Culture
"Ala Rasi" and 10 More Iraqi Hospitality Phrases
على راسي
ala rasi
On my head (With pleasure)
The foundation of Iraqi hospitality
على راسي (ala rasi) — literally 'on my head' — is the quintessential Iraqi hospitality phrase. It means 'with pleasure', 'I'd be honored', or 'at your service.' When someone asks for a favor and you reply على راسي, you're saying their request is a priority for you.
على راسي
ala rasi
With pleasure / At your service
من عيوني
min uyuni
From my eyes (With pleasure)
تدلل
tidallal
At your service / You got it
Welcoming someone into your home
When a guest arrives, Iraqis say نورت المكان (nawart el-makan) — 'you lit up the place.' The guest responds النور نورك (in-noor noorak) — 'the light is your light.' This call-and-response greeting is central to Iraqi culture.
نورت المكان
nawart el-makan
You lit up the place
هلا بيك
hala beek
Welcome to you
تفضل
tfadhul
Please / Here you go / Join us
The honor of serving
Iraqi culture treats guests as blessings. خطار (khattar) means 'guest' and guests are seen as carrying God's blessing. If someone offers you something, saying على راسي shows you value their generosity. When offered food, say عاشت إيدك (asht eedak) — 'bless your hands' — and the cook will reply وإيدك (w-eedak) — 'and your hands.'
عاشت إيدك
asht eedak
Bless your hands
من واجبنا
min wajibna
It is our duty
ممنون
mamnoon
Grateful / Obliged
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