مبارك
mubarak
mubarak is an Arabic word used to express congratulations or to wish someone a blessing.
The word is most commonly used in fixed religious and seasonal greetings, such as wishing someone a blessed Eid or a blessed Ramadan. It is also used in the formal phrase Amara mubarakah (عمارة مباركة), which translates to 'Blessed building' and is used to congratulate someone on purchasing or building a new house.
What does it mean word for word?
The word مبارك is a passive participle meaning 'blessed' or 'one who is blessed'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egypt, speakers may use the phrase Alf mabrouk aleik (ألف مبروك عليك) to mean 'A thousand congratulations to you'.
How do you pronounce it?
mubarak
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use mabrouk (مبروك) to mean congratulations. However, in strict classical Arabic, mabrouk is derived from the word for a camel that is rubbed or kneeling, whereas mubarak is the correct form to use for the meaning 'blessed'.
Did you know?
- Using mabrouk instead of mubarak can be seen as a grammatical error by purists because it changes the meaning from 'blessed' to 'kneeling'.
- The use of Alf ('a thousand') in greetings like Alf mabrouk is a common Arabic linguistic device to amplify emotion and generosity.
- The word mubarak is a passive participle, which means the person or thing being addressed is the recipient of the blessing rather than the one performing it.
Examples in context
- عيد مبارك.Eid Mubarak.This sentence shows how to use مبارك in a greeting for Eid.Tatoeba #8007260 by OsoHombre, translation #7959863 by soliloquist
- رمضان مبارك.Ramadan Mubarak.This sentence shows how to use مبارك in a greeting for Ramadan.Tatoeba #8723072 by soliloquist, translation #8723084 by shekitten
- زواج مبارك.zawāj mubārak.A blessed marriage.
Example conversation
Yousef and Layla are celebrating a graduation.
- يوسف Youssefمبارك التخرج يا ليلى!Mubarak at-takhruj ya Layla!Congratulations on graduating, Layla!
- ليلى Laylaشكراً جزيلاً يا يوسف.Shukran jazilan ya Yousef.Thank you very much, Yousef.
- يوسف Youssefأنتِ تستحقين كل خير.Anti tastahiqqina kulla khayr.You deserve all the best.
- ليلى Laylaهذا لطف منك.Hadha lutf minka.That is kind of you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
