'.
The root is used, but the specific collocation 'أمضى وقتاً' is more characteristic of Modern Standard Arabic.
You say 'أمضيتُ حياتي' or 'أمضيتُ عُمري'.
Both are correct. Use 'وقتاً' for 'some time' and 'الوقت' for 'the time' (specific).
Yes, this is the most common way to say 'I had a good time'.
It is 'تُمضي' (Tumḍī).
Absolutely. It is very professional. E.g., 'أمضيتُ وقتاً في مراجعة التقرير'.
Because it is the direct object (Maf'ul Bihi) of the verb 'أمضى', so it must be in the accusative case.
No, unless you add an adjective like 'ضائعاً' (wasted). On its own, it is neutral.
Expressions liées
قضى وقتاً
synonymTo spend time
أضاع وقتاً
contrastTo waste time
استغرق وقتاً
similarTo take time
وقت الفراغ
builds onFree time
تمضية الوقت
specialized formPassing the time
