How To Use The Phrase “Alhamdulillah” (الحمد لله) in Egyptian Arabic

The phrase “Alhamdulillah” is one of the most commonly used in Egyptian Arabic.

Let’s find out what it means and how to use it.

The Phrase Alhamdulillah: How To Use It

Alhamdulillah (الحمد لله) means “Thank God” or “Praise be to God.”

Literally:

AlHamd (الحمد) = Gratitude/Praise + Lilah (لله) = to Allah

The reason this phrase is so important is that the act of expressing gratitude is one of the cornerstones of Islam and is directly required in the Quran. Indeed, as Surah Ibrahim Ayat 7 directly states: “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in blessings]. But if you deny, indeed, my punishment is severe.’”

Because there are many ways to show gratitude in life, you hear the phrase Alhamdulillah all the time. This of course includes remembering Allah at all times (especially during prayers), but also involves passing on blessings to others (giving away excess money, helping others when you are healthy, etc.).

In fact, Alhamdulillah is such a normal part of Egyptian Arabic that non-religious people use it as well (kind of like “Thank God” in English).

While there are no alternative meanings for Alhamdulillah, Muslims use the phrase in many different contexts. Here are five of the main ways Alhamdulillah is used:

1. Answering the question “How are you?” (thanking God for being OK, also common in Egyptian Arabic greetings)

2. After blessings or when things go right  (thanking God for your life being good)

3. After or during hardship situations (because they are seen as a test from God)

4. After eating (thanking God for the food)

5. After sneezing (thanking God for the good health)

Lets check some examples of Alhamdulillah in action.

The Phrase Alhamdulillah: Example Sentences

Thank God that you are here. : Alhamdulillah enak hena.

.الحمد لله انك هنا

Everything is fine, thank God. : Kolo tamam, alhamdulillah.

.كله تمام الحمد لله

It was a big accident…thank God on all cases. : Kant 7adsa kbera, alhamdulillah 3ala kol 7al.

.كانت حادثة كبيرة …الحمد لله على كل حال

Alhamdulillah is used here as a way of saying that everything is fine now.

Nothing happened (Lit. There is nothing), thank God. : Mafeesh 7aga, alhamdulillah.

.مفيش حاجة الحمد لله

Our post on making mish sandwiches is a good reference for the word mafeesh.

I passed my test, thank God! : Ana neg7t f elemt7an alhamdulillah.

.انا نجحت في الامتحان الحمد لله

I will see my family soon, thank God. : Hashof ahli 2orayb alhamdulillah.

.هشوف اهلي قريب الحمد لله

Check out our post on Egyptian Arabic future tense for more information.

I finished my food, thank God. It was so delicious. : Ana khalst akli alhamdulillah. Kan helw awy.

.انا خلصت اكل الحمد لله. كان حلو قوي

I finished the marathon, thank God. : Ana khalast el marathon alhamdulillah.

.انا خلصت المارثون الحمدلله

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Happy learning,

Cleo Lingo