مع السلامة
ma'a as-salamastandard, everyday
In Saudi Arabia people say مع السلامة (ma'a as-salama) for goodbye. Warmer parting wishes are الله معك (Allah ma'ak), "God be with you", and في حفظ الله (fi hifz Allah).
Meaning: goodbye (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| مع السلامة | ma'a as-salama | standard, everyday |
| في حفظ الله | fi hifz Allah | formal |
| الله معك | Allah ma'ak | to a man, warm |
After a visit the host often walks you to the door and says الله معك (Allah ma'ak). You answer الله يحفظك (Allah yihfazak), "may God protect you".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
في حفظ الله (fi hifz Allah) suits letters, messages and formal partings. Young Saudis often say يلا، سلام (yalla, salam) to friends.
How does it change in a sentence?
To a woman the reply becomes الله يحفظك (Allah yihfazik). Written without vowel marks it looks the same as the masculine form.
Did you know?
- Many Saudis call an older man أبو (abu) plus his eldest son's name, which is why يا أبو محمد is a common way to address a man when saying goodbye.
Examples in context
- مع السلامة يا أبو محمدma'a as-salama ya abu muhammadGoodbye, Abu Muhammad.
- يلا، سلامyalla, salamOkay, bye.
Example conversation
Fahad says goodbye to his neighbor Saleh outside a mosque in Riyadh.
- Fahadيلا يا صالح، مع السلامةyalla ya Saleh, ma'a as-salamaWell, Saleh, goodbye.
- Salehالله معكAllah ma'akGod be with you.
- Fahadالله يحفظكAllah yihfazakMay God protect you.
