10 Inspiring Ways to Say "Thank You" in Arabic
Gratitude is a universal sentiment expressed across cultures and languages. In Arabic, a language rich in history and tradition, expressing thanks can be done in several ways. This article explores how to say "thank you" in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and how gratitude is conveyed in the Holy Quran.
How to Say "Thank You" in Modern Standard Arabic
Modern Standard Arabic, known as الفصحى (Al-Fus'ha), is the standardized and literary form of Arabic used in formal communication, media, literature, and other formal settings across the Arab world. When expressing gratitude in MSA, the most common phrase is:
شكرًا!
/shukran/
Thank you!
This is a straightforward and widely recognized way to say "thank you." It is derived from the root word شَكَرَ (shakara), which means "to thank" or "to be grateful." The term شكرًا is simple and versatile, suitable for a variety of contexts, whether formal or informal.
Linguistic background:
The noun شُكْرًا is an accusative noun (signed with two Fathahs at the end), because it is considered in Arabic an absolute object related to a hidden verb, which is أشكرك /'ashkuruk). I thank you.
For more about the absolute object, please visit our website, lesson 67 of our free language course, or click here.
It’s also possible to add a prepositional phrase after شُكْرًا to mention the person you thank, as follows:
شُكْرًا لَك!
/shukran lak/
Thank you!
This addition could be conjugated as follows:
شُكْرًا لَكَ! /shukran laka/ - For singular masculine
شُكْرًا لَكِ! /shukran laki/ - For singular feminine
شُكْرًا لَك! /shukran lak/ - For singular, regardless the gender (most common one)
شُكْرًا لَكُمَا! /shukran lakumā/ - For dual
شُكْرًا لَكُمْ! /shukran lakum/ - For plural masculine
شُكْرًا لَكُنَّ! /shukran lakunna/ - For plural feminine
Now, let’s learn more formal or emphatic expressions of thanks:
شُكْرًا جَزِيلًا!
shukran jazīlan
Many thanks
This means "thank you very much" or "thanks a lot." The addition of جزيلاً (jazīlan), meaning "a lot" or "very much," intensifies the expression of gratitude.
Linguistic background:
The Arabic adjective جزيلًا is a synonym of the word كَثِيرًا , but Arabs prefer to use the first one in the thanks expression. It’s also in the accusative case (signed with two Fathahs at the end), as it describes a preceding accusative noun.
Another formal way to express deep gratitude is:
أَشْكُرُكَ جَزِيلَ الشُّكْر!
/`ashkuruka jazīl ash-shukr/
I thank you very much!
This translates to "I thank you very much," where أشكرك (ashkuruka) means "I thank you," and جَزِيلَ الشُّكْر (jazīl ash-shukr) adds an element of deep appreciation.
Whether you feel you can’t thank someone enough, you’re embarrassed by someone’s favor, or you need to deeply thank someone from the bottom of your heart, you can use one of the following expressions:
لَا أَعْرفُ كَيْفَ أَشْكُرُك!
/lā `aʿrifu kayfa `ash-kuruk/
I do not know how to thank you!
أَخْجَلْتَنِي بِصَنِيعِك!
/akh-ĵaltanī biŝanīʿik/
I appreciate your favor!
(literally: Your deed embarrassed me.)
خَجَّلَنِي كَرَمُك!
/khaĵĵalanī karamuk/
I blush at your kindness
(literally: Your generosity has made me blush.).
أَشْكُركَ مِنْ كُلِّ قَلْبي!
/ash-kuruka min kulli qalbī/
I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
(literally: Thank you from all my heart.).
For even more formal settings or written communication, you might use:
أَشْكُرُكُمْ عَلَى حُسْنِ تَعَاوُنِكُم!
/`ashkurukum ʿalā ħusni taʿāwunikum/
This means "I thank you for your (pl.) kind cooperation," often used in professional or official correspondence to express gratitude for someone's assistance or collaboration.
مَعَ جَزِيلِ الشُّكْر!
/maʿa ĵazīli sh-shukr/
Thank you very much
(literally: With a lot of thanks).
The response to all of the thanks sentences can simply be either عَفْوًا /ʿafwan/ (indefinite accusative) or الْعفْو /alʿafw/ (definite paused).
There also an Islamic way to express gratitude, as follows:
جَزَاكَ اللَّه خَيْرًا!
/ĵazāka-llâhu khayran/
May Allah reward you well.
It’s commonly used among Muslims. It consists of four words, as follows:
جَزَى /ĵazā/ meaning to reward. The final ى is pronounced ā and called in Arabic Alif Maqsourah ألف مقصورة.
ـكَ /ka/ an attached pronoun meaning you masculine.
الله /`allaah/ Allah.
O خَيْرًا /khayran/ meaning good or well.
The attached pronoun ـكَ /ka/ could be conjugated as follows:
جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا! /ĵazāka-llâhu khayran/ - For singular masculine
جَزَاكِ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا! /ĵazāki-llâhu khayran/ - For singular feminine
جَزَاكُمَا اللَّهُ خَيْرًا! /ĵazākuma-llâhu khayran/ - For dual
جَزَاكُمُ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا! /ĵazākumu-llâhu khayran/ - For plural masculine
جَزَاكُنَّ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا! /ĵazākunna-llâhu khayran/ - For plural masculine
As this Islamic one is a prayer (duʿaa), its frequent response is:
وَلكَ مِثْلُه
/walaka mithluh/
Same to you!
Expressions of Gratitude in Quranic Arabic
The Quran, the Holy book of Islam, frequently emphasizes the importance of gratitude to Allah. The concept of شُكْر (shukr), or thankfulness, is a recurrent theme. Here are a few notable verses that illustrate how gratitude is expressed in the Holy Quran:
1. Surah Al-Baqarah [2/152]:
«... فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِي وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ... »
"So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me."
This verse highlights the importance of remembering Allah and being grateful to Him, contrasting gratitude with disbelief or ingratitude.
2. Surah Ibrahim: [7/14]:
« وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ وَلَئِنْ كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ »
"And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'"
This verse emphasizes that gratitude leads to an increase in blessings, while ingratitude results in severe consequences.
3. Surah Luqman [31/12]:
« وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا لُقْمَانَ الْحِكْمَةَ أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِلَّهِ وَمَنْ يَشْكُرْ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرُ لِنَفْسِهِ وَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ حَمِيدٌ »
"And We had certainly given Luqman wisdom [and said], 'Be grateful to Allah.' And whoever is grateful is grateful for the benefit of himself. And whoever denies [His favor] – then indeed, Allah is All-Sufficient and Praiseworthy."
This verse teaches that gratitude is beneficial for the person who practices it and that Allah is self-sufficient and praiseworthy, regardless of human gratitude.
In addition to these specific verses, the Quran consistently encourages Muslims to be thankful in all circumstances, recognizing Allah's continuous blessings and mercy.
Conclusion
Expressing gratitude in Arabic, whether in Modern Standard Arabic or within the context of the Quran, is a deeply embedded cultural and religious practice. The simplicity of saying شكرًا (shukran) in everyday interactions reflects a broader cultural emphasis on politeness and appreciation. In contrast, the Quran's teachings on gratitude underscore a profound spiritual obligation to acknowledge and thank Allah for His countless blessings. Understanding these expressions of thanks not only enhances communication but also offers insight into the values and beliefs that underpin the Arabic-speaking world.
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