In 15 Seconds
- A friendly warning against making impulsive or hasty decisions.
- Commonly used in Egyptian dialect for friends and family.
- Translates to 'don't rush' or 'don't jump the gun'.
Meaning
It is a friendly way to tell someone to slow down and think before acting. It is like saying 'don't jump the gun' or 'don't be impulsive' when a friend is about to make a quick decision.
Key Examples
3 of 6Buying something expensive
ماتتسرعش في الشراء، فكر كويس الأول.
Don't rush the purchase, think well first.
Texting a friend about a job offer
ماتتسرعش وترفض العرض، الفرصة دي كويسة.
Don't rush and reject the offer, this opportunity is good.
In a professional brainstorming session
يا جماعة ماتتسرعوش في الحكم على الفكرة.
Guys, don't rush into judging the idea.
Cultural Background
The proverb 'Al-ajalah min al-shaytan' (Haste is from the devil) is the spiritual backbone of this phrase. People often use 'Tawwil balak' alongside 'La tatasarra' to emphasize emotional patience. Egyptians might say 'Istanna 'ala rizqak' (Wait for your provision), which is a more religious/fatalistic way of saying don't rush. In the Gulf, 'Al-rukudah' (calmness/steadiness) is a highly praised masculine trait, and 'La tatasarra' is used to enforce this.
The 'Two-Ta' Rule
Remember that 'Tatasarra' has two 'T's at the start. This helps you distinguish it from 'Tusri'' (to speed).
The Guttural Ending
Don't forget the 'Ayn (ع) at the end. If you don't pronounce it, the word sounds incomplete to a native speaker.
In 15 Seconds
- A friendly warning against making impulsive or hasty decisions.
- Commonly used in Egyptian dialect for friends and family.
- Translates to 'don't rush' or 'don't jump the gun'.
What It Means
ماتتسرعش is the ultimate Egyptian Arabic advice for staying out of trouble. It comes from the root word for 'speed' or 'haste.' When you say this, you are telling someone to take a breath. You are suggesting that their current pace might lead to a mistake. It is not just about physical speed. It is mostly about mental impulsivity. It is that 'hold your horses' moment before someone hits 'send' on an angry text.
How To Use It
Using this phrase is very simple because it is a direct command. If you are talking to a guy, say ماتتسرعش. For a woman, add an 'ee' sound at the end: ماتتسرعيش. If you are talking to a group, say ماتتسرعوش. You can use it as a standalone sentence. You can also follow it with the specific action you are worried about. It sounds natural, helpful, and very Egyptian. Just remember to keep your tone soft so it sounds like advice, not a barked order.
When To Use It
You will hear this everywhere in Cairo or Alexandria. Use it when a friend wants to buy a car on the first visit. Use it when someone wants to quit their job after one bad day. It is perfect for texting a friend who is overthinking a crush's message. In a meeting, you might say it to a colleague who is rushing a presentation. It is the perfect 'safety net' phrase for social interactions. Even at a restaurant, if someone tries to eat soup that is boiling hot, you can say it jokingly.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this in a life-or-death emergency. If a bus is heading toward your friend, do not say ماتتسرعش. That is the time for 'Watch out!' Also, avoid using it with high-ranking officials or very elderly strangers. It might sound a bit too casual or even condescending. If your boss is giving you a deadline, do not tell them ماتتسرعش. That might not end well for your career. Use it mostly with peers, friends, or younger family members.
Cultural Background
Egyptians have a famous proverb: 'In haste there is regret, and in patience there is safety.' This phrase is the modern, conversational version of that ancient wisdom. Egyptian culture is a mix of fast-paced city life and a deep-rooted love for taking things slow over tea. This phrase balances those two worlds. It reflects the cultural value of 'Sabr' or patience. It is a way of looking out for one another in a busy world.
Common Variations
You might also hear على مهلك, which means 'at your own pace.' Another one is بالراحة, which literally means 'with comfort' but translates to 'take it easy.' If someone is being really reckless, you might hear إتقل, which means 'be heavy' or 'wait and see.' But ماتتسرعش remains the most common way to warn against impulsive choices. It is the 'stop' sign of Egyptian social life.
Usage Notes
This is a quintessentially Egyptian dialect expression. It is neutral to informal. Use the masculine `ماتتسرعش` for men, feminine `ماتتسرعيش` for women, and plural `ماتتسرعوش` for groups.
The 'Two-Ta' Rule
Remember that 'Tatasarra' has two 'T's at the start. This helps you distinguish it from 'Tusri'' (to speed).
The Guttural Ending
Don't forget the 'Ayn (ع) at the end. If you don't pronounce it, the word sounds incomplete to a native speaker.
Use with 'Fi'
To sound like a pro, always follow it with 'fi' (in) + a noun. 'La tatasarra fi [noun]'.
Patience is Key
In the Arab world, telling someone not to rush is often seen as a sign of wisdom and care, not an insult.
Examples
6ماتتسرعش في الشراء، فكر كويس الأول.
Don't rush the purchase, think well first.
Giving advice to a friend at a store.
ماتتسرعش وترفض العرض، الفرصة دي كويسة.
Don't rush and reject the offer, this opportunity is good.
Encouraging someone to be patient with career moves.
يا جماعة ماتتسرعوش في الحكم على الفكرة.
Guys, don't rush into judging the idea.
Using the plural form in a collaborative setting.
ماتتسرعش! الأكل لسه طالع من الفرن.
Don't rush! The food just came out of the oven.
A humorous or caring warning about burning one's tongue.
ماتتسرعيش في قرارك، اهدي شوية.
Don't rush your decision, calm down a bit.
Feminine form used for emotional support.
يا أسطى ماتتسرعش، إحنا مش مستعجلين.
Driver, don't rush, we are not in a hurry.
Using 'Ya Osta' (common for drivers) to ask for safety.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct feminine form of the phrase.
يا ليلى، _______ في اختيار فستان الزفاف.
For a female subject (Layla), the 'ya' ending is added to the jussive verb.
Fill in the missing preposition.
لا تتسرع ____ الحكم على الناس.
The verb 'تسرع' almost always takes the preposition 'في' (in) when specifying the action.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: Your friend wants to quit his job because he is tired today.
This response addresses the impulsive decision-making regarding the job.
Complete the dialogue.
أ: سأشتري هذا الهاتف المستعمل بـ 1000 دولار! ب: ________! هذا السعر مرتفع جداً.
The context of a bad financial decision requires a warning against impulsivity.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Speed vs. Haste
Practice Bank
4 exercisesيا ليلى، _______ في اختيار فستان الزفاف.
For a female subject (Layla), the 'ya' ending is added to the jussive verb.
لا تتسرع ____ الحكم على الناس.
The verb 'تسرع' almost always takes the preposition 'في' (in) when specifying the action.
Situation: Your friend wants to quit his job because he is tired today.
This response addresses the impulsive decision-making regarding the job.
أ: سأشتري هذا الهاتف المستعمل بـ 1000 دولار! ب: ________! هذا السعر مرتفع جداً.
The context of a bad financial decision requires a warning against impulsivity.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically no. Use 'لا تسرع' (La tusri') for physical speed like driving.
Use 'لا تتسرعوا' (La tatasarra'u).
It depends on the tone. If you add 'يا سيدي' or 'من فضلك', it is acceptable advice.
The opposite would be 'تأنى' (Ta'anna) or 'استعجل' (Ista'jil - though this is usually negative).
In MSA it's 'Lā tatasarra‘'. In Egyptian, it's 'Matitsara'sh'. The root is the same.
Form V (tafa''ala) often implies a process or a state one puts oneself into, which fits 'impulsivity' perfectly.
Yes, it is common to say 'لا تتسرع في الأكل' to children.
It means speed or quickness.
'La tasta'jil' is more common for 'don't hurry up', while 'la tatasarra' is for 'don't be impulsive'.
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in formal writing to advise against hasty conclusions.
Related Phrases
لا تستعجل
similarDon't hurry
تمهل
synonymSlow down / Be deliberate
على مهلك
similarAt your own pace
فكر مرتين
builds onThink twice
تأنى
specialized formBe patient/deliberate
