عادي، ماتشكرش

Using this phrase is incredibly easy. Whenever someone says شكراً (Shukran) to you, you can reply with عادي، ماتشكرش. You can say it with a light shrug and a smile. It is a very common response in Egyptian and Levantine dialects. You can also use it in text messages. If a friend sends a long 'thank you' text, replying with this shows you are chill. It keeps the conversation flowing without making the favor feel like a heavy debt.

Use this in any casual or semi-casual situation. It is perfect when you lend a friend a pen or a few pounds. Use it when you give someone a ride home. It is great for when you share your notes with a classmate. If you are at a restaurant and pass the salt, and they thank you, this is a perfect response. It makes you seem approachable and generous. It is the bread and butter of daily social interactions.

Avoid this phrase in high-stakes formal environments. If you are at a job interview and the CEO thanks you, stick to العفو (Al-afw). Using عادي might sound a bit too 'street' or casual for a boardroom. Also, do not use it if you are actually upset or if the favor was massive. If you spent ten hours helping someone move houses, saying it was 'normal' might sound like you didn't value your own time. In those cases, a warmer 'you're welcome' is better.

Arabic culture is deeply rooted in the concept of Karam (generosity). Helping others is not seen as an extra task; it is seen as a social obligation. By saying عادي, you are aligning yourself with this cultural value. You are saying that being helpful is your 'normal' state of being. It is a way to maintain social harmony. It ensures that the person you helped does not feel burdened by the favor. It is a beautiful linguistic reflection of community spirit.

You will hear many versions of this. Some people just say عادي (Ady). Others might say عادي جداً (Ady giddan), which means 'very normal.' In more formal settings, you will hear لا شكر على واجب (La shukr ala wajib). This means 'No thanks for a duty.' Another popular one is ولا يهمك (Wala yihimmak), meaning 'Don't worry about it.' In Egypt, you might also hear حبيبي، ماتقولش كده (My friend, don't say that).