أنا مشغول

Using this phrase is like putting on a hat. If you are a man, you say Ana mashghool. If you are a woman, you add a small 'a' sound at the end: Ana mashghoola. The word Ana means "I," and mashghool is the adjective for "busy." You can drop the Ana if you want to be even faster, especially in texts. Just saying mashghool works perfectly fine when you are in a rush. It is like shouting "Busy!" as you run past someone.

Use it when your phone rings during a meeting. Use it when a street vendor tries to sell you a rug you don't need. It is perfect for professional emails, text messages, and face-to-face chats. If a friend asks to hang out and you are actually binging a show, Ana mashghool is your best friend. It works at the office, at home, or even at a loud café when someone tries to start a long conversation.

Be careful using this with elders or your parents. In many Arabic-speaking cultures, telling an older relative you are "busy" can sound a bit dismissive or even rude. It might imply that your tasks are more important than they are. In those cases, it is better to say you will call them back in five minutes. Also, don't use it if you are trying to be extremely formal with a high-ranking official; there are fancier ways to say your schedule is full.

In the Arab world, social connection is everything. Because hospitality is such a core value, saying "no" can feel a bit heavy. To soften the blow of being mashghool, people often add a reason or a promise. You might hear someone say, "I'm busy, but let's talk tomorrow." This keeps the relationship warm while still protecting your time. Time is often seen as fluid, but the word mashghool is the universal signal that the fluid has hit a dam.

If you are really underwater, add jiddan (very) at the end: Ana mashghool jiddan. If you are just a little tied up, say Mashghool shwayya. In different dialects, the pronunciation might shift slightly—like mashghul in some Gulf regions—but everyone will understand the standard version. It is one of those rare phrases that travels perfectly across every Arabic-speaking border.