In 15 Seconds
- A reminder that you are human and have emotions.
- Used to soften someone's harsh behavior or criticism.
- Works in both serious and humorous social contexts.
Meaning
This phrase is a gentle yet firm reminder that you aren't a robot. It's used when someone's words or actions are hurting your feelings or ignoring your humanity.
Key Examples
3 of 6A friend makes a joke about your cooking
يا أخي، ارحمنا، عندنا مشاعر!
Brother, have mercy, we have feelings!
A manager ignores the team's burnout
نحن لسنا آلات، عندنا مشاعر واحتياجات.
We aren't machines, we have feelings and needs.
Texting a friend who hasn't replied for days
رد عليّ، ترى عندنا مشاعر.
Reply to me, you know we have feelings.
Cultural Background
In the Levant, this phrase is often accompanied by a hand gesture—placing the right hand over the heart—to emphasize sincerity. Egyptians often use 'Dam' (blood) instead of 'Masha'ir'. To say someone has no 'dam' is a very strong insult implying they are heartless. In the Gulf, the phrase is used but often preceded by 'Tara' (meaning 'see' or 'look'), which acts as an attention-grabber. In the Maghreb, the word 'Ihsas' is more common than 'Masha'ir' in daily speech, though 'Masha'ir' is understood.
The 'Royal We'
Even if you are alone, using 'Indana' (We have) instead of 'Indi' (I have) makes you sound more dignified and less like you are whining.
Tone Matters
If said too aggressively, it can sound like an insult. Keep your voice calm and slightly sad for maximum impact.
In 15 Seconds
- A reminder that you are human and have emotions.
- Used to soften someone's harsh behavior or criticism.
- Works in both serious and humorous social contexts.
What It Means
Imagine you are talking to someone who is being a bit cold. Maybe they are criticizing your work too harshly. Or maybe they forgot to ask how your day was. عندنا مشاعر is your way of saying, 'Hey, I'm right here.' It is a gentle nudge to remind them of your heart. It isn't a complex philosophical statement. It is a simple, raw, and honest human claim. You are asserting that you deserve empathy and kindness.
How To Use It
This phrase is like a Swiss Army knife for social situations. You can use it to deflect a joke that went too far. Simply say it with a playful pout. Your friends will immediately realize they should soften up. In a professional setting, it works to humanize a team. If a project is overwhelming, tell your manager this phrase. It signals that the team is reaching its emotional limit. Always pay attention to your tone of voice. A soft tone invites sympathy. A sharp tone sets a firm boundary.
When To Use It
Use it at a restaurant if the waiter is being dismissive. Use it when your sibling eats the last piece of cake. It is great for texting when someone leaves you on 'read.' Send a quick عندنا مشاعر ترى with a sad emoji. It breaks the ice and gets a conversation moving again. Use it when watching a sad movie with friends. It explains why you are tearing up over a fictional character.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this in a high-stakes court case. It will likely not help your legal argument. Avoid it during a very technical engineering meeting. If you are discussing data, keep the feelings for later. Also, don't use it to manipulate people's genuine concerns. It should be an honest expression, not a tactic. Using it too often can make you seem overly sensitive.
Cultural Background
Arab culture places a massive premium on emotional connection. There is a specific word for being emotionally 'dry': جاف. Being called جاف is something most people want to avoid. By saying عندنا مشاعر, you are inviting the other person to be لطيف or kind. There is a communal aspect to using the 'we' form. Even if only you are hurt, saying 'we' makes it a universal truth. It connects your personal pain to the collective human experience.
Common Variations
The most common change is to the singular: عندي مشاعر. This makes it much more personal and direct. In some dialects, you might hear إحنا ناس which means 'We are people.' This carries the same weight of demanding basic respect. Another variation is حس فيّ which means 'Feel for me.' This is a more direct command to be empathetic. Each variation shifts the focus slightly but keeps the heart.
Usage Notes
This phrase is highly versatile. It transitions easily from a playful joke among friends to a serious defense of one's dignity in a professional or personal conflict.
The 'Royal We'
Even if you are alone, using 'Indana' (We have) instead of 'Indi' (I have) makes you sound more dignified and less like you are whining.
Tone Matters
If said too aggressively, it can sound like an insult. Keep your voice calm and slightly sad for maximum impact.
The Egyptian 'Dam'
If you are in Cairo, use 'إحنا عندنا دم' for a more authentic, local feel.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember that 'Inda' is used for things you have but aren't attached to your body (like a car), but 'Masha'ir' is an exception because emotions are seen as 'possessions' of the soul.
Examples
6يا أخي، ارحمنا، عندنا مشاعر!
Brother, have mercy, we have feelings!
Used here to playfully tell a friend they are being too mean.
نحن لسنا آلات، عندنا مشاعر واحتياجات.
We aren't machines, we have feelings and needs.
A professional way to set boundaries regarding workload.
رد عليّ، ترى عندنا مشاعر.
Reply to me, you know we have feelings.
A casual way to nudge someone who is ignoring you.
خلاص يكفي، ترى عندنا مشاعر.
Stop it, that's enough, we have feelings.
Expressing emotional overwhelm during a sad moment.
ليش كذا؟ ترى عندنا مشاعر!
Why like this? We have feelings, you know!
A classic sibling complaint about lack of respect.
هو يظن أننا جماد، لكن عندنا مشاعر.
He thinks we are inanimate objects, but we have feelings.
Venting about someone being rude at work.
Test Yourself
Choose the best response when a friend ignores your message for three days.
صديقك لم يرد على رسائلك لثلاثة أيام. ماذا تقول له؟
Option B is the natural way to express that your feelings were hurt by the neglect.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of possession.
نحن بشر، _____ مشاعر.
Since the sentence starts with 'Nahnu' (We), the matching possession is 'Indana'.
Match the phrase to the correct context.
Context: A boss asks an employee to work on their wedding anniversary.
This phrase is used to remind the boss of the employee's personal life and emotions.
Complete the dialogue.
أ: لماذا تبكي؟ الأمر بسيط. ب: ليس بسيطاً بالنسبة لي، ________.
The speaker is defending their emotional reaction.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Masha'ir vs. Ihsas
Practice Bank
4 exercisesصديقك لم يرد على رسائلك لثلاثة أيام. ماذا تقول له؟
Option B is the natural way to express that your feelings were hurt by the neglect.
نحن بشر، _____ مشاعر.
Since the sentence starts with 'Nahnu' (We), the matching possession is 'Indana'.
Context: A boss asks an employee to work on their wedding anniversary.
This phrase is used to remind the boss of the employee's personal life and emotions.
أ: لماذا تبكي؟ الأمر بسيط. ب: ليس بسيطاً بالنسبة لي، ________.
The speaker is defending their emotional reaction.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but use a polite tone. It's a way to signal that you are feeling overwhelmed.
Usually, yes. It's a defensive phrase used when someone is being mean or cold.
Masha'ir is already plural. The singular is 'Mash'ar', but it's rarely used in this context.
No. For romantic attraction, use 'عندي مشاعر تجاهك' (I have feelings toward you).
The word 'Masha'ir' is used in the Quran to refer to sacred places of Hajj, but not in this specific idiomatic way.
Say 'هو معندوش مشاعر' (Egyptian) or 'ليس لديه مشاعر' (Formal).
Absolutely. It's a common way for men to express that they aren't just 'tough' and can be hurt too.
Masha'ir is more formal and plural. Ihsas is more common in dialects and can also mean 'physical sensation'.
Not really. You wouldn't say 'عندنا مشاعر' because you won the lottery. It's for empathy.
No, it sounds human. It's a very mature way to handle a conflict.
Related Phrases
إحنا بشر
synonymWe are human
عندي إحساس
similarI have a feeling
عديم المشاعر
contrastEmotionless
يجرح المشاعر
builds onTo hurt feelings
