إلى من يهمه الأمر
'ilā man yahummuhu al-'amr
The Arabic phrase for "to whom it may concern" is إلى من يهمه الأمر ('ilā man yahummuhu al-'amr).
إلى من يهمه الأمر is a standard formula used in written correspondence when the specific name or title of the recipient is unknown. It is most commonly used in official documents and certificates, such as employment letters, character references or proof of residency.
Meaning: phrase used to begin a formal letter to an unknown recipient (prep_phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase إلى من يهمه الأمر breaks down into the preposition إلى (to), the relative pronoun من (who), the verb يهم (concerns/interests), the object pronoun ـه (him) and the noun الأمر (the matter). Literally, it means "to whom the matter concerns him".
Which one should you use?
While إلى من يهمه الأمر is the standard way to say "To Whom It May Concern", you can also use the formal alternative إلى الشخص المعني بالأمر, which translates to "To the Person Concerned".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Both إلى من يهمه الأمر and إلى الشخص المعني بالأمر are formal and professional expressions suitable for official use.
How do you pronounce it?
'ilā man yahummuhu al-'amr
Did you know?
- In Arabic, the word الأمر (the matter) can also mean 'command' or 'order', giving the phrase a subtle nuance of official authority.
- The word من (who) shares a deep ancestral root with the Hebrew word מִן (min), meaning 'from'.
- While used in letters, the verb يهم (to concern) is also the root for the word 'importance' أهمية in Arabic.
Examples in context
- إلى من يهمه الأمر.To whom it may concern:This example shows how to use the phrase إلى من يهمه الأمر as a formal salutation.Tatoeba #1110542 by Eldad, translation #1110496 by Eldad
- إلى من يهمه الأمر، أكتب لكم لتقديم شكوى.ila man yahummuhu al-amr, aktubu lakum li-taqdim shakwa.To whom it may concern, I am writing to submit a complaint.
- يجب أن تبدأ الرسالة بعبارة: إلى من يهمه الأمر.yajibu an tabda'a al-risala bi-ibarat: ila man yahummuhu al-amr.The letter must begin with the phrase: to whom it may concern.
Example conversation
Maryam and Omar are discussing how to draft a formal letter.
- مريم Maryamبماذا أبدأ هذه الرسالة يا عمر؟bimadha abda'u hadhihi al-risala ya Omar?How do I start this letter, Omar?
- عمر Omarاستخدم عبارة: إلى من يهمه الأمر.ustakhdim ibarat: ila man yahummuhu al-amr.Use the phrase: to whom it may concern.
- مريم Maryamهل هذا مناسب لهذه الرسالة الرسمية؟hal hadha munasib li-hadhihi al-risala al-rasmiyya?Is that appropriate for this formal letter?
- عمر Omarنعم، هي العبارة الأنسب يا مريم.na'am, hiya al-ibara al-ansab ya Maryam.Yes, it is the most suitable phrase, Maryam.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries إلى, من, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
