Meaning
A polite request for someone to wait briefly.
Cultural Background
People often add 'zghire' (small) to 'lahdha' to make it sound even less intrusive. 'Lahdha zghire' is very common in shops. In the Gulf, 'Lahdha' is used frequently in government offices. It is often followed by 'Tafaddal' (Please/Go ahead) once the person is ready for you. Egyptians are famous for their hospitality and 'flowy' time. 'Lahdha' might actually mean 5 minutes, so be prepared to wait a bit longer than a 'second'! In the Maghreb, you might hear 'Wahad dqiqa' (One minute) more often than 'Lahdha' in casual speech, influenced by French 'Une minute'.
The Hand Gesture
In the Arab world, raising your hand with your fingers together and tips pointing up (like a cup) often accompanies 'لحظة' to mean 'wait a bit.'
Don't Overuse
If you say 'lahdha' five times in a row, it sounds like you are disorganized. Use it once and then give a clear update.
Meaning
A polite request for someone to wait briefly.
The Hand Gesture
In the Arab world, raising your hand with your fingers together and tips pointing up (like a cup) often accompanies 'لحظة' to mean 'wait a bit.'
Don't Overuse
If you say 'lahdha' five times in a row, it sounds like you are disorganized. Use it once and then give a clear update.
The 'Insha'Allah' Factor
Sometimes 'لحظة' is followed by 'Insha'Allah,' which adds a layer of cultural hope that the wait will indeed be short.
Test Yourself
Complete the phrase with the correct gender suffix for a woman.
لحظة من فضـ...
The suffix '-iki' is used when addressing a female in formal Arabic.
Which phrase is the most polite for a business meeting?
You need to check a document during a presentation.
'Lahdha min fadlik' provides the perfect balance of formality and clarity for business.
What should the customer say?
Waiter: 'Are you ready to order?' Customer: '________, I am still reading.'
This is the standard way to ask a waiter for more time.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are on the phone and someone knocks on your door.
You use this to ask the caller to hold while you check the door.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use 'Lahdha'
Situations
- • Phone calls
- • Meetings
- • Shopping
- • At home
Practice Bank
4 exercisesلحظة من فضـ...
The suffix '-iki' is used when addressing a female in formal Arabic.
You need to check a document during a presentation.
'Lahdha min fadlik' provides the perfect balance of formality and clarity for business.
Waiter: 'Are you ready to order?' Customer: '________, I am still reading.'
This is the standard way to ask a waiter for more time.
Situation: You are on the phone and someone knocks on your door.
You use this to ask the caller to hold while you check the door.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, 'Lahdha' is generally considered more standard and polite in professional settings.
Absolutely. It is the perfect phrase for a professional environment.
In casual speech, no. In formal MSA, yes (use 'min fadliki').
Say 'دقيقة' (minute) or 'خمس دقائق' (five minutes) to be more accurate.
To a stranger, yes. To a close friend, it's fine.
It's like the 'th' in 'the' but with the tongue pressed harder against the teeth.
Yes, 'Sanya' (ثانية) is very common in Cairo.
It's better to use 'أرجو الانتظار' or 'سأرد عليك قريباً' in formal writing.
Yes, it's the most common way to say 'please' when asking for a favor.
The plural is 'Lahadhat' (لحظات), meaning 'moments.'
Related Phrases
ثانية واحدة
synonymOne second
انتظر قليلاً
similarWait a little
على مهلك
builds onTake your time
تفضل
contrastGo ahead / Please (giving)
لو سمحت
similarIf you permit
