ذكرى سنوية سعيدة
thikra sanawiyya sa'eeda
ذكرى سنوية سعيدة (thikra sanawiyya sa'eeda) is the Arabic way to say happy anniversary.
ذكرى سنوية سعيدة is a literal translation used for general anniversaries. While it is understood, many Arabic-speaking cultures often prefer using religious or traditional blessings instead of this direct translation when celebrating events like weddings.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of thikra (memory or anniversary), sanawiyya (annual) and sa'eeda (happy).
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective sa'eeda (happy) is in the feminine form to agree with the feminine noun thikra (anniversary).
How do you pronounce it?
thikra sanawiyya sa'eeda
When do people say it?
In many Arabic-speaking cultures, rather than using a direct translation like ذكرى سنوية سعيدة, it is more natural and common to use the phrase كل عام وأنت بخير, which translates to 'May every year find you well'. This phrase can be used for anniversaries as well as for holidays.
Did you know?
- In many Levantine dialects, you might hear people add عقبال المية (may you reach one hundred) as a way to wish someone many more anniversaries.
- In many Arabic-speaking regions, instead of saying 'happy', people use the word مبروك, which is often used for celebrations but is etymologically related to 'blessing'.
- The word ذكرى (memory) shares the same root as the word for 'mentioning' or 'remembering', linking the idea of an anniversary to the act of keeping a memory alive.
Examples in context
- عيد زواج سعيد لكما، السيدة فاطمة والسيد أحمد.Happy anniversary to you both, Mrs. Fatimah and Mr. Ahmad.
- عيد زواج سعيد يا حبيبي ويا عزيزتي.Happy wedding anniversary, my darling and my beloved.
- ذكرى سنوية سعيدة بمناسبة زواجكما.dhikra sanawiya sa'ida bi-munasabat zawajikuma.Happy anniversary on the occasion of your marriage.
- أتمنى لكما ذكرى سنوية سعيدة.atamanna lakuma dhikra sanawiya sa'ida.I wish you both a happy anniversary.
Example conversation
Nour congratulates Omar and his wife on their wedding anniversary.
- نور Nourذكرى سنوية سعيدة يا عمر!Zikra sanawiyya sa'ida ya Omar!Happy anniversary, Omar!
- عمر Omarشكراً جزيلاً يا نور.Shukran jazilan ya Nour.Thank you very much, Nour.
- نور Nourكم سنة مرّت الآن؟Kam sana marrat al-aan?How many years has it been now?
- عمر Omarلقد مرّت خمس سنوات.Laqad marrat khams sanawat.Five years have passed.
