Ways to say it
| Emirati Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| عيد مبارك | eid mubarak | |
| كل عام وأنتم بخير | kil 'am w antum bikhair | |
| عساكم من عواده | 'asakum min 'awwada | may you see its return |
Emiratis add the Gulf blessing عساكم من عواده ('asakum min 'awwada), 'may you live to see it return', when parting after the greeting. كل عام وأنتم بخير (kil 'am w antum bikhair), 'every year and you are well', works for Eid and other yearly occasions alike.
What does it mean word for word?
عيد means 'feast' and مبارك means 'blessed'. عساكم من عواده wishes you a long life so you are present for the festival again next year.
Which one should you use?
عيد مبارك is the universal greeting across the Arab and Muslim world. عساكم من عواده is distinctly Gulf and adds warmth. كل عام وأنتم بخير suits cards, messages and formal wishes.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
All three are warm and appropriate at any level of formality, since they are set religious blessings rather than slang.
Is it said differently in some regions?
عساكم من عواده is heard across the Gulf, in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the Emirates, but is less common in the Levant and North Africa.
How does it change in a sentence?
مبارك does not change with gender or number since it modifies عيد, not the listener. عساكم already contains the plural 'you', used even when greeting one person out of politeness.
How do you pronounce it?
The ع at the start of عيد and عساكم is a deep sound made at the back of the throat, with no equivalent in English.
What mistakes should you avoid?
عيد مبارك is for the religious festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, not for a birthday or New Year, where سنة سعيدة or عيد ميلاد سعيد is used instead.
When do people say it?
Eid in the Emirates brings new clothes, family visits and an envelope of money called عيدية given to children by older relatives.
Did you know?
- عساكم من عواده is a Gulf-specific Eid blessing not commonly heard outside the Arabian Peninsula, even though the main greeting عيد مبارك is universal.
- The عيدية money children receive at Eid in the Emirates is traditionally given in a fresh, uncreased banknote.
Examples in context
- عيد مبارك وكل عام وأنتم بخير.eid mubarak w kil 'am w antum bikhair.Happy Eid and every year you are well.
- عساكم من عواده يا جيران.'asakum min 'awwada ya jiran.May you live to see it return, neighbours.
- عيد مبارك، وينكم ما شفناكم من زمان.eid mubarak, weinkum ma shifnakum min zaman.Happy Eid, where have you been, we have not seen you in a long time.
Example conversation
Fatima greets her neighbour Saeed and his family on the morning of Eid in Dubai.
- Fatimaعيد مبارك عليكم.eid mubarak 'alaikum.Happy Eid to you all.
- Saeedعيد مبارك، عساكم من عواده.eid mubarak, 'asakum min 'awwada.Happy Eid, may you live to see it return.
- Fatimaآمين، كل عام وانتو بخير.amin, kil 'am w intu bikhair.Amen, every year you are well.
- Saeedالله يبارك فيكم.Allah ybarik fikum.May God bless you.
