وعليكم السلام
wa alaykum as-salam
The phrase "and to you too" in Arabic is وعليكم السلام (wa alaykum as-salam).
وعليكم السلام is the standard, mandatory response to the greeting As-salamu alaykum (Peace be upon you).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the conjunction wa (and), the preposition alaykum (upon you) and the noun as-salam (peace).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Levantine Arabic, you may hear the variation وعليك for "and to you too" or وعليكي when specifically addressing a female.
How do you pronounce it?
wa alaykum as-salam
Did you know?
- While وعليكم السلام is the standard response, some people add ورحمة الله وبركاته to the end to wish for 'the mercy of God and His blessings', as returning a greeting with more words than the original is considered an act of generosity.
- Failing to respond to the greeting As-salamu alaykum with a phrase like وعليكم السلام can be interpreted as more than just a missed politeness. In many social circles, it can be perceived as a deliberate act of hostility or a serious social snub.
- The word 'as-salam' used in this phrase is the same root for the name 'Al-Salam', one of the ninety-nine names of God in Islam, representing the source of peace.
Examples in context
- وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله.wa 'alaykum as-salām wa rahmatullāh.And peace and the mercy of God be upon you too.
- وعليكم السلام، كيف حالك؟wa 'alaykum as-salām, kayfa hāluka?And peace be upon you too, how are you?
Example conversation
Yousef enters the room where Maryam is sitting.
- يوسف Youssefالسلام عليكم يا مريم.as-salāmu 'alaykum yā Maryam.Peace be upon you, Maryam.
- مريم Maryamوعليكم السلام، أهلاً يوسف.wa 'alaykum as-salām, ahlan Yūsuf.And peace be upon you too, hello Yousef.
- يوسف Youssefكيف حالك اليوم؟kayfa hāluki al-yawm?How are you today?
- مريم Maryamأنا بخير، شكراً.ana bi-khayr, shukran.I am fine, thank you.
