At a glance
شكرا
- Transliteration
- shukran
- Pronunciation
- SHUK-ran
- Literal meaning
- thanks
- Everyday sense
- thank you
- Usual reply
- afwan (عفوا), you are welcome
Where shukran comes from
Shukran comes from shukr, the Arabic word for thanks and gratitude. It is understood in every Arabic-speaking country, which makes it the safest way to say thank you in Arabic, whatever the dialect.
The same root gives the word shakir, "thankful", and Ash-Shakur, one of the 99 names of Allah, often translated as "the Appreciative".
Shukran and jazakallah khair
Shukran is the general word for thank you, and people of every religion use it. Jazakallah khair is an Islamic phrase that thanks a person with a prayer, "may God reward you with good". Many Muslims use it among themselves, while shukran works in any setting.
Alhamdulillah is different again, because it thanks God rather than a person.
How to reply when someone thanks you
The usual reply to shukran is afwan, "you are welcome". A warmer reply is la shukr ala wajib, which means "no thanks are needed for a duty", and people say it when they were glad to help. When someone says jazakallah khair, a common reply is wa iyyak, "and to you too".
Thank you phrases and replies in Arabic
Arabic has many ways to say thank you and to reply. This table shows the ones you are most likely to hear.
| Phrase | Arabic | Meaning | When it is used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shukran | شكرا | Thank you | The everyday way to thank anyone |
| Shukran jazilan | شكرا جزيلا | Thank you very much | A stronger, more formal thanks |
| Alf shukr | ألف شكر | A thousand thanks | Warm, friendly thanks |
| Jazakallah khair | جزاك الله خيرا | May God reward you with good | Thanking someone with a prayer; the ending changes for women and groups |
| Barakallahu feek | بارك الله فيك | May God bless you | Thanking someone with a blessing; the ending changes for women and groups |
| Afwan | عفوا | You are welcome | The usual reply to shukran |
| La shukr ala wajib | لا شكر على واجب | No thanks needed for a duty | A polite reply when you were glad to help |
| Wa iyyak | وإياك | And to you too | A common reply to jazakallah khair; the ending changes for women |
Examples of thank you in Arabic
- Shukran for your help.
- Thank you for your help.
- Shukran jazilan, that was very kind.
- Thank you very much, that was very kind.
- "Shukran." "Afwan."
- "Thank you." "You are welcome."
Common questions
How do you say thank you in Arabic?
Thank you in Arabic is shukran, written شكرا and pronounced SHUK-ran. It is understood in every Arabic-speaking country. For "thank you very much" say shukran jazilan, and for a warm "a thousand thanks" say alf shukr. Muslims also thank each other with jazakallah khair, which means "may God reward you with good".
How do you say you are welcome in Arabic?
The usual reply to shukran is afwan, written عفوا. Another polite reply is la shukr ala wajib, meaning "no thanks needed for a duty", which you say when you were glad to help. Replies vary by country, but afwan is understood everywhere and is always a safe choice.
What is the difference between shukran and jazakallah khair?
Shukran is the general word for "thank you" and anyone can use it. Jazakallah khair means "may God reward you with good" and thanks a person with a prayer for them. Many Muslims use it among themselves, while shukran works in every setting. Both are polite, and neither replaces the other.
How do you pronounce shukran?
Say it as SHUK-ran, with the stress on the first syllable. The sh is as in the English word shut, the u is short as in put, and the r is lightly rolled. Add jazilan, said ja-ZEE-lan, to say "thank you very much". Spelling in English varies, and you may also see shukran written as shokran.
Is shukran Islamic?
No. Shukran is an ordinary Arabic word used by Muslims, Christians and other Arabic speakers alike. It simply means thanks. Islamic phrases of thanks, such as jazakallah khair and alhamdulillah, add a religious meaning, because they ask God to reward the person or thank God directly.
Explore more Arabic phrases
- Alhamdulillahالحمد للهPraise be to God. Thanks for a blessing and the usual reply to how are you.
- Jazakallah Khairجزاك الله خيراMay God reward you with good. An Islamic way to say thank you.
- Assalamualaikumالسلام عليكمPeace be upon you. The Muslim greeting, how to reply and the full form.
- HabibiحبيبيMy beloved. A warm Arabic word for friends, family and partners.
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