بالهناء والشفاء
bil-hana' wa ash-shifa'
To say "enjoy your meal" in Arabic, the default form is بالهناء والشفاء (bil-hana' wa ash-shifa').
These phrases are used to wish someone enjoyment of their food either before or during a meal. The expression بالهناء والشفاء translates to "with pleasure and good health" and is a formal way to offer this wish. The expression بالعافية means "with good health" and is typically used among friends and family. The phrase صحتين وعافية is an informal variant used to wish others a delicious meal and good health.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase بالهناء والشفاء literally translates to "with happiness and healing".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Gulf dialects, the phrase بالعافية is commonly used in both formal and informal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The expression بالهناء والشفاء is a fixed expression and does not change based on the gender or number of the person being addressed.
How do you pronounce it?
bil-hana' wa ash-shifa'
Did you know?
- In certain regions, if you wish someone 'two healths' by saying صحتين, the traditional and poetic response is على قلبك, which translates to 'to your heart'.
- The word الشفاء in the phrase بالهناء والشفاء is more commonly used to describe a medical cure or healing from a doctor than a meal.
- The root of بالهناء, ه ن ء, originally described food that 'goes down easily', suggesting that true enjoyment of a meal is physically effortless.
Examples in context
- بالهناء والشفاءWith pleasure and good health
- بالعافيةWith good health
- بالهناء والشفاء على قلبك.bil-hanā' wa-sh-shifā' 'alā qalbik.Enjoy your meal.
- تفضل، بالهناء والشفاء.tafaḍḍal, bil-hanā' wa-sh-shifā'.Please, go ahead, enjoy your meal.
Example conversation
Sara serves dinner to Youssef.
- سارة Saraالعشاء جاهز، بالهناء والشفاء يا يوسف.Al-asha' jahiz, bil-hana' wal-shifa' ya Youssef.Dinner is ready, enjoy your meal, Youssef.
- يوسف Youssefشكراً لكِ يا سارة.Shukran laki ya Sarah.Thank you, Sarah.
- سارة Saraهل الطعام لذيذ؟Hal al-ta'am ladhidh?Is the food delicious?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، إنه رائع جداً.Na'am, innahu ra'i' jiddan.Yes, it is very wonderful.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries بالهناء والشفاء, CC BY-SA 4.0.
