بالهناء والشفاء
bil-hanā' wash-shifā'
To say enjoy your food in Arabic, say بالهناء والشفاء (bil-hanā' wash-shifā'), a warm wish said before or during a meal.
بالهناء والشفاء is said to someone who is about to eat or is eating, much like enjoy your meal in English. It is common among friends and family. صحتين is another very popular wish at the table, wishing the person good health with their food.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from بال, with the, الهناء, happiness or pleasure, و and and الشفاء, healing or wellness. Together it means with happiness and wellness.
How do you pronounce it?
It is read bil-hanā' wash-shifā', with long a sounds in both main words.
When do people say it?
The usual reply is الله يهنيك, may God make it pleasant for you. The ending of the reply changes slightly when you answer a woman.
Did you know?
- In the Levant, you might hear the shorter صحتين, which literally translates to 'two healths', to wish someone double the wellness.
- The word الهناء contains a root that implies something 'goes down easily', meaning the phrase subtly wishes that the food is easy to digest.
- The phrase بالهناء والشفاء is deeply rooted in a spiritual tradition, as the standard reply الله يهنيك is actually a prayer or a blessing from God.
Examples in context
- شكراً، بالهناء والشفاء لك أيضاً.shukran, bil-hana'i wa-shifa' laka aydan.Thank you, enjoy your food too.
Example conversation
Sarah is serving a meal to Omar at home.
- سارة Saraتفضل يا عمر، بالهناء والشفاء.tafaddal ya Omar, bil-hana'i wa-shifa'.Here you go Omar, enjoy your food.
- عمر Omarشكراً جزيلاً يا سارة.shukran jazilan ya Sarah.Thank you very much Sarah.
- سارة Saraهل الطعام لذيذ؟hal al-ta'amu ladhidh?Is the food delicious?
- عمر Omarنعم، إنه رائع حقاً.na'am, innahu ra'i'un haqqan.Yes, it is truly wonderful.
