مرحباً يا شباب
marhaban ya shabab
The English phrase "hi, guys" is translated into Arabic as مرحباً يا شباب (marhaban ya shabab).
مرحباً يا شباب is an informal greeting used to address a group of people.
What does it mean word for word?
The word شباب literally means "youth" or "young men", but it is used colloquially to mean "guys".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
مرحباً يا شباب is informal and is best suited for friends or peers rather than a formal professional setting. Another informal way to say "Hey, guys!" is Ahlan, shabab.
How do you pronounce it?
marhaban ya shabab
Did you know?
- If you are greeting a group of only women, using يا شباب might sound slightly out of place or even confusing. In many social settings, women would prefer to be addressed with words specifically denoting 'girls' or 'ladies' to maintain social etiquette.
- The word يا in the phrase is a 'vocative particle', which is a grammatical tool used specifically to grab someone's attention before you speak to them.
- While شباب literally translates to 'youth', you can use it to greet a group of people in their fifties or even sixties. In many Arabic dialects, it functions more like the English 'guys' than a literal description of age.
Examples in context
- مرحباً يا شباب، كيف حالكم؟marḥaban yā shabāb, kayfa ḥālukum?Hi, guys, how are you?
- مرحباً يا شباب، هل أنتم مستعدون؟marḥaban yā shabāb, hal antum musta‘iddūn?Hi, guys, are you ready?
- مرحباً يا شباب، أهلاً بكم في منزلي.marḥaban yā shabāb, ahlan bikum fī manzilī.Hi, guys, welcome to my home.
Example conversation
Ziad enters a cafe where Nour and her friends are sitting.
- زياد Ziadمرحباً يا شباب!marḥaban yā shabāb!Hi, guys!
- نور Nourأهلاً زياد، لقد تأخرت.ahlan ziyād, laqad ta'akharta.Hi Ziad, you are late.
- زياد Ziadأنا آسف جداً.anā āsi f jiddan.I am very sorry.
- نور Nourلا مشكلة، اجلس هنا.lā mushkila, ijlis hunā.No problem, sit here.
