En 15 secondes
- Means wide, spacious, or loose-fitting in physical and metaphorical contexts.
- Place it after the noun and match the gender (واسع or واسعة).
- Commonly used for rooms, clothes, streets, and even someone's imagination.
Signification
واسع (Wasi') is your go-to word for anything that has plenty of room. Whether you are talking about a big house, loose-fitting jeans, or even someone with a lot of patience, this word covers it all.
Exemples clés
3 sur 7Looking at a new apartment
هذه الصالة واسعة جداً ومريحة.
This hall is very spacious and comfortable.
Trying on clothes at a shop
هذا البنطلون واسع عليّ، أريد مقاساً أصغر.
These pants are wide (loose) on me; I want a smaller size.
In a professional meeting describing a project
هذا المشروع له تأثير واسع النطاق.
This project has a wide-scale impact.
Contexte culturel
A 'wide house' is a symbol of blessing (Baraka). It is common to pray for someone to have a 'wide house' and a 'wide livelihood' (Rizq Wasi'). In the desert, 'Wasi'' describes the horizon. A person with 'wide eyes' (not physically, but perceptively) is seen as wise and far-seeing. The concept of 'Al-Wasi'' as a name of God implies that His mercy and knowledge have no boundaries. Influencers use 'واسع' to describe 'oversized' fashion trends, which are very popular in the Middle East for both style and modesty.
The 'Loose' Rule
If you are at a tailor or a shop, always use 'wasi' to say something is too big. It's the most natural word.
Gender Agreement
Don't forget that 'city' (Madina) and 'room' (Ghurfa) are feminine, so you must say 'Wasi'ah'.
En 15 secondes
- Means wide, spacious, or loose-fitting in physical and metaphorical contexts.
- Place it after the noun and match the gender (واسع or واسعة).
- Commonly used for rooms, clothes, streets, and even someone's imagination.
What It Means
واسع is a versatile adjective that describes physical breadth and volume. It is the opposite of ضيق (narrow or tight). In a literal sense, it describes a highway, a large hall, or a baggy shirt. Metaphorically, it describes things that are extensive, like a person's knowledge or their capacity to forgive. It is a positive word that suggests comfort and abundance.
How To Use It
In Arabic, the adjective comes after the noun. If you are talking about a masculine noun like بيت (house), you say بيت واسع. If the noun is feminine, like غرفة (room), you add a 'ta marbuta' at the end to make it غرفة واسعة. It is super simple! You can also use it to describe how clothes fit. If you try on a jacket and it is too big, just say واسع while gesturing to the extra fabric.
When To Use It
Use it when you are apartment hunting to describe that dream living room. Use it at the mall when the 'Medium' size feels like an 'Extra Large.' You can also use it to compliment someone’s creativity by saying they have a خيال واسع (wide imagination). It is also great for travel—describing the بحر واسع (wide sea) or a شارع واسع (wide street) in a new city.
When NOT To Use It
Be careful! Never use واسع to describe a person’s physical body size if you mean they are overweight. That is considered rude and linguistically incorrect. Use it for the *clothes* they are wearing, not the person. Also, do not use it to describe a 'wide' variety of food; for that, you would usually use متنوع (diverse).
Cultural Background
In Arab culture, space is often synonymous with hospitality and generosity. A 'wide house' is a blessing because it means you can host many guests. There is a beautiful saying, البيت الواسع يسع ألف صديق (A wide house fits a thousand friends). Being 'wide-hearted' or 'wide-chested' is a major compliment, meaning you are patient and don't get angry easily.
Common Variations
You will often hear أوسع (Awsa'), which means 'wider' or 'more spacious.' In daily dialects, people might say وسيع (Wasee') in places like Saudi Arabia or the Gulf to mean the exact same thing. Another common phrase is واسع النطاق (wasi' al-nitaq), which means 'wide-scale' or 'extensive,' often used in news reports.
Notes d'usage
The word is very stable across registers. The only thing to watch for is gender agreement—always check if your noun is feminine before adding that 'a' sound at the end.
The 'Loose' Rule
If you are at a tailor or a shop, always use 'wasi' to say something is too big. It's the most natural word.
Gender Agreement
Don't forget that 'city' (Madina) and 'room' (Ghurfa) are feminine, so you must say 'Wasi'ah'.
The Comparative
Use 'Awsa'' (أوسع) to sound more advanced when comparing apartments or offices.
Patience Compliment
Telling an Arab friend 'Sadrka Wasi'' is one of the best ways to thank them for listening to your problems.
Exemples
7هذه الصالة واسعة جداً ومريحة.
This hall is very spacious and comfortable.
Here, it describes physical space in a home.
هذا البنطلون واسع عليّ، أريد مقاساً أصغر.
These pants are wide (loose) on me; I want a smaller size.
Used to describe clothing that is too big.
هذا المشروع له تأثير واسع النطاق.
This project has a wide-scale impact.
A more formal, professional use of the term.
الحمد لله صدري واسع اليوم.
Thank God, my chest is wide (I am patient) today.
Idiomatic use meaning 'I am in a good, patient mood.'
ما شاء الله، خيالك واسع!
Wow, you have a wide (vivid) imagination!
A common way to praise creativity.
الصحن واسع لكن الأكل قليل!
The plate is wide, but the food is little!
A funny way to complain about small portions at a fancy restaurant.
البحر واسع والمنظر جميل.
The sea is wide and the view is beautiful.
Used for natural scenery.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of واسع.
هذه الشقة _______ جداً.
Because 'Shaqqa' (apartment) is feminine, the adjective must be feminine.
Which sentence uses 'واسع' to mean 'patient'?
اختر الجملة الصحيحة:
'Sadr Wasi' is the idiom for being patient.
Match the noun with the appropriate use of واسع.
صل الكلمات:
Matching abstract, clothing, and physical space uses.
Match the phrase to the situation.
متى نقول 'على نطاق واسع'؟
'On a wide scale' is used for news and widespread events.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Wasi' vs. Areed
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesهذه الشقة _______ جداً.
Because 'Shaqqa' (apartment) is feminine, the adjective must be feminine.
اختر الجملة الصحيحة:
'Sadr Wasi' is the idiom for being patient.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Matching abstract, clothing, and physical space uses.
متى نقول 'على نطاق واسع'؟
'On a wide scale' is used for news and widespread events.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsOnly idiomatically (Sadr Wasi). If you mean they are physically wide, use 'Areed al-mankibayn' (broad-shouldered) or 'Samin' (fat).
The opposite is 'Dayyiq' (ضيق), which means narrow or tight.
Use the form 'Awsa'' (أوسع). For example: 'This street is wider' (هذا الشارع أوسع).
It is neutral and used in both formal writing and daily slang.
Yes, 'Thaqafa Wasi'ah' (broad culture) is a very common and sophisticated phrase.
Yes, whether it's a hat, a shirt, or shoes, if they are too big, they are 'wasi'.
'Fasih' is more formal and usually describes grand spaces like palaces or the heavens.
It's a slight constriction in the throat. If you can't do it, a short 'ah' sound is usually understood.
Yes, 'Tashkila Wasi'ah' (a wide variety/range) is used in shopping and business.
It means 'to widen' or 'to make room'. People say it in crowds to ask others to move.
Expressions liées
فسيح
synonymSpacious (often for gardens or palaces)
عريض
similarBroad/Wide
ضيق
contrastNarrow/Tight
على نطاق واسع
specialized formOn a wide scale
واسع الصدر
builds onPatient/Tolerant
