Arabs are kind-hearted people, and expressing eloquent gratitude for even the smallest interactions is a common practice. To do so, we employ various methods, some of which are rooted in religious traditions. Let’s delve into these expressions and explore how to say thank you in Arabic across Modern Standard, Levantine, Egyptian, Gulf, and Darija!
Thank you in Arabic! The basic way
شكراً
Thank you!
This is from MSA. It’s still used by almost all Arabs or at least understood perfectly by all of them with the same pronunciation. It’s a basic way to thank someone, but it can dependably fit in all situations.
Variations of this word include:
شكراً جزيلاً
Thank you so much.
Used by people who appreciate MSA.
شكراً والله
Thanks, truly (on god, thank you!)
Commonly used to express genuine appreciation, this phrase is widely recognized in Egypt, the Levant, and the Gulf region.
شكرًا كتير
Thank you very much
A commonly used phrase in the Levant to express gratitude with added emphasis.
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Thank you and sorry for bothering
In the Arab World, it’s normal to thank someone in the form of an apology when they have done you a favor or caused them an inconvenience. Using gratitude with an apology is a unique way of saying thank you in Arabic and expressing appreciation.
In Egypt
معلش تعبناك
(to a male), معلش تعبناكي
(to a female)
Sorry for bothering you.
While this phrase is in the first person plural, it’s worth noting that this structure can also be applied when referring to oneself. It is commonly used to express gratitude when someone has done you a favor.
مكانش ليه لزوم
You shouldn’t have!
You might have been expecting it from them, but you say so to sound less demanding 🙈. Additionally, almost all children use this expression when receiving money as a gift from relatives during Eid, and although they say it, their happiness shines through in their eyes 🤩.
متشكرين والله كدا كتير
Thanks a lot! That’s too much really!
This phrase can be used when someone is doing you a huge favor or is paying you much more than you expected.
In the Levant (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine)
ما تواخذنا عذبناك
(to a male), ما تواخذينا عذبناكي
(to a female)
Pardon us, for bothering (tiring) you
عذبناك معنا
(to a male), عذبناكي معنا
(to a female)
Sorry for bothering you with us
The phrase literally means that we have “tortured you with us,” and it’s a kind of exaggeration to let the person being thanked know that we appreciate their considerable effort and see it as significant. We also hope they forgive us for it.
ما قصّرت
(to a male), ما قصّرتي
(to a female)
you did what it takes and more.
عنجد شكرًا، تعبناك معنا
(to a male), عنجد شكرًا، تعبناكي معنا
(to a female)
Thank you for your efforts.
ما كان في داعي تتعب حالك، شكرًا
(to a male), ما كان في داعي تتعبي حالك، شكرًا
(to a female)
You shouldn’t have to bother yourself! Thank you
والله هيك كتير ما قصرت
(to a male), والله هيك كتير ما قصرتي
(to a female)
You did more than expected.
In Gulf
ما قصّرت
(to a male), ما قصّرتي
(to a female)
you did (more than) enough.
In North African Darija
عدّبناك معانا
We bothered you
علاش عدبتي راسك
Why did you bother yourself?
علاش كلّفتي راسك
Also conveys the same meaning as ‘why did you cause yourself trouble?’
In general, most people don’t do more than expected 😉, and when this phrase is used, it doesn’t necessarily mean the person has done more than expected. It’s more of an exaggerated way of praising someone that makes you feel like you’ve repaid a debt to them and given them their due recognition 🤗 💸.
Religious expressions
Gratitude in the Arab world often takes on a spiritual tone, as many phrases are deeply rooted in Islamic teachings. Saying thank you in Arabic through prayers and blessings is a beautiful way to convey heartfelt appreciation.
In all regions
بارك الله فيك
(to a male), بارك الله فيكِ
(to a female)
Bless you!
جزاك الله خيرًا
(to a male), جزاكِ الله خيرًا
(to a female)
May God reward you with goodness (for what you have done).
These expressions of gratitude are deeply rooted in Islamic teachings and are widely used by devout Muslims throughout all Arab countries.
In Egyptian
ربنا يجازيك خير
(to a male), ربنا يجازيكي خير
(to a female)
I hope God rewards you well!
ربنا يبارك فيك
(to a male), ربنا يبارك فيكي
(to a female)
Bless you!
ربنا يكتر من أمثالك
(to a male), ربنا يكتر من أمثالك
(to a female)
May god let more people be like you!
ربنا يخليك
(to a male), ربنا يخليكي
(to a female)
ربنا يخليك ليا
(to a male), ربنا يخليكي ليا
(to a female)
May god protect you (for me)
In Levantine
الله يعطيك العافية
(to a male), الله يعطيكي العافية
(to a female)
May God grant you good health.
This clip is taken from a parody of what it’s like trying to invest money through a Jordanian government agency.
الله يقدرني ورد معروفك
(to a male), الله يقدرني ورد معروفك
(to a female)
May god give me the ability to do the same for you
In Gulf
الله يعطيك العافية
(to a male), الله يعطيك العافية
(to a female)
May God give you wellness and health
In Darija
الله يجازيك بخير
Common in Morocco, this literally translates to ‘May God reward you’.
Here are two religious expressions in Levantine to express gratitude when others pay you what they owe, even if the amount is rightfully yours! For instance, when your manager hands over the awaited salary in their generous style or when you receive a sum of money in exchange for selling a product or providing a service..….
الله يعوض عليك
(to a male), الله يعوض عليكي
(to a female)
May God compensate you!
الله يعوض عليك ويرزقك
(to a male), الله يعوض عليكي ويرزقك
(to a female)
May God compensate you and give you more!
More ways to say thank you
The following includes phrases commonly used across multiple Arabic dialects, as well as phrases specific to certain dialects only, as you can see.
In Levantine, Gulf, and Egyptian
تسلم
(to a male), تسلمي
(to a female)
Bless you!
حبيبي
(to a male), حبيبتي
(to a female)
Thank you!
This literally means ‘’my love’’ but can be used in this context to say thank you.
Check out our “Habibi” guide to know more about the different usages of this word
In Levantine & Egyptian
تسلم إيديك
(to a male), تسلم إيديكي
(to a female)
Bless these hands!
Pretty common to use when someone serves you food.
From an Egyptian clip focused on basic phrases.
In Egyptian
ألف شكر
Thanks a lot! (literal: a thousand thank you!)
In Levantine
يسلمو
يسلمو إيديك
(to a male), يسلمو إيديكي
(to a female)
Bless these hands!
This clip is from a video on top Jordanian phrases and how to respond.
يعيشوا هالإيدين
May god bless these hands!
ما رح انسالك هالمعروف
(to a male), ما رح انسالِك هالمعروف
(to a female)
I will never forget your favor (I owe you)
In Levantine & Gulf
مشكور
(to a male), مشكورة
(to a female)
Thanked
عشت
(to a male), عشتي
(to a female)
May god bless you
Thank God الحمدللَّه
One cannot discuss gratitude without mentioning the widely used phrase الحمدللَّه
in the Arab world. It is commonly uttered when inquiring about someone’s well-being and serves as a conclusion to any statement, whether describing a favorable or unfavorable event.
كيفك؟
How are you
الحمدللَّه
Thank God
نجحت بالامتحان، الحمدلله
I passed the exam, thank god.
عملت حادث سيّارة، الحمدلله
I had an accident, thank god.
You can use الحمدلله
when sharing good news in the Egyptian dialect.
Expressing gratitude is a cornerstone of Arab culture, and knowing how to say thank you in Arabic can help you build strong relationships, foster goodwill, and navigate social interactions smoothly. Whether through heartfelt words or spiritual blessings, the power of gratitude is universal.
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