بالتوفيق
bit-tawfīqeveryday
The most common way to wish someone luck in Egyptian Arabic is بالتوفيق (bit-tawfīq), "with success". ربنا معاك (rabbena maʿāk) means "God be with you". It is also called حظ سعيد (ḥaẓẓ saʿīd).
Meaning: wish for success (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Egyptian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| بالتوفيق | bit-tawfīq | everyday |
| ربنا معاك | rabbena maʿāk | warm |
| حظ سعيد | ḥaẓẓ saʿīd | luck |
Say بالتوفيق before an exam, an interview or a new job. A common addition is إن شاء الله (in šāʾ allāh).
Which one should you use?
حظ سعيد (ḥaẓẓ saʿīd) literally means "happy luck" and fits games, lotteries or chance. For effort and skill Egyptians prefer بالتوفيق.
How does it change in a sentence?
ربنا معاك is for a man. To a woman say ربنا معاكي (rabbena maʿāki) and to a group ربنا معاكو (rabbena maʿāku).
Did you know?
- Egyptians often follow a luck wish with إن شاء الله, "God willing", because good outcomes are seen as depending on God.
Examples in context
- بالتوفيق في الامتحان.bit-tawfīq fil-imtiḥān.Good luck in the exam.
- ربنا معاك.rabbena maʿāk.God be with you.
- بالتوفيق يا ريس.bit-tawfīq ya rayyis.Good luck, boss.
Example conversation
Mariam wishes her friend Dina luck before a job interview in Cairo.
- Mariamجاهزة للمقابلة؟gāhza lil-muqābla?Are you ready for the interview?
- Dinaأيوه بس متوترة.aywa bass mitwattara.Yes but I am nervous.
- Mariamبالتوفيق يا دينا.bit-tawfīq ya dīna.Good luck, Dina.
- Dinaالله يبارك فيكي.allāh yibārik fīki.God bless you.
