طول العمر
tul al-'umr
The phrase "long life" in Arabic is طول العمر (tul al-'umr).
طول العمر refers to a state of living for many years. It is frequently used in the context of prayers or well-wishes, such as wishing someone a long life (طول العمر لك).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of طول (tul), meaning length or long and العمر (al-'umr), meaning the life or age.
How do you pronounce it?
tul al-'umr
When do people say it?
For a more formal way to wish someone a happy birthday or a long and healthy life, you can use the phrase كل عام وأنت بخير, which means "May every year find you in good health."
Did you know?
- In some regions, wishing someone a 'long life' is not just a birthday greeting but a way to thank someone for a kind gesture.
- Arabic speakers often use the root of عمر to create the word عمران, which refers to civilization and urban development.
- In some regions, responding to a wish for 'long life' is not a simple 'thank you' but a reciprocal prayer. One might say الله يطول عمرك, which literally translates to 'May God lengthen your life' back to the speaker.
Examples in context
- بمناسبة عيد ميلادك، أتمنى لك العمر المديدOn the occasion of your birthday, I wish you a long life.
- أرجو لك حياة سعيدة ومديدةI wish you a happy and long life.
- عاشLive long.
- في العمر ربي يطولكMay God extend your life.
- أتمنى لك طول العمر.atamannā laka ṭūl al-'umr.I wish you a long life.
- بسبب طول العمر، أصبح حكيماً.bisababi ṭūl al-'umr, aṣbaḥa ḥakīman.Because of a long life, he became wise.
Example conversation
Ziad and Sarah are talking about their grandparents.
- زياد Ziadجدي عاش حياة سعيدة وطول العمر.Jaddi asha haya sa'ida wa tul al-umr.My grandfather lived a happy and long life.
- سارة Saraهذا رائع، ما هو سره؟Hadha ra'i', ma huwa sirruhu?That's great, what is his secret?
- زياد Ziadكان يأكل الطعام الصحي دائماً.Kana ya'kulu al-ta'am al-sihi da'iman.He always ate healthy food.
- سارة Saraأتمنى أن أحصل على طول العمر مثله.Atamanna an ahsula ala tul al-umr mithlahu.I hope to have a long life like him.
