How to Say Thank You in Arabic
How to say thank you in Arabic: say 'Shukran' (شكراً, SHOOK-ran). Add 'jazilan' for 'thank you very much.' Full guide with script, transliteration and pronunciation.
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Quick answer
To say thank you in Arabic, say 'Shukran' (شكراً, pronounced SHOOK-ran). For 'thank you very much,' say 'Shukran jazilan' (شكراً جزيلاً). The usual reply is 'Afwan' (عفواً), meaning 'you're welcome.'
شكراً
/SHOOK-ran/ — Arabic
How to Say Thank You in Arabic
Gratitude is woven into everyday Arabic, and Shukran is one of the most recognized Arabic words worldwide. Knowing how to thank someone properly — casually or formally — will be appreciated everywhere you go.
The Core Word: Shukran
شكراً — pronounced SHOOK-ran
Shukran is the universal thank you. It works in shops, restaurants, taxis and formal settings alike. To intensify it:
- شكراً جزيلاً (Shukran jazilan) — “thank you very much” (lit. “abundant thanks”)
- شكراً جداً (Shukran jiddan) — “thanks a lot”
- ألف شكر (Alf shukr) — “a thousand thanks”
Copy the Phrase
The Arabic for thank you is شكراً (Shukran, SHOOK-ran).
All the Ways to Say Thank You in Arabic
| Arabic | Transliteration | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| شكراً | Shukran | SHOOK-ran | Thank you |
| شكراً جزيلاً | Shukran jazilan | SHOOK-ran ja-ZEE-lan | Thank you very much |
| شكراً جداً | Shukran jiddan | SHOOK-ran JID-dan | Thanks a lot |
| ألف شكر | Alf shukr | alf SHOOKR | A thousand thanks |
| أشكرك | Ashkuruka / Ashkuruki | ash-KOO-ru-ka | I thank you (formal m/f) |
| متشكر | Mutashakkir | mu-ta-SHAK-kir | Thankful / grateful (Egyptian) |
| جزاك الله خيراً | Jazak Allahu khayran | ja-ZAAK al-LAA-hu KHAY-ran | May God reward you |
How to Reply to Shukran
| Arabic | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| عفواً | Afwan | You’re welcome |
| العفو | Al-afw | You’re welcome / not at all |
| لا شكر على واجب | La shukr ala wajib | No thanks needed for a duty |
| على راسي | Ala rasi | ”On my head” (my pleasure, Gulf) |
The most common and easiest reply is عفواً (Afwan, AF-wan).
Formal vs. Informal
- Everyday / casual: Shukran (شكراً) fits almost any situation.
- Emphatic: Shukran jazilan for warmer, heartfelt thanks.
- Formal: Ashkuruka (to a man) / Ashkuruki (to a woman) — “I thank you.”
- Religious / heartfelt: Jazak Allahu khayran — common among Muslims to express deep gratitude.
Pronunciation Tips
- The ‘sh’ in Shukran is exactly like English “sh” in “shoe.”
- The ‘u’ is a short “oo” (as in “book”), not a long “oo.”
- In jazilan, the ‘j’ is soft, like the “s” in “measure” in some dialects or a hard English “j” in others.
- The ‘kh’ in khayran is a throaty sound from the back of the throat.
Cultural and Regional Notes
- Egypt: People often say Mutashakkir (m) / Mutashakkira (f), or simply Merci (borrowed from French).
- Levant & Gulf: Shukran is standard; Yislamu (يسلمو, “bless you/your hands”) is a warm, common alternative.
- Religious settings: Jazak Allahu khayran is a deeply valued way to thank someone, invoking a blessing rather than a simple “thanks.”
A genuine Shukran with eye contact and a smile is always well received across the Arabic-speaking world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say thank you in Arabic?
Say 'Shukran' (شكراً), pronounced SHOOK-ran — the standard thank you understood everywhere. For 'thank you very much,' say 'Shukran jazilan' (شكراً جزيلاً, SHOOK-ran ja-ZEE-lan).
How do you pronounce Shukran?
Shukran is pronounced SHOOK-ran, two syllables with stress on the first. The 'sh' is like English 'sh,' the 'u' is a short 'oo' as in 'book,' and the ending '-ran' has a light rolled 'r.' The final '-an' is a soft tail sound.
How do you reply to Shukran?
The standard reply is 'Afwan' (عفواً, AF-wan), meaning 'you're welcome' or 'no problem.' Other warm responses include 'Al-afw' (العفو) and the religious 'Ahlan wa sahlan.' In the Gulf you may hear 'Ala rasi' ('on my head,' a gesture of honor).
What does Shukran literally mean?
Shukran comes from the root sh-k-r meaning 'to thank' or 'to be grateful.' It literally conveys 'thanks/gratitude.' Adding 'jazilan' ('abundant') makes it 'abundant thanks,' and 'jiddan' ('very') makes 'thank you very much.'
What is the formal or religious way to say thank you in Arabic?
A common heartfelt religious phrase is 'Jazak Allahu khayran' (جزاك الله خيراً), 'may God reward you with goodness,' said to a man; 'Jazaki Allahu khayran' to a woman. For very formal thanks, 'Ashkuruka' (أشكرك, 'I thank you') is used.