صِحَّة
ṣiḥḥa
In Arabic, the English phrase "bless you" (said to someone who has sneezed) can be expressed in several ways, most commonly as صِحَّة (ṣiḥḥa). Wiktionary also lists اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰه (al-ḥamdu li-llāh) and يَرْحَمْكُم اللّٰه (yarḥamkum allāh).
Meaning: said to somebody who has sneezed (intj)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| صِحَّة | ṣiḥḥa |
| اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰه | al-ḥamdu li-llāh |
| يَرْحَمْكُم اللّٰه | yarḥamkum allāh |
| يَرْحَمْكُم | yarḥamkum |
Arabic speakers use different phrases depending on whether they are responding to a sneeze or if they are the one who sneezed. While صِحَّة is a common way to wish someone health after a sneeze, اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰه is the phrase the person who actually sneezed is expected to say themselves.
What does it mean word for word?
The word صِحَّة literally means 'health'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, you might hear ربنا يخليك (Rabena Yekhaleek), which means 'May God keep you safe'. In Levantine Arabic, the phrase تتهنى (Tet'hanna) is used and means 'May you enjoy it'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular version used when addressing one person directly is يَرْحَمُكَ اللّٰه. The shorter form يَرْحَمْكُم is also available.
How do you pronounce it?
ṣiḥḥa
Did you know?
- While صِحَّة is used for sneezes, it is also said to someone who has just taken a shower, cut their hair or finished a meal.
- The word صِحَّة shares a root with the word for 'correct' or 'valid' in Arabic, linking the idea of physical health to the idea of being right or sound.
- The social interaction around a sneeze is a structured three-part exchange, where the sneezer first praises God, then receives a blessing, and finally replies with a specific phrase of gratitude.
Examples in context
- صِحَّة!ṣiḥḥa!Bless you!
- صِحَّة، هل أنت بخير؟ṣiḥḥa, hal anta bikhayr?Bless you, are you okay?
Example conversation
Ziad sneezes while talking to Sarah.
- سارة Saraصِحَّة يا زياد!Sihha ya Ziad!Bless you, Ziad!
- زياد Ziadالله يخليكِ يا سارة.Allah yukhalliki ya Sarah.God keep you, Sarah.
- سارة Saraهل أنت بخير؟Hal anta bikhair?Are you okay?
- زياد Ziadنعم، أنا بخير، شكراً.Na'am, ana bikhair, shukran.Yes, I am fine, thanks.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bless you” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
