A1 Expression Neutral 2 min read

كل شيء بخير الحمد لله

Kull shay' bikhair alhamdulillah

Everything is fine, thank God

Literally: Everything [is] perfect, the praise [is] to God

In 15 Seconds

  • The standard 'I'm good' response for almost any situation.
  • Combines 'everything is fine' with a polite 'thank God'.
  • Works perfectly for friends, family, and professional colleagues.

Meaning

This is the ultimate 'everything is good' response. It is a warm, positive way to tell someone that your life, work, or a specific situation is going smoothly while showing a bit of humble gratitude.

Key Examples

3 of 6
1

Meeting a friend at a cafe

كيف حالك؟ - كله تمام الحمد لله

How are you? - Everything is fine, thank God.

2

A boss asking about a project

هل انتهيت من العمل؟ - نعم، كله تمام الحمد لله

Are you finished with the work? - Yes, everything is fine, thank God.

3

Texting a family member

طمني عنك؟ - كله تمام الحمد لله

Give me your news? - Everything is fine, thank God.

🌍

Cultural Background

The phrase is a shield against 'Al-Ayn' (the Evil Eye). By attributing success to God, the speaker avoids sounding boastful, which is believed to prevent envy from others. In the Levant, this phrase is often followed by 'Allah yusallimak' (May God protect you) as a way to return the kindness of the person asking. In the Gulf, you might hear 'Abshirak' (I give you good news) before this phrase to emphasize that things are truly excellent. While 'Alhamdulillah' is universal, Maghrebi speakers might use 'Labas' more frequently in casual settings, but 'Kullu shay bikhayr' remains the 'classy' standard.

🎯

The 'Alhamdulillah' Rule

Even if you aren't religious, using 'Alhamdulillah' makes you sound much more like a native speaker. It's a cultural marker more than a theological one.

⚠️

Don't over-pluralize

Never say 'Kullu Ashya' (All things). It sounds very unnatural. Stick to the singular 'Shay'.

In 15 Seconds

  • The standard 'I'm good' response for almost any situation.
  • Combines 'everything is fine' with a polite 'thank God'.
  • Works perfectly for friends, family, and professional colleagues.

What It Means

This phrase is the Swiss Army knife of Arabic greetings. It tells the listener that your world is in order. It is more than just saying 'I am fine.' It implies that your health, family, and work are all doing well. It is a very positive and reassuring thing to say.

How To Use It

You will use this mostly as a response. When someone asks Kifak? (How are you?) or Shu al-akhbar? (What is the news?), this is your go-to answer. You can also use it to confirm that a task is finished. If your boss asks if the report is ready, you can say Kulle tamam alhamdulillah to mean 'It is all handled.'

When To Use It

Use it every single day. Use it at the coffee shop when the barista asks how you are. Use it when you meet a friend on the street. It is perfect for professional settings too. It shows you are capable and satisfied. It is also great for texting when you want to end a conversation on a high note.

When NOT To Use It

Avoid using this if someone is asking for a very detailed, serious medical or financial update. If your car just broke down, saying Kulle tamam might sound like you are being sarcastic. Also, if you are in a very deep, emotional conversation, this might feel too brief or dismissive. It is a 'small talk' champion, not a 'deep therapy' phrase.

Cultural Background

In Arabic-speaking cultures, mentioning God (Allah) is a daily habit. It is not always a religious statement. It is a cultural way of expressing humility and gratitude. By saying Alhamdulillah, you are acknowledging that your success or well-being is a blessing. It makes you sound polite and well-mannered to native speakers.

Common Variations

You will hear people say just Tamam for short. In Egypt, you might hear Kulle kwayyes. In the Levant, some say Kulle mashi. However, Kulle tamam alhamdulillah is understood by every Arabic speaker from Morocco to Iraq. It is the gold standard of polite responses.

Usage Notes

This phrase is safe for almost 100% of social situations. It sits perfectly in the 'Neutral' register, making it neither too stiff nor too slangy.

🎯

The 'Alhamdulillah' Rule

Even if you aren't religious, using 'Alhamdulillah' makes you sound much more like a native speaker. It's a cultural marker more than a theological one.

⚠️

Don't over-pluralize

Never say 'Kullu Ashya' (All things). It sounds very unnatural. Stick to the singular 'Shay'.

💬

Smile while saying it

This phrase is meant to be warm. A flat delivery might make people think you are actually hiding a problem.

💡

Use it for relief

If you find your lost keys, you can sigh and say 'كل شيء بخير الحمد لله' to express that the world is back in order.

Examples

6
#1 Meeting a friend at a cafe

كيف حالك؟ - كله تمام الحمد لله

How are you? - Everything is fine, thank God.

The most common way to answer a basic greeting.

#2 A boss asking about a project

هل انتهيت من العمل؟ - نعم، كله تمام الحمد لله

Are you finished with the work? - Yes, everything is fine, thank God.

Shows the project is completed successfully and without issues.

#3 Texting a family member

طمني عنك؟ - كله تمام الحمد لله

Give me your news? - Everything is fine, thank God.

A reassuring text message to let family know you are safe.

#4 Checking in on a sick friend who is recovering

كيف صحتك اليوم؟ - كله تمام الحمد لله

How is your health today? - Everything is fine, thank God.

Used here to signal recovery and positivity.

#5 After a chaotic event that ended well

يا له من يوم! لكن كله تمام الحمد لله

What a day! But everything is fine, thank God.

Expressing relief after a stressful situation.

#6 Ordering at a restaurant and being asked if the food is good

كيف الطعام؟ - كله تمام الحمد لله

How is the food? - Everything is fine, thank God.

A polite way to tell the waiter you are enjoying the meal.

Test Yourself

Complete the standard response to 'كيف حالك؟'

كيف حالك؟ كل شيء ____ الحمد لله.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: بخير

'Bikhayr' is the standard word used in this idiom to mean 'fine' or 'well'.

Match the situation to the most appropriate use of the phrase.

Your boss asks: 'How is the work going?'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: كل شيء بخير الحمد لله

This phrase is perfect for reassuring someone that a process or situation is going well.

Which of these is the most culturally natural way to say 'Everything is fine' in Arabic?

Choose the best option:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: كل شيء بخير الحمد لله

Including 'Alhamdulillah' makes the phrase sound natural and polite in an Arabic-speaking context.

Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.

أحمد: كيف حال العائلة؟ خالد: ________.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: كل شيء بخير الحمد لله

Khaled is responding to an inquiry about his family's well-being.

🎉 Score: /4

Visual Learning Aids

Formal vs Informal 'Everything is Fine'

Standard (MSA)
كل شيء بخير Kullu shay bikhayr
Egyptian
كله تمام Kullu tamam
Levantine
ماشي الحال Mashi al-hal

Practice Bank

4 exercises
Complete the standard response to 'كيف حالك؟' Fill Blank A1

كيف حالك؟ كل شيء ____ الحمد لله.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: بخير

'Bikhayr' is the standard word used in this idiom to mean 'fine' or 'well'.

Match the situation to the most appropriate use of the phrase. situation_matching A1

Your boss asks: 'How is the work going?'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: كل شيء بخير الحمد لله

This phrase is perfect for reassuring someone that a process or situation is going well.

Which of these is the most culturally natural way to say 'Everything is fine' in Arabic? Choose A1

Choose the best option:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: كل شيء بخير الحمد لله

Including 'Alhamdulillah' makes the phrase sound natural and polite in an Arabic-speaking context.

Fill in the missing part of the dialogue. dialogue_completion A1

أحمد: كيف حال العائلة؟ خالد: ________.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: كل شيء بخير الحمد لله

Khaled is responding to an inquiry about his family's well-being.

🎉 Score: /4

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes! Arab Christians and non-religious people use it daily. It is a linguistic habit of the Arabic language, not restricted to any faith.

Absolutely. It is very common to start or end an email by confirming that 'everything is fine' with a project using this phrase.

'Hamd' is praise for who God is, while 'Shukr' is thanks for a specific favor. 'Alhamdulillah' is more general and all-encompassing.

Yes. Many people say it as a way to stay positive or to avoid complaining to strangers. It's a polite 'social mask'.

Because it follows 'Kull' in an Idafa construction, it must be in the genitive case (Majrur).

Yes, you can just say 'Bikhayr, Alhamdulillah' (Fine, thank God).

It's mostly for the present. For the future, you would add 'Inshallah' (If God wills).

It's like the 'ch' in the Scottish 'Loch' or the German 'Bach'.

It is neutral. It works in almost every situation imaginable.

You would say 'Laysa kullu shay bikhayr' (Not everything is fine), but this is very direct and rare in social greetings.

Related Phrases

🔗

الحمد لله على كل حال

similar

Praise be to God in all circumstances

🔄

كل شيء تمام

synonym

Everything is perfect

🔄

على ما يرام

synonym

As it should be / fine

🔗

بخير، شكراً

specialized form

Fine, thanks

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