Ever get stumped on how to respond to someone saying thanks in Egyptian Arabic?
Fear not!
Today, we’re diving into the world of Egyptian Arabic expressions for saying “you’re welcome.” We also give you background on when to use it + some important information for each phrase.
But first, an important announcement…
Our First Egyptian Arabic Course In March
We are releasing our first course in March, 2024…
But only email people that want to hear about it.
If you want to:
- Increase your Egyptian listening comprehension
- Skyrocket your Egyptian Arabic vocabulary
- Get way better at speaking the dialect
- Impress your Egyptian friends and family…
Sign up here for notifications:
The Most Common Way To Say “You’re Welcome” in Egyptian Arabic
Pro tip: before you get started with this post, make sure you learn how to say thank you in Egyptian Arabic. This will provide much-needed context to this post.
To start, let’s check out the first two (and most common) ways to say “you’re welcome” in Egyptian Arabic.
عفواً. : afwan. / el3afw :العفو
Literally: “Pardon.”
These first two ways are pretty much the same way to say “you’re welcome” in Egyptian Arabic. These two are the most common answers to “thank you” in Egyptian Arabic.
Example:
Thanks for the amazing food! : Shukran 3ala el akl elgameel!
!شكرا على الاكل الجميل
You’re welcome, enjoy your meal! : el3afw, belhana w elshefa.
!العفو بالهنا والشفا
Use: This is suitable for all situations, both formal and informal.
Note – in this example you could use both of the first two options interchangeably.
Other Common Ways To Say “You’re Welcome” in Egyptian Arabic
الشكر لله : alshokr lelah.
Literally: “Thanks are to God.”
This one implies that there is no need to thank me – you can thank God for everything.
Example:
Thanks boss. : Alf shokr yasta.
.الف شكر ياسطى
Thanks are to God, sir. : Elshokr lelah ya ostaz.
.الشكر لله يا استاذ
Use: best used in slightly formal or respectful situations.
.اي خدمة , عد الجمايل : Ay khedma, 3ed elgamayel.
Literally: “Any service, count the favors.”
This is a fun way to respond to your friend saying “thank you” when you do them a favor. It implies that you do them many favors, and of course is used jokingly.
Example:
Thanks for the coffee! : Shukran ya m3alem 3ala el ahwa!
!شكرا يا معلم على القهوة
At your service, count the favors. : Ay khedma, 3ed elgamayel.
.اي خدمة، عد الجمايل
Use: used among friends and in informal and funny situations.
Note: In less teasing way, you can just say Ay khedma (also used with strangers) as a polite way to say “you are welcome”.
enta to2mor / enty to2mori : إنتَ تؤمر / إنتي تؤمري
Literally: “You command.”
This implies that he or she is your “master” / boss and you are happy to fulfill their wishes. It’s a playful and slightly flirtatious way to say “you’re welcome.”
Example:
Thanks for the rose! : Shokran 3ala elwarda!
!شكرا على الورده
You command! : enti to2mory.
.انتي تؤمري
Use: mostly with very close people (especially being flirty) or with higher positions, as in “You Command sir.”
One Last Way To Say “You’re Welcome” in Egyptian Arabic
Until now, we have covered “you’re welcome” as the answer to “thank you.” However (just like English), you can use it as a kind of greeting when seeing somebody.
اهلا وسهلا : Ahlan w sahlan.
This is the most common way to say “you’re welcome / welcome” as a greeting. It is used for both people you know and people you don’t.
No specific example here – that’s how universal it is!
…
Happy learning,
Cleo Lingo
