What does it mean word for word?
The phrase أتمنى أن تكون بخير literally translates to "I hope that you are well".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form أتمنى أن تكون بخير is suitable for formal correspondence such as emails or letters. For more variety in formal settings, you can use أتمنى أن تكون كل الأمور على ما يرام (I hope everything is going well) or آمل أن يكون حالك جيدًا (I hope you are doing well). In informal situations, you may use يارب تكون بخير (I hope you're well) or إن شاء الله تكون على أحسن حال (I hope you are in the best condition).
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the default form, the verb must be adjusted based on whom you are addressing. To address a single female, the verb changes to تكوني (takūnī) to become أتمنى أن تكوني بخير. To address a group of people, the verb changes to تكونوا (takūnū) to become أتمنى أن تكونوا بخير.
How do you pronounce it?
'atamannā 'an takūna bikhayr
Did you know?
- While English speakers often start emails with 'I hope all is well', Arabic correspondence often begins with a longer series of polite inquiries about the recipient's health and family before reaching the main point.
- If you use the informal version يارب تكون بخير, you are not just saying 'I hope', but are actually calling upon 'O Lord' to make the person well, which is a very common way to express sincere affection.
- The word بخير uses the prefix ب, which literally means 'with' or 'by'. While English speakers say 'hope you are well', a literal translation of the Arabic version is 'I hope that you are with good'.
Examples in context
- يارب تكون بخيرI hope you're well.
- أتمنى أن تكون بخير في عملك الجديد.atamannā an takūna bikhayrin fī 'amalika al-jadīd.I hope all is well in your new job.
- أتمنى أن تكون بخير مع عائلتك.atamannā an takūna bikhayrin ma'a 'ā'ilatika.I hope all is well with your family.
- أتمنى أن تكون بخير دائماً.atamannā an takūna bikhayrin dā'iman.I hope all is well always.
