مع السلامة
maʿa s-salāmaeveryday
The everyday way to say goodbye in Saudi Arabia is مع السلامة (maʿa s-salāma), "with safety". A warmer farewell is في أمان الله (fī amān Allāh), "in God's protection". It is also called الله يحفظك (Allāh yiḥfaẓak).
Meaning: farewell (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| مع السلامة | maʿa s-salāma | everyday |
| في أمان الله | fī amān Allāh | warm |
| الله يحفظك | Allāh yiḥfaẓak | warm |
The usual reply to مع السلامة is الله يسلمك (Allāh yesallimak), "may God keep you safe".
Which one should you use?
Saudis often also say السلام عليكم (as-salāmu ʿalaykum) when leaving, not only when arriving.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
مع السلامة (maʿa s-salāma) works everywhere. في أمان الله (fī amān Allāh) and الله يحفظك (Allāh yiḥfaẓak), "may God protect you", sound more affectionate and are common after a family visit.
Did you know?
- مع السلامة (maʿa s-salāma) uses the same root as سلام (salām), "peace", so the farewell literally wishes you to go with peace and safety.
Examples in context
- مع السلامةmaʿa s-salāmaGoodbye.
- في أمان الله يا أخويfī amān Allāh yā akhūyGoodbye, my brother.
- الله يحفظك، نشوفك قريبAllāh yiḥfaẓak, nshūfak qarībGod protect you, see you soon.
Example conversation
Nawaf says goodbye to his uncle Saleh after dinner in Riyadh.
- Nawafشرفتنا يا عم، مع السلامةsharraftanā yā ʿamm, maʿa s-salāmaYou honored us, uncle, goodbye.
- Salehالله يسلمك، في أمان اللهAllāh yesallimak, fī amān AllāhGod keep you, goodbye.
- Nawafالله يحفظكAllāh yiḥfaẓakGod protect you.
