Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| إِلَى اللِّقَاء | ʔilā l-liqāʔ |
| مَعَ السَّلَامَة | maʕa s-salāma |
| سَلَام | salām |
The phrase مَعَ السَّلَامَة is a very common way to say goodbye, often used when someone is departing or hanging up a phone call. Additionally, سَلَام is used as a shorthand way to say bye.
What does it mean word for word?
إِلَى اللِّقَاء literally means 'until the meeting'. مَعَ السَّلَامَة literally means 'with safety' or 'with peace'.
Which one should you use?
While إِلَى اللِّقَاء is a standard way to say goodbye, سَلَام is a much more informal, shorthand way to say 'bye' compared to the more formal إِلَى اللِّقَاء.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
إِلَى اللِّقَاء is the standard formal way to say 'until we meet again' or 'goodbye'. مَعَ السَّلَامَة is a formal and respectful way to say goodbye, meaning 'Go with safety'. On the other hand, سَلَام is informal and بسلامة is used informally to wish someone safety and peace as they depart.
How do you pronounce it?
ʔilā l-liqāʔ
When do people say it?
In Arabic culture, it is common to accompany the words for goodbye with a handshake, a nod or placing your right hand over your heart as a gesture of sincerity and respect.
Did you know?
- In many Arabic-speaking regions, it is common to continue the 'goodbye' process for several minutes. This involves repeated wishes of safety and health before the parties actually part ways.
- In some dialects, the concept of 'bye' is expressed by saying فِي أَمَانِ اللَّه, which means 'in the protection of God'. This shifts the focus from the meeting to divine guardianship.
- In many Arabic dialects, the casual سَلَام can be used both as a greeting when arriving and a farewell when departing.
Examples in context
- إِلَى اللِّقَاء قَرِيبًا.ilā al-liqā' qarīban.See you soon.
- إِلَى اللِّقَاء فِي الْمَدْرَسَةِ.ilā al-liqā' fī al-madrasah.See you at school.
- شُكْرًا، إِلَى اللِّقَاء.shukran, ilā al-liqā'.Thanks, bye.
Example conversation
Mariam and Youssef are leaving a coffee shop.
- مريم Maryamكَانَ وَقْتًا جَمِيلًا، يَا يُوسُف.kāna waqtan jamīlan, yā yūsuf.It was a lovely time, Youssef.
- يوسف Youssefنَعَمْ، شُكْرًا لَكِ يَا مَرْيَم.na'am, shukran laki yā maryam.Yes, thank you, Mariam.
- مريم Maryamإِلَى اللِّقَاء!ilā al-liqā'!Bye!
- يوسف Youssefإِلَى اللِّقَاء.ilā al-liqā'.Bye.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bye” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
