أنا بخير
ana bekhair
The English phrase 'I am good' is translated into Arabic as أنا بخير (ana bekhair).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'I am in goodness' or 'I am in well-being'.
Which one should you use?
While أنا بخير is standard and formal, أنا كويس is a common colloquial way to say 'I am good' in many Arabic dialects, particularly Egyptian. The phrase أنا تمام is an informal way to say "I am good" in Arabic. The phrase أنا زيّ الفل is a colloquial way to say "I am good".
Is it said differently in some regions?
The colloquial expression أنا زيّ الفل is used in regions like Egypt and some Gulf countries. Additionally, the informal phrase أنا بخير والله is common in some Gulf countries.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase أنا بخير, the word بخير is a prepositional phrase acting as an adjective to describe your state, meaning 'well' or 'in good health'.
How do you pronounce it?
ana bekhair
Did you know?
- If you use the colloquial أنا زيّ الفل, you are literally telling the listener you are 'like the jasmine'.
- While أنا بخير is used for health, it is common to respond to 'How are you?' with الحمد لله ('Praise be to God') regardless of whether you actually feel good or bad.
- The colloquial Egyptian word كويس ('kwayyis') used in أنا كويس is thought by some linguists to have originated from the Persian word 'khūy' meaning 'nature' or 'character'.
Examples in context
- سلامتك، كيف حالك؟ – أنا بخير.Are you feeling well? – I am good.
- كيف تشعر؟ – أنا بخير ولله الحمد.How are you feeling? – I am good, praise be to God.
- شلونك؟ – أنا تمام.How are you? – I am good.
- كيف الحال؟ – أنا بخير والله.How's it going? – I am good, I swear.
- أنا بخير، شكراً لك.ana bi-khayr, shukran lak.I am good, thank you.
- أنا بخير والحمد لله.ana bi-khayr wal-hamdu lillah.I am good, thank God.
- هل أنتِ بخير؟ أنا بخير.hal anti bi-khayr? ana bi-khayr.Are you good? I am good.
Example conversation
Youssef and Layla meet each other at a cafe.
- يوسف Youssefأهلاً ليلى، كيف حالكِ؟Ahlan Layla, kayfa haluki?Hello Layla, how are you?
- ليلى Laylaأنا بخير، وأنت يا يوسف؟Ana bikhayr, wa anta ya Youssef?I am good, and you Youssef?
- يوسف Youssefأنا بخير أيضاً، شكراً لكِ.Ana bikhayr aydan, shukran laki.I am good too, thank you.
- ليلى Laylaعلى الرحب والسعة.Ala al-rahb wa al-sa'a.You are welcome.
