Whether you want to travel to an Arab country or say hello to a friend in their native language, learning the phrases to say hello is a great way to get closer to the Arabic language and culture. The most common Arabic greeting is "as-salaam 'alaykum", which means "peace be with you". While technically a Muslim greeting, it is used throughout the Arab world. You can also say "ahlan", which simply means "hello". However, as in any language, there are other ways to greet in Arabic, depending on the context and familiarity you have with your interlocutor.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Say "Hello" in Arabic
Step 1. Use "as-salaam 'alaykum" as a standard greeting
This expression literally means "peace be with you" and is a traditional greeting among Muslims. Since the majority of Arabs are Muslims, this is the most common greeting.
- The answer to this greeting is "wa 'alaykum as-salaam", which in practice means "and also with you".
- If you are in an Arab country, this greeting is appropriate even if you don't know the other person's religious beliefs. However, in a non-Arab country you might use a different greeting if you know that the person you are talking to is not a Muslim.
Step 2. Switch to "ahlan" if you prefer not to use religious greetings
"Ahlan" is the simplest way to say "hello" in Arabic and is suitable for all occasions. If you are not a Muslim or if you are not comfortable with a religious greeting, you can use this expression.
- "Ahlan wa sahlan" is the more formal version of "ahlan". Use it with people who are older than you or who hold an important position.
- The answer to "ahlan" is "ahlan bik" (if you are a man) or "ahlan biki" (if you are a woman). If someone says "ahlan" to you first, remember to change your answer to match your gender.
Advise:
you may hear Arabic native speakers using English greetings. However, these are expressions that are considered relatively informal or colloquial. Avoid them if you don't know the other person well or if they didn't greet you in English first.
Step 3. Try "marhaba" to welcome someone
This word literally means "welcome" and is usually used when welcoming someone to your home or place of residence. You can also use it to invite someone to sit with you. It is also used to say "hello" or "hello" in a more informal way.
For example, if you are sitting at a bar and you see a friend passing by saying "ahlan", you can say "marhaba", to indicate that he can sit down with you to chat for a while
Step 4. Change greeting based on time of day
In Arabic, there are specific greetings for a certain period of the day that you can use in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening. While they aren't as common as the previous expressions, you can use them if you like. They are considered quite formal, so they are appropriate for all types of interlocutors.
- In the morning, use "sabaahul khayr" (good morning).
- In the afternoon, use "masaa al-khayr" (good afternoon).
- In the evening, use "masaa al-khayr" (good evening).
Advise:
the phrase for "goodnight" is "tusbih alaa khayr". However, this expression is mainly used as a form of farewell at the end of the evening, not as a greeting at the time of a meeting.
Step 5. Ask the other person how they are doing
As in many languages, it is also common in Arabic to ask a question about the other person's health immediately after saying goodbye. In Arabic, the question varies according to the gender of the interlocutor.
- If you are talking to a man, ask "kayfa haalak?". He will probably reply "ana bekhair, shukran!" (which means "Well, thank you!").
- If you are talking to a woman, ask "kayfa haalik?". Usually the answer will be identical to what a man would give you.
- If the other person asks you how are you first, say "ana bekhair, shukran!", Then continue with "wa ant?" (if it is a man) or "wa anti?" (if it is a woman). These expressions mean "what about you?".
Step 6. Continue the conversation if you feel able
At this point, if you know very little Arabic, you can say: "Hal tatahadath lughat 'ukhraa bijanib alearabia?" ("Do you speak a language other than Arabic?"). However, if you are studying Arabic and think you can have a basic conversation, you can go ahead by asking the other person what their name is or where they come from.
- If you don't know a common language with the person you greeted and want to try to keep speaking Arabic to them, you may want to let them know that you don't know the language much. You can say "na'am, qaliilan" to indicate that you speak little Arabic.
- If you don't understand what the other person is saying to you, you can use the expression "laa afham" (I don't understand).
Method 2 of 2: Respect Arab Uses and Customs
Step 1. Use polite terms and expressions to show respect
In any language, you can show respect by using good manners. By using polite terms in Arabic, even if you don't know any other words in that language, you communicate your respect for Arabic culture. Here are some words you should learn:
- "Al-ma'dirah": excuse me (if you ask someone to move).
- "Aasif": I'm sorry.
- "Miin faadliikaa": please.
- "Shukran": thank you.
- "Al'afw": answer to "thank you".
Step 2. Don't touch people of a different gender than yours when you greet them
Usually in the Arab tradition men and women do not touch each other when greeting each other unless they are close relatives. Some women are willing to shake men's hands, particularly in more formal settings. However, if you are a man, you should let the woman decide.
- When you greet a woman, stay at a distance. If he wants to shake your hand, he will offer it to you. Don't invite her to do it by extending your hand.
- If he joins his hands together or puts his right hand over his heart, he doesn't want to shake your hand, but is still happy to see you.
Step 3. Shake hands with same-sex formality
When you greet someone of the same sex in a formal setting, for example at school or in the workplace, it is common to shake hands. Again, wait for the other person to take the first step and hold out their hand.
Always greet with your right hand, not your left. The left hand is considered dirty in Arab culture
Step 4. Place your right hand on your heart to greet someone warmly
Placing your right hand over your heart indicates that even if you don't touch the other person, you are still happy to see them. If you have an Arab friend of a different gender than yours, this is an appropriate way to say hello.
Since unrelated men and women usually don't touch each other when greeting each other, this gesture is a way to indicate affection for the other person without hugging or kissing
Step 5. Greet people you know well with a kiss on the cheek or by touching their nose
In Arab culture, touching the nose is not considered a particularly intimate gesture and is done between two men or two women. Another common gesture in some areas is giving 3 kisses to the other person's right cheek.
These gestures are usually not appropriate with people of a gender other than yours who are not related to you and do not have a very close relationship with you. Even then, many Arabs would not consider these greetings appropriate in public
Advise:
women (but not men) sometimes hug each other when they say hello. Hugs are reserved for relatives and close friends you know very well.
Step 6. Greet an elder with a kiss on the forehead
Seniors are highly respected in Arab culture; a kiss on the forehead shows that you honor and respect them. Use this gesture with elders you know well or who are related to someone you are familiar with.
