شكراً
shukranstandard
The standard way to say "thanks" in Lebanese is شكراً (shukran). In daily life many people say ميرسي (mērsi), borrowed from French, and يسلمو (yislamo) for thanks for something done by hand.
Meaning: an expression of gratitude (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Lebanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| شكراً | shukran | standard |
| ميرسي | mērsi | casual, everyday |
| يسلمو | yislamo | friendly |
شكراً works everywhere. ميرسي is relaxed and common among friends, shop staff and family. ألف شكر (alf shukr) means "a thousand thanks".
Which one should you use?
يسلمو (yislamo) literally means "may his hands be well" and is said after someone cooks or fixes something. A common reply is عفواً (ʿafwan).
Did you know?
- ميرسي (mērsi) comes from French merci and is one of many French words in everyday Lebanese speech.
Examples in context
- شكراً كتير.shukran ktīr.Thank you very much.
- ميرسي، يعطيك العافية.mērsi, yiʿṭīk el-ʿāfye.Thanks, may you have strength.
- يسلمو إيديكي عالأكل.yislamo īdēki ʿal-akl.Bless your hands for the food.
Example conversation
Joumana thanks her friend Zeina for dinner at the end of the evening.
- Joumanaيسلمو إيديكي، الأكل كتير طيب.yislamo īdēki, el-akl ktīr ṭayyeb.Bless your hands, the food was delicious.
- Zeinaصحتين وعافية!saḥtēn w-ʿāfye!Enjoy it!
- Joumanaميرسي كتير، ألف شكر.mērsi ktīr, alf shukr.Thanks so much, a thousand thanks.
