ما في مشكلة
mā fī mushkila
The English phrase 'no problem' can be expressed in Arabic as ما في مشكلة (mā fī mushkila).
This phrase is used to convey that no apology is necessary.
Meaning: no apology is necessary (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of mā (not), fī (in/there is) and mushkila (problem), literally meaning 'there is no problem'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrasing ما في مشكلة is common in spoken Levantine and Egyptian dialects rather than Modern Standard Arabic.
How do you pronounce it?
mā fī mushkila
Did you know?
- In some Gulf dialects, a listener might respond to an apology not with 'no problem', but by saying حصل خير (hasal khair), which means 'good has happened'.
- The word مشكلة (mushkila) is actually a noun derived from a verb, meaning 'something that is tangled or knotted'.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, ما في مشكلة is often accompanied by a gentle wave of the hand to visually signal that the matter is dismissed.
Examples in context
- لا مشكلة، أنا هنا للمساعدة دائما.No problem, I'm here to help anytime.
- مافيش مشكلة، طبعاً.No problem, of course.
- لا تقلق، ما في مشكلة أبداً.la taqlaq, ma fi mushkila abadan.Don't worry, there is no problem at all.
- اعتذارك مقبول، ما في مشكلة.i'tidharuka maqbul, ma fi mushkila.Your apology is accepted, no problem.
Example conversation
Yousef arrives late to meet Sara.
- يوسف Youssefآسف جداً على التأخير يا سارة.asif jiddan 'ala al-ta'khir ya Sara.I am very sorry for being late, Sara.
- سارة Saraما في مشكلة، لقد وصلت للتو.ma fi mushkila, laqad wasaltu lil-taw.No problem, I just arrived.
- يوسف Youssefشكراً لتفهمك.shukran li-tafahhumik.Thank you for your understanding.
- سارة Saraأهلاً بك يا يوسف.ahlan bika ya Yousef.You're welcome, Yousef.
