صباح الخير
ṣabāḥ al-khayreveryday, Kuwait
In Kuwait people say good morning with صباح الخير (ṣabāḥ al-khayr). The reply is صباح النور (ṣabāḥ an-nūr). Friends sometimes use the sweeter صباح الورد (ṣabāḥ al-ward), "morning of roses".
Meaning: morning greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| صباح الخير | ṣabāḥ al-khayr | everyday, Kuwait |
| صباح النور | ṣabāḥ an-nūr | reply |
| صباح الورد | ṣabāḥ al-ward | sweet |
In offices and shops a short صباح الخير (ṣabāḥ al-khayr) with a nod is enough, and a longer chat starts with the how-are-you question.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The words are the same as in standard Arabic, and the Kuwaiti pronunciation is the main difference. Greeting a friend is usually followed by شلونك؟ (shlōnak?), "how are you?"
Did you know?
- Kuwaiti Arabic is a Gulf dialect, and شلونك (shlōnak), "how are you", is one of the words most linked to it.
Examples in context
- صباح الخير، شلونك؟ṣabāḥ al-khayr, shlōnak?Good morning, how are you?
- صباح النور والسرورṣabāḥ an-nūr wa s-surūrMorning of light and joy
Example conversation
Fahad greets his colleague Meshal at the office in Kuwait City.
- Fahadصباح الخير يا مشعل.Ṣabāḥ al-khayr yā Mishʿal.Good morning, Meshal.
- Meshalصباح النور، شلونك؟Ṣabāḥ an-nūr, shlōnak?Good morning, how are you?
- Fahadالحمد لله، تمام.Al-ḥamdu lillāh, tamām.Fine, thank God.
