Pronunciation: /wɑːstə/

Definitions of wasta

noun In South Asian cultures, 'wasta' refers to the use of personal connections or influence to get things done, often bypassing official procedures or rules.

Example Sentences

A1 Wasta is a common Arabic term used to describe connections or influence.

A2 In some cultures, having wasta can help you get a job or other opportunities.

B1 The use of wasta in government appointments is a controversial issue in many countries.

B2 She relied on her wasta to secure a meeting with the company's CEO.

C1 The practice of using wasta to bypass regulations is seen as unethical by many.

C2 Despite his wasta, he still had to prove himself through hard work and dedication.

Examples of wasta in a Sentence

formal In some countries, having wasta can greatly influence one's chances of getting a job.

informal My cousin used his wasta to get me a discount on the car rental.

slang She's always using her wasta to get out of doing any work.

figurative Having a strong network of connections is like having wasta in the business world.

Grammatical Forms of wasta

past tense

wasted

plural

wastas

comparative

more wasta

superlative

most wasta

present tense

wastes

future tense

will wasta

perfect tense

have wasted

continuous tense

is wasting

singular

wasta

positive degree

very wasta

infinitive

to wasta

gerund

wasting

participle

wasted

Origin and Evolution of wasta

First Known Use: 1800 year
Language of Origin: Arabic
Story behind the word: The word 'wasta' originated in the Arabic language.
Evolution of the word: Originally used to mean 'intermediary' or 'connection', the term 'wasta' has evolved to also encompass the concept of influence or favoritism in Middle Eastern societies.