As the title suggested I am pretty confused on the differences between those 4 words as they are all similar. From what I know, afwan can be used as "your welcome" and "sorry" but when would it be appropriate to use Asif?
What about law samaht and min fadlik/a? When would would it be appropriate to use both as they mean please?
Thanks in advance
First of all. This one should be a question, so it's prefered to write in the question parts :)
Well, This question was asked many times for me from many students. It's not that complicate.
'afwan is using as two senses of "you're welcome, sorry".
In sharqi accents (egypt, debai....) in the middle east : 'afwan = you're welcome
In Maghribi accents (Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria...) 'afwan = Sorry
In Modern Standard Arabic: 'afwan = Sorry / al-'afw = you're welcome
In all these cases: asif means sorry
About law samaht and min fadlik are both using in sense of please.
law samaht = s'il vous plaît (litterary in French, in english it would be if you please*)
min fadlik = from your pleasure*
*Translation of meaning word by word
Audio:
Afwan عفوا only used to reply Thank you shukran
Asif آسف only used when saying sorry
Ma3thiratan معذرة used to excuse, ie.: excuse me for interruption معذرة علي المقاطعة
Law sama7t لو سمحت = Min fadlak = if you please = please; so it's same meaning. but, Min fadlak, is more polite, and let the other side more responded to your request ..
Mohamed Nadir,
Arabic Teacher
Addendum: when making a request
شكرا Mohamed Nadir for writing these in Arabic
It is vey helpful when the regional versions are identified by where they are used. I have discovered that many native speakers are unaware they are using a regional word rather than one that generally considered to be MSA.
Since this is a discussion, can any tell me when الرجاء is used when requestion something?
Your awesome! Thanks once again :D
