Expressing Appreciation: How to Say Thank You in Arabic

Gratitude is a beautiful feeling, and expressing it in a foreign language is an essential skill for every learner. Today, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about saying thank you in Arabic. There are numerous phrases in this language, from the polite and religious ones suitable for formal settings to more relaxed and colloquial ones to use among close friends. In this article, we’ll talk about them all. So, please make yourself comfortable, and let’s dive right in! 

How to Say Thank You in Arabic: Common Phrases

Arab people are known for their hospitality and friendliness. And, of course, you always want to thank them for that! Luckily, as well as for hello, there are plenty of phrases in Arabic you can use to do so. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the most widespread expressions you can use in casual and informal conversations.

• شُكْرًا لَكَ (Shukran laka)/ شكرًا لك (Shukran Laki) – [ʃukran laka]/ [ˈʃukran ˈlaki] – Thank you.

Shukran is a versatile way of saying thank you in Arabic. Using it is quite similar to when we say “thanks” in English. However, simply by adding “laka” or “laki,” you can make it sound more formal. The first phrase is used for expressing gratitude to male individuals, and the second one – to female ones. For example:

شُكْرًا لَكَ عَلى مُساعَدَتِكَ. (Thank you for your help)

شُكْرًا لَكَ لِكُلِّ ما فَعَلْتَهُ مِن أَجْلِنا. (Thank you for everything you have done for us)

• شُكْرًا جَزِيلاً (Shukran Jazeelan) – [ʃukran ɟaziːlan] – Thank you very much.

And here is another Shukran meaning for you. It expresses a stronger form of gratitude, especially when you want to emphasize your appreciation. It is suitable for formal or informal contexts. For example:

شُكْرًا جَزِيلاً لِكُلِّ ما قُمتَ بِهِ. (Thank you very much for everything you did)

شُكْرًا جَزِيلاً لِصُحْبَتِكَ اللَّطيفَة. (Thank you very much for your pleasant company)

• ده كرم منك (Da karam mink) – [da karam mink] – That’s very kind of you.

If someone has done some kind gesture or action for you, you can thank them by using this phrase. This way, you’ll show a deeper appreciation for the other person’s generosity. For example:

ده كرم منك إنك ساعدتني. (That’s very kind of you to help me)

ده كرم منك إنك استضافتني. (That’s very kind of you to host me)

• شكرا على كلامك اللطيف (Shukran ala kalamak al-latif) – [ʃukran ʕala kalaːmak al-laˈtiːf] – Thank you for your kind words.

If someone has said something pleasant to you, and you want to express your appreciation by saying thank you Arabic way, this phrase should be your go-to choice. It’s a polite way to acknowledge one’s positive words. For example:

شكرا على كلامك اللطيف، أسعدتني. (Thank you for your kind words; you made me happy)

شكرا على كلامك اللطيف في الحفلة. (Thank you for your kind words at the party)

• بَارَكَ اللهُ فِيكَ (Baraka Allahu fika) – [ˈbaːraːka ʔalˈlaːhu ˈfiːka] – May God bless you.

Even though you can’t see any direct thank-you words in this phase, it is still a widespread expression among Arabic speakers. However, it is commonly used to express gratitude in a more religious or spiritual context. For example:

بَارَكَ اللهُ فِيكَ لِكَلِمَاتِكَ. (May God bless you for your words)

بَارَكَ اللهُ فِيكَ لِمُسَاعَدَتِكَ لي. (May God bless you for helping me)

• لكَ خَالِصُ الشُّكْرِ (Laka khalisu sh-shukr) – [ˈlaka ˈxaːlisuʃ ˈʃukr] – You have my sincere thanks.

This expression conveys a deep sense of gratitude and sincerity. It is mostly used in more formal and polite settings when you need to express genuine appreciation. For example:

لكَ خَالِصُ الشُّكْرِ عَلى جُهُودِكَ. (You have my sincere thanks for your efforts)

لكَ خَالِصُ الشُّكْرِ عَلى دَعْمِكَ. (You have my sincere thanks for your support)

• أَنَا مُمْتَــنٌّ لَكَ للغَايَةِ (Ana mumtannun laka lilghayah) – [ˈʔana ˈmumtannun laka lilˈɣaːjah] – I am extremely grateful to you.

This phrase is used to express an extremely high level of gratitude toward someone. It perfectly shows that you deeply appreciate what the person has done for you. For example:

أَنَا مُمْتَــنٌّ لَكَ للغَايَةِ لِمَا قُمتَ بِهِ. (I am extremely grateful to you for what you did)

أَنَا مُمْتَــنٌّ لَكَ للغَايَةِ لِكُلِّ دَعْمِكَ. (I am extremely grateful to you for all your support)

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You’re Welcome in Arabic: Responding to Gratitude

Of course, the ability to accept gratitude is as important as gratitude itself, especially in a foreign language. That’s why we have also compiled the best expressions you can use as a response to someone saying Shukran in Arabic, and you can find them in the list below.

• عَـفْـوًا (Afwan) – [ˈʕafwan] – You’re welcome.

This is a standard and the most common response to someone expressing gratitude. It is used in both formal and informal contexts to politely acknowledge one’s thanks in Arabic. For example:

شكرًا جزيلاً. عَـفْـوًا. (Thank you very much. You’re welcome)

عَـفْـوًا، يسعدني أن أساعدك. (You’re welcome; I’m happy to help you)

شكرًا لكرمك. عَـفْـوًا، هذا واجبي. (Thank you for your generosity. You’re welcome; it’s my duty)

• علَى الرَّحْبِ والسّعَةِ (Ala ar-rahb wa as-sa'ah) – [ʕala arˈrahb wa asˈsaʕa] – My pleasure.

This phrase is a great way to express your hospitality and friendliness by saying that it was nice for you to help your interlocutor. Like the previous phrase, it can also be used in both formal and informal settings. For example:

شكرًا لمساعدتك. علَى الرَّحْبِ والسّعَةِ. (Thank you for your help. My pleasure)

علَى الرَّحْبِ والسّعَةِ، أتمنى أن تكون سعيدًا. (My pleasure; I hope you are happy)

شكرًا لك. علَى الرَّحْبِ والسّعَةِ، لا تشغل بالك. (Thank you. My pleasure; don’t worry)

• الشُّكْرُ للهِ (Ash-shukr lil-lah) – [ʃukr ɫilˈlaːh] – All thanks to God.

This one is a religious response that attributes the source of gratitude to God. It is often used to humbly acknowledge thanks, like saying that all gratitude should only be given to Allah. For example:

شكرًا لك. الشُّكْرُ للهِ. (Thank you. All thanks to God)

الشُّكْرُ للهِ على النعمة. (All thanks to God for the blessing)

شكرًا على كل شيء. الشُّكْرُ للهِ. (Thank you for everything. All thanks to God)

• لا عَـلَيْكَ (La alayka) – [la ʕaˈleɪka] – Don’t mention it.

If you want to express that the action was not a burden and the person does not need to thank you for anything, this phrase is a perfect option. It’s very relaxed and typically used in informal situations. For example:

شكرًا كثيرًا. لا عَـلَيْكَ. (Thank you very much. Don’t mention it)

لا عَـلَيْكَ، هذا واجبي. (Don’t mention it; it’s my duty)

شكرًا على هديتك. لا عَـلَيْكَ، أتمنى أن تعجبك. (Thank you for your gift. Don’t mention it; I hope you like it)

• أهلاً بك في أيّ وقت (Ahlan bika fi ayyi waqt) – [ˈʔahlan ˈbika fiˈjːi ˈwaqt] – You are welcome anytime.

The last expression on our list is a great way to respond to Muslim thank you. It is very polite yet relaxed, emphasizing that you are willing to help the person anytime they need you. For example:

شكرًا على زيارتك. أهلاً بك في أيّ وقت. (Thank you for your visit. You are welcome anytime)

أهلاً بك في أيّ وقت، لا تتردد في الاتصال بي. (You are welcome anytime; don’t hesitate to contact me)

شكرًا للمساعدة. أهلاً بك في أيّ وقت تحتاجني فيه. 

(Thank you for the help. You are welcome anytime you need me)

Learn How to Say Thank You in Arabic and More with Promova

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Conclusion

What is gratitude? We believe that it is a very strong feeling of appreciation and thankfulness for something received or experienced. Learning the appreciation words in Arabic is a high contribution not only to your language skills but also to your general knowledge and the ability to see and understand different cultures.

Although these phrases might be quite tricky to master, especially if you are just starting your learning, don’t be scared! Practice more, and you will definitely see the progress. We hope that today’s article was helpful and that you are now familiar with more ways of saying thank you, and you’re welcome in Arabic. And we are looking forward to seeing you in the next one!