What does it mean word for word?
The greeting السلام علیکم (Assalam-o-Alaikum) literally means "Peace be upon you".
Which one should you use?
You may also use Kaise ho? to mean "How are you?" in more casual settings. Additionally, Kya haal hai? is another way to translate "How are you?" into Urdu.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Lucknow, India, the greeting Adaab, Kya haal hai? is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase آپ کیسے ہیں؟, the respectful pronoun aap and the plural verb form hain are used together to convey politeness. Conversely, the informal version of the question uses the pronoun tum instead of aap.
How do you pronounce it?
Assalam-o-Alaikum, aap kaise hain?
When do people say it?
When someone says السلام علیکم, the standard and most polite response is وعلیکم السلام (And peace be upon you too). A common response to being asked how you are is میں ٹھیک ہوں، شکریہ (I am fine, thank you).
Did you know?
- The polite pronoun آپ (aap) is distanty related to the English word 'atman' via a root meaning 'breath' or 'spirit'.
- While السلام علیکم is the standard greeting, in some traditional settings, a slight nod of the head or placing a hand over the heart accompanies the phrase to show deep respect.
- The question کیا حال ہے؟ (Kya haal hai?) can be used sarcastically to describe a disaster or a room in total disarray.
Example conversation
Two colleagues meet at the office.
- علی Aliالسلام علیکم، آپ کیسے ہیں؟Assalam-o-alaikum, aap kaise hain?Hi, how are you?
- سارہ Saraوعلیکم السلام، میں ٹھیک ہوں، شکریہ۔Walaikum assalam, main theek hoon, shukriya.Hi, I am fine, thank you.
- علی Aliآپ کا کام کیسا چل رہا ہے؟Aap ka kaam kaisa chal raha hai?How is your work going?
- سارہ Saraسب بہت اچھا چل رہا ہے۔Sab bohat acha chal raha hai.Everything is going very well.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries آپ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
