Meaning
To arrive after the scheduled time.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Insha'Allah' (God willing) is often used when making appointments. It doesn't mean the person intends to be late, but it acknowledges that factors like traffic are out of their control. Social lateness is common, but professional punctuality is highly valued in the private sector. Being late for a 'Subhiye' (morning coffee) is usually fine. In business, punctuality is increasingly strict. However, in traditional Majlis settings, arrival times are often fluid. Cairo traffic is legendary. 'يتأخر عن الموعد' is almost expected, and 'الزحمة' (the traffic) is the most common phrase used alongside it.
The 'An' Rule
Always remember 'an'. If you say 'yata'akhar al-maw'id', it sounds like the appointment itself is being late (which is possible, but usually you mean the person).
Formal vs Informal
In a text to a friend, just say 'أنا متأخر' (I'm late). Save the full phrase for formal excuses.
Meaning
To arrive after the scheduled time.
The 'An' Rule
Always remember 'an'. If you say 'yata'akhar al-maw'id', it sounds like the appointment itself is being late (which is possible, but usually you mean the person).
Formal vs Informal
In a text to a friend, just say 'أنا متأخر' (I'm late). Save the full phrase for formal excuses.
The Traffic Excuse
If you are late in an Arab city, mentioning 'ez-zahma' (the traffic) makes your lateness much more forgivable.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct preposition.
تأخرتُ ___ الموعد بسبب الزحام.
The verb 'تأخر' always takes the preposition 'عن' in Modern Standard Arabic.
Choose the correct verb form for 'They (masc.) are late'.
هم _______ عن الموعد.
The subject 'هم' requires the plural masculine present form 'يتأخرون'.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate phrase.
أحمد: لماذا أنت غاضب؟ خالد: لأنك دائماً ________.
Khaled is describing a recurring habit, so the present tense 'تتأخر' is needed.
Match the sentence to the correct context.
Sentence: 'نعتذر عن تأخر الرحلة عن الموعد المحدد.'
The word 'الرحلة' (the trip/flight) indicates a travel context.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesتأخرتُ ___ الموعد بسبب الزحام.
The verb 'تأخر' always takes the preposition 'عن' in Modern Standard Arabic.
هم _______ عن الموعد.
The subject 'هم' requires the plural masculine present form 'يتأخرون'.
أحمد: لماذا أنت غاضب؟ خالد: لأنك دائماً ________.
Khaled is describing a recurring habit, so the present tense 'تتأخر' is needed.
Sentence: 'نعتذر عن تأخر الرحلة عن الموعد المحدد.'
The word 'الرحلة' (the trip/flight) indicates a travel context.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, 'الباص يتأخر عن الموعد' is perfectly correct.
'Muta'akhir' is the adjective (I am late), while 'yata'akhar' is the verb (He is being late).
It is better to use the noun form in an apology: 'أعتذر عن التأخر'.
Use the past tense: 'تأخرتُ' (Ta'akh-khartu).
It can also mean 'date' (romantic) or 'deadline' in some contexts.
Arabic logic views lateness as moving away from a point, hence 'an' (from).
Yes, just 'أنا متأخر' (I'm late).
Yes, but 'يتأخر عن موعد التسليم' (late for the delivery time) is more specific.
'يصل مبكراً' (Arrives early).
The verb 'تأخر' is used, but the full collocation is modern.
Related Phrases
فات الموعد
similarTo miss the appointment entirely
في الوقت المحدد
contrastOn the specified time
التزم بالموعد
builds onTo stick to the appointment
أخّر الموعد
specialized formTo postpone the appointment
