There are many ways to say "hello" in Arabic. Next you will learn the most important ways.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Hello (basic greeting)
Step 1. Greet someone by saying "as-salam aleikom"
This is the basic and formal way to greet both men and women in most social situations that may arise.
- Literally, it is a phrase to bless and means "may peace be with you".
- It is usually used by Muslims to greet other Muslims, but it can also be used in other contexts.
- In the Arabic alphabet, it is written as follows (from right to left): السلام عليكم
- This phrase is pronounced like this: a-sa-lam-a-léi-kom.
Step 2. Respond to this greeting with "wa aleikom as-salam"
If someone says "as-salam aleikom" to you first, this is the phrase you should reply with.
- Literally, it means "may peace also be with you" or "peace be with you".
- Similarly, it is often used among Muslims, but can be used in any context.
- In the Arabic alphabet, it is written as follows (from right to left): وعليكم السلام
- This greeting is pronounced like this: wa-a-léi-kom as-sa-lam.
Method 2 of 3: Greetings by Time of Day
Step 1. In the morning, greet someone by saying "sabaju al-jair"
This is the equivalent of "good morning".
- It literally means "good morning" and is generally only used to greet someone in the morning.
- In the Arabic alphabet, it is written as follows (from right to left): صباح الخير
- This phrase is pronounced like this: Sá-ba-ju al-já-ir.
Step 2. Respond to this greeting with "sabaju an-nuur"
If someone greets you with "sabaju al-jair", the correct way to respond is by saying "sabaju an-nuur".
- This phrase is equivalent to "good morning to you too". Literally, it means "morning light".
- In the Arabic alphabet, it is written as follows (from right to left): صباح النور
- This phrase is pronounced like this: sa-bá-ju an-núur.
Step 3. In the afternoon or evening, greet someone with "masa’u al-jair."
This phrase is the equivalent of "good morning."
- This phrase can be used to say "good afternoon" or "good night". It is usually used at any time after 12 pm.
- In the Arabic alphabet, it is written as follows (from right to left): مساء الخير
- This phrase is pronounced like this: ma-sa-u al-já-ir.
Step 4. Respond to this greeting by saying "al-jair an-nur"
If someone says "masa'u al-jair" to you first, this is the correct way to return the greeting.
- In practical terms, this phrase means "good afternoon to you too", but a more literal translation is "evening light".
- In the Arabic alphabet, it is written as follows (from right to left): مساء النور
- This phrase is pronounced like this: al-já-ir an-núur.
Method 3 of 3: Additional Greetings
Step 1. Shorten your greeting by saying "salam"
This is a very casual way of saying "hello" in Arabic.
- Literally, it means "peace". When you say this phrase, the long greeting "as-salam aleikom", or "peace be with you", is implied, but this is how you shorten it to make it simpler. However, this phrase should only be used with family or friends.
- In the Arabic alphabet, it is written as follows (from right to left): سلام
- This greeting is pronounced like this: sa-lam.
Step 2. Casually greet someone using "marjaban"
This is another casual way of saying "hello" to someone close to you.
- This phrase is used to say "hello". It is a more secular greeting, and is used in Arab people who are not religious or to greet a person who is not religious.
- In the Arabic alphabet, it is written as follows (from right to left): مرحبا
- This greeting is pronounced like this: mar-ja-ban.
Step 3. Welcome someone by saying "ajlan."
If someone comes to your home, work, or other location, you can offer this welcome to say "hello."
- This greeting is translated as "welcome", but this phrase is usually used as an exclamation and not as part of a speech. So you would use it to greet someone as they walk through the door.
- In the Arabic alphabet, it is written as follows (from right to left): أَهلا
- This greeting is pronounced like this: aj-jlán.
Step 4. You can respond to this greeting with "ajlan wa sallan"
If someone greets you by saying "ajlan", you can respond with this phrase.
- In essence, you will also be welcoming him. Use it to respond to "ajlan" or "marjaban."
- In the Arabic alphabet, it is written as follows (from right to left): أهلا وسهلا
- This phrase is pronounced like this: aaj-jlan wa sa-lán.
Step 5. Greet a close friend by saying "ajlan sadiqi" or "ajlan sadiqati"
The first is to greet a male friend and the second is to greet a friend.
- "Ajlan sadiqi" is literally "hello, man friend"; "ajlan sadiqati" is "hello, female friend." The first is only for men and the second for women.
- In the Arabic alphabet, "ajlan sadiqi" is written as follows (from right to left): أهلا صديقي
- This phrase is pronounced like this: aaj-lan sa-dii-kii.
- In the Arabic alphabet, "ajlan sadiqati" is written as follows (from right to left): أهلا صديقتي
- This phrase is pronounced like this: aaj-lan sa-dii-ka-tii.
Step 6. Answer the phone by saying "Hello"
This is the most common greeting for saying "hello" on the phone, but it is only used in phone conversations.
- This exclamation literally means "hello".
- In the Arabic alphabet, it is written as follows (from right to left): آلو
- This greeting is pronounced like this: aal-ló.