Meaning
Asking for permission to depart from a place.
Cultural Background
In the Levant, leaving a house is often preceded by the phrase 'Daimah' (May your house always be full). It is common for the host to offer 'one last coffee' before you are allowed to use the phrase 'Hal yumkinuni al-mughadara'. In the Gulf, hospitality is extremely formal. When you ask to leave, the host might say 'Taw al-nas' (It's still early for people to leave). You should insist politely a second time using 'Yumkinuni' to show you really must go. Egyptians are known for their humor. If you use the very formal MSA phrase in a casual setting, they might jokingly ask if you are a diplomat. Stick to 'Mumkin amshi' unless you are in a government building. In the Maghreb, French influence is strong. You might hear 'Mshat' or 'N'mshi', but in formal education, the MSA 'Al-mughadara' remains the gold standard for exams and official requests.
The 'Pre-Exit' Compliment
In Arabic culture, never ask to leave without first saying something nice about the host or the meeting.
Don't Forget the 'Ni'
If you just say 'Hal yumkinu al-mughadara?', it means 'Is leaving possible?' (in general). Adding '-ni' makes it 'Can *I* leave?'
Meaning
Asking for permission to depart from a place.
The 'Pre-Exit' Compliment
In Arabic culture, never ask to leave without first saying something nice about the host or the meeting.
Don't Forget the 'Ni'
If you just say 'Hal yumkinu al-mughadara?', it means 'Is leaving possible?' (in general). Adding '-ni' makes it 'Can *I* leave?'
The 'Lissa Badri' Trap
If a host says 'Lissa badri' (It's still early), they are being polite. You should smile and say 'Thank you, but I must go'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to complete the formal request.
هل يمكنني _______ الآن؟
After 'yumkinuni', we use the Masdar (verbal noun) 'Al-mughadara'.
Which phrase is the most appropriate for a job interview?
You want to leave the interview room politely.
This is the standard formal way to ask for permission to leave.
Match the Arabic phrase to its register.
Registers and Phrases
MSA is formal, Egyptian/Levantine is informal, and specific regional terms are slang.
Complete the dialogue between a student and a teacher.
Student: يا أستاذ، انتهيت من الامتحان. _______؟ Teacher: نعم، تفضل.
The student is asking for permission to leave after finishing an exam.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Ways to say 'Leave'
Formal
- • المغادرة
- • الانصراف
Informal
- • المشي
- • الذهاب
Practice Bank
4 exercisesهل يمكنني _______ الآن؟
After 'yumkinuni', we use the Masdar (verbal noun) 'Al-mughadara'.
You want to leave the interview room politely.
This is the standard formal way to ask for permission to leave.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
MSA is formal, Egyptian/Levantine is informal, and specific regional terms are slang.
Student: يا أستاذ، انتهيت من الامتحان. _______؟ Teacher: نعم، تفضل.
The student is asking for permission to leave after finishing an exam.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's a bit formal for close friends. Use 'Mumkin amshi?' or 'Yalla, ana rayih' instead.
'Mughadara' is 'departure' (leaving a place), while 'Dhahab' is 'going' (moving toward a destination).
Both are correct, but 'Hal' is much more common in modern speech. 'A-' is very classical/literary.
Change the suffix to '-na': 'Hal yumkinuna al-mughadara?'
Yes, as Modern Standard Arabic, it is understood from Morocco to Iraq.
Usually, you ask for the bill ('Al-hisab, min fadlak') which implies you are leaving. You don't need to ask for permission.
Yes, 'Hal yumkinuni akl hadha?' is correct and polite.
Yes, it ends in a Ta-Marbuta, but since it's a noun following 'yumkinu', its gender doesn't change the verb.
'هل تأذن لي بالمغادرة؟' (Hal ta'dhan li...) which means 'Do you give me leave to depart?'
Yes, if you are excusing yourself from a future part of a meeting or event.
Related Phrases
أستأذنك
similarI seek your permission
تسمح لي؟
synonymDo you allow me?
حان وقت الرحيل
similarIt is time to depart
إلى اللقاء
builds onUntil we meet again
