Ways to say it
| Tunisian Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| يعيشك | yaishek | |
| من فضلك | min fadhlek | more formal |
Tunisians use the same word, يعيشك, both to say 'thank you' and to soften a request the way English speakers use 'please'. من فضلك (min fadhlek) is the more formal, textbook equivalent.
What does it mean word for word?
يعيشك comes from the verb 'to live' and means roughly 'may He let you live', a small blessing that doubles as both a thanks and a polite request softener.
Which one should you use?
يعيشك is warm and distinctly Tunisian. من فضلك sounds slightly more formal and bookish, closer to how it would appear in writing or on signage.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
يعيشك is polite enough for strangers and elders despite sounding casual. من فضلك fits very formal requests, such as an official letter.
Is it said differently in some regions?
يعيشك for 'please' is distinctly Tunisian usage, while the same word exists elsewhere in the Maghreb mainly as a form of thanks rather than as 'please'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The ending -ك stays the same for a man or a woman being addressed.
How do you pronounce it?
يعيشك has a deep throat sound in the middle, the Arabic letter ع, often written by learners with the number 3.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Assuming يعيشك only means 'thank you' misses that Tunisians also use it exactly where English speakers would say 'please'.
When do people say it?
Hearing يعيشك at the start and the end of the same request is common in Tunisia, since the word covers both the please and the thanks.
Did you know?
- The same Tunisian word يعيشك works both ways, opening a polite request like 'please' and closing it like 'thank you'.
- يعيشك comes from the verb 'to live', turning an everyday polite word into a small blessing wishing the other person a long life.
Examples in context
- يعيشك، جيب لي كاس ماء.yaishek, jib li kess ma.Please, bring me a glass of water.
- من فضلك، وقف هنا.min fadhlek, waggef hna.Please, stop here.
- يعيشك ساعدني شوية.yaishek sa3edni shwaya.Please help me a little.
Example conversation
A customer, Hela, asks the shopkeeper, Mounir, for something.
- Helaيعيشك، نحب كيلو تمر.yaishek, nheb kilou tmer.Please, I would like a kilo of dates.
- Mounirفي الحين، شي آخر؟fil-hin, shi akher?Right away, anything else?
- Helaلا يعيشك، هذا يكفي.la yaishek, hedha yikfi.No thank you, this is enough.
- Mounirيعيشك، صحة.yaishek, saha.Thank you, enjoy.
