سلام
salamcasual, short
سلام (salam) is the short, friendly way to say hello in many Arabic dialects. It means "peace". The full greeting is السلام عليكم (as-salamu alaykum). It is also called سلام عليكم (salam alaykum).
Meaning: greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| سلام | salam | casual, short |
| سلام عليكم | salam alaykum | informal |
| السلام عليكم | as-salamu alaykum | full |
People say سلام (salam) to friends, in Morocco and the Gulf and in text messages. Strangers and older people usually get the full السلام عليكم (as-salamu alaykum).
Which one should you use?
سلام (salam) can mean "hi" or "bye" depending on the moment, so context decides the meaning.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Learners sometimes say سلام (salam) with a heavy last vowel. It is short, with the stress on the first syllable: SA-lam.
Did you know?
- Hebrew שלום (shalom) comes from the same Semitic root as Arabic سلام (salam).
Examples in context
- سلام يا صديقيsalam ya sadiqiHi, my friend.
- سلام عليكمsalam alaykumPeace be upon you.
- سلام، شو الأخبار؟salam, shu al-akhbarHi, what is the news?
Example conversation
Reem texts her cousin Sami to say hello on a Friday morning.
- Reemسلام ساميsalam SamiHi Sami.
- Samiسلام ريم، كيف الحال؟salam Reem, kayf al-halHi Reem, how are things?
- Reemالحمد لله، تمامalhamdulillah, tamamFine, thank God.
