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 |
While شُكْرًا is the standard and most widely understood form across all Arabic dialects, other phrases are specific to regional speech.
What does it mean word for word?
The word شُكْرًا is derived from the noun šukr (thanks/gratitude) with an accusative ending, literally meaning 'a thanking'. The Hijazi phrase يِعْطيك العافية literally means 'may [God] give you health/well-being'.
Which one should you use?
شُكْرًا is the standard form used throughout the Arabic-speaking world. The other forms provided are specific to certain regional dialects, such as Hijazi-Arabic or Moroccan-Arabic.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Hijazi-Arabic dialect, you may hear تِسْلَم or يِعْطيك العافية. In Moroccan-Arabic, the expressions بارك الله فيك and الله يبارك فيك are used to express thanks.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Hijazi-Arabic, the masculine singular verb تِسْلَم (meaning 'may you be safe' or 'may you be preserved') changes to the feminine form تِسْلَمي when addressing a woman. The phrase يِعْطيك العافية is used specifically to express gratitude for service or work.
How do you pronounce it?
šukran
When do people say it?
The most common response to شُكْرًا is عَفْوًا, which can mean 'you're welcome' or 'excuse me'.
Did you know?
- The root of the word بارك in the phrase بارك الله فيك is shared with ancient Ge'ez and Biblical Hebrew.
- The word عَفْوًا, which is the standard response to 'thank you', is also used by speakers to say 'excuse me'.
Examples in context
- Shukran jazeelan 'ala musa'adatik il-khassah. (شكراً جزيلاً على مساعدتك الخاصة)Thank you very much for your personal assistance.
- شُكْرًا جَزِيلًا عَلَى المُسَاعَدَة.shukran jazilan 'ala al-musa'ada.Thank you very much for the help.
- شُكْرًا لَكَ عَلَى الهَدِيَّة.shukran laka 'ala al-hadiyya.Thank you for the gift.
- أُرِيدُ هَذَا، شُكْرًا.uridu hadha, shukran.I want this, thank you.
Example conversation
Ziyad gives Noor a book she needed.
- نور Nourشُكْرًا يَا زِياد.Shukran ya Ziyad.Thank you, Ziyad.
- زياد Ziadعَفْوًا يَا نُور.Afwan ya Noor.You are welcome, Noor.
- نور Nourهذا لُطْفٌ مِنْكَ.Hadha lutfun minka.That is kind of you.
- زياد Ziadلا شُكْرَ عَلَى واجِب.La shukra ala wajib.No need to thank me for a duty.
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.
