أستغفر الله
astaghfiru Allah
The English phrase "sorry to God" can be expressed in Arabic as أستغفر الله (astaghfiru Allah).
أستغفر الله is used in two main ways: as a sincere prayer to seek forgiveness from God for one's sins, or as an exclamation used to express disapproval, shock or dismay when hearing something inappropriate.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb astaghfiru, which means "I seek forgiveness" and Allah, which means "God".
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb astaghfiru is in the first-person singular present tense, which indicates that the speaker is the one performing the act of seeking forgiveness.
How do you pronounce it?
astaghfiru Allah
Did you know?
- The word الله shares a common ancestor with the Hebrew word 'Elohim' and the Aramaic word 'Alaha'.
- While the phrase is inherently pious, it can be used with a specific sarcastic tone to call out someone who is being a hypocrite or acting overly holy.
- In some Arabic dialects, saying أستغفر الله quickly and repeatedly is used as a way to express extreme impatience or frustration toward another person.
Examples in context
- يا الله، أعترف بأني أخطأت وأنا نادم بشدة على أفعالي. آمل أن تغفر لي وتقبل توبتي. أستغفر الله العظيم من كل ذنب قمت به ومن كل التقصير.O Allah, I confess that I have made mistakes and I deeply regret my actions. I hope that You will forgive me and accept my repentance. I seek forgiveness from the Almighty for every sin I have committed and for any shortcomings.
- أستغفر الله على ما فعلت.Astaghfirullah 'ala ma fa'alt.I ask God for forgiveness for what I have done.
- أستغفر الله من كل ذنب.Astaghfirullah min kulli dhanb.I ask God for forgiveness for every sin.
- أستغفر الله دائماً.Astaghfirullah da'iman.I always ask God for forgiveness.
Example conversation
Ziad and Layla are talking about being more mindful of their actions.
- زياد Ziadأخطأت في حق الناس، وأنا أستغفر الله.Akhta'tu fi haqq al-nas, wa ana astaghfirullah.I wronged people, and I ask God for forgiveness.
- ليلى Laylaهذا جيد يا زياد، التوبة هي الحل.Hadha jayyid ya Ziad, al-tawba hiya al-hal.That is good, Ziad, repentance is the solution.
- زياد Ziadهل تعتقدين أنني سأتحسن؟Hal ta'taqidina annani sa-atahassun?Do you think I will improve?
- ليلى Laylaبالتأكيد يا زياد، الله يحب التائبين.Bil-ta'kid ya Ziad, Allah yuhibbu al-ta'ibin.Certainly, Ziad, God loves those who repent.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries الله, CC BY-SA 4.0.
