Ways to say it
| Egyptian Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| مساء الخير | masa el-kheir | |
| مساء النور | masa en-nour | reply |
| مساء الفل | masa el-full | playful, informal |
The standard reply is مساء النور (masa en-nour), 'evening of light'. Among friends, the playful مساء الفل (masa el-full), 'evening of jasmine', mirrors the morning greeting صباح الفل.
What does it mean word for word?
مساء means 'evening', الخير means 'the good' and النور means 'the light', so the exchange is literally 'evening of goodness' answered with 'evening of light'.
Which one should you use?
مساء الخير suits any time after midday fades into evening and works with anyone. مساء الفل is lighter and only for people you know well.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
مساء الخير is polite everywhere, from a shop to a formal visit. There is no stiffer version needed for respect.
How does it change in a sentence?
The greeting itself does not change for gender, though a following question often does, since the reply verb changes with who is answering.
How do you pronounce it?
Egyptians often shorten مساء slightly in fast speech, so it can sound like 'masa' with a short final vowel rather than a long one.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Replying to مساء الخير with the same words is understood but sounds flat. Egyptians expect the brighter مساء النور back.
When do people say it?
Evenings in Egypt often start later than in many countries, with visits, tea and family gatherings commonly beginning after eight or nine at night.
Did you know?
- مساء الفل copies the pattern of the morning greeting صباح الفل, swapping 'morning' for 'evening' but keeping the same jasmine image.
- In Egypt, مساء الخير can be said any time from late afternoon onward, earlier than 'good evening' is typically used in English.
Examples in context
- مساء الخير يا جيران.masa el-kheir ya geeran.Good evening, neighbours.
- مساء النور، عامل إيه؟masa en-nour, amel eh?Good evening, how are you doing?
- مساء الفل، نازل فين؟masa el-full, nazel fein?Good evening, where are you headed?
Example conversation
Nadia greets her neighbour Samir as he returns home in the evening.
- Nadiaمساء الخير يا سمير.masa el-kheir ya Samir.Good evening, Samir.
- Samirمساء النور يا نادية، إزيك؟masa en-nour ya Nadia, izzayek?Good evening, Nadia, how are you?
- Nadiaكويسة، الحمد لله. رايح فين؟kwayyesa, el-hamdu lillah. rayeh fein?I'm fine, thank God. Where are you headed?
- Samirرايح السوبر ماركت، أجيب حاجة للبيت.rayeh es-supermarket, agib haga lel-beit.I'm going to the supermarket to get something for home.
