حسناً، اتفقنا

You typically use this at the very end of a conversation. It’s a 'closer.' When someone suggests an idea or a price, you listen to the details first. Once you are satisfied, you drop this phrase to signal that the discussion is over and the action is confirmed. You can say it with a firm nod to show you’re serious, or a quick smile to keep it light. It’s especially popular in text messages because it provides a clear 'thumbs up' to whatever was just proposed.

Use it when you finally decide which restaurant to visit with friends. Use it at work when a colleague suggests a deadline and you want to accept it professionally. It’s also the perfect way to end a bargaining session at a traditional market (souq); once you and the seller hit a price you like, say this to stop the haggling. You’ll also hear it at home when parents and children finally reach a compromise on something like bedtime or chores.

Avoid using this for extremely formal legal contracts or high-level government proceedings where 'muwāfiq' (I agree) or 'tam al-ittifāq' (agreement has been reached) is more appropriate. Don't use it if you are actually unhappy with the outcome; saying māshī alone can sometimes sound like a reluctant 'fine,' but adding ittafaqnā makes it sound like a happy, mutual deal. Also, never use it as a greeting or a way to say 'goodbye'—it’s strictly for reaching an agreement.

In many Arab cultures, a person’s word is considered their bond. Historically, many business deals were made with a look and a spoken word rather than a mountain of paperwork. This phrase carries that weight of personal honor. When you say ittafaqnā, you aren't just agreeing to a plan; you are giving your word. It builds trust and maintains harmony within the social group, which is a core value in the Middle East.

You will frequently hear māshī on its own, which is a very common filler for 'okay' or 'alright.' You might also hear Tamām, which means 'perfect' or 'complete.' In Saudi Arabia or the Gulf, people might say Tayyib instead of māshī. However, the combination of māshī, ittafaqnā is the 'Goldilocks' of phrases—not too short, not too formal, and used widely across Egypt and the Levant.