ܫܠܡܐ ܥܡܟܘܢ
shlama amkhon
In Aramaic, "peace be with you" is expressed as ܫܠܡܐ ܥܡܟܘܢ (shlama amkhon).
This phrase is used as a formal greeting or blessing to wish peace upon others.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ܫܠܡܐ (peace) and ܥܡܟܘܢ (with you).
Which one should you use?
The default form ܫܠܡܐ ܥܡܟܘܢ is the plural version used when addressing a group of people or as a formal way to address a single person. The singular form ܫܠܡܐ ܥܡܟ is used specifically when addressing one person.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a single person, the suffix changes from the plural -khon to the singular -kh, resulting in the form ܫܠܡܐ ܥܡܟ.
How do you pronounce it?
shlama amkhon
Did you know?
- The word ܫܠܡܐ shares a root with the word for 'payment' or 'repayment'. In the Aramaic worldview, peace was not just the absence of war but the state of being 'whole' or 'complete'.
- The phrase ܫܠܡܐ ܥܡܟܘܢ appears in the New Testament of the Bible, as Aramaic was the primary spoken language of Jesus and his disciples.
- The root of ܫܠܡܐ is the same as the root found in the name 'Solomon', linking the concept of peace directly to a person's name.
Examples in context
- ܫܠܡܐ ܥܡܟܘܢ.shlama amkon.Peace be with you.
Example conversation
Two people meet at a formal gathering.
- ܠܝܠܝ Lilyܫܠܡܐ ܥܡܟܘܢ, ܝܘܚܢܢ.Shlama amkon, Yohanan.Peace be with you, Yohanan.
- ܝܘܚܢܢ Yohananܫܠܡܐ ܥܡܟ, ܠܝܠܝ.Shlama amakh, Lilli.Peace be with you, Lilli.
- ܠܝܠܝ Lilyܫܦܝܪ ܐܢܐ.Shapir na.I am well.
- ܝܘܚܢܢ Yohananܒܫܠܡܐ ܢܗܘܐ.B'shlama nahwa.May we be in peace.
