السلام علیکم
assalam alaikumeveryday, respectful
The most common way to say hello in Urdu is السلام علیکم (assalam alaikum), which means "peace be upon you". You can also say آداب (adab) for a polite greeting or the English-style ہیلو (hello).
Meaning: greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Urdu | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| السلام علیکم | assalam alaikum | everyday, respectful |
| آداب | adab | polite, formal |
| ہیلو | hello | casual, borrowed from English |
السلام علیکم (assalam alaikum) suits almost anyone, from family to shopkeepers. The usual reply is وعلیکم السلام (wa alaikum assalam).
Which one should you use?
آداب (adab) is a courteous, slightly formal greeting, often linked with Urdu poetry and old Lucknow and Delhi manners. ہیلو (hello) is casual and is common on the phone.
How do you pronounce it?
السلام علیکم (assalam alaikum) is said roughly "ahs-sa-LAAM a-lay-KUM". English letters for Urdu vary a lot, so you will also see "salam", "assalamu alaikum" and "aslam o alaikum".
What mistakes should you avoid?
Urdu is written in Arabic script from right to left. English letters (Roman Urdu) are only an informal help and have no single fixed spelling.
Did you know?
- The reply وعلیکم السلام (wa alaikum assalam) means "and peace be upon you too", so the greeting is answered with the same wish.
Examples in context
- السلام علیکم، آپ کیسے ہیں؟assalam alaikum, aap kaise hain?Hello, how are you?
- آداب، تشریف رکھیے۔adab, tashreef rakhiye.Hello, please have a seat.
- ہیلو، کیا حال ہے؟hello, kya haal hai?Hello, how are things?
Example conversation
Bilal greets his neighbor Imran outside the mosque on a Friday.
- Bilalالسلام علیکم، عمران بھائی۔assalam alaikum, Imran bhai.Hello, brother Imran.
- Imranوعلیکم السلام، بلال۔ کیسے ہو؟wa alaikum assalam, Bilal. kaise ho?Hello, Bilal. How are you?
- Bilalاللہ کا شکر ہے، ٹھیک ہوں۔Allah ka shukr hai, theek hoon.Thank God, I am fine.
