فاتني الباص
I missed the bus
Literalmente: The bus escaped me / The bus passed me
Use this phrase to humorously or casually admit you missed out on an opportunity or event.
En 15 segundos
- Used when you miss an opportunity or a deadline.
- Literally means 'the bus passed me' or 'escaped me'.
- Great for casual regrets and social situations.
Significado
It means you missed an opportunity or arrived too late for something. While it literally refers to transportation, people use it to describe missing out on a deal, a social event, or a life milestone.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Arriving late to a sale
كنت أريد شراء الحذاء لكن فاتني الباص.
I wanted to buy the shoes, but I missed the bus.
Missing a joke in a group chat
عن ماذا تضحكون؟ يبدو أنني فاتني الباص.
What are you laughing at? It seems I missed the bus.
A professional deadline passed
للأسف فاتنا الباص للتقديم على هذه المناقصة.
Unfortunately, we missed the bus to apply for this tender.
Contexto cultural
The phrase reflects the high value placed on social participation in Arabic culture. Missing a collective experience is often seen as a minor personal loss. While 'missing the train' is more classical (Fusha), 'missing the bus' is the modern, urban equivalent used by younger generations.
The 'Train' Alternative
If you want to sound more dramatic or poetic, swap 'bus' for 'train' (`القطار`). It implies a bigger life opportunity was missed.
Grammar Trap
Remember that the 'bus' is the subject doing the 'passing.' So the verb stays masculine (`فات`) regardless of your gender.
En 15 segundos
- Used when you miss an opportunity or a deadline.
- Literally means 'the bus passed me' or 'escaped me'.
- Great for casual regrets and social situations.
What It Means
فاتني الباص is the Arabic version of 'missing the boat.' It implies that a specific window of opportunity has closed. You were either too slow or too late to act. It carries a sense of slight regret but often with a shrug of the shoulders. It is a very relatable way to say 'I missed out.'
How To Use It
You use it just like the English equivalent. The verb فات means to pass or escape. You can change the pronoun to talk about others. For example, فاته الباص means 'he missed the bus.' It is simple, punchy, and everyone understands it instantly. Use it when you arrive at a party that just ended. Use it when a sale at your favorite store expires.
When To Use It
Use it in casual conversations with friends. It is perfect for lighthearted self-deprecation. If your friends are discussing a viral video you haven't seen, say it then. It also works in business if a deadline passed. It softens the blow of a missed chance. It makes you sound like a native speaker who accepts fate with a bit of humor.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for very serious tragedies. If someone loses a job or a loved one, this phrase is too light. It sounds a bit flippant for deep grief. Also, avoid using it in extremely formal legal documents. It is a colorful expression, not a technical term. Don't use it if you literally missed a train—unless it was actually a bus!
Cultural Background
In many Arabic-speaking cities, buses are the heartbeat of daily life. Missing one can throw off your entire afternoon. This shared frustration turned into a metaphor for life's missed chances. In some regions, there is a famous saying about 'the train of marriage' passing by. فاتني الباص is the more modern, gender-neutral cousin of that idea. It reflects a culture that values timing and 'naseeb' (destiny).
Common Variations
You might hear فاتك القطار (the train missed you). This version is more dramatic and often used in political speeches or old movies. In Egyptian dialect, you might hear راحت عليّ (it went past me). However, فاتني الباص remains the most universal version across the Middle East. It is the 'gold standard' for missing out on the fun.
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral to informal. It is safe for use with colleagues you know well or in any social setting. The key is the verb `فات` which always agrees with the 'bus' (masculine), not the person.
The 'Train' Alternative
If you want to sound more dramatic or poetic, swap 'bus' for 'train' (`القطار`). It implies a bigger life opportunity was missed.
Grammar Trap
Remember that the 'bus' is the subject doing the 'passing.' So the verb stays masculine (`فات`) regardless of your gender.
The Marriage Connection
Older generations often used 'the train passed her' to refer to a woman getting older without marrying. Using 'bus' instead makes it feel much lighter and more modern.
Ejemplos
6كنت أريد شراء الحذاء لكن فاتني الباص.
I wanted to buy the shoes, but I missed the bus.
Used here to mean the sale ended before the speaker could buy.
عن ماذا تضحكون؟ يبدو أنني فاتني الباص.
What are you laughing at? It seems I missed the bus.
Perfect for when you enter a conversation late.
للأسف فاتنا الباص للتقديم على هذه المناقصة.
Unfortunately, we missed the bus to apply for this tender.
Slightly more serious but still uses the metaphor for a missed deadline.
الكل شاهد الفيلم إلا أنا، فاتني الباص!
Everyone saw the movie except me, I missed the bus!
Expressing a feeling of being left out of a trend.
وصلت للمطار متأخراً... فاتني الباص فعلياً!
I arrived at the airport late... I literally missed the bus!
A play on words when a literal delay happens.
يا خسارة، فاتني الباص والحفلة انتهت.
What a shame, I missed the bus and the party is over.
Common way to express regret via text.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct verb form for 'I missed the bus'.
___ الباص لأنني نمت كثيراً.
The suffix '-ni' makes the verb refer to 'me' (the speaker).
Complete the phrase to say 'You (singular, male) missed the bus'.
يا أحمد، لقد ___ الباص، العرض انتهى!
The suffix '-ka' is used when speaking directly to a male person.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality Spectrum
Used among very close friends.
راحت عليّ
The sweet spot for 'فاتني الباص'.
فاتني الباص يا صاحبي
Used in literature or news.
فاتك القطار
When to say 'فاتني الباص'
Missing a Bitcoin boom
I should have invested!
Late to a viral trend
What is this meme?
Job application closed
The link expired.
Sold out tickets
The concert is full.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes! It works both literally and metaphorically. If you are standing at the stop and the bus is gone, فاتني الباص is exactly what you say.
Yes, while some regions have local favorites, فاتني الباص is understood from Morocco to the Gulf because the words are standard Arabic.
You would say فاتكِ الباص (fataki al-bas). The 'ki' sound at the end changes the target to a female.
Not rude, but it is informal. In a very stiff board meeting, you might say فاتتنا الفرصة (we missed the opportunity) instead.
The 'train' (القطار) usually refers to major life milestones like marriage or career paths, while 'bus' (الباص) is for everyday things.
It's a bit heavy for a phone call. For a call, just say لم أرد على المكالمة (I didn't answer the call).
It means to pass by or to elapse. When used with a person, it means something moved past them before they could grab it.
Not exactly, but you could say لحقت الباص (I caught the bus) to mean you barely made it in time for an opportunity.
Buses are the most common public transport in the Arab world, making it a very relatable daily struggle.
Yes, it is very common for deadlines. It implies the 'window' for submission has closed.
Frases relacionadas
فاتك القطار
You missed the train (more dramatic/formal).
راحت عليّ
I missed out / I slept through it (very casual).
فرصة ضائعة
A lost opportunity.
في المشمش
When apricots bloom (meaning: 'it will never happen').
Comentarios (0)
Inicia Sesión para ComentarEmpieza a aprender idiomas gratis
Empieza Gratis