أهلاً ومع السلامة
ahlan wa ma'a as-salāmah
To say "hello and goodbye" in Arabic, you use أهلاً ومع السلامة (ahlan wa ma'a as-salāmah).
This phrase combines a greeting used upon arrival with a farewell used when leaving.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase contains the conjunction و (wa), which means "and".
How do you pronounce it?
ahlan wa ma'a as-salāmah
Did you know?
- The greeting أهلاً comes from the word for 'family' أهل. By saying it, you are figuratively telling the guest that they are arriving as if they were part of your own family.
- In some dialects, أهلاً is extended to أهلاً وسهلاً to make the welcome warmer. The word سهلاً refers to 'plain' or 'easy' ground, suggesting the guest has found an easy and comfortable path to the home.
- In many parts of the Arab world, a physical gesture like placing a hand over the heart often accompanies these greetings to show sincerity.
Example conversation
Omar and Sarah are quickly passing each other in a hallway.
- عمر Omarأهلاً وسهلاً يا سارة!Ahlan wa sahlan ya Sarah!Hello, Sarah!
- سارة Saraأهلاً يا عمر، أنا مستعجلة جداً.Ahlan ya Omar, ana musta'jila jiddan.Hello Omar, I am in a big hurry.
- عمر Omarلا مشكلة، أهلاً ومع السلامة إذاً.La mushkila, ahlan wa ma'a as-salama idhan.No problem, hello and goodbye then.
- سارة Saraمع السلامة!Ma'a as-salama!Goodbye!
