مع السلامة
ma'a salamehLevantine, everyday
In Syria people usually say مع السلامة (ma'a salameh) for goodbye. A very Levantine alternative is بخاطرك (bikhaterak), "with your leave". It is also called الله معك (Allah ma'ak).
Meaning: goodbye (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| مع السلامة | ma'a salameh | Levantine, everyday |
| بخاطرك | bikhaterak | Syrian, warm |
| الله معك | Allah ma'ak | Syrian, warm |
بخاطرك (bikhaterak) is said when you part, often with a smile, and the other person answers الله معك (Allah ma'ak). To a woman it becomes بخاطرك (bikhaterik).
Which one should you use?
Friends in Syria often end a call with يلا، باي (yalla, bay) or تكرم عينك (tikram aynak) after a favor.
How do you pronounce it?
In Damascus مع السلامة is pronounced close to "ma'a salameh", with the final ة sounding like a soft "eh".
Did you know?
- The root of بخاطرك is خاطر (khater), which also means "mind" or "wish", so the phrase is literally "by your wish".
Examples in context
- يلا، بخاطركyalla, bikhaterakWell, goodbye.
- مع السلامة، منحكي بكرةma'a salameh, mniHki bukraGoodbye, we will talk tomorrow.
- الله معكAllah ma'akGod be with you.
Example conversation
Nour says goodbye to her friend Dana after coffee in Aleppo.
- Nourيلا يا دانا، بخاطركyalla ya Dana, bikhaterikOkay Dana, bye.
- Danaالله معك، سلمي على أمكAllah ma'ik, sallimi ala immikGod be with you, say hello to your mother.
- Nourيوصل، مع السلامةyuwsal, ma'a salamehI will, goodbye.
