ربنا
rabbenaeveryday, Egyptian
Egyptians usually say ربنا (rabbena), literally "our Lord", when they talk about God in daily speech. الله (allāh) is the name of God and إله (ilāh) means a god in general.
Meaning: the deity (noun)
Ways to say it
| Egyptian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ربنا | rabbena | everyday, Egyptian |
| الله | allāh | standard |
| إله | ilāh | a god in general |
ربنا appears in everyday sentences such as ربنا يخليك (rabbena yiḵallīk), "may God keep you for me". It is used by Muslims and by Christians alike.
Which one should you use?
الله is also used by Egyptian Christians, and both groups say ربنا. إله is used when speaking about a god as a concept or about gods of other religions.
When do people say it?
Phrases like إن شاء الله (in šāʾ allāh), "God willing", and الحمد لله (el-ḥamdu lillāh), "thank God", fill everyday conversation in Egypt.
Did you know?
- The word ربنا is used by Egyptian Muslims and Egyptian Christians alike, which makes it a shared everyday word for God.
Examples in context
- ربنا يعمل اللي فيه الخير.rabbena yiʿmil elli fīh el-ḵēr.May God do what is best.
- الحمد لله، أنا كويس.el-ḥamdu lillāh, ana kwayyis.Thank God, I am fine.
- إن شاء الله هشوفك بكرة.in šāʾ allāh hašūfak bukra.God willing I will see you tomorrow.
Example conversation
Sara asks her grandmother Nadia how the old lady is feeling in her Cairo flat.
- Saraعاملة إيه يا تيتا؟ʿamla ēh ya tīta?How are you, Grandma?
- Nadiaالحمد لله يا حبيبتي.el-ḥamdu lillāh ya ḥabībti.Thank God, my dear.
- Saraربنا يخليكي لينا.rabbena yiḵallīki lina.May God keep you for us.
- Nadiaويخليكي يا بنتي.wi yiḵallīki ya binti.And keep you, my girl.
