شكراً وعفواً
shukran wa'afwan
The English phrase "thank you and your welcome" is expressed in Arabic as شكراً وعفواً (shukran wa'afwan).
This pair of phrases combines the standard way to express gratitude with the standard way to respond to it. شكراً (shukran) is the most common way to say thank you in Arabic. To say thank you very much, you can use شكراً جزيلاً (shukran jazeelan). In informal settings, you might use شكرًا كتير (shukran kteer) to mean thank you a lot. To respond to gratitude, the most common way to say you're welcome is عفواً (3afwan).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of three parts: شكراً means "thanks" (it is the accusative form of the noun شكر, meaning "thanks" or "gratitude"). The prefix و means "and". And عفواً means "you're welcome".
How does it change in a sentence?
The letter و (wa) acts as a prefix meaning "and" that joins the two expressions together.
How do you pronounce it?
shukran wa'afwan
Did you know?
- While عفواً is the standard response to a thank you, it is also the exact same word used to say 'excuse me' or 'pardon me' when you need to pass someone in a crowd.
- In many Arabic speaking cultures, the phrase شكراً is often accompanied by placing the right hand over the heart. This gesture signals that the gratitude is sincere and comes from the heart.
- The word عفواً shares its root with the concept of 'forgiveness' or 'pardon', meaning that when you say it to respond to thanks, you are essentially saying 'it is nothing' or 'pardon the favor'.
Example conversation
Omar helps Noor carry some heavy books.
- عمر Omarتفضلي هذه الكتب يا نور.Tafaddali hadhihi al-kutub ya Noor.Here are the books, Noor.
- نور Nourشكراً جزيلاً يا عمر!Shukran jazilan ya Omar!Thank you very much, Omar!
- عمر Omarعفواً، لا مشكلة.Afwan, la mushkila.You're welcome, no problem.
- نور Nourشكراً وعفواً دائماً بيننا.Shukran wa afwan da'iman baynana.Thank you and you're welcome are always between us.
