Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “How are you” in Jordanian Arabic! In this guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways to greet someone in Jordanian Arabic. We will also discuss any regional variations that may exist. So, let’s dive in and explore the various ways to ask “How are you” in Jordanian Arabic.
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The Formal Way: بتشرفنا / Btishrafna
If you are in a more formal setting or greeting someone in a respectful manner, you can use the phrase “Btishrafna” (pronounced btee-shra-fna). This phrase translates to “It is an honor for us.” Here’s an example dialogue:
Person A: بتشرفنا، كيف الحال؟ (Btishrafna, kayf al-hal?)
Person B: بخير، الحمدلله. (Bukhair, alhamdulillah.)
Person A: الحمدلله على السلامة. (Alhamdulillah ‘ala salama.)
In this exchange, Person A uses the formal greeting “Btishrafna” to ask Person B about their well-being. Person B responds by saying “Bukhair, alhamdulillah,” which means “I’m fine, thank God.” Person A then replies with “Alhamdulillah ‘ala salama,” which translates to “Thank God for your safety.”
The Informal Way: شلونك / Shlonak
When it comes to informal greetings in Jordanian Arabic, one of the most common phrases is “Shlonak” (pronounced shlo-nak). This phrase can be used among friends, family, or peers. Here’s an example:
Person A: شلونك؟ (Shlonak?)
Person B: تمام، شكرًا. (Tamam, shukran.)
Person A: الله يسلمك. (Allah yisallimak.)
In this scenario, Person A uses the informal phrase “Shlonak” to ask Person B how they are doing. Person B replies with “Tamam, shukran” which means “I’m good, thank you.” Person A then says “Allah yisallimak,” which translates to “May God protect you.”
Regional Variations
While Jordanian Arabic is predominantly spoken throughout various regions in the country, there may be slight variations in greetings depending on the location. Here are a few examples of regional variations:
Amman
In the capital city of Amman, the phrase “Keefak” (pronounced kee-fak) is commonly used. Here’s an example:
Person A: كيفك؟ (Keefak?)
Person B: الحمدلله، تمام. (Alhamdulillah, tamam.)
Person A: ربي يسلمك. (Rabee yisallimak.)
Aqaba
In Aqaba, the phrase “Ashlonak” (pronounced ash-lo-nak) is often used. Here’s an example:
Person A: أشلونك؟ (Ashlonak?)
Person B: بخير، الحمدلله. (Bukhair, alhamdulillah.)
Person A: الله يحفظك. (Allah yahfathak.)
Tips for Using Greetings in Jordanian Arabic
Now that we have covered various ways to say “How are you” in Jordanian Arabic, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Respect the Situation: Choose the appropriate greeting based on the formality of the setting.
- Reciprocity: When someone asks you “How are you” in Jordanian Arabic, it is customary to reciprocate the question as well.
- Responding to Well-Being: Apart from saying “I’m fine,” you can also respond to the well-being question by using phrases like “Alhamdulillah” (thank God) or “Bukhair” (good).
- Expressing Gratitude: After responding to the question, it is common to express gratitude by saying “Shukran” (thank you) or “Allah yisallimak/yahfathak” (may God protect you).
The above examples and tips should help you become more confident in using greetings in Jordanian Arabic. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to use these phrases in your conversations.
We hope this guide has been helpful to you! Happy conversing in Jordanian Arabic!
