هلا
halaKuwaiti, casual
In Kuwait people say هلا (hala) and the warmer هلا والله (hala wallah). مرحبا (marhaba) is polite and neutral, and السلام عليكم (as-salamu alaykum) is the formal opening.
Meaning: greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| هلا | hala | Kuwaiti, casual |
| مرحبا | marhaba | neutral |
| هلا والله | hala wallah | Kuwaiti, warm |
A usual next question is شلونك؟ (shlonak) to a man, and the answer is الحمد لله (alhamdulillah).
Which one should you use?
Kuwaitis often greet a group with هلا بالشباب (hala bish-shabab), "hello to the guys", in a diwaniya.
When do people say it?
The diwaniya is a traditional gathering room where men meet, and a visitor entering it is expected to greet everyone first.
Did you know?
- The Kuwaiti diwaniya is a regular men's gathering held in a special room of the house or a separate building.
Examples in context
- هلا والله بأبو يوسفhala wallah bi-abu yusufWelcome, Abu Yousef.
- هلا، شلونك؟hala, shlonakHi, how are you?
- مرحبا بالجميعmarhaba bil-jami'Hello, everyone.
Example conversation
Bader arrives at a diwaniya in Kuwait City where his friend Fahad is already sitting.
- Baderالسلام عليكمas-salamu alaykumPeace be upon you.
- Fahadوعليكم السلام، هلا بدرwa alaykum as-salam, hala BaderAnd upon you, hi Bader.
- Baderهلا والله، شلونكم؟hala wallah, shlonkumHello, how are you all?
