اعتني بنفسك
i'tani binafsika
To say take care of yourself in Arabic, use اعتني بنفسك (i'tani binafsika), often said when saying goodbye.
It is said to wish someone good health and safety, often at the end of a conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
It is made of the command i'tani, take care or tend to and binafsika, of yourself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The ending changes with the person you speak to. To a woman say اعتني بنفسكِ. To a group say اعتنوا بأنفسكم. In careful written standard Arabic the command to a man is spelled اعتنِ بنفسك.
How do you pronounce it?
It is said i'tani binafsika.
Did you know?
- The phrase بـنفسك contains the word نفس ('nafs'), which in Arabic refers to both the 'self' and the 'breath' or 'soul'. Telling someone to take care of their 'nafs' carries a deeper connotation of protecting their inner spirit.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, the direct command to take care of oneself is often replaced by the phrase في أمان الله, which means 'in the security of God'. This shifts the focus from personal effort to divine protection.
- In casual dialects, the phrase دير بالك على نفسك is more common than the formal version. It literally tells the listener to 'put your mind' or 'place your attention' on themselves.
Examples in context
- أتمنى لك السلامة دائماً. اعتنِ بنفسك بشكل جيد.I wish you safety always. Take care of yourself well.
- اعتني بنفسك جيداً.I'tani bi-nafsika jayyidan.Take care of yourself well.
- وداعاً، اعتني بنفسك.Wada'an, i'tani bi-nafsika.Goodbye, take care of yourself.
Example conversation
Ahmed is leaving for a long trip and saying goodbye to Maryam.
- مريم Maryamرحلة سعيدة يا أحمد.Rihla sa'ida ya Ahmed.Have a happy trip, Ahmed.
- أحمد Ahmedشكراً لكِ يا مريم.Shukran laki ya Maryam.Thank you, Maryam.
- مريم Maryamاعتني بنفسك هناك.I'tani bi-nafsika hunaka.Take care of yourself there.
- أحمد Ahmedسأفعل، وداعاً.Sa-af'al, wada'an.I will, goodbye.
