السلام عليك يا مريم
al-salāmu ‘alayki yā Maryam
The phrase "the hail mary" in Arabic is السلام عليك يا مريم (al-salāmu ‘alayki yā Maryam).
This phrase refers to the traditional Christian prayer addressed to the Virgin Mary.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "Peace be upon you, O Mary".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the word عليكِ, the suffix -ki is the feminine singular second-person pronoun, which is used here because the prayer is addressed to a woman.
How do you pronounce it?
al-salāmu ‘alayki yā Maryam
Did you know?
- The opening words السلام عليك are the same greeting used by Muslims when they say 'as-salamu alaykum' to one another.
- The word مريم is the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran, and she has an entire chapter named after her.
- In Arabic, the word سلام meaning 'peace' is used here as a greeting, but it is also the root for the word 'Islam'.
Examples in context
- هي تردد السلام عليك يا مريم كل يوم.hiya turaddidu al-salāmu ʿalayki yā maryam kull yawm.She recites the Hail Mary every day.
Example conversation
Ahmed and Sarah are discussing their religious traditions.
- أحمد Ahmedسارة، هل تصلين السلام عليك يا مريم؟Sarah, hal tusallina as-salamu 'alayki ya Maryam?Sarah, do you pray the Hail Mary?
- سارة Saraنعم، أصليها كل يوم يا أحمد.Na'am, usalliha kulla yawm ya Ahmed.Yes, I pray it every day, Ahmed.
- أحمد Ahmedهذا جميل جداً.Hadha jamil jiddan.That is very beautiful.
- سارة Saraشكراً لك يا أحمد.Shukran laka ya Ahmed.Thank you, Ahmed.
