عفواً
'afwan
عفواً ('afwan) (afwan) is the Arabic phrase for "you're welcome".
عفواً is a common way to say "you're welcome" after someone has thanked you. It can also be used as a polite way to say "excuse me".
What does it mean word for word?
The word is the adverbial form of a root meaning "to forgive" or "to excuse", literally translating to "forgiveness" or "excuse me".
How do you pronounce it?
'afwan
Did you know?
- Because عفواً is derived from the concept of 'forgiveness', using it to mean 'you are welcome' implies that the person has 'forgiven' you for the 'trouble' of helping them.
- The word afwan shares a root with the word afw, which refers to a formal, legal amnesty or pardon granted by a ruler to subjects.
- While afwan is a standard response, some dialects prefer لا شكر على واجب, which literally translates to 'no thanks for a duty'.
Examples in context
- شكراً لمساعدتك (shukran lamasāʿituk). عفواً (afwan). من دواعي سروري (min duāʿī surūrī).Thank you for your help. You're welcome. It's my pleasure.
- عفواً (afwan). لا بأس (lā bas), ما عليك (mā ʿalayk).Excuse me. It's okay, no problem.
- عفواً، لا شكر على واجب.afwan, la shukra 'ala wajib.You are welcome, it was my duty.
- عفواً، أنا سعيد جداً بالمساعدة.afwan, ana sa'id jiddan bi al-musa'ada.You are welcome, I am very happy to help.
- قال لي: شكراً، فأجبت: عفواً.qala li: shukran, fa ajabtu: afwan.He said to me: thank you, so I replied: you are welcome.
Example conversation
Layla gives Omar a book she borrowed and he thanks her.
- ليلى Laylaتفضل يا عمر، هذا كتابك.tafaddal ya 'umar, hadha kitabuka.Here you go Omar, this is your book.
- عمر Omarشكراً جزيلاً لكِ يا ليلى.shukran jazilan laki ya layla.Thank you very much, Layla.
- ليلى Laylaعفواً، لا مشكلة أبداً.afwan, la mushkila abadan.You are welcome, no problem at all.
- عمر Omarأنتِ صديقة رائعة.anti sadiqa ra'i'a.You are a wonderful friend.
