שלום עליכם
sholom aleichem
The Yiddish word for "hello" is שלום עליכם (sholom aleichem).
שלום עליכם is a traditional and formal greeting used when meeting people or entering a room.
Meaning: greeting (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "peace be upon you".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase, the word עליכם (aleichem) is the second-person plural form of the preposition "upon" and the pronoun "you".
How do you pronounce it?
sholom aleichem
Did you know?
- The phrase is a cognate of the Arabic greeting 'As-salaam-alaikum', reflecting a shared Semitic root for wishing peace upon others.
- The phrase שלום עליכם is so iconic that it served as the pseudonym for Sholem Aleichem, one of the most famous Yiddish writers and the inspiration for the character Tevye in 'Fiddler on the Roof'.
- While שלום עליכם is a greeting, the word שלום on its own is also used to say 'goodbye' in Yiddish and Hebrew.
Examples in context
- שלום עליכם, וואָס מאַכט איר?sholem aleichem, vos makht ir?Hello, how are you?
- ער האָט געזאָגט שלום עליכם צו אַלע.er hot gezogt sholem aleichem tsu ale.He said hello to everyone.
Example conversation
Berel and Miriam meet on the street.
- בערל Berelשלום עליכם, מרים!Sholom aleichem, Miriam!Hello, Miriam!
- מרים Miriamעליכם שלום, בערל!Aleichem sholom, Berl!Hello, Berl!
- בערל Berelוואו גייט איר?Vu geyt ir?Where are you going?
- מרים Miriamאיך גיי אין קהילה.Ikh gey in kehila.I am going to the community center.
