How do you say "thank" in Arabic?

حَمِدَ (ḥamida) is the closest classical verb, though it means 'to praise' or 'commend' more broadly than a plain thank-you.

What is the difference between ḥamida and shakara (شكر)?

Shakara is thanks specifically for a favour received; ḥamida is wider praise, offered for favours or for other qualities, and even used in adversity, as in al-ḥamdu lillāh.

Arabic vocabulary

حَمِدَthank in Arabic

حَمِدَ is how you say “thank” in Arabic. Hear it pronounced and see it used in real example sentences from classical texts below.

Root ح م د (ḥ-m-d)verb (form I)Pronounced ḥamida

Meaning of thank in Arabic

to praise, speak well of, commend someone
to approve of, be pleased with something — figurative use, as in ḥamida lahu amran, 'he approved a thing for him'
to give someone their due; to recompense
to be angry with someone — a distinct construction, with the preposition ʿalā

ḥamida is broader than simple thanks (shukr): shukr is only for a favour received, while ḥamd can be offered for other reasons too, and even in hardship, as in the set phrase al-ḥamdu lillāh, 'praise be to God.' Classical sources also treat it as close to but less common than madaḥa, 'to praise.'

Words from the same root

حَمْدٌpraise
حَمِيدٌpraiseworthy, laudable
مَحْمُودٌpraised, commended
مُحَمَّدٌthe repeatedly-praised one, a name
أَحْمَدُmost praiseworthy, a name

Common questions

How do you say "thank" in Arabic?: حَمِدَ (ḥamida) is the closest classical verb, though it means 'to praise' or 'commend' more broadly than a plain thank-you.
What is the difference between ḥamida and shakara (شكر)?: Shakara is thanks specifically for a favour received; ḥamida is wider praise, offered for favours or for other qualities, and even used in adversity, as in al-ḥamdu lillāh.

Definitions synthesised from Lane's Arabic-English Lexicon (E. W. Lane, 1863–1893).

Example sentences

يهللون الله ويسبحونه ويقدسونه ويحمدون الله
They declare Allah's oneness, glorify Him, sanctify Him, and praise Allah.
وَيَحْمَدُونَ — and praise. wa- = 'and'; present-tense verb 'praise', 'they' form (the '-una' = they).
From: Angels at al-Aqsa →
وَقَول الْمُصَلِّي الله أكبر سُبْحَانَ رَبِّي الْعَظِيم سُبْحَانَ رَبِّي الْأَعْلَى سمع الله لمن حَمده رَبنَا وَلَك الْحَمد التَّحِيَّات لله
And the one praying says: (Allah is the Greatest, glory be to my Lord the Great, glory be to my Lord the Most High, Allah hears the one who praises Him, our Lord, to You belongs all praise, all greetings are for Allah).
حَمِدَهُ — praises Him. Past 'praised Him', with 'Him' attached as object — closing the relative 'whoever praised Him'. The 'Him' points to God.
From: The Declaration of Faith →

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