I'm learning العربية

اِنتَظَرَ — meaning in English: wait

Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for to expect
اِنتَظَرَ
حَظّ
مُتَأَخِّراً
ثَقافيّ
كَما شِئْتَ
kamā shi'ta
Skip this question   
🎓
Learn Arabic for free
Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.
Start learning →
Already have an account? Log in
neutral very common
Usage
Native speakers often use اِنتَظَرَ in everyday situations, such as when waiting for a friend at a café or anticipating a bus arrival. It's a versatile word found in both casual conversations and more serious discussions, such as waiting for important news.
Synonyms & nuances
While اِنتَظَرَ directly translates to 'wait', a close synonym is مُنْتَظَر, which also means 'waited for' or 'expected'. However, مُنْتَظَر emphasizes the anticipation aspect more than the act of waiting itself, so you would choose اِنتَظَرَ for the action and مُنْتَظَر for the feeling of expectation.
Culture
The word اِنتَظَرَ comes from the root ن-ظ-ر, which relates to sight and observation, reflecting the idea of 'waiting' as an act of watching for something or someone. In Arab culture, waiting is often portrayed in poetry and songs, symbolizing patience and hope, making this verb not just a practical term but also a culturally rich concept.
FAQ
Q.How do you pronounce اِنتَظَرَ?
It is pronounced as 'intazara'. The emphasis is on the second syllable, making it sound smooth and flowing in conversation.
Q.Can اِنتَظَرَ be used in the past tense?
Yes, اِنتَظَرَ is the past tense form of the verb 'to wait'. You can say 'أَنا اِنتَظَرتُ' to mean 'I waited'.
Q.Are there any common mistakes with اِنتَظَرَ?
A common mistake is using it without the appropriate context. Remember, اِنتَظَرَ is typically used when there is a clear subject and object, such as 'I waited for my friend', to avoid ambiguity.
Learn arabic with Maspeak →
Arabic 5000