Ways to say it
| Saudi Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| شكرا | shukran | |
| يعطيك العافية | ya'tik al-afya | for help or work |
For someone who has worked for you, Saudis add the warmer يعطيك العافية (yaʿtik al-afya), 'may He give you strength', a very common Gulf blessing.
What does it mean word for word?
شكرا is the general Arabic root for gratitude. يعطيك العافية joins يعطي, 'gives', and العافية, 'health and strength'.
Which one should you use?
شكرا fits any small favour. يعطيك العافية is specifically for effort, work or service, and is almost expected after it.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Both are polite. يعطيك العافية feels warmer and more personal, used with waiters, drivers and anyone who just finished a task.
Is it said differently in some regions?
يعطيك العافية is distinctly Gulf, heard across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and neighbouring countries in daily service exchanges.
How does it change in a sentence?
The ending changes for gender: يعطيك to a man, يعطيكي (yaʿtiki) to a woman.
How do you pronounce it?
العافية stresses the second syllable, with a soft, breathy sound on the ع.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Standard Arabic شكرا جزيلا (shukran jazilan) is understood but sounds bookish. Saudis more often just repeat شكرا or add يعطيك العافية.
When do people say it?
The usual reply to يعطيك العافية is الله يعافيك (allah yafik), sending the same blessing straight back.
Did you know?
- يعطيك العافية is said after almost any physical effort across the Gulf, from fixing a car to carrying groceries.
- The reply الله يعافيك mirrors the original blessing back to the person who said it first.
Examples in context
- شكرا على المساعدة.shukran 3ala l-musa'ada.Thank you for the help.
- يعطيك العافية على الخدمة.ya'tik al-afya 3ala l-khidma.Thank you for the service.
- الله يعافيك.allah yafik.May God give you health too.
Example conversation
Nawaf thanks a mechanic, Fahad, for fixing his car quickly in Jeddah.
- Nawafيعطيك العافية، خلصت بسرعة.ya'tik al-afya, khallasat bsur3a.Thank you, you finished quickly.
- Fahadالله يعافيك، تحت أمرك.allah yafik, taht amrak.God give you health too, at your service.
- Nawafشكرا، كم السيارة صارت؟shukran, kam as-sayyara saret?Thanks, how much is the car now?
- Fahadما يستاهل شي، بسيطة.ma yistahil shi, basita.It is nothing, it was simple.
