أهلاً
ahlan
ahlan is the Arabic way to say hello.
أهلاً is a common greeting used to say hello to someone. It can be used as a standalone greeting or as a response to someone greeting you.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from a root meaning 'family' or 'kin', which implies that the person being greeted is being welcomed as part of one's family.
Which one should you use?
While أهلاً is a simple way to say hello, the phrase أهلاً وسهلاً is a more complete and common way to say 'welcome' to a guest.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Additionally, أهلاً وسهلاً is a formal way to say welcome.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egypt, people commonly use أهلاً or أهلاً وسهلاً. In the Gulf countries, people often use marhaba or marhabtain instead of ahlan.
How do you pronounce it?
ahlan
Did you know?
- When using the full expression أهلاً وسهلاً, you are effectively saying 'You have come to your family and a level plain land'.
- The word أهلاً is a noun used as an interjection, which is a grammatical rarity in many other languages.
- Depending on the gender of the person you are addressing, the response ahlan bik changes to ahlan biki for a woman.
Examples in context
- أهلاً بك في بيتنا.Ahlan bika fi baytina.Welcome to our home.
- أهلاً يا صديقي!Ahlan ya sadiqi!Hello, my friend!
- أهلاً، كيف حالك اليوم؟Ahlan, kayfa haluka al-yawm?Hello, how are you today?
Example conversation
Laila and Omar meet at a cafe.
- ليلى Laylaأهلاً يا عمر!Ahlan yā Omar!Hello, Omar!
- عمر Omarأهلاً يا ليلى.Ahlan yā Layla.Hello, Laila.
- ليلى Laylaهل أنت بخير؟Hal anta bikhayr?Are you doing well?
- عمر Omarنعم، أنا بخير، شكراً.Naʿam, ana bikhayr, shukran.Yes, I am well, thank you.
