How To Say Hello In Arabic Correctly - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Say Hello in Arabic PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Anas Abdallah

Last Updated: February 24, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • Standard Hello
    • |
  • Time-Based Greetings
    • |
  • Additional Greetings
    • |
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  • Q&A
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This article was co-authored by Anas Abdallah. Anas Abdallah is a native Arabic speaker and translator with over 1000 published articles on Arabic wikiHow in various fields. He currently works as a Translation Project Manager for wikiHow's Arabic project. With a dedication to ensuring flawless and high-quality Arabic content, Anas strives to create content that is accurate, engaging, and accessible to all. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 896,247 times.

There are multiple ways to say “hello” in Arabic. Here are a few worth knowing.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Standard Hello

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  1. Step 1 Greet someone... 1 Greet someone with "As-salam alaykom." This is a basic, formal greeting you can use with men and women and in the vast majority of social situations.[1]
    • Translated literally, this is a blessing that means "peace be upon you."
    • It is most commonly used by Muslims greeting other Muslims, but it has also been used in other circumstances and situations, as well.
    • In Arabic script, this greeting is written from right to left as: السلام عليكم
    • This phrase should be pronounced as Ahl sah-LAHM ah-LAY-koom.[2]
  2. Step 2 Respond to a standard greeting with "Wa Alykom As-slam." 2 Respond to a standard greeting with "Wa Alykom As-slam." If someone says “as-salam alaykom” to you first, this is the phrase you should reply back with.[3]
    • Translated literally, this is a return blessing meaning “peace be upon you, as well” or “and peace to you.”
    • Again, it is most frequently used by Muslims greeting other Muslims, but it can and has been used in other contexts, too.
    • In Arabic script, this greeting is written from right to left as: وعليكم السلام
    • This greeting should be pronounced as Wah ah-LAY-koom ahl sah-LAHM.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Time-Based Greetings

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  1. Step 1 In the morning, greet someone with "Sabaḥu Al-khair." 1 In the morning, greet someone with "Sabaḥu Al-khair." This is the Arabic equivalent of the English “good morning.”[4]
    • The most direct translation available for this Arabic phrase is "good morning," and is generally only used to greet someone before noon or so.
    • In Arabic script, this greeting is written from right to left as: صباح الخير
    • Pronounce this greeting as sah-bah-heu ahl-kha-ir.
  2. Step 2 Respond to a morning greeting with "Sabaḥu An-Nur." 2 Respond to a morning greeting with "Sabaḥu An-Nur." If someone greeted you with “Sabaḥu Al-khair” first, this is the proper way to say “hello” back.[5]
    • In practical terms, this phrase essentially means “good morning, too.” More directly, though, the greeting translates to something along the lines of “morning light - I wish you a morning full light”
    • In Arabic script, this greeting is written from right to left as: صباح النور
    • You should pronounce this greeting as sah-bah-heu ahn-nuhr.
  3. Step 3 In the afternoon or evening, greet someone with "Masa’u Al-khair.” 3 In the afternoon or evening, greet someone with "Masa’u Al-khair.” This is the Arabic equivalent of the English “good day.”[6]
    • This phrase can be used to say “good afternoon” or “good evening.” You should use it any time after noon passes during a given day.
    • In Arabic script, this greeting is written from right to left as: مساء الخير
    • Pronounce this phrase as mah-sah-uh ahl-kha-ir.
  4. Step 4 Respond to an afternoon or evening greeting with "Masa’u An-Nur." 4 Respond to an afternoon or evening greeting with "Masa’u An-Nur." If someone greets you with “ Masa’u Al-khair” first, this is the correct way to say “hello” back.[7]
    • In practical terms, this phrase essentially means “good evening, too,” but more directly, the greeting translates into something along the lines of “evening light - I wish you an evening full of light”
    • In Arabic script, this greeting is written from right to left as: مساء النور
    • This phrase should be pronounced as mah-sah-uh ahn-nuhr.
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Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Additional Greetings

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  1. Step 1 Shorten your greeting to "Salam." 1 Shorten your greeting to "Salam." This is a fairly casual, easy-going way to tell someone “hi” in Arabic.[8]
    • Translated directly, this term means “peace.” When you say this phrase, you are making a nod to the full phrase “as-salam alaykom,” or “peace upon you,” yet shortening it for the sake of ease. As a shortened form, however, you would generally only use it with family or friends with whom you can speak informally.[9]
    • In Arabic script, this greeting is written from right to left as: سلام
    • Pronounce this Arabic greeting as sah-LAHM.
  2. Step 2 Casually greet someone... 2 Casually greet someone with "Marḥaban." This is another casual way to say “hi” to someone with whom you are on close terms.[10]
    • This interjection can be translated either as "hello" or "hi." It's a more secular greeting, so it is most common among non-religious speakers of Arabic or speakers who are greeting non-religious people.
    • In Arabic script, this greeting is written from right to left as: مرحبا
    • This greeting should be pronounced as MARR-hah-bah.
  3. Step 3 Welcome someone with "Ahlan." 3 Welcome someone with "Ahlan." If someone meets you at your home, work, or another location, you should use this greeting to offer a welcoming "hello."[11]
    • This greeting translates into “welcome,” but this “welcome” is usually used as an interjection rather than any other part of speech. As such, you would use it to say “Welcome!” to someone as he or she walks through the door.
    • In Arabic script, this greeting is written from right to left as: أَهلا
    • Pronounce this greeting as ah-lahn.
  4. Step 4 Reply to a welcoming greeting with "Ahlan Wa Sahlan." 4 Reply to a welcoming greeting with "Ahlan Wa Sahlan." If someone greets and welcomes you with “Ahlan” first, this is the most appropriate way to greet that person in reply.[12]
    • In essence, you are saying “welcome to you, too.” Use it in response to “ahlan” or “marḥaban.”
    • In Arabic script, this greeting is written from right to left as: أهلا وسهلا
    • You should pronounce this Arabic phrase as ah-lahn wah sah-lahn.
  5. Step 5 Greet a close friend with "Ahlan sadiqi" or "Ahlan sadiqati." 5 Greet a close friend with "Ahlan sadiqi" or "Ahlan sadiqati." The former is a way to say “Hey, friend!” to a male, while the latter should be used to say the same thing to a female friend.[13]
    • “Ahlan sadiqi” translates into “hey, male friend,” and “Ahlan sadiqati” translates into “hey, female friend.” The former greeting is only given to males while the latter is only given to females.
    • In Arabic script, “ Ahlan sadiqi” is written from right to left as: أهلا صديقي
    • Pronounce this greeting as ah-lahn sah-dii-kii.
    • In Arabic script, “Ahlan sadiqati: is written from right to left as: أهلا صديقتي
    • Pronounce this greeting as ah-lahn sah-dii-kah-tii.
  6. Step 6 Answer the phone with "'āllō." 6 Answer the phone with "'āllō." This greeting is a common way to say “hello” on the telephone, but it is almost exclusively used for telephone conversations.[14]
    • This Arabic interjection translates most directly into the English “hello.”
    • In Arabic script, this greeting is written from right to left as: آلو
    • Pronounce the greeting as ahl-loh.
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

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  • Question How do I say "good morning" in Arabic? Community Answer Community Answer You say "Sabah el khair", the "h" in the word should be stressed upon, it's not like the one found in the English language, it is deeper and more pronounced. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 17 Helpful 64
  • Question How do I pronounce the word khair? Community Answer Community Answer The pronunciation of 'kh' is the only tricky thing as it is not in the English language. Like when you have an itchy throat, you take the sound of 'khhh' out. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 20 Helpful 70
  • Question Is "hi" in Farsi and Arabic the same? Community Answer Community Answer In Farsi, speakers almost never say the full "As-salam alaykom" which is typically used in Arabic, but instead shorten it to "Salam". This can be used for speakers of any region to say hello. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 16 Helpful 50
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References

  1. ↑ https://omniglot.com/language/phrases/arabic.php
  2. ↑ https://www.ipl.org/div/hello/arabic.html
  3. ↑ https://myislam.org/wa-alaikum-assalam/
  4. ↑ https://www.nationalgeographic.com/expeditions/get-inspired/top-ten/common-popular-arabic-travel-phrases-words/
  5. ↑ https://discoverdiscomfort.com/good-morning-in-arabic-sabah-el-kheir/
  6. ↑ https://openbooks.lib.msu.edu/arb101/chapter/vocabulary-and-grammar/
  7. ↑ https://openbooks.lib.msu.edu/arb101/chapter/vocabulary-and-grammar/
  8. ↑ https://discoverdiscomfort.com/hello-in-arabic-greetings/
  9. ↑ https://www.yourdictionary.com/salaam
More References (5)
  1. ↑ https://www.ethniccommunities.govt.nz/resources/information-and-resources-in-other-languages/greetings-in-different-languages/greetings-in-arabic/
  2. ↑ https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Languages/Arabic/Introduction_to_Arabic/02%3A_2-Welcome___Ahlan_Wa_Sahlan/2.03%3A_Dialogue_and_Reading
  3. ↑ https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Languages/Arabic/Introduction_to_Arabic/02%3A_2-Welcome___Ahlan_Wa_Sahlan/2.03%3A_Dialogue_and_Reading
  4. ↑ https://www.abudhabicityguide.com/m/tourists/arabic-phrases.asp
  5. ↑ https://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/arabic.php

About This Article

Anas Abdallah Co-authored by: Anas Abdallah Native Arabic Speaker and Translator This article was co-authored by Anas Abdallah. Anas Abdallah is a native Arabic speaker and translator with over 1000 published articles on Arabic wikiHow in various fields. He currently works as a Translation Project Manager for wikiHow's Arabic project. With a dedication to ensuring flawless and high-quality Arabic content, Anas strives to create content that is accurate, engaging, and accessible to all. This article has been viewed 896,247 times. 4 votes - 50% Co-authors: 21 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 896,247 Categories: Arabic | Greeting People in Other Languages Article SummaryX

To say a standard “hello” in Arabic, say “As-salam alaykom,” which means “Peace be upon you.” To respond to this greeting, you can say “Wa Alykom As-salam." If you want to wish someone a good morning, say “Sabahu Al-khair.” A typically response to a morning greeting would be “Sabahu An-Nur.” In the afternoon or evening, you’d say “Masa’u Al-khair,” or respond with “Al-khair An-Nur.” To learn additional greetings, like how to greet a close friend, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Anas Abdallah Co-authored by: Anas Abdallah Native Arabic Speaker and Translator 4 votes - 50% Click a star to vote 50% of people told us that this article helped them. Co-authors: 21 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 896,247 Steph Hugonnet

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