في صحتك
fī ṣiḥḥataktoast, to a man
The Arabic toast for "cheers" is في صحتك (fī ṣiḥḥatak), "to your health". In Saudi Arabia it is said over coffee, tea or juice, because alcohol is banned. It is also called بالعافية (bi-l-ʿāfiya) and صحتين (ṣaḥḥtēn).
Meaning: toast or good-health wish (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| في صحتك | fī ṣiḥḥatak | toast, to a man |
| بالعافية | bi-l-ʿāfiya | everyday, at meals |
| صحتين | ṣaḥḥtēn | everyday, at meals |
At the table people say بالعافية (bi-l-ʿāfiya) to someone who is eating, and the answer is الله يعافيك (Allāh yʿāfīk). صحتين (ṣaḥḥtēn), "two healths", is also said to someone enjoying food.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Saudis rarely raise a glass the way English speakers do, and the word is mostly heard as a friendly wish over a shared drink or meal.
Did you know?
- Alcohol is banned in Saudi Arabia, so "cheers" is said with Arabic coffee, tea or juice and is closer to a wish of health than to a drinking toast.
Examples in context
- بالعافيةbi-l-ʿāfiyaEnjoy your meal.
- صحتين وعافيةṣaḥḥtēn wa-ʿāfiyaTo your health and well-being.
Example conversation
Faisal and Turki drink tea together in a cafe in Riyadh.
- Faisalتفضل الشايtafaḍḍal ash-shāyPlease have some tea.
- Turkiفي صحتكfī ṣiḥḥatakCheers.
- Faisalالله يعافيكAllāh yʿāfīkGod give you health.
