There are several ways to say "hello" in Arabic. Here are some you need to know.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Greetings in General
Step 1. Greet someone with "As-salam alaykom
This greeting is a basic, formal greeting that you can use to both men and women in most social situations.
- Translated literally, this greeting is salam which means "salvation to you."
- This greeting is usually spoken from a Muslim to a fellow Muslim, but it can also be used in other conditions and situations as well.
- In Arabic script, this greeting is written from right to left as: السلام ليكم
- This greeting should be pronounced as Ahl sah-LAHM ah-LAY-koom.
Step 2. Reply to this greeting with "Wa Alykom As-slam
"If someone says "as-salam alaykom" to you first, this is the phrase you can use to reply.
- Translated literally, this greeting is a reply to salam which means “peace be upon you, too” or “and salvation to you.”
- Similarly, this greeting is most widely used by Muslims to fellow Muslims, but it can also be used in other conditions.
- In Arabic writing, this greeting is written from right to left as follows: ليكم السلام
- This greeting should be read as Wah ah-LAY-koom ahl sah-LAHM.
Method 2 of 3: Timely Greetings
Step 1. In the morning, you can greet someone with "Sabaḥu Al-khair
"This phrase is the same phrase as saying "good morning" in Indonesian.
- The literal translation of this Arabic phrase is "good morning," and is commonly used to greet someone before noon.
- In Arabic writing, greetings are written from right to left as follows: اح الخير
- Pronounce this greeting as sah-bah-heu ahl-kha-ir.
Step 2. Reply to this greeting with "Sabaḥu An-Nur
If someone greets you with “Sabaḥu Al-khair” first, then say this greeting to return it in kind.
- In simple terms, this phrase basically means “good morning, too.” While literally, this greeting means something like "morning light."
- In Arabic writing, this greeting is written from right to left as follows: اح النور
- You should pronounce this greeting as: sah-bah-heu ahn-nuhr.
Step 3. In the afternoon or evening, greet someone with "Masa'u Al-khair
This greeting is the same phrase as “good afternoon” in Indonesian.
- This phrase can be used to express “good afternoon.” You can use it at the time after noon.
- In Arabic writing, this greeting is written from right to left as: اء الخير
- Pronounce this phrase as mah-sah-uh ahl-kha-ir.
Step 4. Reply to this greeting with "Al-khair An-Nur
"If someone greets you with " Masa'u Al-khair" first, then you can use this greeting to reply.
- In simple terms, this phrase basically means “good evening too,” but literally, this greeting means something like “evening light.”
- In Arabic writing, this greeting is written from right to left as: اء النور
- This phrase should be pronounced as ahl-kha-ir ahn-nuhr.
Method 3 of 3: Other Greetings
Step 1. Shorten your greeting by saying "Greetings
You can use this greeting in a relaxed manner, to say hi in Arabic.
- Translated directly, this word means “congratulations.” When you say it, you mean to convey the greeting in full “as-salam alaykom,” or “congratulations to you,” but shorten it to make it easier to convey, you can use it only with family or friends or with someone informally.
- In Arabic writing, this greeting is written from right to left as لام
- Pronounce this Arabic greeting as sah-LAHM.
Step 2. Greet someone casually with "Marḥaban
"This greeting is a casual way of saying "hi" to someone close to you.
- This greeting can be translated as "hello" or "hi." This greeting word is less religious in nature than the others, so it is mostly used among non-religious Arabic-speaking people or to address non-religious people. #*In Arabic writing, this greeting is written from right to left as: ا
- This greeting should be pronounced in the MARR-hah-bah way.
Step 3. Greet someone with "Ahlan
If someone meets you at home, work or elsewhere, you can use this greeting to greet them.
- This greeting translates to “welcome,” but the word “welcome” is usually used as an interjection and is rarely used in other parts of speech. That way, you'll just say "Welcome!" like this to a person the moment he enters through the door.
- In Arabic writing, this greeting is written from right to left as follows: لا
- Pronounce this greeting as ah-lahn.
Step 4. Respond to this greeting with "Ahlan Wa Sahlan
"If someone greets and greets you when you arrive with "Ahlan" first, then this greeting is the most appropriate way to return it.
- Basically, you're saying "welcome, too." Use this word in response to greeting "ahlan" or "marḥaban."
- In Arabic writing, this greeting is written from right to left as لا لا
- You should pronounce this word as ah-lahn wah sah-lahn.
Step 5. Greet your close friends with "Ahlan sadiqati" or "Ahlan sadiqati
"The word at the front is a way of saying "Hi, guys!" to men, while the word behind is a way of saying the same thing to women.
- “Ahlan sadiqati” translates to “hi, boy friend,” and “Ahlan sadiqati” translates to “hi, girl friend.” The greeting in front is only given to men and the back is to women.
- In Arabic writing, “Ahlan sadiqi” is written from right to left as لا
- Pronounce this greeting as ah-lahn sah-dii-kii.
- In Arabic writing, “Ahlan sadiqati: written from right to left as: لا
- Pronounce this greeting as ah-lahn sah-dii-kah-tii.
Step 6. Answer your phone with "'āllō
"This greeting is a common way of saying "hello" on the phone, and is used almost exclusively in telephone conversations.
- This interjection in Arabic can be translated directly into “hello” in Indonesian.
- In Arabic writing, this greeting is written from right to left as لو
- Pronounce this greeting as ahl-loh.
