Meaning
A polite way to wish someone lasting well-being and health.
Cultural Background
In the Levant, this phrase is often heard at the end of TV programs or in formal letters. It is considered very 'classy' (shiyaka). Gulf Arabs often combine this with religious well-wishes. It is very common in professional WhatsApp culture. While Egyptians use many local idioms, 'Dumta bikhayr' is the standard for formal business emails in Cairo's corporate world. In North Africa, this phrase is used in Modern Standard Arabic contexts, often seen in newspapers and formal speeches.
Gender Check
Always double-check the gender. Using 'Dumta' for a woman is a very common 'foreigner' mistake that is easily fixed.
The Plural of Respect
If you want to be extra formal with one person (like a CEO), you can use 'Dumtum بخير'. It's like the royal 'we'.
Meaning
A polite way to wish someone lasting well-being and health.
Gender Check
Always double-check the gender. Using 'Dumta' for a woman is a very common 'foreigner' mistake that is easily fixed.
The Plural of Respect
If you want to be extra formal with one person (like a CEO), you can use 'Dumtum بخير'. It's like the royal 'we'.
Not for Hellos
Never use this when you first walk into a room. It will make people think you are leaving immediately!
Test Yourself
Choose the correct form to end an email to a female professor.
يا أستاذة ليلى، شكراً لكِ و...
Since the professor is female (Layla), we use the feminine singular 'Dumti'.
Complete the sentence with the correct word.
شكراً لمساعدتكم جميعاً، ______ بخير.
The word 'jami'an' (all of you) indicates a plural audience, so 'Dumtum' is required.
Match the phrase to the most appropriate context.
Where would you most likely see 'دمتم بخير'?
News anchors often use the plural 'Dumtum bikhayr' to address the entire audience at the end of a program.
Complete the dialogue between two colleagues.
أحمد: سأراك في الاجتماع القادم. سارة: إن شاء الله، ______.
Since they are saying goodbye until the next meeting, 'Dumta bikhayr' is the only logical farewell.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use 'Dumta bikhayr'
Professional
- • Emails
- • Meetings
Respectful
- • Elders
- • Teachers
- • Public Figures
Social
- • Polite Comments
- • Formal Texts
Gender & Number Agreement
Practice Bank
4 exercisesيا أستاذة ليلى، شكراً لكِ و...
Since the professor is female (Layla), we use the feminine singular 'Dumti'.
شكراً لمساعدتكم جميعاً، ______ بخير.
The word 'jami'an' (all of you) indicates a plural audience, so 'Dumtum' is required.
Where would you most likely see 'دمتم بخير'?
News anchors often use the plural 'Dumtum bikhayr' to address the entire audience at the end of a program.
أحمد: سأراك في الاجتماع القادم. سارة: إن شاء الله، ______.
Since they are saying goodbye until the next meeting, 'Dumta bikhayr' is the only logical farewell.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is not explicitly religious, though it follows the structure of a prayer. It is used by Arabs of all faiths.
You can say 'Wa anta bikhayr' (And you stay well) or 'Taslam' (May you be safe).
Yes, but it might feel a bit formal. It's better for someone you aren't extremely close with.
'Dumta' is for a male, 'Dumti' is for a female.
It is understood everywhere because it is Fusha (Standard Arabic), but it is most common in formal settings across all regions.
Yes, you would say 'Dumtunna bikhayr' (دُمْتُنَّ بخير), though 'Dumtum' is often used for mixed or general groups.
Functionally yes, but literally it's a wish for your well-being to continue.
It is excellent for the end of a follow-up email after an interview.
Because the verb 'Dama' changes its vowel in this conjugation (it's a hollow verb).
It is more common in writing, but very elegant when spoken.
Related Phrases
مع السلامة
similarWith peace (Goodbye)
في أمان الله
similarIn God's protection
تصبح على خير
relatedWake up to goodness (Goodnight)
طاب يومك
similarHave a good day
على خير
specialized formOn goodness
