Ways to say it
| Emirati Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| شكراً | shukran | |
| يعطيك العافية | yatik al-afya | warmer, to someone who helped |
شكراً works in any situation, and for someone who physically helped or served you, Emiratis often add يعطيك العافية, 'may God give you strength', a warm Gulf way of thanking someone for their effort.
What does it mean word for word?
شكراً is shared across the Arab world. يعطيك العافية literally wishes the other person health and strength in return for their work.
Which one should you use?
شكراً is the simple, general thanks. يعطيك العافية is specifically for someone who exerted effort, such as a worker, driver or host.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Both are polite, يعطيك العافية feels slightly warmer and more personal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
يعطيك العافية is common across the Gulf, including the UAE, and is heard constantly in daily service interactions.
How does it change in a sentence?
يعطيك changes with gender, becoming يعطيكي when thanking a woman.
How do you pronounce it?
العافية is said 'al-AA-fya', with the ع pronounced deep in the throat.
When do people say it?
The usual reply to يعطيك العافية is الله يعافيك, 'may God grant you health too', keeping the exchange of blessings going.
Did you know?
- يعطيك العافية is used across the whole Gulf region as the natural thanks for physical effort, distinct from the simple شكراً used for everything else.
Examples in context
- شكراً على مساعدتك.shukran ala musa'adtak.Thank you for your help.
- يعطيك العافية على الشغل.yatik al-afya ala el-shoghl.Thank you for the work, may God give you strength.
- شكراً جزيلاً، الله يعطيك العافية.shukran jazeelan, Allah yatik al-afya.Thank you very much, God give you strength.
Example conversation
Maitha thanks a worker named Ali for delivering furniture to her home.
- Maithaيعطيك العافية، حطيتوا كل حاجة بسرعة.yatik al-afya, hattaytu kol haga bisur'a.Thank you for your effort, you placed everything quickly.
- Aliالله يعافيك، هذا شغلنا.Allah ya'afeek, hatha shoghlna.May God grant you health too, this is our job.
- Maithaشكراً مرة ثانية، تسلم.shukran marra thanya, teslam.Thank you again, be well.
- Aliتسلمين، يوم سعيد.teslameen, yom sa'eed.Be well too, have a nice day.
