Greetings in Arabic culture are more significant than common formalities. They enhance interpersonal relations and courtesy in a given conversation or in the delivery of a message.
These greetings are courteous and show consideration for specific traditions, making them very helpful in professional settings or social events. Here’s how to greet a person in the Arabic language.
Basic Arabic Greeting: “As-salaam-alaikum”
In the Arabic language, the most typical and standard form of greeting is “As-salaam-alaikum,” which translates to “Peace be upon you.” The correct pronunciation is “ah-sah-laam-ah-lay-koom,” placing stress on the second and last syllables. The greeting is wide-ranging and can be used in almost all settings, from the official to a casual lunch.
It can be used when you are greeting someone for the first time, coming into a new room, or when starting a conversation. The response to ‘As-salaam-alaikum’, is ‘Wa-alaikum-salaam.’ The phrase is pronounced “wah-ah-lay-kum-sah-laam”, and it translates to “And upon you be peace.”
Time-specific Greetings
In the morning, the common greeting is ‘Sabah al-khayr’ which means ‘Good morning.’ In the evening ‘Masaa al-khayr’ is used, which means ‘Good evening.’ When responding to these time-specific greetings, it is correct to acknowledge it with an equal greeting. In response to “Sabah al-khayr,” one can say “Sabah an-noor” (Morning of light). The corresponding answer to “Masaa al-khayr” is “”Masaa an-noor.” These simple phrases make an interaction warmer and demonstrate politeness.
Informal Greetings
Arabic informal greetings are useful in casual situations, as they are warmer and do not have strict formal protocols. “Marhaba” is an informal word that can be a greeting like “hello” or “welcome.” It can be used anywhere from meeting a friend to entering a shop. Another greeting, “Ahlan,” which means welcome, or hello, is also informal. There are variations to this word, such as “Ahlan wa sahlan” which is even more welcoming, and “Ahlan bik/biki” (masculine/feminine) which is considered more formal.
Greetings may depend on the region and the accent used, but some of them include “Kifak” from Lebanon, “Ezzayak” from Egypt, or “Shlonak” from the gulf countries, all of which translate to “How are you?” in an informal way.
Greeting Etiquette
Shaking hands is another traditional method of greeting that is widely practiced in Arabic countries, especially on formal occasions. Handshakes are supposed to be firm and may last longer than in Western cultures. In some areas, it is considered polite for men to wait for women to offer their hands first for a shake. In some countries, cheek kissing is common between friends and relatives. The number of kisses can depend on the place, with one to four on each cheek. This is especially practiced among members of the same sex or family members.
Learning the Arabic Language
Learning Arabic from an Arab Academy has numerous benefits. Students are exposed to fluent native-like pronunciation, intonation, idiomatic uses, cultural and regional differences, and accents. The environment enhances learning by exposing students to new language use and practicing in real-life situations. Contact such an academy to get started with learning the Arabic language.
