Phrases

Everyday Arabic phrases

Greetings, courtesy, and small talk — the phrases you will actually use, with transliteration and context.

Before every action: eating, studying, travelling

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ

bismiLLāh

In the name of Allah

Saying goodbye on a journey

فِي أَمَانِ اللَّهِ

fī amāni LLāh

In Allah's protection (farewell)

Appreciation, admiring something good

مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ

mā shāʾa LLāh

What Allah has willed

Thanking someone (reply: wa iyyāk)

جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا

jazāka LLāhu khayran

May Allah reward you with good

After a mistake or sin; also said over 70x daily

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ

astaghfiru LLāh

I seek Allah's forgiveness

Gratitude, after eating, after sneezing, good news

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ

al-ḥamdu liLLāh

All praise is for Allah

Any future intention (Quran 18:23-24)

إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ

in shāʾa LLāh

If Allah wills

Congratulating, appreciating (reply: wa fīk)

بَارَكَ اللَّهُ فِيكَ

bāraka LLāhu fīk

May Allah bless you

Astonishment, praising Allah

سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ

subḥāna LLāh

Glory be to Allah

Greeting any Muslim, formal and informal

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ

as-salāmu ʿalaykum

Peace be upon you (universal greeting)