كنت مشغول جدا

Using this phrase is incredibly straightforward. You place it at the start of your sentence to set the stage. If you are a woman, you must change it slightly to كنت مشغولة جدا (kuntu mashghoola jiddan). Notice that extra 'a' sound at the end of 'busy'? That is the feminine marker. You can say it when you finally answer the phone. You can also type it in a WhatsApp group. It is the perfect bridge before you explain what actually happened.

Use this when you finally resurface after a long day. It works perfectly when meeting a friend for coffee after being late. It is also great for professional emails when you finally reply to a client. Use it when your mom calls you for the fifth time. It sounds polite and valid. It is the universal language of adulthood in the Arab world.

Don't use this if you are currently doing nothing. If someone sees you scrolling through Instagram and you say this, it won't fly. Also, avoid using it as a constant excuse with close family. They might start to feel neglected. In very high-level formal Arabic (like a speech), you might use more poetic terms. But for 95% of life, this phrase is your best friend.

In Arab culture, hospitality and social connection are huge. Being 'busy' is often seen as a sign of importance or hard work. However, people also value 'Wasta' or personal connections. So, saying you were busy is a soft way to apologize without losing face. It acknowledges the social debt of not responding. It shows you value the other person's time. It is a polite social lubricant that keeps relationships smooth.

If you want to sound more casual, you can skip the 'I was'. Just say مشغول جدا (mashghool jiddan). In many dialects, like Egyptian, you might say كنت مشغول قوي (kuntu mashghool awy). In the Gulf, you might hear كنت وايد مشغول (kuntu wayed mashghool). If you want to sound even more overwhelmed, try كان عندي شغل كثير (kaana indi shughl katheer). This translates to 'I had a lot of work'. Each variation carries the same 'don't be mad at me' energy.