מה שלומך?
The Hebrew phrase for "how are you?" is מה שלומך?
The standard way to ask how someone is is מה שלומך? For a more informal way to ask "How is it going?", you can use איך הולך. You may also use the informal phrase מה איתך, which means "What's with you?"
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase מה שלומך? literally translates to "what is your well-being?", where מה means "what" and שלומך is a combination of שלום (peace/well-being) and a possessive suffix.
Which one should you use?
While מה שלומך? is a standard way to ask how someone is, the informal phrase מה נשמע? is a much more common way to say "what's up?" or "how's it going?" in daily conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form מה שלומך? uses the masculine second-person singular suffix and is used when addressing a man. To address a group of people (either a masculine or mixed group), use the plural form מה שלומכם?
When do people say it?
A common and natural response to מה שלומך? is טוב, תודה, which means "good, thanks".
Did you know?
- The phrase מה נשמע? is a very common way to say 'what's up?', but it literally translates to 'what is heard?'
- The root of שלומך is שלום, which means both 'peace' and 'wholeness'. Asking about someone's 'peace' is essentially asking if they are complete and healthy.
- The word מה shares the same ancient roots as the Aramaic 'mā' and Arabic 'mā', both meaning 'what'.
Examples in context
- מה שלומך?ma shlomcha?How are you? (to a male)
Example conversation
Two acquaintances meet on the street.
- עגור Adiהיי דניאל, מה שלומך?Hai Daniel, ma shlomcha?Hi Daniel, how are you?
- דניאל Danielהכל טוב, תודה. ומה שלומך?Hakol tov, toda. Ve-ma shlomech?Everything is good, thanks. And how are you?
- עגור Adiגם אני בסדר, תודה ששאלת.Gam ani beseder, toda she-shaalta.I am also fine, thanks for asking.
- דניאל Danielשמח לשמוע. נהיה בקשר!Sameach lishmoa. Nihye be-kesher!Glad to hear. We'll be in touch!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries מה, CC BY-SA 4.0.
