Ways to say it
| Lebanese Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| مع السلامة | ma' as-salameh | |
| الله معك | allah ma'ak | blessing, to a man |
| بالسلامة | bisalameh | to the one leaving |
The person staying often adds بالسلامة (bisalameh) to the one who is leaving, wishing them a safe way. الله معك (allah ma'ak), 'God be with you', adds warmth for a longer parting.
What does it mean word for word?
مع السلامة literally means 'with safety', wishing the other person a safe departure. بالسلامة uses the same root, 'سلامة', safety or peace.
Which one should you use?
مع السلامة is the all-purpose goodbye, used whether you are leaving a shop or ending a visit with close friends. الله معك is reserved for a goodbye that matters more, such as before a trip.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
مع السلامة is polite and appropriate in every setting, from a taxi driver to an elderly relative.
Is it said differently in some regions?
This exact phrase is heard everywhere in the Levant, not only in Lebanon, as part of the shared stock of greetings across the region.
How does it change in a sentence?
مع السلامة does not change with gender or number, which makes it one of the simplest Lebanese goodbyes to use correctly in any situation.
How do you pronounce it?
The phrase is often shortened in fast speech to 'm'salameh', dropping the vowel of مع almost entirely.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Learners sometimes treat مع السلامة as casual slang. It is actually the neutral, safe default, appropriate even with strangers.
When do people say it?
In Lebanon, a goodbye at someone's door is rarely one line. Expect مع السلامة, a blessing, and often an invitation to come again before anyone actually leaves.
Did you know?
- مع السلامة shares its root with سلام, 'peace', the same word used in Lebanese hellos, tying the Lebanese hello and goodbye to the same idea of peace.
- In fast Beiruti speech, مع السلامة is often clipped to just 'msalameh' in one breath.
Examples in context
- مع السلامة، وصلولي خبر لما توصلوا.ma' as-salameh, wassilouli khabar lamma tusalo.Goodbye, let me know when you arrive.
- بالسلامة، تاخد حالك.bisalameh, takhod halak.Safe travels, take care of yourself.
- الله معك، منشوفك قريب.allah ma'ak, minshufak qarib.God be with you, see you soon.
Example conversation
Grandmother Souad says goodbye to her grandson Fadi after a visit.
- Fadiمع السلامة تيتا.ma' as-salameh teita.Goodbye, grandma.
- Souadبالسلامة حبيبي، شد حالك.bisalameh habibi, shid halak.Safe travels dear, take care.
- Fadiمنشوفك الأحد الجاي.minshufik l-ahad l-jay.See you next Sunday.
- Souadالله معك.allah ma'ak.God be with you.
