In 15 Seconds
- Used to announce that the power has gone out.
- Very common in daily life across all Arabic dialects.
- Functions as a valid excuse for being offline or late.
Meaning
This is the most common way to say the power went out. It literally describes the electricity 'cutting' or being severed from the source.
Key Examples
3 of 6Sitting at home when the lights go out
يا ساتر، الكهربا قطعت تاني!
Oh boy, the electricity cut again!
Explaining a dropped call to a boss
آسف، الكهربا قطعت والراوتر فصل.
Sorry, the power went out and the router disconnected.
Texting a friend in the dark
مش هعرف أشوف الفيلم، الكهربا قطعت.
I won't be able to watch the movie, the power is out.
Cultural Background
Power outages are a shared social experience in many Arab countries due to infrastructure challenges. This phrase often triggers a specific set of cultural responses, like lighting candles or neighbors checking on each other. It has become a symbol of daily resilience and shared humor in the face of minor inconveniences.
The 'Gat' Response
When the lights finally flicker back on, everyone usually shouts 'Gat!' (It came!). It's a small moment of collective joy.
Don't use for devices
If your laptop dies because you forgot to charge it, don't use this phrase. People will think the whole building is dark.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to announce that the power has gone out.
- Very common in daily life across all Arabic dialects.
- Functions as a valid excuse for being offline or late.
What It Means
الكهربا قطعت (al-kahraba' ata'at) is your go-to phrase for a power outage. It is simple, direct, and used daily across the Arab world. You are essentially saying the flow of power has been severed. It is not just about a lightbulb burning out. It means the whole grid or the building has gone dark.
How To Use It
You use it as a standalone statement or an excuse. If your Zoom call drops, this is your explanation. If you arrive late because your alarm didn't go off, blame it on this. You do not need complex grammar here. Just state it as a fact. It functions as both a complaint and a notification.
When To Use It
Use it the second the lights flicker and die. Use it when texting a friend to explain why you are offline. It works perfectly at home, in a shop, or at the office. If you are in a restaurant and the music stops, you will hear people whisper this. It is a shared moment of frustration that everyone understands immediately.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it if only one appliance is broken. If your phone dies, do not say الكهربا قطعت. That is a battery issue, not a grid issue. Also, avoid using it in very formal written reports. In a legal document, you would use more technical terms. For everything else in life, this phrase is king.
Cultural Background
In many parts of the Middle East, power cuts are a part of life. They range from scheduled 'load shedding' to unexpected surges. Because of this, the phrase carries a certain communal patience. It is often followed by a sigh or a joke. It is a great 'icebreaker' with neighbors while waiting in the dark.
Common Variations
In Egypt, you will hear الكهربا قطعت. In the Levant, people might say انقطعت الكهرباء (in'ata'at al-kahraba'). Some might simply say قطعت (ata'at) if the context is obvious. If the power comes back, you say الكهربا جت (al-kahraba' gat), meaning 'the electricity came'.
Usage Notes
This phrase is perfectly safe for all social levels. It is neutral enough for a business meeting but casual enough for a family dinner.
The 'Gat' Response
When the lights finally flicker back on, everyone usually shouts 'Gat!' (It came!). It's a small moment of collective joy.
Don't use for devices
If your laptop dies because you forgot to charge it, don't use this phrase. People will think the whole building is dark.
The Universal Excuse
In some regions, this is the 'dog ate my homework' of the digital age. Use it sparingly as an excuse, or people might get suspicious!
Examples
6يا ساتر، الكهربا قطعت تاني!
Oh boy, the electricity cut again!
A very common reaction to frequent outages.
آسف، الكهربا قطعت والراوتر فصل.
Sorry, the power went out and the router disconnected.
A professional but honest excuse for technical issues.
مش هعرف أشوف الفيلم، الكهربا قطعت.
I won't be able to watch the movie, the power is out.
Used to cancel plans or explain a delay.
الكهربا قطعت؟ شكلنا هنفطر على ضوء الشموع!
The power's out? Looks like we're having a candlelit breakfast!
Using humor to lighten the mood during an outage.
هي الكهربا قطعت عندكم كمان؟
Is the power out at your place too?
Checking if the problem is local or widespread.
الجو حر أوي والكهربا قطعت، مش قادر!
It's so hot and the power went out, I can't take it!
Expressing genuine distress when the AC stops.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct verb to complete the phrase for a power outage.
يا خسارة، الـ___ قطعت وأنا بذاكر.
The word `كهربا` means electricity, which fits the verb `قطعت` in this context.
How do you say the power came back?
الكهربا ___! أخيراً النور نور.
The verb `جت` (came) is used to indicate the return of electricity.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'الكهربا قطعت'
Shortened to just 'Ata'at'
قطعت!
The standard way to say it in daily life.
الكهربا قطعت.
Used in news or official reports.
انقطاع التيار الكهربائي
When to say 'The electricity is out'
Zoom Meeting
Explaining why you vanished.
At Home
Telling family to find candles.
Elevator
The most terrifying time to say it!
Texting
Explaining a dead phone battery later.
Practice Bank
2 exercisesيا خسارة، الـ___ قطعت وأنا بذاكر.
The word `كهربا` means electricity, which fits the verb `قطعت` in this context.
الكهربا ___! أخيراً النور نور.
The verb `جت` (came) is used to indicate the return of electricity.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, while the pronunciation of 'electricity' might change slightly, the verb قطعت for a power cut is universally understood.
Yes! You just swap the noun. You would say المية قطعت (al-mayya ata'at) for 'the water cut off'.
Not at all. It is a factual statement about a situation outside your control. It's considered a neutral, valid explanation.
In formal news, you'll hear انقطاع التيار الكهربائي (inqita' al-tayyar al-kahraba'i), which means 'interruption of the electrical current'.
You can ask الكهربا قاطعة عندكم؟ (al-kahraba' at'a 'indakum?), which means 'Is the electricity cutting at your place?'
The word كهربا is treated as a feminine noun in most dialects, so the verb قطعت takes the feminine ending 'at'.
Usually, for internet, people say النت فصل (al-net fasal) or النت قطع, but الكهربا قطعت implies the internet is gone because the power is gone.
A common sympathetic response is ربنا يعينكم (Rabena ye'inkum), meaning 'May God help you' with the inconvenience.
People often just shout النور قطع! (al-noor ata'), which literally means 'the light cut'.
Not necessarily. It usually refers to a general blackout. If you specifically mean the service was cut for non-payment, the context usually makes that clear.
Related Phrases
الكهربا جت
The electricity came back
النور قطع
The light cut (The power went out)
المية قطعت
The water is out
النت فصل
The internet disconnected
