A2 Idiom カジュアル

عينه على الساعة

'aynuhu 'ala al-sa'a

His eye is on the clock

意味

Anxious for something to finish or for a specific time to arrive.

🌍

文化的背景

In Egypt, people often say 'عينه في الساعة' (eye IN the clock). Egyptians are known for their humor regarding 'Egyptian Time' (mowa'id faka), but in professional settings, this phrase is a common complaint about lazy staff. In the Levant, punctuality is highly valued in business. Glancing at your watch (عينه على الساعة) during a meeting is a strong signal that you want to end the conversation, often used as a 'polite' hint. In traditional Majlis settings, checking the time is considered quite rude. However, in modern cities like Dubai or Riyadh, the phrase is used just like in the West to describe the fast-paced corporate life. The concept of 'Karam' (hospitality) means you should never make your guest feel like you are 'watching the clock'. If a host does this, it is a sign they want the guest to leave.

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Pronoun Agreement

Always check who you are talking about. If it's a girl, say 'Aynuha'.

⚠️

Don't be rude!

Saying this to someone's face while they are talking to you is a major social error in Arab culture.

意味

Anxious for something to finish or for a specific time to arrive.

💡

Pronoun Agreement

Always check who you are talking about. If it's a girl, say 'Aynuha'.

⚠️

Don't be rude!

Saying this to someone's face while they are talking to you is a major social error in Arab culture.

🎯

Dialect Hack

In Egypt, just say 'Ainu fil-sa'a' to sound like a local.

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The 'Ayn' Metaphor

The 'eye' is used in many Arabic idioms (e.g., 'on my eye' for 'with pleasure'). It always signifies focus.

自分をテスト

Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'Ayn' and the pronoun.

أنا أشعر بالملل، ____ على الساعة.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: عيني

Since the subject is 'أنا' (I), the possessive suffix must be '-i'.

Which situation best fits the idiom 'عينه على الساعة'?

متى نقول 'عينه على الساعة'؟

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: عندما يكون في اجتماع ممل

The idiom is used for boredom or impatience, which happens in a boring meeting.

Complete the dialogue.

الأم: لماذا لا تأكل طعامك؟ الابن: لا أستطيع، ____ بانتظار موعد الرحلة.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: عيني على الساعة

The son is waiting for a trip, so he is impatient and checking the time.

Match the person to their feeling.

طالب في آخر خمس دقائق من الامتحان.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: عينه على الساعة

In the last minutes of an exam, students are very anxious about the time.

🎉 スコア: /4

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Dialect Variations

Standard
على الساعة On the clock
Egyptian
في الساعة In the clock

練習問題バンク

4 問題
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'Ayn' and the pronoun. Fill Blank A2

أنا أشعر بالملل، ____ على الساعة.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: عيني

Since the subject is 'أنا' (I), the possessive suffix must be '-i'.

Which situation best fits the idiom 'عينه على الساعة'? Choose A2

متى نقول 'عينه على الساعة'؟

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: عندما يكون في اجتماع ممل

The idiom is used for boredom or impatience, which happens in a boring meeting.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

الأم: لماذا لا تأكل طعامك؟ الابن: لا أستطيع، ____ بانتظار موعد الرحلة.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: عيني على الساعة

The son is waiting for a trip, so he is impatient and checking the time.

Match the person to their feeling. situation_matching A2

طالب في آخر خمس دقائق من الامتحان.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: عينه على الساعة

In the last minutes of an exam, students are very anxious about the time.

🎉 スコア: /4

よくある質問

10 問

It is neutral. You can use it in a newspaper article or a casual chat, but not in a legal document.

Yes! You can have your eye on the clock because you are excited for a party.

أعينهم على الساعة (A'yunuhum 'ala al-sa'ah).

Almost exactly, though the Arabic version feels slightly more 'physical' because of the word 'eye'.

Yes, it implies they are bored or not paying attention.

No, that is not an idiom in Arabic. Stick to the 'eye'.

عيني في الساعة (Aini fil-sa'a).

It can mean 'hour', 'clock', 'watch', or even 'the end of the world'. Context is key!

Only if you are describing a past situation where you were waiting for a deadline. Don't do it during the interview!

The root is ع-ي-ن (A-Y-N), related to seeing, springs of water, and essence.

関連フレーズ

🔗

على أحر من الجمر

similar

On pins and needles / On hotter than coals

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سابق الزمن

contrast

Racing against time

🔗

ضيع وقت

builds on

To waste time

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الوقت كالسيف

specialized form

Time is like a sword

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