Arabic word sheet
عَسَى
perhaps, it may be that
- Type
- verb
- Root
- ع س ي
Meaning and usage
perhaps, it may be that
Presents an event as possible without affirming it. It keeps this one form whatever the time spoken of.
عَسَى الْقِطَارُ أَنْ يَصِلَ قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ.
Perhaps the train will arrive before noon.
let us hope that; it is to be feared that
It voices hope when the thing is wished for, and apprehension when it is unwelcome.
عَسَى الْمَرِيضُ أَنْ يُشْفَى قَرِيبًا.
Let us hope the patient recovers soon.
Word family
What the root means ع س ي
In this word the root carries the idea of something likely or close to happening, looked forward to or dreaded. The verb is frozen in this one form.
Synonyms
perhaps
لَعَلَّ
The commonest way to say perhaps or to voice a hope, in every register, where the headword is more literary.