wasta
- noun
:
conocido
- Rashid served as wasta to get his cousin Majdy a bank position.
- intercessory wasta
Examples
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Many students believe that having wasta can help them get internships in competitive fields.
-
Worried about the unemployment problem in Jordan, his parents were hoping for wasta help from some of their important guests.
Academic text (1994) -
Many individuals, supported by their wasta backers, may be seeking the same benefit.
Academic text (1994) -
Intercessory wasta is a commonly cited reason for ineffective or unfair government systems.
Academic text (1994) -
Wasta-based recruitment and allocation of benefits reinforce family ties, thereby connecting the individual to the economy and polity.
Academic text (1994) -
Rashid used his wasta to secure a job for his cousin in the government office.
-
Using her wasta, she managed to bypass the usual hiring process and land the job she wanted.
Synonyms
14
7.0
A person who controls votes and support to influence political and business decisions
1
8.8
A person who uses their contacts to get money or favors for others, often in dishonest ways
1
8.0
A person who gives favors to get favors, often in a dishonest way
A person who gives goods or favors to get votes
How Influential
Surface Forms
Etymology
Wasta comes from the Arabic wasaṭ, meaning 'middle' or 'intermediary'. Think of a person in the middle who can open doors for you, so a wasta is someone who uses their influence to arrange favors or job opportunities.