שלום עליכם
shalom aleikhem
The English phrase "peace be unto you" is translated into Hebrew as שלום עליכם (shalom aleikhem).
שלום עליכם is a greeting used to wish peace upon the person or group being addressed. While the full phrase is formal, the shortened version שלום can be used as an informal greeting with friends, family or peers.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of שלום, meaning peace and עליכם, meaning upon you (plural).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
שלום עליכם is a highly formal or traditional phrasing, often used in religious or liturgical contexts rather than in everyday modern street Hebrew. In contrast, the single word שלום is the common way to greet others informally.
How do you pronounce it?
shalom aleikhem
Did you know?
- While שלום עליכם is a Hebrew greeting, it is almost identical to the Arabic greeting السلام عليكم (as-salāmu ʕalaykum). This reflects the shared linguistic roots and cultural heritage of the Semitic languages.
- The phrase שלום עליכם is the namesake of a famous 19th-century Yiddish novel and play by Sholem Aleichem, whose pen name literally means 'peace be unto you'.
- In Jewish tradition, שלום עליכם is the title of a liturgical poem sung on Friday nights to welcome the 'angels of peace' into the home before the Sabbath meal.
Examples in context
- שלום עליכם, אדוני.Shalom aleichem, adoni.Peace be unto you, sir.
- שלום עליכם לכולם.Shalom aleichem le'kulam.Peace be unto you all.
- הוא אמר לנו, שלום עליכם.Hu amar lanu, shalom aleichem.He said to us, peace be unto you.
Example conversation
Maya enters a room where Itay and others are gathered.
- מאיה Mayaשלום עליכם!Shalom aleichem!Peace be unto you!
- איתי Itayשלום עליכם, מאיה!Shalom aleichem, Maya!Peace be unto you, Maya!
- מאיה Mayaשמחתי לראות אתכם.Samachti lir'ot etchem.I was happy to see you.
- איתי Itayגם אנחנו שמחנו לראות אותך.Gam anachnu samachnu lir'ot otach.We were also happy to see you.
