لا عليك
la alayk
The English phrase "never mind" can be translated into Arabic as لا عليك (la alayk).
لا عليك is used as a verb to tell someone not to be concerned about someone, something or a specific action.
Meaning: do not be concerned (about someone or something, or about doing something) (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "no [harm/worry] upon you".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
لا عليك is a formal form or part of Modern Standard Arabic, making it suitable for written contexts or polite spoken situations. For a more formal way to downplay an issue meaning "No harm", you can use لا بأس. In informal settings, you might use ما عليك to say "It's not on you" or the word خلّص to mean "finished" or "enough" to convey the idea of letting something go.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes depending on whom you are addressing.
How do you pronounce it?
la alayk
Did you know?
- In some dialects, the informal ما عليك can be used to mean 'don't worry about the bill', implying that the speaker will take care of the payment.
- The particle لا shares its ancient roots with the Hebrew word לֹא (lo), both descending from the same Proto-Semitic ancestor.
- The word بأس in the alternative phrase لا بأس can also mean 'courage' or 'might' in other contexts.
Examples in context
- لا عليك!Never mind!This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase لا عليك.Tatoeba #1899716 by Asma, translation #20394 by CM
- ما عليك، أستطيع حملها بنفسي.Never mind, I can carry it myself.
- لا عليك، الأمر بسيط.la 'alayka, al-amru baseet.Never mind, it is a simple matter.
- لا عليك، سأصلح هذا بنفسي.la 'alayka, sa-uslihu hadha binafsi.Never mind, I will fix this myself.
Example conversation
Ziyad accidentally drops a pen that belonged to Maryam.
- زياد Ziadأنا آسف يا مريم، لقد أسقطت قلمك.Ana asif ya Maryam, laqad asqattu qalamaki.I am sorry Maryam, I dropped your pen.
- مريم Maryamلا بأس، هل انكسر القلم؟La ba's, hal inkasara al-qalam?It is okay, did the pen break?
- زياد Ziadنعم، لقد انكسر للأسف.Na'am, laqad inkasara lil-asaf.Yes, it broke unfortunately.
- مريم Maryamلا عليك يا زياد، سأشتري واحداً جديداً.La 'alayka ya Ziyad, sa-ashtari wahidan jadidan.Never mind Ziyad, I will buy a new one.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries لا, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
