Meaning
Very close to the completion of a task or process.
Cultural Background
In Egypt, people often use 'على وش' (on the face of) as a shortened, more dialectal version of 'على وشك' in rapid speech. In Lebanon and Syria, the phrase is well-understood but often replaced by 'صرت مخلص' (I've become finished) to emphasize the state rather than the brink. In professional Gulf environments (like Dubai), this phrase is the standard for corporate updates and is seen as very polite and precise. In Morocco and Tunisia, you might hear 'قريب نسالي' (Near to finishing), but 'على وشك الانتهاء' is used in all official news broadcasts.
The 90% Rule
Only use this phrase when you are truly 90% done. Using it too early can damage your credibility in Arab business culture.
Preposition Trap
Always follow 'الانتهاء' with 'من'. Never say 'الانتهاء في' or 'الانتهاء لـ'.
Meaning
Very close to the completion of a task or process.
The 90% Rule
Only use this phrase when you are truly 90% done. Using it too early can damage your credibility in Arab business culture.
Preposition Trap
Always follow 'الانتهاء' with 'من'. Never say 'الانتهاء في' or 'الانتهاء لـ'.
Insha'Allah Pairing
It is very common and polite to add 'Insha'Allah' after the phrase: 'أنا على وشك الانتهاء إن شاء الله'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to complete the phrase.
أنا على ____ الانتهاء من قراءة الكتاب.
'وشك' is the specific noun used in this idiom to mean 'brink'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct update for a manager:
The phrase requires 'على' before 'وشك' and 'من' after 'الانتهاء'.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
الزبون: هل طلبي جاهز؟ النادل: ________
This is a standard professional way to reassure a customer.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
When would you say 'المباراة على وشك الانتهاء'?
'على وشك' implies imminence, usually the very last moments.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesأنا على ____ الانتهاء من قراءة الكتاب.
'وشك' is the specific noun used in this idiom to mean 'brink'.
Choose the correct update for a manager:
The phrase requires 'على' before 'وشك' and 'من' after 'الانتهاء'.
الزبون: هل طلبي جاهز؟ النادل: ________
This is a standard professional way to reassure a customer.
When would you say 'المباراة على وشك الانتهاء'?
'على وشك' implies imminence, usually the very last moments.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but it is very formal. You would say 'هو على وشك الموت' (He is on the brink of death). For 'finishing life', it's better to use 'على وشك الرحيل'.
It is 'washak' with a fatha on the 'waw' and 'sheen'. 'Wushk' is a common mispronunciation.
No, for a bus arriving, use 'على وصول' or 'سيصل قريباً'. 'الانتهاء' is only for things that 'end' or 'finish'.
The root 'washak' appears in Hadith and classical poetry, but the specific idiom 'على وشك' became more prominent in later classical Arabic.
The opposite would be 'في البداية' (at the beginning) or 'بدأ للتو' (just started).
Yes, it's very common in professional texts. For friends, you might just write 'قربت' (qarrabt).
Yes! 'البطارية على وشك الانتهاء' is exactly what your phone might say in its settings.
Actually, 'أوشك' (the verb) is slightly more formal/literary, while 'على وشك' (the prepositional phrase) is the standard for modern speech and writing.
It's understandable but sounds less natural than 'الانتهاء' when referring to a task.
Add 'كنت' (kuntu) at the beginning: 'كنت على وشك الانتهاء'.
Related Phrases
قاب قوسين أو أدنى
similarWithin two bow-lengths (very close).
في اللحظات الأخيرة
synonymIn the final moments.
قيد التنفيذ
builds onUnder execution/In progress.
انتهى لتوّه
contrastJust finished.
