Signification
A polite request for someone to hold on.
Contexte culturel
In the Levant, people often use 'Lahdha' (moment) or 'Shway' (a little) more than the formal 'Intadhir'. It sounds warmer and less like a command. Egyptians are famous for the word 'Istanna'. If you use 'Intadhir' in a Cairo street, people will know you learned from a book, but they will still find it very polite. In the Gulf, hospitality is key. If you ask someone to wait, it's common to follow up with 'Tafaddal' (Please, come in/have some) and offer coffee. In North Africa, French influence is strong. You might hear 'Attendez' mixed with Arabic, but 'Min fadlak' remains the standard for formal respect.
The 'Dh' Secret
If you struggle with the 'ظ' sound, try to make a 'th' sound while pushing your tongue against your upper teeth and puffing your cheeks slightly.
Gender Matters
Using 'fadlak' with a woman isn't offensive, but it shows you haven't mastered basic grammar. Always try to use 'fadlik'!
Signification
A polite request for someone to hold on.
The 'Dh' Secret
If you struggle with the 'ظ' sound, try to make a 'th' sound while pushing your tongue against your upper teeth and puffing your cheeks slightly.
Gender Matters
Using 'fadlak' with a woman isn't offensive, but it shows you haven't mastered basic grammar. Always try to use 'fadlik'!
The Hand Gesture
In the Arab world, putting your fingertips together and pointing them upwards while saying this phrase adds a layer of 'please be patient' that words alone can't convey.
Insha'Allah
Often, people will say 'Intadhir, Insha'Allah' (Wait, God willing). It’s a way of saying 'I hope the wait isn't long!'
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form for a woman.
من فضلكِ، _______ (Wait).
When speaking to a female, we add the 'ya' (ي) suffix to the imperative verb.
Choose the most polite way to ask a group to wait.
How do you say 'Please wait' to a group of people?
'Kum' and 'u' are the plural markers for the politeness phrase and the verb respectively.
Complete the dialogue at the pharmacy.
Pharmacist: 'أحتاج إلى دقيقة لتحضير الدواء.' Patient: 'حسناً، سأنتظر.' Pharmacist: '________.'
The pharmacist is asking the patient to wait while they prepare the medicine.
Match the phrase to the context.
Match 'من فضلك، انتظر' with its best use case.
This phrase is polite and formal, making it perfect for professional environments.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Ways to Say Wait
Formal
- • من فضلك، انتظر
- • تفضل بالانتظار
Informal
- • لحظة
- • استنى
- • ثانية
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesمن فضلكِ، _______ (Wait).
When speaking to a female, we add the 'ya' (ي) suffix to the imperative verb.
How do you say 'Please wait' to a group of people?
'Kum' and 'u' are the plural markers for the politeness phrase and the verb respectively.
Pharmacist: 'أحتاج إلى دقيقة لتحضير الدواء.' Patient: 'حسناً، سأنتظر.' Pharmacist: '________.'
The pharmacist is asking the patient to wait while they prepare the medicine.
Match 'من فضلك، انتظر' with its best use case.
This phrase is polite and formal, making it perfect for professional environments.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNo, you can also use 'Law samaht' or 'Min ba'd idhnak'. 'Min fadlak' is the most standard.
Yes, it is very appropriate for a professional relationship.
It is 'Intadhiru' (انتظروا).
Yes, without 'min fadlak' or a polite tone, it sounds like a harsh command.
Say 'Intadhirni' (انتظرني).
Say 'Intadhir tawillan' (انتظر طويلاً).
The verb 'intadhara' appears many times, often in the context of waiting for God's judgment.
Say 'La tantadhir' (لا تنتظر).
'Intadhir' is formal/MSA, 'Istanna' is Egyptian/Dialect.
Yes, but 'Yurja al-intidhar' (Waiting is requested) is more common in formal writing.
The root is N-DH-R (ن-ظ-ر).
You can say 'Hasanan' (Okay) or 'Tayyib' (Fine).
Expressions liées
لحظة من فضلك
synonymA moment, please
تفضل بالبقاء
specialized formPlease stay
على مهلك
similarTake your time
توقف
contrastStop
خليك معي
builds onStay with me
