شكراً لكِ
shukran laki
The English phrase "thank you to a female" is translated into Arabic as شكراً لكِ (shukran laki).
This phrase is used specifically to express gratitude when addressing a single woman.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of shukran, meaning "thanks" and laki, meaning "to you, feminine".
Which one should you use?
While shukran laki is used for a female, you would address a male by changing the vowel on the 'k' to an 'a', resulting in shukran laka.
How do you pronounce it?
shukran laki
Did you know?
- In some Levantine dialects, instead of the formal شكراً لكِ, people might use the phrase يسلموا ايديكي, which means 'may your hands be saved'.
- In religious or highly traditional contexts, a person might say jazak Allah khayran instead of shukran. This translates to 'may God reward you with goodness' and is considered a more spiritual form of thanks.
- Arabic uses a system of 'diacritics' or small marks above and below letters to change a 'ka' sound to a 'ki' sound. In most newspapers and books, these marks are omitted, meaning the reader must deduce the gender from the context of the sentence.
Examples in context
- شكراً لكِ على المساعدة.shukran laki 'ala al-musa'ada.Thank you for the help.
- شكراً لكِ جزيلاً يا سارة.shukran laki jazilan ya Sarah.Thank you very much, Sarah.
- أنتِ لطيفة جداً، شكراً لكِ.anti latifa jiddan, shukran laki.You are very kind, thank you.
Example conversation
Omar is thanking Layla for bringing him a drink.
- ليلى Laylaتفضل يا عمر، هذا مشروبك.Tafaddal ya Omar, hadha mashrubuk.Here you go, Omar, this is your drink.
- عمر Omarشكراً لكِ يا ليلى.Shukran laki ya Layla.Thank you, Layla.
- ليلى Laylaلا شكر على واجب.La shukra 'ala wajib.You are welcome.
- عمر Omarأنتِ لطيفة جداً.Anti latifa jiddan.You are very kind.
