زواج مبارك
zawāj mubārak
In Arabic, "happy wedding" is expressed as زواج مبارك (zawāj mubārak).
The phrase زواج مبارك is used to congratulate a couple and wish them a blessed marriage. In practice, it functions more like the English phrase "blessed marriage" than "happy wedding".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of زواج meaning "marriage" and مبارك meaning "blessed".
Is it said differently in some regions?
Different dialects offer specific informal ways to congratulate a couple: in Levantine Arabic, you can say مبروك العرس, in Egyptian Arabic you can say مبروك عليكم الفرح and in Gulf Arabic you can use مبروك عليكم الزواج. An informal phrase meaning "Wishing you the same soon" is عقبال عندك.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective مبارك (blessed) follows the noun زواج (marriage) to modify it.
How do you pronounce it?
zawāj mubārak
Did you know?
- If you use the word مبروك instead of مبارك in very formal settings, some linguists argue it technically stems from 'congratulations' but can also imply 'being among the captured/spoils' in certain classical contexts.
- The word مبارك shares a deep linguistic connection with the Hebrew word מְבֹרָךְ (məḇōrāḵ), both stemming from ancient Semitic roots related to 'blessing'.
- The phrase عقبال عندك is a way to say 'I hope the same happens for you', but it is often used as a playful or even slightly pressurized way to tell single guests it is their turn next.
Examples in context
- زواج مبارك لكما.Zawaj mubarak lakuma.A happy wedding to you both.
- زواج مبارك يا صديقي.Zawaj mubarak ya sadiqi.Happy wedding, my friend.
Example conversation
Yousef meets Layla at her brother's wedding reception.
- يوسف Youssefمبارك لأسرتكِ هذا الزواج.Mubarak li-usratiki hadha al-zawaj.Congratulations to your family on this marriage.
- ليلى Laylaشكراً لك يا يوسف.Shukran laka ya Yousef.Thank you, Yousef.
- يوسف Youssefزواج مبارك للعروسين.Zawaj mubarak lil-aruseen.A happy wedding to the newlyweds.
- ليلى Laylaآمين، شكراً جزيلاً.Amin, shukran jazilan.Amen, thank you very much.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries مبارك, CC BY-SA 4.0.
