أهلاً
ahlanEgyptian, everyday
In Egypt the everyday hello is أهلاً (ahlan), often followed by إزيك؟ (izzayyak) for "how are you?" to a man or إزيك؟ (izzayyik) to a woman. It is also called السلام عليكم (as-salamu alaykum) and إزيك (izzayyak).
Meaning: greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| أهلاً | ahlan | Egyptian, everyday |
| السلام عليكم | as-salamu alaykum | formal |
| إزيك | izzayyak | Egyptian, to a man |
Egyptians usually answer أهلاً بيك (ahlan bik), أهلاً بيكي (ahlan biki) for a woman, and then ask about the family. On the phone people say ألو (alo).
Is it said differently in some regions?
صباح الخير (sabah al-khayr) is answered in Egypt with صباح النور (sabah an-nur) or صباح الفل (sabah al-full), "morning of jasmine".
How do you pronounce it?
Egyptian Arabic pronounces the letter ج (jim) as a hard "g", so words like جميل are said "gamil". Greetings are lively and quick.
Did you know?
- The Egyptian إزيك (izzayyak) comes from إزاي (izzay), "how", plus the ending for "you".
Examples in context
- أهلاً يا أحمد، إزيك؟ahlan ya ahmad, izzayyakHello Ahmed, how are you?
- ألو، مين معايا؟alo, miin ma'ayaHello, who is this?
- أهلاً بيكahlan bikWelcome.
Example conversation
Mona meets her colleague Karim on the stairs of an office in Cairo.
- Monaأهلاً يا كريم، إزيك؟ahlan ya Karim, izzayyakHello Karim, how are you?
- Karimأهلاً بيكي، الحمد لله، وإنتي؟ahlan biki, alhamdulillah, w intiHello, fine thank God, and you?
- Monaتمام الحمد للهtamam alhamdulillahGreat, thank God.
