إلخ
'ilakh
The English phrase "etc" is translated into Arabic as إلخ ('ilakh).
The abbreviation إلخ is used at the end of a list to indicate that there are other similar items that have not been mentioned.
What does it mean word for word?
The abbreviation إلخ is a contraction of the phrase إلى آخره, which literally means "to its end".
Which one should you use?
While إلخ is the standard abbreviation, you may use the full phrase إلى آخره to mean "and so on" or "etcetera" when you want to avoid the abbreviated form. Other options include وغيرها, which means "and others" or "and the like" and وما إلى ذلك, which means "and so on" or "and what follows". In informal contexts, you can use وكذا to mean "and such things" or "and the like".
How does it change in a sentence?
In formal writing, you should use the full phrase إلى آخره instead of the abbreviated إلخ.
How do you pronounce it?
'ilakh
Did you know?
- In Arabic, the abbreviation إلخ is often read aloud in full as إلى آخره, even when the writer only wrote the short form.
- In many Arabic-speaking regions, if you are listing people instead of objects, you should switch from إلخ to وغيرهم to account for the plural masculine/mixed pronoun.
- In some handwritten Arabic scripts, the abbreviation إلخ is written with a special symbol or a condensed flourish that looks different from the standard letters.
Examples in context
- استخدمنا العناصر التالية في الدراسة النموذجية: الكتب، المصادر الأكاديمية، وغيرها.We used the following elements in the case study: books, academic sources, and others.
- قرأت العديد من الكتب العلمية: كتاب 1، كتاب 2، وما إلى ذلك.I have read numerous scientific books: Book 1, Book 2, and so on.
- في الحديقة، رأيت زهورًا مختلفة: ورد، ياسمين وكذا.In the garden, I saw various flowers: roses, jasmine, and such things.
- ذهبت إلى السوق واشتريت العديد من الأشياء المفيدة: كتب، أقلام وهكذا.I went to the market and bought many useful things: books, pens, and like that.
- اشتريت التفاح، الموز، إلخ.Ishtaraytu al-tuffah, al-mawz, ilakh.I bought apples, bananas, etc.
- يمكننا دراسة التاريخ، الجغرافيا، إلخ.Yumkinuna dirasatu al-tarikh, al-jughrafiya, ilakh.We can study history, geography, etc.
- المنزل فيه كراسي، طاولات، إلخ.Al-manzil fihi karasi, tawilat, ilakh.The house has chairs, tables, etc.
Example conversation
Ziad and Nour are discussing what to bring to a picnic.
- زياد Ziadماذا سنأخذ معنا؟Madha sanakhudhu ma'ana?What shall we take with us?
- نور Nourسنأخذ الخبز، الجبن، إلخ.Sanakhudhu al-khubz, al-jubn, ilakh.We will take bread, cheese, etc.
- زياد Ziadهل ستأتي يا نور؟Hal sata'ti ya Nour?Will you come, Nour?
- نور Nourنعم، سأكون هناك.Na'am, sa-akunu hunak.Yes, I will be there.
