مع السلامة
ma'a as-salamastandard, everyday
In Qatar the usual way to say goodbye is مع السلامة (ma'a as-salama), "with safety". Gulf speakers often add في أمان الله (fi aman Allah), "in God's protection". It is also called الله يسلمك (Allah yisallmak).
Meaning: goodbye (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| مع السلامة | ma'a as-salama | standard, everyday |
| في أمان الله | fi aman Allah | Gulf, warm |
| الله يسلمك | Allah yisallmak | reply, Gulf |
Say مع السلامة (ma'a as-salama) leaving a shop or meeting. The person staying behind replies الله يسلمك (Allah yisallmak), "may God keep you safe".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Between friends many Qataris simply say يلا باي (yalla bay) or just باي (bay), borrowed from English.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The closing في أمان الله (fi aman Allah) is especially common in Gulf Arabic and is rarely heard in Egypt or the Levant.
Did you know?
- A guest in a Gulf majlis traditionally asks permission to leave with أستأذنك (astadhinak), literally "I ask your permission".
Examples in context
- مع السلامة، نشوفك بكرةma'a as-salama, nshufak bukraGoodbye, see you tomorrow.
- يلا بايyalla bayOkay, bye.
Example conversation
Hamad leaves his friend Khalid's majlis in Doha after a visit.
- Hamadيلا، أستأذنكyalla, astadhinakWell, I will take my leave.
- Khalidالله معكAllah ma'akGod be with you.
- Hamadمع السلامةma'a as-salamaGoodbye.
- Khalidفي أمان اللهfi aman AllahIn God's protection.
