ثم أنتظر جوابا.

ثم means then / after that, and it usually implies a sequence with some delay or separation between actions.

• فـ = then/so but typically suggests the next step happens immediately or as a direct consequence.
• و = and, often just adds another action without clearly marking order (though context can still imply order).

In Modern Standard Arabic, the imperfect (present/future) verb takes different prefixes depending on the subject. The prefix أ- marks 1st person singular (I).
So أنتظر = I wait / I am waiting / I will wait (context decides which English tense fits best).

أنتظرُ is the imperfect form of the verb اِنتَظَرَ (to wait).

• Past: اِنتَظَرَ (he waited)
• Present: يَنتَظِرُ (he waits)
• 1st person present: أنتظرُ (I wait)

This verb is commonly analyzed as a derived form (often taught as Form VIII patterns), and it’s one of the standard verbs meaning to wait.

ثم is pronounced thumma (with ث = th as in think).
أنتظر begins with أ which is a pronounced hamza (hamzat al-qaṭ‘), so you do pronounce it: ’antaziru.

In connected speech: thumma ’antaziru.

Because جوابًا is the direct object of the verb أنتظر (I wait [for] an answer), so it is in the accusative case (المنصوب).

• Nominative (subject): جوابٌ
• Accusative (object): جوابًا
• Genitive (after a preposition / in iḍāfa): جوابٍ

In normal unvowelled writing, you’ll often just see جوابا.

No. In Arabic, اِنتَظَرَ commonly takes its object directly with no preposition:

• أنتظر جوابًا = I’m waiting for an answer.

You can also express it with a preposition in some contexts, but the most standard, neutral MSA phrasing is exactly what you have: أنتظر + object.

Indefinite جوابًا suggests any answer / an answer (not a specific, already-known one).
If you mean the specific answer, you can say:

• ثم أنتظرُ الجوابَ = Then I wait for the answer.

Both are correct; the choice depends on the context.

Yes. In most real-world writing, short vowels and case endings are omitted, so you’ll see:

• ثم أنتظر جوابا

In fully vowelled, careful MSA (especially in teaching materials), it can appear as:

• ثُمَّ أَنْتَظِرُ جَوَابًا

The ـُ on أنتظرُ is the indicative ending used when the verb is not made subjunctive/jussive by certain particles.

Yes. The Arabic imperfect أنتظر can cover:

• present: I am waiting / I wait
• future: I will wait

Context (what came before, instructions, narrative sequence, etc.) usually makes the intended time clear. If you want an explicit future marker, you can add:

• ثم سأنتظر جوابًا = Then I will wait for an answer.

Yes. Depending on nuance:

• جواب = answer (common and neutral)
• ردّ = reply/response (often used in messaging, letters, formal replies too)
  So you might also see: ثم أنتظر ردًّا with essentially the same meaning, slightly different feel.

The most natural order is ثم + verb + object: ثم أنتظر جوابًا.
Putting ثم at the end (أنتظر جوابًا ثم) is unusual in standard prose; it can sound awkward or overly stylized. If you want then later in the sentence, a more natural option is to use a fuller phrase like بعد ذلك:

• أنتظر جوابًا بعد ذلك = I wait for an answer after that.