يرحمك الله
yarhamuk Allahto a sneezer, standard
Arabic has a three-step exchange for a sneeze. The sneezer says الحمد لله (alhamdulillah), you answer يرحمك الله (yarhamuk Allah), and the sneezer replies. It is also called يهديكم الله ويصلح بالكم (yahdikum Allah wa yuslih balakum).
Meaning: response to a sneeze (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| يرحمك الله | yarhamuk Allah | to a sneezer, standard |
| الحمد لله | alhamdulillah | said by the sneezer |
| يهديكم الله ويصلح بالكم | yahdikum Allah wa yuslih balakum | sneezer's reply |
The first step belongs to the person who sneezed: الحمد لله (alhamdulillah), "praise be to God". Only then do others say يرحمك الله (yarhamuk Allah), "may God have mercy on you".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase يرحمك الله (yarhamuk Allah) is addressed to one person. For a group of sneezers it becomes يرحمكم الله (yarhamukum Allah).
When do people say it?
The exchange comes from the Islamic tradition, so it is most natural among Muslims. The sneezer's reply is يهديكم الله ويصلح بالكم (yahdikum Allah wa yuslih balakum), "may God guide you and set your affairs right".
Did you know?
- The verb for sneezing is عطس (atasa), and تشميت العاطس (tashmit al-atis) is the traditional name for answering a sneeze with يرحمك الله.
Examples in context
- الحمد للهalhamdulillahPraise be to God (after sneezing).
- يرحمك الله يا سعدyarhamuk Allah ya saadBless you, Saad.
Example conversation
Omar sneezes while talking with his colleague Hind in the office.
- عمر Omarعطست، الحمد للهatastu, alhamdulillahI sneezed, praise God.
- Hindيرحمك اللهyarhamuk AllahBless you.
- عمر Omarيهديكم الله ويصلح بالكمyahdikum Allah wa yuslih balakumMay God guide you.
