שלום עליכם
shalom aleichem
To say peace be upon you in Hebrew, say שלום עליכם (shalom aleichem).
שלום עליכם is a traditional greeting that wishes peace on the person you meet.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase combines shalom, meaning peace, with aleichem, meaning upon you in the plural or polite form.
Which one should you use?
Shalom Lakhem is another formal variant, addressed to a group or people of mixed gender. For a plain everyday hello, people simply say Shalom.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This phrasing is formal or traditional and is often tied to religious or liturgical settings.
How do you pronounce it?
It is pronounced shalom aleichem.
When do people say it?
The traditional reply reverses the two words, wishing peace back on the speaker.
Did you know?
- In Jewish tradition, שלום עליכם is sung as a liturgical poem to welcome the ministering angels into the home on Friday night before the Sabbath meal.
- The phrase שלום עליכם is the title of a famous 1905 novel by Sholem Aleichem, whose pen name is a play on this greeting.
- While שלום עליכם is a common religious greeting, the Arabic equivalent as-salāmu ʕalaykum is used by billions of Muslims worldwide, making this a linguistic bridge between many Semitic cultures.
Examples in context
- שלום עליכםPeace be upon you.Here שלום עליכם stands alone as a full greeting.Tatoeba #9839148 by omeritzics, translation #8259695 by Amastan
- שלום עליכם, חברים.shalom aleichem, chaverim.Peace be upon you, friends.
Example conversation
Daniel and Rotem meet at a community gathering.
- דניאל Danielשלום עליכם, רוטם.Shalom aleichem, Rotem.Peace be upon you, Rotem.
- רוטם Rotemשלום עליכם, דניאל.Shalom aleichem, Daniel.Peace be upon you, Daniel.
- דניאל Danielמה שלומך היום?Ma shlomech hayom?How are you today?
- רוטם Rotemאני מרגישה מצוין, תודה.Ani margisha metzuyan, toda.I feel great, thank you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries שלום, שלום עליכם, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
