وأنت كذلك
wa-anta kadhālik
In Arabic, 'same to you' is expressed as وأنت كذلك (wa-anta kadhālik).
This phrase is used to return a wish or a greeting that has just been directed at you, essentially saying that you wish the same thing to the other person.
Meaning: I wish to you what you have just wished to me (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the conjunction و (and), the pronoun أنت (you) and the adverb كذلك (likewise/so).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form وأنت كذلك is standard and is appropriate for use in formal or polite settings. For a more informal way to say 'you too', you can use أنت كمان.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Levant, the informal phrase متلك can be used to mean 'like you' in the sense of 'same to you.'
How does it change in a sentence?
The pronoun within the phrase changes depending on who you are addressing: use وأنتِ كذلك to address a female, and use وأنتم كذلك to address a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
wa-anta kadhālik
Did you know?
- In highly religious contexts, instead of 'same to you', people often use specific formulaic responses like 'and you as well' but coupled with God's name, such as وإياك (wa iyyaka).
- While وأنت كذلك is perfectly correct in Modern Standard Arabic, using it in a street market in Cairo might make you sound like a news anchor rather than a local.
- The word كذلك (likewise) contains the root ذ-ل-ك, which refers to a 'demonstrative' or 'pointing' function, meaning the phrase literally functions as 'And you [are] like that'.
Examples in context
- وأنت كذلك يا صديقي.wa anta kadhalika ya sadiqi.And same to you, my friend.
- شكراً، وأنت كذلك.shukran, wa anta kadhalika.Thanks, and same to you.
Example conversation
Omar and Sarah are saying goodbye after a meeting.
- عمر Omarأتمنى لكِ نهاية أسبوع سعيدة يا سارة.atamanna laki nihaya usbu' sa'ida ya Sarah.I wish you a happy weekend, Sarah.
- سارة Saraشكراً لك، وأنت كذلك يا عمر.shukran laka, wa anta kadhalika ya Omar.Thank you, and same to you, Omar.
- عمر Omarشكراً جزيلاً.shukran jazilan.Thank you very much.
- سارة Saraمع السلامة.ma'a al-salama.Goodbye.
