Be about Meaning in English
expression
ˈbi/, /bi/ /əˈbaʊt
bee uh-BOWT
bˈiː/ /ɐbˈaʊt
bee uh-BOWT
Definition
Used to say what the topic or purpose of something is ("This book is about animals"), or to say that something will happen very soon ("I am about to leave").
Usage & Nuances
'Be about' has two common meanings: 1) the subject of something (books, movies), and 2) being on the verge of doing something ('about to'). Use 'is about' for facts, and 'is about to' for future actions. Do not confuse with 'be around' or 'be up to'.
Spanish: tratarse de - estar a punto dePortuguese (BR): ser sobre - estar prestes aPortuguese (PT): ser sobre - estar prestes aChinese (Simplified): 关于 - 即将Chinese (Traditional): 關於 - 即將Hindi: के बारे में होना - करने ही वाला होनाArabic: يتعلق بـ - على وشكBengali: সম্পর্কিত (বিষয়) - করতে যাচ্ছি (শীঘ্রই কিছু হতে চলেছে)Russian: о (теме) - собираться (что-то сделать)Japanese: ～について（テーマ） - 〜しようとしている（まもなく何かをする）Vietnamese: về (chủ đề) - sắp (làm gì)Korean: ~에 관한 (주제) - 막 ~하려고 하다 (곧 행동)Turkish: hakkında (konu) - üzere (bir şeyi yapmak üzere olmak)Urdu: کے بارے میں (موضوع) - کرنے والا ہونا (کچھ ہونے والا)Indonesian: tentang (topik) - akan (segera melakukan sesuatu)
Example Sentences
This movie is about robots.
basic
What is your story about?
basic
I am about to leave.
basic
He was about to call you when you walked in.
natural
The meeting is about new health policies.
natural
Sorry, I'm about to head out—can we talk later?
natural