لا بأس / لا يهم
Sorry (informal)
بهطور تحتاللفظی: No thing upon it
Use 'Ma'lesh' for life's minor hiccups and to offer quick comfort to friends.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Used for minor apologies like being late or bumping into someone.
- Acts as a comforting phrase when someone else is having trouble.
- The literal meaning is 'no thing upon it' or 'no matter.'
معنی
Ma'lesh is the ultimate Arabic 'don't worry about it' or 'it's okay.' It is used both as a casual apology for minor mistakes and as a way to comfort someone who is upset.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Bumping into a stranger
معلش، ما شفتك.
Sorry, I didn't see you.
Texting a friend about being late
معلش، الطريق زحمة.
Sorry, the road is crowded.
Comforting a friend who lost their keys
معلش، رح تلاقيها.
Don't worry, you will find it.
زمینه فرهنگی
Originating from the Egyptian dialect, 'Ma'lesh' reflects a cultural philosophy of letting go and not sweating the small stuff. It evolved from the Classical Arabic phrase 'Ma 'alayhi shay' (No matter). It is so ubiquitous in Egypt that it's often joked about as the national word for solving any problem.
The Tone Matters
If you say it quickly, it's an apology. If you draw out the 'shhh' sound at the end, it's deeply sympathetic.
Don't Overuse with Bosses
While common, using it too much with a superior might make you seem like you don't take your mistakes seriously.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Used for minor apologies like being late or bumping into someone.
- Acts as a comforting phrase when someone else is having trouble.
- The literal meaning is 'no thing upon it' or 'no matter.'
What It Means
Imagine a word that is both an apology and a bandage. That is Ma'lesh. It is the Swiss Army knife of Arabic social interaction. It translates roughly to 'never mind' or 'it’s okay.' You will hear it dozens of times a day in Cairo or Amman. It is the sound of life’s little frictions being smoothed over. It is short, sweet, and incredibly powerful.
How To Use It
Using Ma'lesh is as easy as a shrug. You don't need complex grammar here. Most of the time, it stands all by itself. If you bump into someone, just say Ma'lesh. If you drop a fork at a restaurant, Ma'lesh. You can also put it at the start of a sentence. For example, Ma'lesh, kont mashghul (Sorry, I was busy). It’s all about the tone of your voice. A soft Ma'lesh shows sympathy. A quick Ma'lesh is a snappy apology.
When To Use It
This is your go-to for the 'small stuff.' Use it when you are running five minutes late for coffee. Use it when you accidentally send a typo in a text. It is also a beautiful way to show empathy. If a friend tells you they failed a test, you say Ma'lesh. In this context, it means 'don't let it get you down.' It is the ultimate social lubricant for daily life. It works perfectly at a restaurant, with friends, or while texting.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use Ma'lesh if you have done something seriously wrong. If you break a friend's laptop, Ma'lesh will sound insulting. It makes the problem seem too small. In those cases, you need the heavy hitter: Ana asif (I am sorry). Also, avoid it in high-stakes formal business contracts. It is a word for friends, family, and the street. It is too casual for a courtroom or a formal diplomatic meeting.
Cultural Background
The phrase is a contraction of the classical Arabic Ma 'alayhi shay'. This literally means 'nothing upon it.' It implies that no harm was done or no blame is assigned. While it started in Egypt, it has conquered the entire Arab world. It reflects a cultural value of patience and 'Musamaha' (forgiveness). It shows a relaxed attitude toward the chaos of daily life. In Egypt, it is almost a national philosophy of resilience.
Common Variations
You can spice it up depending on who you are talking to. Ma'lesh ya habibi is for your close friends or partner. Ma'lesh ya basha is a fun, slightly respectful way to say it to a man. If you want to be extra emphatic, you can say Ma'lesh, haqqak 'alaya. This means 'Sorry, your right is upon me,' which is a very sweet way to take responsibility for a small error.
نکات کاربردی
Ma'lesh is very informal and friendly. It is best used with peers, friends, or in casual street interactions. Avoid it in formal writing or when a serious apology is required.
The Tone Matters
If you say it quickly, it's an apology. If you draw out the 'shhh' sound at the end, it's deeply sympathetic.
Don't Overuse with Bosses
While common, using it too much with a superior might make you seem like you don't take your mistakes seriously.
The Magic Response
If someone says 'Ma'lesh' to you as an apology, the perfect response is 'Wala yhemmak' (Don't let it worry you).
مثالها
6معلش، ما شفتك.
Sorry, I didn't see you.
A very common way to apologize for a physical bump.
معلش، الطريق زحمة.
Sorry, the road is crowded.
The standard excuse for traffic delays.
معلش، رح تلاقيها.
Don't worry, you will find it.
Here, it functions as 'don't worry' or 'it's okay.'
معلش، نسيت الإيميل.
Sorry, I forgot the email.
Acceptable for small tasks, but keep it light.
يا سيدي معلش!
Oh man, deal with it!
When said with a specific tone, it can be dismissive.
معلش، الله بيعين.
It's okay, God will help.
Used to comfort someone going through a hard time.
خودت رو بسنج
Choose the best phrase to apologize for spilling a little water.
___، كبيت شوية مي.
'Ma'lesh' is perfect for minor accidents like spilling a bit of water.
How would you comfort a friend who is sad?
___ يا صديقي، كل شيء بصير تمام.
'Ma'lesh' is used here to mean 'it's okay' or 'don't be sad.'
🎉 امتیاز: /2
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Apology Formality Scale
Casual, minor mistakes, comforting
Spilled water
Neutral, standard apology
Forgot a meeting
Very formal, professional
Legal error
When to say Ma'lesh
Minor Accident
Dropping a pen
Being Late
5 mins late for coffee
Comforting
Friend is sad
Texting
Typo in a message
سوالات متداول
10 سوالWhile it has Egyptian roots, it is understood and used across the entire Arab world, especially in the Levant.
Not really. For 'Excuse me' to get someone's attention, use Law samaht or Min fadlak.
Asif is a more personal 'I am sorry,' while Ma'lesh is more like 'It's no big deal.'
Only if you have a very close, casual relationship with the person. Otherwise, use A'tadhir.
It's pronounced 'Ma-lesh' with a short 'a' and a soft 'sh' at the end.
Yes! If you decide not to do something or stop explaining, you can just say Ma'lesh.
No, it is a purely secular, social expression used by everyone.
Yes, but adding Ya haj or Ya ammi makes it more respectful.
In that case, Ma'lesh is too weak. You should use a full apology like Ana haqan asif.
No, it is an invariable expression. It stays the same regardless of who you are talking to.
عبارات مرتبط
أنا آسف
I am sorry (Standard)
ولا يهمك
Don't worry about it / No problem
بسيطة
It's simple / No big deal
حصل خير
Good things happened (meaning: no harm done)
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