شو الأخبار
shū al-akhbār
The English phrase "wassup" can be translated into Arabic as شو الأخبار (shū al-akhbār).
شو الأخبار is an informal greeting used to ask someone how they are or what is happening in their life.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the word shū (what) and al-akhbār (the news).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
شو الأخبار is an informal way to greet someone. For a different informal greeting, you might use Salam, which means "peace" and is used to say "hi" or "hello" in Arabic.
Is it said differently in some regions?
This phrase is common in spoken Levantine and many other Arabic dialects. In Levantine Arabic, you can use Kifik to mean "how are you?" or "what's up?" In Gulf Arabic, the term Shlonech is an informal way to ask a female "how are you?" or "what's up?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is typically used as a question, often accompanied by a rising intonation at the end.
How do you pronounce it?
shū al-akhbār
When do people say it?
A common response to شو الأخبار is تمام, meaning everything is fine or good.
Did you know?
- In many Arabic cultures, greetings like شو الأخبار are not just quick exchanges but start a ritual of multiple repetitive inquiries about health and family.
- While شو الأخبار is common in the Levant, a speaker in Morocco might use شنو كاين to convey the same 'what's up' sentiment using different regional vocabulary.
- The word شو used in شو الأخبار is a contraction of أي شيء, which means 'which thing'.
Examples in context
- شو الأخبار؟shu al-akhbar?Wassup?
- يا صديقي، شو الأخبار؟ya sadiqi, shu al-akhbar?Wassup, my friend?
- شو الأخبار عندك؟shu al-akhbar 'andak?What's the news with you?
Example conversation
Mariam and Omar meet unexpectedly at a cafe.
- مريم Maryamأهلين عمر، شو الأخبار؟ahlan Omar, shu al-akhbar?Hey Omar, wassup?
- عمر Omarتمام مريم، كل شيء بخير.tamam Mariam, kull shay khair.I'm good Mariam, everything is fine.
- مريم Maryamكيف الشغل معك؟kaif ash-shughul ma'ak?How is work going for you?
- عمر Omarماشي الحال، شكراً لسؤالك.mashi al-hal, shukran li-su'alik.It's going okay, thanks for asking.
