صباح الخير
ṣabāḥ al-khayreveryday
In Saudi Arabia "good morning" is صباح الخير (ṣabāḥ al-khayr), "morning of goodness". The answer is صباح النور (ṣabāḥ an-nūr), "morning of light". It is also called صبحك الله بالخير (ṣabbaḥak Allāh bi-l-khayr).
Meaning: morning greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| صباح الخير | ṣabāḥ al-khayr | everyday |
| صبحك الله بالخير | ṣabbaḥak Allāh bi-l-khayr | warm, Gulf |
| صباح النور | ṣabāḥ an-nūr | reply |
A warmer, more Gulf version is صبحك الله بالخير (ṣabbaḥak Allāh bi-l-khayr), "may God give you a good morning", and the reply repeats the wish.
Which one should you use?
Answering with the same words is also fine, but replying with النور (an-nūr), "light", is the usual pattern in Arabic greetings.
Did you know?
- Arabic greetings come in pairs, and the answer to صباح الخير is always built on a different word such as النور (an-nūr), "light", rather than a plain repeat.
Examples in context
- صباح الخيرṣabāḥ al-khayrGood morning.
- صباح النور، شلونك؟ṣabāḥ an-nūr, shlōnak?Good morning, how are you?
- صبحك الله بالخير يا أبويṣabbaḥak Allāh bi-l-khayr yā abūyGood morning, Dad.
Example conversation
Reem meets her colleague Hessa at the office in Riyadh at eight in the morning.
- Reemصباح الخير حصةṣabāḥ al-khayr ḤiṣṣaGood morning, Hessa.
- Hessaصباح النور ريم، شلونك؟ṣabāḥ an-nūr Rīm, shlōnich?Good morning, Reem, how are you?
- Reemالحمد لله، تمامal-ḥamdu lillāh, tamāmPraise God, fine.
