🤲
The right thing to say back
Blessings & replies
Arabic runs on warm little exchanges — a blessing offered, a blessing returned. Knowing the reply is the difference between tourist and guest.
To someone freshly washed, groomed, or after a haircut
Say
نعيماً
naʿīman — “refreshing!”
Reply
الله ينعم عليك
allah yinʿam ʿalēk — “may God bless you”
Congratulations — a new job, car, home, baby
Say
مبروك
mabrūk — congratulations
Reply
الله يبارك فيك
allah yibārik fīk — “God bless you”
When someone sneezes and says al-ḥamdu lillāh
Say
يرحمك الله
yarḥamuk allah — “God have mercy on you”
Reply
يهديكم الله
yahdīkum allah — “may God guide you”
Bon appétit — before or after eating
Say
بالهنا والشفا
bil-hanā wa sh-shifā — “with joy & health”
Reply
صحتين
ṣaḥtēn — “two healths to you” — a common reply
To someone tired, working hard, or just over an illness
Say
سلامتك
salāmtak — “your wellbeing”
Reply
الله يسلمك
allah yisallimak — “God keep you safe”
Holidays, Eid & birthdays
Say
كل سنة وانت طيب
kul sana w-inta ṭayyib — “many happy returns”
Reply
وانت طيب
w-inta ṭayyib — “and you too”
A heartfelt thank-you
Say
جزاك الله خيراً
jazāk allāhu khayran — “may God reward you”
Reply
وإياك
wa iyyāk — “and you too”
These are near-universal across the Arab world. The pattern is almost always: someone wishes you well, and you wish it right back, a little bigger.