15초 만에
- Plural form for 'we are late' used in all dialects.
- Can be used alone or with 'نحن' (we).
- Essential for traffic, meetings, and social events.
뜻
This is the plural way to say 'we are late.' You use it when you and your group are behind schedule for an appointment, a flight, or a meeting.
주요 예문
3 / 6Stuck in traffic with a friend
يا الله، الزحمة قوية ونحن متأخرين!
Oh God, the traffic is heavy and we are late!
Entering a meeting with a colleague
نعتذر منكم، نحن متأخرين قليلاً.
We apologize to you all, we are a little late.
Texting a group of friends
يا جماعة، متأخرين! وينكم؟
Guys, we're late! Where are you?
문화적 배경
Social lateness is often expected. If a dinner is at 8 PM, arriving at 8:15 PM is considered 'on time'. Saying 'متأخرين' is often met with 'No problem, we just started'. In business, punctuality is becoming very strict. However, in a 'Majlis' (social gathering), people come and go. 'متأخرين' might be used when arriving after the main coffee service. Cairo traffic is a legendary excuse. 'متأخرين' is almost always followed by 'بسبب الزحمة' (because of the traffic), and it's universally accepted. Time is often measured by prayer times (e.g., 'Let's meet after Asr'). Being 'mut'akhir' often means missing that window between prayers.
The 'An' Rule
Always use 'عن' (an) when saying what you are late for. 'Late for school' = 'Mut'akhir an al-madrasa'.
Gender Agreement
If the group is all female, use 'متأخرات' (mut'akhirat). If there is at least one male, use 'متأخرين'.
15초 만에
- Plural form for 'we are late' used in all dialects.
- Can be used alone or with 'نحن' (we).
- Essential for traffic, meetings, and social events.
What It Means
This phrase is your go-to when time slips away from you. It is the plural form of the word for 'late.' In English, we use a full sentence: 'We are late.' In Arabic, you can often just use this one powerful word. It describes the state of the group. It is simple, direct, and very common in every Arab country. Whether you are with family or friends, this word says it all.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone exclamation. Just shout متأخرين! while grabbing your keys. You can also pair it with the word for 'we,' which is نحن. So, نحن متأخرين is the full version. Grammatically, it is an active participle. It changes based on who is late. If it is just you, say متأخر. If it is a group of women, say متأخرات. But for any mixed group or group of men, متأخرين is your best friend. It is very flexible in daily speech.
When To Use It
Use it when the movie starts in five minutes and you are still at home. Use it when your taxi is stuck in heavy Cairo or Dubai traffic. It is perfect for texting the group chat when everyone is lagging. 'Guys, hurry up, متأخرين!' You will also hear it at the airport check-in counter. It shows you realize you missed the mark. It is great for social gatherings, classes, or even business meetings. Just make sure to look a bit stressed when you say it!
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it if you are by yourself. That would be a bit confusing for listeners. They might look behind you to see who else is late! For just you, stick to أنا متأخر. Also, do not use it for a clock that is running slow. That requires a different grammatical structure entirely. Avoid using it if you want to sound extremely formal in a written letter. In very formal writing, the verb version تأخرنا is often preferred. Also, don't say it if you are actually early—that's just confusing!
Cultural Background
Time is often viewed through a different lens in many Arab cultures. There is a famous, lighthearted concept called 'IBM.' It stands for Inshallah (God willing), Bukra (Tomorrow), and Ma'alesh (Never mind). This reflects a more relaxed approach to punctuality. Being 'late' to a social dinner is often expected. If a wedding invitation says 8:00 PM, arriving at 8:00 PM might mean you are the only one there! However, for modern business and transport, punctuality is becoming the norm. Using متأخرين shows you respect the other person's time, even if the culture is generally relaxed.
Common Variations
You will often hear the verb version: تأخرنا (Ta'akharna). This means 'We became late' or 'We have been delayed.' In some local dialects, like Egyptian or Levantine, the 't' sound might be softened. You might hear مأخرين (Ma'akhreen). Another common phrase is راح علينا الوقت. This literally means 'Time has gone away from us.' It is a more poetic way to lament being late. But for a learner, متأخرين remains the most universal and easily understood choice across the region.
사용 참고사항
This is a highly versatile word. While technically an adjective, it functions as a complete thought in casual conversation. Ensure you use the plural 'in' ending for any group that includes at least one male.
The 'An' Rule
Always use 'عن' (an) when saying what you are late for. 'Late for school' = 'Mut'akhir an al-madrasa'.
Gender Agreement
If the group is all female, use 'متأخرات' (mut'akhirat). If there is at least one male, use 'متأخرين'.
The Apology Combo
Always pair 'متأخرين' with 'آسفين' (asfeen - sorry) to sound polite and natural.
The Traffic Excuse
If you are in Cairo or Beirut, everyone knows you are late because of traffic. You don't even need to explain; just say 'الزحمة' (al-zahma).
예시
6يا الله، الزحمة قوية ونحن متأخرين!
Oh God, the traffic is heavy and we are late!
A very common everyday frustration in big cities.
نعتذر منكم، نحن متأخرين قليلاً.
We apologize to you all, we are a little late.
Using 'نعتذر' (we apologize) makes this professional.
يا جماعة، متأخرين! وينكم؟
Guys, we're late! Where are you?
Short and punchy for a group chat.
الفيلم بدأ ونحن لسه متأخرين.
The movie started and we are still late.
Uses 'لسه' (still) to emphasize the ongoing lateness.
كالعادة، نحن دائماً متأخرين معكم.
As usual, we are always late with you guys.
A lighthearted jab at friends who are never on time.
بسرعة! الطائرة ستقلع ونحن متأخرين جداً!
Quickly! The plane will take off and we are very late!
High-stress situation using 'جداً' (very) for emphasis.
셀프 테스트
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'late'.
نحن ____ عن موعد الطائرة. (We are late for the flight.)
Since the subject is 'نحن' (we), we must use the plural masculine/mixed form 'متأخرين'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct for a group of people?
Choose the correct sentence:
The preposition 'عن' is used with 'late' in Arabic, and 'نحن' matches 'متأخرين'.
Complete the dialogue.
أحمد: لماذا لم تصلوا بعد؟ سارة: آسفين، نحن ____ بسبب الزحمة.
Traffic (الزحمة) usually causes people to be late (متأخرين).
Match the phrase to the situation.
You and your team are behind on a project deadline.
Being late 'in' a project refers to progress delay.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
Singular vs Plural
연습 문제 은행
4 연습 문제نحن ____ عن موعد الطائرة. (We are late for the flight.)
Since the subject is 'نحن' (we), we must use the plural masculine/mixed form 'متأخرين'.
Choose the correct sentence:
The preposition 'عن' is used with 'late' in Arabic, and 'نحن' matches 'متأخرين'.
أحمد: لماذا لم تصلوا بعد؟ سارة: آسفين، نحن ____ بسبب الزحمة.
Traffic (الزحمة) usually causes people to be late (متأخرين).
You and your team are behind on a project deadline.
Being late 'in' a project refers to progress delay.
🎉 점수: /4
자주 묻는 질문
14 질문Yes, it is neutral. However, saying 'نعتذر عن التأخير' (We apologize for the delay) is even more formal.
Yes, but usually you say 'الباص متأخر' (The bus is late - singular). You use 'mut'akhireen' if you are talking about yourself and others on the bus.
'Mut'akhireen' is 'we are late' (state), while 'ta'akharna' is 'we were late' (action). They are often interchangeable in casual speech.
Say 'نحن متأخرين خمس دقائق' (Nahnu mut'akhireen khams daqa'iq).
No, it's a statement of fact. Just make sure to add 'آسفين' (sorry).
No, 'mut'akhireen' describes 'us' (the speakers), not the person you are talking to.
Yes, it can be used for life milestones, though it's more common to use the verb 'ta'akhara'.
The opposite is 'مبكرين' (mubakkireen), meaning 'early'.
In formal grammar, it's -oon (nominative). In daily speech and dialects, -een is used for everything.
In Egypt, you might say 'مأخرين' (m'akhreen) or just 'تأخرنا' (ta'akharna).
Yes, 'نحن متأخرين في المشروع' is perfect for saying you are behind schedule.
It's like the 'ch' in 'Bach' or 'Loch'. A raspy sound from the back of the throat.
The root is used (e.g., 'al-musta'khireen'), but this specific modern expression is more common in contemporary Arabic.
Yes, in Arabic the context often makes the subject clear, so you can just say 'متأخرين!'.
관련 표현
تأخرنا
similarWe were late (verb)
على الوقت
contrastOn time
مبكرين
contrastEarly (plural)
فاتنا الموعد
builds onWe missed the appointment
