English → Arabic
perhaps in Arabic
- Pronunciation
- rubbamā
- Arabizi
rubama- Type
- adverb
How to use it
'Rubbama' is an adverb used to express possibility or uncertainty. It is commonly used at the beginning of a sentence, but can also appear in the middle or at the end. It is a polite way to express an idea without stating it as a definite fact.
Example sentences
-
رُبَّمَا سأذهب غداً.
rubbamā saʾadhhabu ghadan.
Perhaps I will go tomorrow.
-
رُبَّمَا يكون لديه سبب.
rubbamā yakūnu ladayhi sabab.
Perhaps he has a reason.
-
هل ستأتي؟ رُبَّمَا.
hal sataʾtī? rubbamā.
Will you come? Perhaps.
Examples from real texts
Sentences taken from published bilingual texts (subtitles, documents). They show the word in context and are not reviewed one by one.
Perhaps not.
ربما لا يحلها.
Perhaps that's true.
لعل ذلك صحيح.
Perhaps the chaps do?
لا أجد هذا مثيراً.
Perhaps there are two.
وربما توصلت إلى درسين.
Perhaps, but perhaps not.
ربما أو ربما لا.
Perhaps you misunderstood.
لعلك أسأت الفهم.
Perhaps that was inevitable.
ربما كان ذلك أمراً لا مناص منه.
Perhaps geography is destiny.
وقد تكون الجغرافيا مصيراً لا مفر منه.
Perhaps we fear victimization.
ربما يخشوا الإيذاء.
But perhaps I am ungenerous. Perhaps Simpson has had a change of heart.
ولكن ربما أكون شخصاً غير كريم، ولعل سمبسون غَيَّر قناعاته.
Perhaps the Muslim Brotherhood would win a general election. But perhaps not.
قد تفوز جماعة الأخوان المسلمين في انتخابات عامة، وقد لا تفوز.
Perhaps because Spain played more beautiful football. Or perhaps it just shows my age.
ربما لأن أسبانيا لعبت كرة قدم أجمل، أو ربما كان في ذلك الشعور إشارة إلى الفئة العمرية التي أنتمي إليها.
Questions and answers
Are there other words for 'perhaps' in Arabic?
Yes, other common words include 'mumkin' (possible), 'ʿalā ʾiḥtimāl' (possibly), and 'laʿalla' (perhaps, often used with pronouns or nouns).
Is 'rubbama' formal or informal?
'Rubbama' is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is widely understood and used in Modern Standard Arabic and many dialects.
Related words and expressions
Updated