إلى اللقاء
'ilā al-liqā'
In Arabic, the phrase 'until we meet again' is expressed as إلى اللقاء ('ilā al-liqā').
إلى اللقاء is used to say goodbye when you expect to see the person again. Other ways to express this sentiment include the formal إلى لقاء قريب (until the near meeting), إلى اللقاء القادم (until the next meeting) or the formal في رعاية الله (under God's care). For a less formal approach, you can use أشوفك قريب, which literally translates to 'I'll see you soon'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase إلى اللقاء is composed of the preposition إلى meaning 'until' or 'to' and the noun اللقاء meaning 'the meeting'.
Which one should you use?
While إلى اللقاء specifically implies a future meeting, the common expression مع السلامة (with peace) is a more general way to say goodbye that focuses on wishing the person safety.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
إلى اللقاء is the standard, formal way to say goodbye in Modern Standard Arabic, making it suitable for books, media or polite social settings. More formal variations include إلى لقاء قريب, إلى اللقاء القادم and في رعاية الله, whereas أشوفك قريب is an informal way to say 'I'll see you soon'.
How do you pronounce it?
'ilā al-liqā'
Did you know?
- The phrase إلى اللقاء is actually a direct translation of the French expression 'au revoir'.
- The word اللقاء refers to an 'encounter' or 'meeting', which can be used in Arabic to describe both planned and chance events.
Examples in context
- سلام يا أحمد، إلى اللقاء القادمGoodbye, Ahmed. Until we meet again!
- إلى اللقاء في المرة القادمة.ila al-liqa' fi al-marra al-qadima.Until we meet again next time.
- إلى اللقاء يا صديقي.ila al-liqa' ya sadiqi.Until we meet again, my friend.
- إلى اللقاء غداً.ila al-liqa' ghadan.Until we meet again tomorrow.
Example conversation
Omar and Sara are leaving a coffee shop after studying together.
- عمر Omarشكراً على المساعدة اليوم.shukran 'ala al-musa'ada al-yawm.Thanks for the help today.
- سارة Saraلا مشكلة، إلى اللقاء.la mushkila, ila al-liqa'.No problem, until we meet again.
- عمر Omarإلى اللقاء يا سارة.ila al-liqa' ya sara.Until we meet again, Sara.
- سارة Saraمع السلامة.ma'a al-salama.Goodbye.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries إلى, إلى اللقاء, CC BY-SA 4.0.
