اعتني بنفسك دائما
i'tani binafsika da'iman
The phrase "take care always" in Arabic is اعتني بنفسك دائما (i'tani binafsika da'iman).
This phrase is a warm parting wish used to tell someone to look after their health and well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative verb i'tani (take care/attend to), the prepositional phrase bi-nafsika (with yourself/of yourself) and the adverb da'iman (always).
Which one should you use?
Adding da'iman (always) makes the parting wish more emphatic and heartfelt compared to the standard i'tani binafsika (take care of yourself).
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form اعتني بنفسك دائما is specifically addressed to a male listener. To address a group of people, the suffix of the noun nafsika changes to nafsikum in the form اعتني بنفسكم دائما.
How do you pronounce it?
i'tani binafsika da'iman
Did you know?
- While اعتني بنفسك دائما is a literal translation of 'take care', Arabic speakers more commonly use the phrase في أمان الله, which means 'in the security of God', to wish someone safety during their departure.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, a parting wish for well-being is often accompanied by a light touch on the shoulder or a hand over the heart to signify sincerity.
- The word نفس (nafs), used in بنفسك (yourself), can mean both 'self' and 'soul' or 'breath', suggesting that taking care of oneself involves both the body and the spirit.
Examples in context
- خذ بالك دايمًا، يا أحمدTake care always, Ahmed.
- اعتني بنفسك دائما.I'tani bi nafsika da'iman.Take care of yourself always.
- أرجوك، اعتني بنفسك دائماً.Arjooka, i'tani bi nafsika da'iman.Please, always take care of yourself.
Example conversation
Omar and Sarah are saying goodbye after a lunch meeting.
- عمر Omarسعدت بلقائك اليوم يا سارة.Sa'idtu bi liqa'iki al-yawm ya Sarah.I was happy to see you today, Sarah.
- سارة Saraوأنا أيضاً، شكراً لك يا عمر.Wa ana aydan, shukran laka ya Omar.Me too, thank you, Omar.
- عمر Omarاعتني بنفسك دائماً.I'tani bi nafsiki da'iman.Take care of yourself always.
- سارة Saraشكراً لك، مع السلامة.Shukran laka, ma'a al-salama.Thank you, goodbye.
