مرحبا بابا
marhaban baba/mar.ħa.ban baː.baː/word by word
The English phrase "hi daddy" is translated into Arabic as مرحبا بابا (marhaban baba).
This phrase is an informal greeting used by a child to say hello to their father.
Which one should you use?
While مرحبا بابا is a standard way to say the phrase, أهلاً بابا (ahlan baba) is a common alternative. You may also use سلام بابا (salam baba).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is marhaban baba.
Did you know?
- The root of the greeting مرحبا is the verb 'to be wide' (رَحِبَ). This connects the act of welcoming someone to the idea of providing them with plenty of space and room.
- Depending on the region, a child might use بابا while kissing the father's hand or forehead as a traditional gesture of respect and love.
- While مرحبا is used for 'hi', the word سلام is a shortened version of السلام عليكم, which literally translates to 'peace be upon you'.
Examples in context
- مرحبا بابا، كيف حالك؟marhaba baba, kayfa haluka?Hi daddy, how are you?
- مرحبا بابا، لقد عدت!marhaba baba, laqad udt!Hi daddy, I am back!
Example conversation
A small girl greets her father when he returns from work.
- نور Nourمرحبا بابا!marhaba baba!Hi daddy!
- زياد Ziadأهلاً يا نور، كيف حالكِ؟ahlan ya nour, kayfa haluki?Hello Nour, how are you?
- نور Nourأنا بخير، هل أحضرت لي هدية؟ana bikhayr, hal ahdarta li hadiya?I am fine, did you bring me a gift?
- زياد Ziadنعم، لقد أحضرت لكِ شيئاً جميلاً.na'am, laqad ahdartu laki shay'an jamilan.Yes, I brought you something beautiful.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (مرحبا, بابا) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries بابا, مرحبا, CC BY-SA 4.0.
