Ways to say it
| Emirati Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| في صحتك | fi sihhtak | |
| في صحتكم | fi sihhtkum | to a group |
| صحة وعافية | sihha w afya | health and wellness |
Raise a glass of juice, karak tea or water and say في صحتك to one person, or في صحتكم (fi sihhtkum) to a group. صحة وعافية (sihha w afya) works the same way and is heard over food just as often as over a drink.
What does it mean word for word?
صحة means 'health' and عافية means 'wellness'. The ك ending in صحتك means 'your' and becomes كم when speaking to more than one person.
Which one should you use?
في صحتك is the standard toast for any drink. صحة وعافية is broader and said just as often over a shared meal.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Both phrases are polite enough for any company, from a family dinner to a business lunch, because they are blessings rather than slang.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Dubai's hotel bars also hear the English word 'cheers' constantly, since most residents and visitors come from abroad, but في صحتك stays the phrase Emiratis use among themselves.
How does it change in a sentence?
Change the ending for who you are speaking to: صحتك to a man, صحتچ (sihhtich) to a woman, and صحتكم to a group.
How do you pronounce it?
The ح in صحتك is a breathy h made in the throat, different from the English h. Say the phrase as one smooth unit, 'fi-sih-tak'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not assume this toast is only for alcohol. Emiratis rarely drink in public, so في صحتك is usually said over juice, tea or coffee.
When do people say it?
Alcohol has a limited place in everyday Emirati life, so toasting customs centre on tea, coffee and festive meals. A host who hears في صحتك often answers with الله يعطيك العافية, 'may God give you wellness'.
Did you know?
- Karak, the strong spiced tea poured at most Emirati gatherings, is a drink Dubai absorbed from South Asian traders, and في صحتك is said over a cup of it just as often as over any other drink.
- صحتين, literally 'two healths', is a related phrase Gulf Arabs say to someone who has just eaten, a toast aimed at the meal rather than a glass.
Examples in context
- في صحتك، هاي القهوة زينة.fi sihhtak, hay il-gahwa zeena.Cheers, this coffee is good.
- في صحتكم يا جماعة!fi sihhtkum ya jama'a!Cheers, everyone!
- صحة وعافية على الغدا.sihha w afya 'ala l-ghada.Good health, enjoy the lunch.
Example conversation
Hamdan toasts with his cousin Mariam over karak tea at a family majlis in Dubai.
- Hamdanفي صحتك يا مريم.fi sihhtak ya Mariam.Cheers, Mariam.
- Mariamفي صحتك، الكرك زين اليوم.fi sihhtak, il-karak zein il-yom.Cheers, the karak tea is good today.
- Hamdanصحة وعافية عليكم.sihha w afya 'alaikum.Good health to you all.
- Mariamالله يعطيك العافية.Allah y'tik il-afya.May God give you wellness.
