متأخرين
We are late
字面意思: Late ones
Use 'متأخرين' whenever you and at least one other person are behind schedule.
15秒了解
- Plural form for 'we are late' used in all dialects.
- Can be used alone or with 'نحن' (we).
- Essential for traffic, meetings, and social events.
意思
This is the plural way to say 'we are late.' You use it when you and your group are behind schedule for an appointment, a flight, or a meeting.
关键例句
3 / 6Stuck in traffic with a friend
يا الله، الزحمة قوية ونحن متأخرين!
Oh God, the traffic is heavy and we are late!
Entering a meeting with a colleague
نعتذر منكم، نحن متأخرين قليلاً.
We apologize to you all, we are a little late.
Texting a group of friends
يا جماعة، متأخرين! وينكم؟
Guys, we're late! Where are you?
文化背景
In many Arab social circles, 'social time' is flexible, and being 15-30 minutes late to a gathering is often seen as normal. However, the phrase 'متأخرين' is increasingly used in professional settings where Western-style punctuality is the standard. It is often paired with 'Inshallah' to express hope that the lateness won't cause too much trouble.
The 'Inshallah' Buffer
If you say 'متأخرين' to a host, they will likely reply with 'Ma'alesh' (It's okay). It's a social dance of politeness.
Singular vs. Plural
Be careful! If you say 'متأخرين' when you are alone, people will think you are referring to a group that isn't there.
15秒了解
- Plural form for 'we are late' used in all dialects.
- Can be used alone or with 'نحن' (we).
- Essential for traffic, meetings, and social events.
What It Means
This phrase is your go-to when time slips away from you. It is the plural form of the word for 'late.' In English, we use a full sentence: 'We are late.' In Arabic, you can often just use this one powerful word. It describes the state of the group. It is simple, direct, and very common in every Arab country. Whether you are with family or friends, this word says it all.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone exclamation. Just shout متأخرين! while grabbing your keys. You can also pair it with the word for 'we,' which is نحن. So, نحن متأخرين is the full version. Grammatically, it is an active participle. It changes based on who is late. If it is just you, say متأخر. If it is a group of women, say متأخرات. But for any mixed group or group of men, متأخرين is your best friend. It is very flexible in daily speech.
When To Use It
Use it when the movie starts in five minutes and you are still at home. Use it when your taxi is stuck in heavy Cairo or Dubai traffic. It is perfect for texting the group chat when everyone is lagging. 'Guys, hurry up, متأخرين!' You will also hear it at the airport check-in counter. It shows you realize you missed the mark. It is great for social gatherings, classes, or even business meetings. Just make sure to look a bit stressed when you say it!
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it if you are by yourself. That would be a bit confusing for listeners. They might look behind you to see who else is late! For just you, stick to أنا متأخر. Also, do not use it for a clock that is running slow. That requires a different grammatical structure entirely. Avoid using it if you want to sound extremely formal in a written letter. In very formal writing, the verb version تأخرنا is often preferred. Also, don't say it if you are actually early—that's just confusing!
Cultural Background
Time is often viewed through a different lens in many Arab cultures. There is a famous, lighthearted concept called 'IBM.' It stands for Inshallah (God willing), Bukra (Tomorrow), and Ma'alesh (Never mind). This reflects a more relaxed approach to punctuality. Being 'late' to a social dinner is often expected. If a wedding invitation says 8:00 PM, arriving at 8:00 PM might mean you are the only one there! However, for modern business and transport, punctuality is becoming the norm. Using متأخرين shows you respect the other person's time, even if the culture is generally relaxed.
Common Variations
You will often hear the verb version: تأخرنا (Ta'akharna). This means 'We became late' or 'We have been delayed.' In some local dialects, like Egyptian or Levantine, the 't' sound might be softened. You might hear مأخرين (Ma'akhreen). Another common phrase is راح علينا الوقت. This literally means 'Time has gone away from us.' It is a more poetic way to lament being late. But for a learner, متأخرين remains the most universal and easily understood choice across the region.
使用说明
This is a highly versatile word. While technically an adjective, it functions as a complete thought in casual conversation. Ensure you use the plural 'in' ending for any group that includes at least one male.
The 'Inshallah' Buffer
If you say 'متأخرين' to a host, they will likely reply with 'Ma'alesh' (It's okay). It's a social dance of politeness.
Singular vs. Plural
Be careful! If you say 'متأخرين' when you are alone, people will think you are referring to a group that isn't there.
The 15-Minute Rule
In many Arab countries, being 15 minutes late is often considered 'on time' for social events. Don't stress too much!
例句
6يا الله، الزحمة قوية ونحن متأخرين!
Oh God, the traffic is heavy and we are late!
A very common everyday frustration in big cities.
نعتذر منكم، نحن متأخرين قليلاً.
We apologize to you all, we are a little late.
Using 'نعتذر' (we apologize) makes this professional.
يا جماعة، متأخرين! وينكم؟
Guys, we're late! Where are you?
Short and punchy for a group chat.
الفيلم بدأ ونحن لسه متأخرين.
The movie started and we are still late.
Uses 'لسه' (still) to emphasize the ongoing lateness.
كالعادة، نحن دائماً متأخرين معكم.
As usual, we are always late with you guys.
A lighthearted jab at friends who are never on time.
بسرعة! الطائرة ستقلع ونحن متأخرين جداً!
Quickly! The plane will take off and we are very late!
High-stress situation using 'جداً' (very) for emphasis.
自我测试
Choose the correct word to say 'We are late' for a mixed group of friends.
يا أصدقاء، أسرعوا! نحن ___.
'متأخرين' is the plural form used for groups, while the others are singular.
Complete the sentence to apologize for being late in a meeting.
آسف، نحن ___ بسبب المواصلات.
'متأخرين' means late, 'مبكرين' means early, and 'نايمين' means sleeping.
🎉 得分： /2
视觉学习工具
Formality Spectrum of 'متأخرين'
Shouted among friends or family while rushing.
متأخرين يا شباب!
Standard way to state the situation to anyone.
نحن متأخرين.
Used with an apology in professional settings.
نعتذر، نحن متأخرين.
When to say 'متأخرين'
Stuck in Traffic
Looking at the GPS in a taxi.
Airport Dash
Running toward the boarding gate.
Group Chat
Telling the group to hurry up.
Wedding Arrival
Walking into a hall after it started.
常见问题
10 个问题متأخر is for one person (singular masculine), while متأخرين is for a group (plural masculine or mixed).
Yes, متأخرين is understood in all dialects from Morocco to Iraq, though local pronunciations might vary slightly.
You would use the feminine plural form, which is متأخرات (Muta'akhirat).
It can be blunt. It's usually better to add آسفين (Sorry) before or after it to be polite.
تأخرنا means 'We became late' or 'We were delayed.' It focuses on the action of being late rather than the state.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend, as long as you adjust your tone and surrounding words.
You would say أنتم متأخرين (Antum muta'akhireen).
Yes, if you are on the bus and it is behind schedule, you can say الباص متأخر (The bus is late).
A common response is بسيطة (Basita) or ما في مشكلة (No problem), meaning 'It's okay, don't worry.'
Since it is an adjective/participle, it doesn't change for tense. You add كنا (we were) to say كنا متأخرين (we were late).
相关表达
تأخرنا
We are late / We were delayed (verb form)
على الوقت
On time
بسرعة
Quickly / Hurry up
راح علينا
We missed it (literally: it went away from us)
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