شكرا لك
shukran lakastandard, to a man
To a man, say شكرا لك (shukran laka) in Arabic. The plain شكرا (shukran) works for anyone, and أشكرك (ashkuruka) is a more formal "I thank you".
Meaning: expressing thanks to a man (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| شكرا لك | shukran laka | standard, to a man |
| أشكرك | ashkuruka | formal, to a man |
| شكرا | shukran | neutral, any listener |
The usual reply is عفوا (ʿafwan), "you are welcome", which is the same for men and women.
Which one should you use?
The ending shows the listener. لك (laka) is for a man and لكِ (laki) is for a woman, so only the last vowel changes.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egypt and the Levant people often say ميرسي (mērsī), borrowed from French, and in the Levant يسلمو (yislamū) is a warm way of thanking someone.
Did you know?
- شكرا (shukran) is an accusative form, which is why it ends in the -an sound. Arabic also uses جزاك الله خيرا (jazāka Allāhu khayran), "may God reward you", for deep thanks.
Examples in context
- شكرا لك على المساعدةshukran laka ʿalā al-musāʿadaThank you for the help.
- أشكرك يا أستاذashkuruka yā ustādhI thank you, sir.
- شكرا جزيلاshukran jazīlanThank you very much.
Example conversation
A customer, Rami, thanks the shopkeeper Mr. Fadi after buying bread.
- Fadiتفضل يا سيديtafaḍḍal yā sayyidīHere you are, sir.
- Ramiشكرا لكshukran lakaThank you.
- FadiعفواʿafwanYou are welcome.
