تفضل
tafaḍḍal
In Arabic, the phrase for "come in" is تفضل (tafaḍḍal).
تفضل is a polite invitation used to tell someone to enter a room or a building. Beyond inviting someone inside, it is also used as a polite way to say "go ahead" or "please" when offering something to someone, similar to saying "be my guest".
What does it mean word for word?
The word تفضل is derived from a root meaning "to be preferred" or "to favor", essentially meaning "be so kind as to…".
Which one should you use?
While you might use the word idkhul to say "enter", تفضل is much more common and is considered more polite.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Moroccan Arabic, the form تفضّلو can be used in formal settings to invite someone inside.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes depending on who you are addressing: use تفضل for a male, تفضلي for a female and تفضلوا for a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
tafaḍḍal
When do people say it?
When inviting someone to enter a vehicle, the informal expression اركب (meaning "Hop in") is used instead.
Did you know?
- The root of تفضل is shared with the word for 'virtue' or 'excellence', meaning that inviting someone in is linguistically framed as an act of virtue.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, if you say تفضل and the person does not immediately enter or accept the offer, it is common to repeat the phrase several times to show genuine hospitality.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, saying تفضل while gesturing with the entire right palm facing upward is the standard non-verbal accompaniment to the phrase.
Examples in context
- تفضل بالدخول.Come in.This sentence shows the use of تفضل for a basic invitation to come in.Tatoeba #372142 by saeb, translation #348091 by Hertz
- تفضل بالدخول!Please come in!This sentence provides a more enthusiastic version of the invitation to come in.Tatoeba #13174753 by atitarev, translation #4771536 by garborg
- تفضل، الباب مفتوح.tafaddal, al-baabu maftooh.Come in, the door is open.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ahmad is inviting Layla into his office.
- أحمد Ahmedيا ليلى، تفضلي.ya Layla, tafaddali.Layla, please come in.
- ليلى Laylaشكراً لك يا أحمد.shukran laka ya Ahmad.Thank you, Ahmad.
- أحمد Ahmedهل تريدين الجلوس؟hal tureedeena al-juloos?Do you want to sit down?
- ليلى Laylaنعم، من فضلك.na'am, min fadlik.Yes, please.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
