السلام علیکم
assalamu alaykum
Peace be with you in Urdu is السلام علیکم (assalamu alaykum).
السلام علیکم is a greeting used to wish someone peace when meeting them. It is commonly used both when arriving at a location to greet people and when saying goodbye.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While it is used across all social classes, السلام علیکم is the most polite and formal way to initiate a greeting in Urdu.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the plural form علیکم (upon you) to show respect even when you are addressing only one person.
How do you pronounce it?
assalamu alaykum
When do people say it?
When someone says السلام علیکم, the standard response is وعلیکم السلام (and upon you be peace).
Did you know?
- Even though Urdu is the language of the page, السلام علیکم is borrowed directly from Arabic, reflecting the deep influence of Islamic culture on Urdu vocabulary.
- When using this greeting, it is common practice to place the right hand over the heart after speaking the phrase as a gesture of sincerity.
- In many Urdu-speaking cultures, responding to السلام علیکم is not just a polite reply but is considered a religious duty to return the exact blessing offered.
Examples in context
- السلام علیکم، کیسے ہیں آپ؟Assalam-o-alaikum, kaise hain aap?Peace be with you, how are you?
- السلام علیکم، کیا حال ہے؟Assalam-o-alaikum, kya haal hai?Peace be with you, how is it going?
- السلام علیکم، خوش آمدید۔Assalam-o-alaikum, khush aamdeed.Peace be with you, welcome.
Example conversation
Fatima and Ali meet at a community center.
- فاطمہ Fatimaالسلام علیکم، علی!Assalam-u-alaikum, Ali!Peace be with you, Ali!
- علی Aliوعلیکم السلام، فاطمہ۔Wa-alaikum-assalam, Fatima.And peace be with you, Fatima.
- فاطمہ Fatimaآپ کا کیا حال ہے؟Aap ka kya haal hai?How are you doing?
- علی Aliمیں بالکل ٹھیک ہوں۔Main bilkul theek hoon.I am doing great.
