كنت مسافر
I was traveling
शाब्दिक अर्थ: I was [a] traveler
Use `كنت مسافر` to gracefully explain your absence or share news about a recent trip.
15 सेकंड में
- Use it to explain you were away on a trip recently.
- Add a 'ta marbuta' (musafira) if you are a woman.
- Expect people to reply with a blessing for your safe return.
मतलब
This phrase is your go-to way to explain that you were away on a trip or journey recently. It is the perfect, polite excuse for why you might have missed a call, a party, or a deadline.
मुख्य उदाहरण
3 / 6Explaining a missed call to a friend
آسف ما رديت، كنت مسافر.
Sorry I didn't answer, I was traveling.
A woman telling her colleague she was away
كنت مسافرة الأسبوع الماضي.
I was traveling last week.
Formal email explaining absence from a meeting
أعتذر عن الغياب، كنت مسافر في مهمة عمل.
I apologize for the absence, I was traveling on a business mission.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
In Arab culture, returning from travel is a celebrated event often marked by the phrase 'Alhamdulillah ala salama'. Historically, travel across deserts was dangerous, so returning safely was a blessing. Today, this phrase remains the standard way to reconnect after an absence.
The Magic Reply
When you tell someone you were traveling, they will say 'Hamdillah ala salama'. You should reply with 'Allah yisallimak' (May God keep you safe too).
Gender Matters
Don't forget the 'a' sound at the end if you are female! Saying `musafir` as a woman sounds slightly robotic to native ears.
15 सेकंड में
- Use it to explain you were away on a trip recently.
- Add a 'ta marbuta' (musafira) if you are a woman.
- Expect people to reply with a blessing for your safe return.
What It Means
كنت مسافر is a simple way to say you were out of town. It uses the past tense of 'to be' combined with the active participle for 'traveler'. In Arabic, saying 'I was a traveler' functions exactly like 'I was traveling' in English. It covers everything from a weekend getaway to a month-long business trip. It sounds natural and flows easily in conversation.
How To Use It
You can use this phrase on its own or add a destination. If you want to say where you went, add إلى (to) followed by the country. For example, كنت مسافر إلى مصر. If you are a woman, you must add a 'ta marbuta' to the end. You would say كنت مسافرة. It is a very flexible phrase that fits into almost any sentence structure.
When To Use It
Use this when you see a friend after a long time. It is great for catching up over coffee. It is also the standard way to explain an absence at work. If someone asks, 'Where have you been?', this is your answer. You will hear it often in airports, offices, and family gatherings. It is a very common part of daily life.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if you just went to the next neighborhood. It implies a real journey or leaving your city. If you were just stuck in traffic, this phrase is too dramatic. Also, do not use it for future plans. For future trips, you would say سأسافر. Using the past tense for a future trip will confuse your friends. Keep it for things that already happened.
Cultural Background
Travel is a huge part of Arab culture and history. In the past, hospitality for travelers was a sacred duty. When you say كنت مسافر, people will often reply with الحمد لله على السلامة. This means 'Praise God for your safety'. It is a beautiful way to welcome someone back. Travel is seen as a way to gain wisdom and experience.
Common Variations
In different dialects, the pronunciation might change slightly. In Egypt, you might hear كنت مسافر with a hard 'g' sound if there are other words. In the Levant, people might say كنت بالسفر. Some people might say كنت برا which literally means 'I was outside'. This usually implies being outside the country. However, كنت مسافر remains the most understood version across the Arab world.
इस्तेमाल की जानकारी
The phrase is highly versatile and works in both formal and informal registers. Just remember to conjugate the verb 'to be' and the participle if you are speaking for a group or as a female.
The Magic Reply
When you tell someone you were traveling, they will say 'Hamdillah ala salama'. You should reply with 'Allah yisallimak' (May God keep you safe too).
Gender Matters
Don't forget the 'a' sound at the end if you are female! Saying `musafir` as a woman sounds slightly robotic to native ears.
Distance Check
Only use this for trips that involve leaving the city. Using it for a trip to the mall will make you sound very confused!
उदाहरण
6آسف ما رديت، كنت مسافر.
Sorry I didn't answer, I was traveling.
A very common and casual way to excuse yourself.
كنت مسافرة الأسبوع الماضي.
I was traveling last week.
Note the feminine ending 'a' on musafira.
أعتذر عن الغياب، كنت مسافر في مهمة عمل.
I apologize for the absence, I was traveling on a business mission.
Adding 'business mission' makes it professional.
توني رجعت، كنت مسافر!
I just got back, I was traveling!
Using 'tawni' (just now) adds a sense of immediacy.
ما سمعتك، كنت مسافر بخيالي.
I didn't hear you, I was traveling in my imagination.
A poetic and funny way to say you were daydreaming.
اشتقت للبيت، كنت مسافر لفترة طويلة.
I missed home, I was traveling for a long time.
Shows the emotional side of being away.
खुद को परखो
If a woman is speaking, which form should she use?
أنا ___ إلى لندن الشهر الماضي.
Women must use the feminine form `مسافرة` to agree with the subject.
Complete the sentence to say 'I was traveling for work'.
كنت مسافر ___.
`للعمل` means 'for work', which is a common reason for travel.
🎉 स्कोर: /2
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Formality of 'Kuntu Musafir'
Texting a friend 'I was away'.
كنت مسافر، شو الأخبار؟
Standard conversation with a neighbor.
كنت مسافر الأسبوع الماضي.
Explaining absence in a professional setting.
أعتذر، كنت مسافر في عمل.
When to use 'Kuntu Musafir'
Returning to work
Explaining why you missed emails.
Family gathering
Telling cousins about your trip.
Social Media
Captioning a 'throwback' photo.
Missed Call
Replying to a 'Where are you?' text.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालIt technically means 'I was traveling' or 'I was in a state of travel'. It is used to describe the period of time you were away, rather than the specific act of moving.
You simply add a 'ta marbuta' to the end of the second word. It becomes كنت مسافرة (Kuntu musafira).
Yes, it is Modern Standard Arabic and is used in almost every dialect. Everyone from Morocco to Iraq will understand you perfectly.
Absolutely. You can add في شغل (for work) or في مهمة عمل (on a work mission) to make it clearer.
If you are currently on the trip, you would say أنا مسافر (I am traveling). Use كنت only for the past.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend without changing a word.
If you were traveling with a group, you would say كنا مسافرين (Kunna musafireen), which means 'We were traveling'.
It is a cultural reflex. They are thanking God that you returned safely from your journey.
Usually, no. It implies staying overnight or going a significant distance. For a day trip, you might just say طلعت مشوار.
A common mistake is forgetting the كنت (kuntu). Without it, مسافر just means 'traveler' or 'traveling' without a time frame.
संबंधित मुहावरे
الحمد لله على السلامة
رحلة سعيدة
تروح وترجع بالسلامة
غيرت جو
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