Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| شُكْرًا | šukran | |
| تِسْلَم | tislam | Hijazi Arabic |
| يِعْطيك العافية | yiʕṭīk al-ʕāfya | Hijazi Arabic |
| بارك الله فيك | bārak ellāh fīk | Moroccan Arabic |
| الله يبارك فيك | ellāh ybārik fīk | Moroccan Arabic |
For a more formal way to say 'thank you very much', you can use Shukran jazeelan (شكراً جزيلاً). In certain contexts, such as thanking someone for their work or service, the phrase يِعْطيك العافية is commonly used.
What does it mean word for word?
The word شُكْرًا is the accusative form of the noun šukr, which means 'thanks' or 'a thank'. The phrase يِعْطيك العافية literally means 'may [God] give you health/well-being'. The Moroccan expression بارك الله فيك literally means 'may God bless you'.
Which one should you use?
The Moroccan expression بارك الله فيك is a more religious or formal way to express gratitude compared to the standard شُكْرًا. In Morocco, shukran bzaaf may also be used to mean 'thank you very much'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hijazi Arabic, you can use تِسْلَم or يِعْطيك العافية. In Moroccan Arabic, common expressions include بارك الله فيك, الله يبارك فيك and shukran bzaaf.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Hijazi Arabic, تِسْلَم is a masculine singular form. When addressing a woman, use the feminine form تِسْلَمي.
How do you pronounce it?
šukran
When do people say it?
When someone says شُكْرًا, the standard response is عَفْوًا (you're welcome or excuse me).
Did you know?
- The word بارك (baraka) in the phrase بارك الله فيك shares an ancient root with the Hebrew word bereḵ, which means 'knee'.
- The word عَفْوًا, used to respond to شُكْرًا, is the same word used to say 'excuse me' or 'pardon' when interrupting someone.
- The phrase يِعْطيك العافية can be used both as a way to say 'thank you' and as a friendly greeting when entering a shop or workspace.
Examples in context
- شُكْرًا جَزِيلًا عَلَى الْمُسَاعَدَةِ.shukran jazīlan 'alā al-musā'ada.Thank you very much for the help.
- شُكْرًا لَكَ عَلَى الْهَدِيَّةِ.shukran laka 'alā al-hadiyya.Thank you for the gift.
- شُكْرًا، هَذَا جَمِيلٌ جِدًّا.shukran, hādhā jamīlun jiddan.Thank you, this is very beautiful.
Example conversation
Ahmad is receiving a book from Layla.
- أحمد Ahmedأَهْدَيْتِنِي هَذَا الْكِتَابَ؟ahdaytinī hādhā al-kitāb?Did you give me this book?
- ليلى Laylaنَعَمْ، هَذِهِ هَدِيَّةٌ بَسِيطَةٌ لَكَ.na'am, hādhihi hadiyyatun basītatun laka.Yes, this is a simple gift for you.
- أحمد Ahmedشُكْرًا لَكِ يَا لَيْلَى.shukran laki yā Laylā.Thank you, Layla.
- ليلى Laylaعَفْوًا، أَنْتَ تَسْتَحِقُّ ذَلِكَ.'afwan, anta tastahiqqu dhālika.You're welcome, you deserve it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thank you” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries الله, بارك, CC BY-SA 4.0.
