מה שלומך
ma shlomkha
The phrase "how are you doing" in Hebrew is translated as מה שלומך (ma shlomkha).
מה שלומך is a common greeting used to ask someone about their general well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of מה (what) and שלומך (your well-being/peace), literally meaning "what is your well-being".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form מה שלומך (ma shlomkha) is used when addressing a male. To address a group of people, use the plural form מה שלומכם (ma shlomkhem).
How do you pronounce it?
ma shlomkha
Did you know?
- When answering מה שלומך, it is common to say בסדר (beseder), which literally means 'in order'. This implies that everything in the person's life is properly arranged.
- The root of the word שלומך (sh-l-m) is the same root used for the word 'complete' or 'whole' in Hebrew, suggesting that asking 'how are you' is actually asking if you are 'complete'.
- In casual Israeli Hebrew, people often replace this standard phrase with the slang מה קורה (ma kore), which literally means 'what is happening'.
Examples in context
- בוקר טוב, מה שלומך?Good morning, how are you doing?This sentence shows how to use מה שלומך in a morning greeting.Tatoeba #697294 by Eldad, translation #3249363 by nava
- היי מימי, מה שלומך?Hi, Mimi! How are you doing?This sentence shows how to use מה שלומך when greeting a person by name.Tatoeba #1786849 by MrShoval, translation #54601 by Zifre
- שלום, חבר. מה שלומך?Hey, buddy. How are you doing?This sentence shows how to use מה שלומך when addressing a friend.Tatoeba #2345642 by fekundulo, translation #2864062 by AlanF_US
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rotem meets Noam in a park.
- רוטם Rotemהיי נועם, מה שלומך?Hey Noam, ma shlomcha?Hi Noam, how are you doing?
- נועם Noamהכל טוב, תודה.Hakol tov, toda.Everything is good, thanks.
- רוטם Rotemאיך עובר עליך היום?Eich over alecha hayom?How is your day going?
- נועם Noamיום רגיל מאוד.Yom ragil me'od.A very normal day.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
