مع السلامة
ma'a as-salama
To say "be well" in Arabic, you use مع السلامة (ma'a as-salama).
The phrase مع السلامة is a standard, polite way to say goodbye in almost all Arabic-speaking contexts.
Which one should you use?
You may also encounter كن بخير, which is a formal way to express good wishes or بالسلامة, which is an informal way to say "go in safety" or "be safe".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
مع السلامة is considered a polite and standard expression used in daily conversation. كن بخير is a formal version, whereas بالسلامة is used in informal situations.
How do you pronounce it?
ma'a as-salama
Did you know?
- The word مع in مع السلامة is a cognate of the Ugaritic word 𐎎𐎓 and the Hebrew word עם.
- The phrase مع السلامة is one of the few expressions that remains almost identical regardless of whether you are in Morocco, Egypt or Iraq.
- In many Arabic cultures, the 'safety' implied in مع السلامة refers to spiritual protection from harm rather than just avoiding physical accidents.
Examples in context
- مع السلامة يا أبي.Ma'a as-salama ya abi.Be well, father.
- مع السلامة، أراك غداً.Ma'a as-salama, araka ghadan.Be well, see you tomorrow.
- شكراً لك، مع السلامة.Shukran laka, ma'a as-salama.Thank you, goodbye.
Example conversation
Layla and Ahmed are finishing a meeting at a cafe.
- ليلى Laylaشكراً على وقتك يا أحمد.Shukran 'ala waqtika ya Ahmed.Thank you for your time, Ahmed.
- أحمد Ahmedالعفو، كان من الجيد رؤيتك.Al-afw, kana min al-jayyid ru'yatik.You're welcome, it was good to see you.
- ليلى Laylaمع السلامة!Ma'a as-salama!Goodbye!
- أحمد Ahmedمع السلامة يا ليلى.Ma'a as-salama ya Layla.Goodbye, Layla.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries مع, مع السلامة, CC BY-SA 4.0.
