Ways to say it
| Egyptian Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| الله يخليك | Allah yikhallik | to a man |
| الله يخليكي | Allah yikhalliki | to a woman |
| يرحمكم الله | yarhamukum Allah | said to someone who sneezed |
Egyptians say الله يخليك far more often than English speakers use 'bless you', typically to thank someone or acknowledge a kindness. After a sneeze, the phrase used is different: يرحمكم الله, 'may God have mercy on you'.
What does it mean word for word?
الله يخليك literally means 'may God keep you', wishing the other person stays well because of what they did. يرحمكم الله means 'may God show you mercy'.
Which one should you use?
Use الله يخليك after someone helps you, gives you something or does you a favour. Reserve يرحمكم الله strictly for when someone sneezes.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
الله يخليك works in any setting, from thanking a shopkeeper to a close friend.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Both phrases are standard across Egypt and are also widely understood across the Arab world, since they draw on shared religious vocabulary.
How does it change in a sentence?
The ending changes for gender, يخليك to a man and يخليكي to a woman, while يرحمكم الله traditionally uses the plural form regardless of how many people sneezed.
How do you pronounce it?
يخليك is said smoothly as 'yikhallik', with the kh pronounced at the back of the throat.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Saying بارك الله فيك is correct Arabic but sounds notably more religious and formal than Egyptians use in daily speech.
When do people say it?
When someone sneezes and is blessed with يرحمكم الله, the polite reply is يهديكم الله, 'may God guide you'.
Did you know?
- يرحمكم الله after a sneeze goes back to a saying of the Prophet Muhammad and is used the same way across most Arabic-speaking countries.
Examples in context
- شكرا على المساعدة، الله يخليك.shukran ala el-musa'ada, Allah yikhallik.Thanks for the help, God bless you.
- الله يخليكي يا ستي، ربيتيني كويس.Allah yikhalliki ya setti, rabbeitini kwayyes.God bless you, grandma, you raised me well.
- عطس، فقلت له يرحمكم الله.atas, fa 'olt lo yarhamukum Allah.He sneezed, so I told him God bless you.
Example conversation
Nour thanks her uncle Khaled for driving her to the airport.
- Nourشكرا انك وصلتني، الله يخليك.shukran innak wassaltini, Allah yikhallik.Thanks for dropping me off, God bless you.
- Khaledولا يهمك، أنا بحبك.wala yihimmik, ana baheb-ik.Don't worry about it, I love you.
- Nourربنا يخليك ليا يا عمو.rabbina yikhallik leyya ya ammo.May God keep you for me, uncle.
- Khaledآمين، سلمي لي على أمك.ameen, sallimi li ala ommik.Amen, give my regards to your mother.
