هل أنت بخير؟
hal anta bikhayr?
The phrase "are you ok?" in Arabic is هل أنت بخير؟ (hal anta bikhayr?).
هل أنت بخير؟ is a question used to check if someone is feeling well or if they are safe following an accident or a problem. While it literally asks if someone is "well", it is the standard way to ask if someone is "okay" after a mishap.
What does it mean word for word?
The term بخير (bikhayr) means "with goodness" or "well". It is composed of the preposition bi (with) and khayr (goodness/well-being).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes based on who you are addressing. To ask a female "are you ok?", change the pronoun from anta to anti, resulting in هل أنتِ بخير؟. To ask a group of people "are you (all) ok?", use the plural pronoun antum instead of anta, resulting in هل أنتم بخير؟.
How do you pronounce it?
hal anta bikhayr?
When do people say it?
When someone asks if you are okay, a common response is بخير، شكراً (bikhayr, shukran), which means "well, thank you".
Did you know?
- The phrase is deeply connected to the concept of charity. The word for 'well' used in the question, خير (khayr), is the same root used in the word خيرات (khayrat), which refers to 'good deeds' or 'charity'.
- In many spoken dialects, the formal question particle هل (hal) is completely omitted. Speakers simply use a rising intonation on the statement أنت بخير؟ to transform it into a question.
- The word خير in this phrase is used in the common expression إن شاء الله خير, which translates to 'hopefully it is for the best'. This is often said when something unexpected happens and the speaker hopes for a positive outcome.
Examples in context
- هل أنت بخير؟hal anta bikhayr?Are you ok?
- لقد سقطت، هل أنت بخير؟laqad saqatt, hal anta bikhayr?You fell, are you ok?
Example conversation
Layla sees Omar stumbling on the sidewalk.
- ليلى Laylaعمر، هل أنت بخير؟Omar, hal anta bikhayr?Omar, are you ok?
- عمر Omarنعم، أنا بخير، شكراً.Na'am, ana bikhayr, shukran.Yes, I am ok, thank you.
- ليلى Laylaهل تشعر بألم؟Hal tash'ur bi-alam?Do you feel any pain?
- عمر Omarلا، لا تقلقي يا ليلى.La, la taqlaqi ya Layla.No, don't worry, Layla.
