What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of kull, meaning "all" and at-tawfeeq, meaning "success", "guidance" or "prosperity".
Which one should you use?
The default form كل التوفيق is a full phrase meaning "all the success". A shorter, very common variant is بالتوفيق, which can be translated as "with success" or "good luck". If you want to be more explicit, you can use أتمنى لك التوفيق, which means "I wish you all the best". For a more affectionate and informal tone, you can use كل الحب والتوفيق, meaning "all the love and best wishes".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
كل التوفيق is a formal and polite expression, making it suitable for professional emails or written correspondence. Similarly, the shorter version بالتوفيق is commonly used in written exchanges. In contrast, كل الحب والتوفيق is an informal option that emphasizes affection.
How do you pronounce it?
kull at-tawfeeq
Did you know?
- The word كل shares its ancient roots with the Akkadian word kalûm, a linguistic connection dating back thousands of years to early Mesopotamian languages.
- The word التوفيق implies a divine alignment or harmony between a person's efforts and the will of God, suggesting that success is not just a result of hard work.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, wishing someone بالتوفيق is often accompanied by the phrase إن شاء الله, meaning 'if God wills', to avoid the perceived arrogance of predicting the future.
Examples in context
- أتمنى لكم التوفيق في المشروع المستقبليI wish you all the best in your future project
- كل الحب والتوفيق في عيد ميلادكAll the love and best wishes on your birthday
- أتمنى لك كل التوفيق.atamanna laka kull al-tawfiq.I wish you all the best.
- كل التوفيق في عملك الجديد.kull al-tawfiq fi 'amalik al-jadid.All the best in your new job.
- أرجو لك كل التوفيق في الامتحان.arju laka kull al-tawfiq fi al-imtihaan.I wish you all the best in the exam.
Example conversation
Maryam is wishing Ahmed luck before his job interview.
- مريم Maryamهل أنت مستعد للمقابلة يا أحمد؟hal anta musta'id lil-muqabala ya Ahmad?Are you ready for the interview, Ahmed?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، أنا متحمس قليلاً.na'am, ana mutahammis qalilan.Yes, I am a little excited.
- مريم Maryamكل التوفيق لك في هذه الخطوة.kull al-tawfiq laka fi hadhihi al-khutwa.All the best to you in this step.
- أحمد Ahmedشكراً جزيلاً لك يا مريم.shukran jazilan laki ya Maryam.Thank you very much, Maryam.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries كل, CC BY-SA 4.0.
