ممكن أقعد؟
May I sit?
Littéralement: Possible I sit?
Use this phrase to politely claim a seat or join a table in any social environment.
En 15 secondes
- A polite way to ask for a seat in any setting.
- Combines 'possible' and 'I sit' for a simple request.
- Triggers a welcoming response in most social situations.
Signification
This is a polite, everyday way to ask if you can take a seat or join someone at their table. It is the Arabic equivalent of saying 'May I sit?' or 'Is this seat taken?'
Exemples clés
3 sur 7At a crowded cafe
ممكن أقعد هنا؟
May I sit here?
Joining a colleague at lunch
يا محمد، ممكن أقعد معك؟
Mohamed, may I sit with you?
In a formal office meeting
ممكن أقعد يا حضرة المدير؟
May I sit, Mr. Manager?
Contexte culturel
Hospitality is a pillar of Arab identity, so asking to sit is often met with an enthusiastic 'Tafaddal' (Please do). Historically, the 'Majlis' (sitting room) was the heart of social and political life, making the act of sitting together a sign of peace and community. In modern cities, this phrase helps navigate the crowded, social atmosphere of traditional coffee houses.
The Silent Q
In many urban dialects like Cairene or Levantine, the 'q' (ق) is pronounced as a glottal stop (like the 'tt' in 'button'). Say 'a-ad' instead of 'aq-ad' to sound like a local!
Wait for the 'Tafaddal'
Even if you ask, it's polite to wait for a split second for the other person to say 'Tafaddal' (Please) before actually dropping into the chair.
En 15 secondes
- A polite way to ask for a seat in any setting.
- Combines 'possible' and 'I sit' for a simple request.
- Triggers a welcoming response in most social situations.
What It Means
ممكن أقعد؟ (Mumkin aq'ad?) is your magic key to social spaces. The word ممكن means 'possible' or 'may I.' The word أقعد means 'I sit.' Together, they form a gentle request. It is simple, direct, and very common. You are essentially asking for permission while being respectful of someone's space. It is the ultimate icebreaker in a crowded cafe.
How To Use It
Using this phrase is incredibly easy. You walk up to a chair and say it with a slight tilt of the head. You don't need to add a lot of extra words. If you want to be extra polite, you can add لو سمحت (law samaht) which means 'if you please.' Most people will respond with تفضل (tafaddal), which means 'please, go ahead.' It is a short, rhythmic phrase that fits perfectly into the flow of conversation. Just remember to smile!
When To Use It
Use this phrase whenever you see an empty chair. It is perfect for a busy coffee shop in Cairo or a park bench in Dubai. Use it when you arrive at a friend's house and aren't sure where to sit. It is also great for public transport if a seat is technically 'open' but next to someone. Even if the seat is clearly empty, asking shows you have great manners. It turns a cold interaction into a friendly one.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if you are in a very formal ceremony where seating is assigned. If you are meeting a high-ranking official, wait for them to invite you to sit first. Also, avoid saying it if someone has clearly placed their bag on the chair to save it for a friend. In those cases, you might want to ask 'Is this seat taken?' instead. Using it while someone is mid-sentence in a private, intense conversation might also be a bit intrusive. Read the room before you drop the anchor!
Cultural Background
Arab culture is famous for its hospitality and 'Karam' (generosity). When you ask ممكن أقعد؟, you are triggering a cultural reflex of welcoming. In many places, it is considered rude to say 'no' unless the seat is truly reserved. Often, the person might even move their belongings to make more room for you. This phrase reflects the communal nature of Arab social life. It is not just about a chair; it is about sharing space and potentially starting a conversation.
Common Variations
In Modern Standard Arabic, you might hear هل يمكنني الجلوس؟ (Hal yumkinuni al-julus?), but that sounds like a textbook. In the Levant (Lebanon, Syria, Jordan), you might hear فيني أقعد؟ (Fini aq'ad?). In Egypt, the 'q' in أقعد is often silent, sounding like 'a-ad.' In the Gulf, you might hear ممكن أجلس؟ (Mumkin ajlis?). Regardless of the dialect, ممكن remains the universal 'may I' that everyone understands.
Notes d'usage
This phrase is safe for 95% of social interactions. It sits right in the middle of the formality scale, making it useful for both strangers and friends. Just be mindful of the local pronunciation of the letter 'Qaf'.
The Silent Q
In many urban dialects like Cairene or Levantine, the 'q' (ق) is pronounced as a glottal stop (like the 'tt' in 'button'). Say 'a-ad' instead of 'aq-ad' to sound like a local!
Wait for the 'Tafaddal'
Even if you ask, it's polite to wait for a split second for the other person to say 'Tafaddal' (Please) before actually dropping into the chair.
The 'Reserved' Bag
If you see a small item like a prayer bead or a tissue pack on a chair, it's a 'soft reserve.' Always ask 'Is someone here?' before using the phrase.
Exemples
7ممكن أقعد هنا؟
May I sit here?
Adding 'hona' (here) specifies the exact spot.
يا محمد، ممكن أقعد معك؟
Mohamed, may I sit with you?
Using the person's name makes it more personal.
ممكن أقعد يا حضرة المدير؟
May I sit, Mr. Manager?
Adding a title increases the respect level.
أنا وصلت، ممكن أقعد جنبك؟
I arrived, can I sit next to you?
Common way to coordinate meeting up in public.
يا قطة، ممكن أقعد على الكرسي؟
Hey cat, may I sit on the chair?
A funny way to 'ask permission' from a pet occupying a seat.
ممكن أقعد جنبك شوي؟
May I sit next to you for a bit?
The word 'shway' (a bit) makes the request gentler.
لو سمحت، ممكن أقعد؟
Excuse me, may I sit?
Starting with 'law samaht' is very polite for strangers.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word to complete the request to sit.
___ أقعد؟
`ممكن` (Mumkin) is the word used for 'may I' or 'is it possible.'
How do you ask to sit 'here'?
ممكن أقعد ___؟
`هنا` (Hona) means 'here,' making the request specific to the location.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality Spectrum of 'Mumkin Aq'ad?'
Used with friends or siblings.
Aq'ad?
The standard version for cafes and public spaces.
Mumkin aq'ad?
Used with elders or in business.
Mumkin aq'ad, law samaht?
Where to use 'Mumkin Aq'ad?'
Coffee Shop
Joining a shared table.
Friend's House
Asking where to sit in the living room.
Public Park
Sharing a bench with a stranger.
University
Taking a seat in a lecture hall.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt means 'possible' or 'maybe.' In this context, it functions as 'May I' or 'Can I.'
The root is the same, but the pronunciation of the 'q' changes. In the Gulf, it's a hard 'g' sound, while in Egypt, it's silent.
Yes, it's neutral enough. Just add يا فندم (ya fandem) or لو سمحت (law samaht) to make it more professional.
The most common response is تفضل (Tafaddal) for a male or تفضلي (Tafaddali) for a female, meaning 'Please, go ahead.'
Just add هنا (hona) to the end: ممكن أقعد هنا؟ (Mumkin aq'ad hona?).
In a crowded public space, it's not necessarily 'rude,' but asking is a sign of high 'Adab' (etiquette).
You can say المكان محجوز؟ (Al-makan mahjouz?), which literally means 'Is the place reserved?'
You can say ممكن أقعد معكم؟ (Mumkin aq'ad ma'akum?), which means 'May I sit with you all?'
Yes, أجلس (ajlis) is the formal/MSA version of أقعد (aq'ad).
No, this is specifically for the physical act of sitting down. To stay over, you would use different verbs related to 'staying' or 'sleeping.'
Expressions liées
تفضل
لو سمحت
في مكان؟
الكرسي فاضي؟
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