صباح الخير
ṣabāḥ el-ḵērmorning
Egyptians greet in the morning with صباح الخير (ṣabāḥ el-ḵēr). During the day, نهارك سعيد (nahārak saʿīd) wishes someone a good day. It is also called مساء الخير (masā el-ḵēr).
Meaning: daytime greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Egyptian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| صباح الخير | ṣabāḥ el-ḵēr | morning |
| نهارك سعيد | nahārak saʿīd | daytime wish |
| مساء الخير | masā el-ḵēr | evening |
The answer to صباح الخير is صباح النور (ṣabāḥ en-nūr), "morning of light". In the evening people switch to مساء الخير (masā el-ḵēr).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
نهارك سعيد is polite and fits shops, offices and meeting someone you do not know well. To a woman the same words are pronounced نهارِك سعيد (nahārik saʿīd).
Is it said differently in some regions?
English "good day" has no single equivalent. Egyptians choose by time of day, so there is no phrase that works from morning to night.
Did you know?
- The reply صباح النور literally means "morning of light" and answers صباح الخير, "morning of goodness".
Examples in context
- صباح الخير يا أستاذ.ṣabāḥ el-ḵēr ya ustāz.Good morning, sir.
- نهارك سعيد.nahārak saʿīd.Have a good day.
- مساء الخير، إزيك؟masā el-ḵēr, izzayyak?Good evening, how are you?
Example conversation
Ahmed enters a small grocery in Alexandria and greets the owner, Mr. Samir.
- Ahmedصباح الخير يا عم سمير.ṣabāḥ el-ḵēr ya ʿamm samīr.Good morning, Uncle Samir.
- Samirصباح النور يا أحمد.ṣabāḥ en-nūr ya aḥmed.Good morning to you, Ahmed.
- Ahmedعايز عيش ولبن.ʿāyez ʿēš wi laban.I want bread and milk.
- Samirاتفضل. نهارك سعيد.itfaḍḍal. nahārak saʿīd.Here you are. Have a good day.
