Ways to say it
| Emirati Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| السلام عليكم | as-salamu alaykum | closest respectful equivalent |
| حياك الله | hayyak Allah | welcoming a guest |
Because Dubai has a very large South Asian community, the English word 'namaste' is sometimes heard or seen on signage there, but Emiratis greet with their own phrases instead. حياك الله works especially well when welcoming a guest respectfully into a home or business.
What does it mean word for word?
السلام عليكم means 'peace be upon you'. حياك الله means 'may God grant you life', an old blessing used as a warm welcome.
Which one should you use?
السلام عليكم is the general respectful greeting for any occasion. حياك الله is specifically for welcoming someone as a guest.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Both are respectful and fit formal or semi-formal situations, including meeting someone for the first time.
Is it said differently in some regions?
These greetings are standard across the Gulf, Emirati Arabic adds no special form for 'namaste' itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
Neither phrase changes for gender, though the reply to السلام عليكم is وعليكم السلام.
How do you pronounce it?
السلام عليكم is said 'as-sa-LA-mu a-LAY-kum', with stress on the long vowels.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Assuming namaste's palms-together gesture is used in Emirati culture would be a mistake, a handshake or a simple greeting is the local custom instead.
When do people say it?
Dubai's large Indian, Pakistani and other South Asian communities mean namaste is a familiar sight there, even though it is not part of Emirati tradition itself.
Did you know?
- Indians form one of the largest expatriate communities in the UAE, which is why Hindi greetings like namaste are a familiar part of daily life in Dubai even without being native Emirati expressions.
Examples in context
- السلام عليكم، حياك الله في محلنا.as-salamu alaykum, hayyak Allah fi mahalna.Peace be upon you, welcome to our shop.
- حياك الله، اتفضل اقعد.hayyak Allah, itfaddal ig'ad.Welcome, please sit down.
- وعليكم السلام، تشرفنا بزيارتك.wa alaykum as-salam, tasharrafna bi ziyartak.And peace be upon you, we are honoured by your visit.
Example conversation
A shopkeeper, Humaid, greets a tourist named Priya visiting his shop in Dubai.
- Priyaنمستي! كيف حالك؟namaste! kayf halak?Namaste! How are you?
- Humaidالسلام عليكم، حياك الله في دبي.as-salamu alaykum, hayyak Allah fi Dubai.Peace be upon you, welcome to Dubai.
- Priyaشكراً، المحل جميل جدا.shukran, el-mahal jameel jedan.Thank you, the shop is very beautiful.
- Humaidالله يسلمك، اتفضلي شوفي اللي يعجبك.Allah yislamik, itfaddali shoofi elli yi'jibik.Thank you, please look at whatever you like.
