WHAT DOES IT MEAN, WHEN DO YOU USE THEM?

SAHTEN

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A'ALBAK

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TFADDAL

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SAHTEN 〰️ A'ALBAK 〰️ TFADDAL 〰️

Sahten

Think of bon apetite, loosely translating to ‘enjoy your food'.’

“Sahten” is slightly deeper.

It is derived from the word (sahha) meaning (health).

In Arabic, there isn’t just singular and plural. There is the “plural of two’s” called (muthanna), and Arabs are very fond of using it everywhere: poetry, speech, proverbs, you name it.

If you and you wish some “sahten” (2 sahhas) while eating, you are wishing them good health with their meal.

A’albak

Often said in response to Sahten, it literally means ‘I wish your heart good health.’

The idea is to show sincere appreciation when someone wishes you Sahten.

Tfaddal

This is essentially an invitation for someone to take something or do something (the idea being that it is an act of kindness to accept the invitation). This invitation may be offered spontaneously or in response to a request.

So when someone tells you sahten, you might say tfaddal before even saying aalbak, you are telling them come join me, eat with me.