مرحبا
marḥabaeveryday, standard
The classic Lebanese hello is مرحبا (marḥaba). Friends often say هلا (halla) or أهلين (ahlēn). The usual reply is مرحبتين (marḥabtēn), which means "two hellos".
Meaning: greeting (interjection)
Ways to say it
| Lebanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| مرحبا | marḥaba | everyday, standard |
| هلا | halla | casual |
| أهلين | ahlēn | friendly |
مرحبا is safe with everyone. هلا is quick and relaxed, and أهلين sounds warm, like "welcome".
Which one should you use?
Many Lebanese also say هاي (hāy) and بونجور (bonjūr), because English and French are both mixed into daily speech.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Lebanese هلا is used a lot in the Levant, and the reply هلا فيك (halla fīk) is also common.
Did you know?
- مرحبتين (marḥabtēn) is a dual form, which means the reply literally gives two hellos for one.
Examples in context
- مرحبا، كيفك؟marḥaba, kīfak?Hello, how are you?
- هلا ريما!halla Rīma!Hi Rima!
- أهلين، تفضّلahlēn, tfaḍḍalHello, please come in.
Example conversation
Mira arrives at her cousin Hadi's door in Jbeil.
- Miraمرحبا هاديmarḥaba HādiHello Hadi.
- Hadiمرحبتين، أهلين ميراmarḥabtēn, ahlēn MīraHello to you twice, welcome Mira.
- Miraكيفكن كلكن؟kīfkon kellkon?How is everyone?
