مرحبًا
marhaban
The English phrase "hello there" can be translated into Arabic as مرحبًا (marhaban).
مرحبًا is a general greeting that translates to "Hello" or "Welcome".
Meaning: hello (intj)
How do you pronounce it?
marhaban
When do people say it?
When using the formal greeting As-salāmu ʿalaykum, the standard response is Wa ʿalaykum as-salām, which means "And peace be upon you".
Did you know?
- The word مرحبًا is derived from the root meaning 'wide' or 'spacious'. It literally welcomes a guest to a 'wide place', implying they have plenty of room and should feel at home.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, the greeting is often accompanied by placing your right hand over your heart. This gesture signals that the 'hello' is sincere and comes from the heart.
- In some dialects, you can respond to a greeting by saying أهلًا ('ahlan'), which refers to the 'family' ('ahl') and implies that the visitor is being treated as one of the family.
Examples in context
- مرحبًا، كيف حالك؟marḥaban, kayfa ḥāluk?Hello, how are you?
- مرحبًا بالجميع.marḥaban bil-jamīʿ.Hello everyone.
- مرحبًا، هل أنت هنا؟marḥaban, hal anta hunā?Hello, are you here?
Example conversation
Ahmad and Noor meet briefly in a hallway.
- أحمد Ahmedمرحبًا يا نور!marḥaban yā Nūr!Hello, Noor!
- نور Nourأهلاً أحمد، كيف حالك؟ahlan Aḥmad, kayfa ḥāluk?Hi Ahmad, how are you?
- أحمد Ahmedأنا بخير، شكرًا.anā bi-khayr, shukran.I am fine, thanks.
- نور Nourهذا جيد جدًا.hādhā jayyid jiddan.That is very good.
