alayka

Alayka, written in Arabic as عليك, is a prepositional phrase formed by the preposition ala (على, “on” or “upon”) followed by the attached second-person masculine singular pronoun suffix ka (كَ), meaning “you.” In written form the phrase is often transliterated as ʿalayka. When addressing a female, the form is ʿalayki (عليكِ), and the plural form used for addressing more than one person is ʿalaykum (عليكم).

In usage, alayka expresses a relation of obligation, duty, or focus on the reader or listener. It commonly appears before a verb or clause that specifies what is expected or required, for example: ʿalayka an tafʿal hadha (عليك أن تفعل هذا) meaning “You must do this” or “You should do this.” The construction is grammatical and widespread in Modern Standard Arabic as well as in many dialects, with the precise meaning shaped by the following verb or noun.

Alayka is part of a broader system in Arabic where prepositions combine with attached pronouns to form pronominal phrases. It is distinct from other pronoun suffixes that attach directly to verbs or nouns. The phrase also appears in various expressions and set phrases, including formal or literary uses. See also: Arabic grammar, pronoun suffix, prepositions in Arabic.