أهلاً وسهلاً
ahlan wa-sahlan
To say most welcome in Arabic, use أهلاً وسهلاً (ahlan wa-sahlan), the warm greeting used to make a guest feel welcome.
أهلاً وسهلاً greets someone on arrival, at home, in a shop or at an event.
What does it mean word for word?
أهلاً relates to family or kin and سهلاً to plain, easy, level ground. Together they imply you have come to your family and to an easy path.
Which one should you use?
أنت مرحب بك means you are welcome and is used in official settings such as business meetings or conferences. هلا وغلا is an informal, jovial way to say most welcome among friends.
When do people say it?
A common reply is أهلاً بك (ahlan bika), welcome to you too.
Did you know?
- The greeting carries a weight beyond mere politeness. In many Arab cultures, using أهلاً وسهلاً serves as a social contract, implying the host has a duty to protect and provide for the guest.
- To demonstrate extreme generosity, a host may repeat أهلاً وسهلاً multiple times during a single encounter. This repetition is a way to emphasize their warmth and sincerity toward the visitor.
- The response أهلاً بك (ahlan bika) changes its ending based on whether you are welcoming a man, a woman or a group of people.
Examples in context
- أهلاً وسهلاً! كنت في انتظارك بفارغ الصبر!Most welcome! I have been eagerly waiting for you!
- أنت مرحب بك في مناسبة الزفافYou are most welcome at the wedding celebration.
- أهلاً وسهلاً بك في بيتنا.Ahlan wa sahlan bika fi baytina.Most welcome to our home.
- أهلاً وسهلاً بالضيوف الكرام.Ahlan wa sahlan bi-d-duyoof al-kiram.A warm welcome to the honored guests.
- أهلاً وسهلاً بكم جميعاً.Ahlan wa sahlan bikum jami'an.Most welcome to you all.
Example conversation
Ahmed is welcoming Maryam to his home for tea.
- أحمد Ahmedأهلاً وسهلاً يا مريم.Ahlan wa sahlan ya Maryam.Most welcome, Maryam.
- مريم Maryamشكراً لك يا أحمد.Shukran laka ya Ahmad.Thank you, Ahmed.
- أحمد Ahmedتفضلي بالدخول.Tafaddali bi-d-dukhul.Please, come in.
- مريم Maryamشكراً جزيلاً.Shukran jazilan.Thank you very much.
