الله يعاقبك
Allah yu'aqibuk
The English phrase "allah will punish you" is translated into Arabic as الله يعاقبك (Allah yu'aqibuk).
This phrase is used as a religious warning or as a way to express a sense of divine justice when a person feels they have been wronged.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase الله يعاقبك is composed of Allah (God), yu'aqib (punishes or will punish) and the suffix -uk (you).
How does it change in a sentence?
To direct the phrase at a female, the final vowel of the suffix changes from -uk to -uki, resulting in الله يعاقبكِ.
How do you pronounce it?
Allah yu'aqibuk
Did you know?
- Depending on the region, some speakers may use the word دعوة (a prayer or call) to describe the act of asking الله to punish someone, effectively turning a 'curse' into a 'prayer'.
- The word الله shares a common ancestral root with the Hebrew word for God, אֱלוֹהַּ (Eloah), and the Syriac ܐܰܠܳܗܳܐ (Alāhā).
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, wishing for divine punishment is often viewed as a 'last resort' expression of powerlessness, used when a person has no earthly means to seek justice.
Examples in context
- عذاب الله ينزل عليك إذا قمت بذلكIf you do that, Allah's punishment will descend upon you
- الله يعاقبك على هذا الظلم.Allāhu yu‘āqibuka ‘alā hādhā al-ẓulm.Allah will punish you for this injustice.
Example conversation
Ziad is arguing with Nour about a lie she told.
- زياد Ziadلماذا كذبتِ علي يا نور؟limadha kazabti 'alayya ya Nour?Why did you lie to me, Nour?
- نور Nourكنت خائفة من الحقيقة فقط.kuntu kha'ifatan min al-haqiqa faqat.I was just afraid of the truth.
- زياد Ziadأنتِ تخدعين الجميع، الله يعاقبك.anti takhda'in al-jami', allah yu'aqibuk.You are deceiving everyone, Allah will punish you.
- نور Nourأنا آسفة حقاً يا زياد.ana asifa haqqan ya Ziyad.I am truly sorry, Ziad.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries الله, CC BY-SA 4.0.
