CleoLingo | The Word Keda
Knowing how to use the phrase Inshallah in Egyptian Arabic is essential.
It’s one of the most common phrases in the language, and you will likely hear it at least once in just about any conversation you have.
Today we are teaching you the meaning of Inshallah, the history behind it, and different ways it’s used today. We will also share some examples in action.
Let’s get started!
First, it’s important to know that Inshallah is not technically a word – it’s three. We will use “phrase” to refer to it throughout this post.
The phrase Inshallah looks like this in Arabic: ان شاء الله
The three words that Inshallah is made of are (Standard Arabic):
ان (In): If
شاء (Sha’): (He) willed
الله (Allah): God
Combine these three together, and the phrase generally means “If God wills it” or “God willing.”
Inshallah is sometimes also written as Insha’alla, Inshaa Allah, or originally as In Shaa Allah. However, we will use Inshallah throughout this post.
Inshallah was (obviously) originally used by Muslims. The phrase is mentioned in the Quran, and clearly states that Muslims are required to use it when speaking about future events (Sura 18, Verse 23): “Don’t say I will do this or that tomorrow’s without saying Inshallah.”
With the spread of Islam ca. 700 AD, the Arabic language (and the phrase Inshallah) spread as well. Eventually, it also began to be used by Arab Christians.
These days, people use Inshallah to refer to events that they hope will happen in the future (immediate future or distant future). By using the phrase, the speaker implies that nothing will happen in the future without God’s wills.
That said, even with this more serious meaning of the phrase, Inshallah can still take on more nuanced, “ironic” meanings. Let’s dive into them now.
The phrase Inshallah is an interesting reflection of Egyptian culture. That’s because it shows how (many, if not all) Egyptians believe in God without necessarily thinking of how they “should” used Inshallah. It is also (Tarek’s opinion) a convenient way to put the “responsibility” on God’s shoulders without having to say “yes” or “no.”
Below you will see five different “meanings” of the phrase Inshallah. To demonstrate the tiny (but important) differences between them, let’s use them all as answers to the following question:
“Are you coming to my party?”
These are nuanced – pay attention to the differences. Like most communication, the person’s actual meaning will depend a lot on the context and their tone of voice. With that in mind, let’s dive into how Inshallah is actually used.
…
How the word is used. : (The nuanced implication.)
What is actually being said here.
1) Yes. : (Yes, this will happen as long as nothing unpredictable occurs and prevents it from happening.)
I really want to come to the party and have cleared my schedule…but you never know what might happen.
2) Maybe. : (Not wanting to say “yes” or “no” directly.)
I don’t know you very well and haven’t really thought about if I want to come or not.
3) I will check and get back to you. : (Potentially yes, but more leaning towards a “no.”)
I’m super tired. We will see how I feel later tonight, but there’s a good chance I’m asleep by 9 PM.
4) Hopefully. : (I really want this to happen, but there are a few things that might prevent it.)
I am busy with a couple errands later, but assuming I can finish them on time, yes, I am coming.
5) In your dreams. : (This is never going to happen….you will know this one when you hear its tone!)
I don’t like you at all, and your parties are always lame. No thanks.
Before we get into specific examples of the word in action, we thought it was a good idea to give you two different opinions on the way that Inshallah is used in real life.
The first is from my (Eric’s) perspective. I’m a foreigner from a different culture, so take my perspective with a grain of salt. After that you will see an Egyptian’s (Tarek’s) perspective on the word.
We don’t mean to disrespect anybody, as we both know that the word Inshallah has a lot of religious importance for Muslims.
The word Inshallah is basically a way to say “maybe but I’m not sure” without having to hurt somebody’s feelings.
Now, keep in mind, Inshallah doesn’t necessarily mean “no.” Instead, it’s a way of intentionally not promising somebody that you will do something that you don’t actually want to do.
Or at least, it allows you to not feel guilty if you don’t end up doing something. Because after all, you didn’t actually say “yes.”
This is specifically for “future events.” In my mind, Inshallah is also used for pretty insignificant things like getting off at the metro or the next station in the bus (see examples). Translating it into English, saying “God willing” for a question like “Are you exiting at the next station?” seems a bit too dramatic to me.
Then again, I’m not a native speaker of Arabic. I’m sure using Inshallah in these situations is less weird for Egyptians. And, in fact, many Egyptians confirm this.
As mentioned above, the phrase Inshallah originally coming from a religious belief. Because it’s become such a part of Egyptian culture, you can literally hear this phrase at least five times a day (in many different contexts) without feeling weird.
Using Inshallah is basically advancing God’s will before anything else. In fact, Egyptians believe in God’s will so much that when someone is speaking about a future event without saying Inshallah, they will remind them to say the word. This is especially common when talking about a good thing they hope will happen.
Reminding somebody to say it is basically like saying “Don’t jinx it and say Inshallah so that God will actually make it happen for you!”
Still, most Egyptians use this phrase out of habit without actually thinking of its “deeper meaning” every time they say it. For example, the ironic meaning of Inshallah when a mother doesn’t want to say “yes” or “no” to her kids.
As you’ve seen, using the phrase Inshallah can be either serious, or not so serious.
Following that, we’ve split up our examples in the same way.
A) Look at this amazing motorcycle! : bos el motocycle elgamed da!
.بص الموتوسيكل الجامد ده
B) I will buy it next month. : hagyb zaio elshahr elgai.
.هجيب زيه الشهر الجاي
A) Say Inshallah! : 2ool insha’allah!
!قول ان شاء الله
Check out our post on shopping in Egyptian Arabic for the proper vocab.
A) Are we meeting this week? : hant2abel elesbo3 da?
هنتقابل الاسبوع ده؟
B) Yes, this Monday God-willing. : aywa, yom eletnen insha’allah.
.ايوه- يوم الاتنين ان شاء الله
A) Are you coming to the party? : gai el7afla?
جي الحفلة؟
B) Yes, God-willing. : aywa insha’allah.
.ايوه ان شاء الله
A) Will you be late for dinner? : hatet2khar 3al 3asha?
هتتأخر على العشا؟
B) No, I will be on time, God-willing. : la2 hagi f ma3adi insha’allah.
.لا هاجي في معادي ان شاء الله
A) Are you exiting at the next station? : nazel elma7ata el gaia?
نازل المحطة الجاة؟
B) God-willing. : Insha’allah.
.ان شاء الله
The ultimate example of Inshallah being used where you wouldn’t expect.
Check out our post on the Cairo metro for more background.
A) Are you (female) coming to watch a movie tonigt? : Tegy nshof film belil?
تيجي نشوف فيلم بليل؟
B) Of course, God-willing. : akeed insha’allah.
.اكيد ان شاء الله
Going to movies?
Then you might need some of this vocab!
A) How’s her grandmother’s health? Will she be ok? : gedetha 3amla eh? hatb2a kwaissa?
جدنها عامله ايه؟ هتبقى كويسة؟
B) Yes, God-willing she will get out of the hospital after tomorrow. : aywa, insha’allah hatokhrog mn elmostashfa ba3d bokra.
.ايوه، ان شاء الله هتخرج من المستشفى بعد بكرة
A) Who will you (male) marry? : hatetgawez meen?
هتتجوز مين؟
B) I will marry Donia, God-willing. : hatgwez Donia insha’allah.
.هتجوز دنيا ان شاء الله
Check out our post on Egyptian weddings.
A) When are you sending this report? : hatb3at el taqreer da emta?
هتبعت التقرير ده امتى؟
B) God-willing when I come back from the trip. : awel marga3 mn elsafar insha’allah.
.اول مارجع من السفر ان شاء الله
A) Will you get the new job? : hatro7 shoghl gded?
هتروح شغل جديد؟
B) I don’t know, God-willing. : mesh 3aref, insha’allah.
.مش عارف..ان شاء الله
Want more vocab for this conversation topic?
If co, check out how to talk about your job in Egyptian Arabic.
A) Will you come to pick me up from the airport? : hategi takhodni mn elmatar?
هتيجي تاخدني من المطار؟
B) Yes, God-willing, when is your flight landing?. : aywa insha’allah, tayrtak nazla kam?
ايوه ان شاء الله، طيارتك نازلة الساعة كام؟
Check out our posts on navigating the airport and telling time in Egyptian Arabic.
A) Is your Dad going to survive cancer? : babak haykhef mn el saratan?
باباك هيخف من السرطان؟
B) God-willing, please pray for him. : insha’allah, ed3elo.
ان شاء الله ، ادعيله
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Happy learning,
Cleo Lingo
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