10 ways to greet in Arabic

If you are new to Qatar or if you are learning Arabic, then here is a quickie of greetings and phrases that could be useful to you in day-to-day life.

1 – Assalamualaikum /Assalam o alaikum / As-salaam 'alaykum – This is the phrase that you must have heard a lot once you’re here. The Islamic greeting literally means, ‘Peace be upon you’. It is a way in itself to greet somebody and is considered as humble, polite and a formal manner of greeting.

2 – Walaikum assalam / Wa 'alaykum salaam – This is the response to the phrase above. It means, ‘And peace be to you too.’

3 – Ahlan – Ahlan means ‘Hello’. This is an informal way of greeting people in Arabic.

4 – Marhaban – Marhaban means ‘Welcome’ which is extracted from the term Rahhaba meaning ‘to welcome’. It also means ‘Hello’ and is used in an informal way. The most common reply to this greeting is Marhaban bik to a male, Marhaban biki to a female or Marhaban bikum to a group.

5 - Sabaah al-khayr – This means ‘Good Morning’.

6 - Sabaah an-noor – This is a common reply to the phrase above, literally meaning ‘Morning of Light’ or ‘Good Morning’.

7 - Masaa' al-khayr – This means ‘Good Evening’.

8 - Masaa' an-noor - This is a common reply to the phrase above, literally meaning ‘Evening of Light’ or ‘Good Evening’.

9 - Ma'a as-salaama – This is a way of expressing farewell. It means ‘Goodbye.’

10 - Ila-liqaa’ – This phrase also expresses farewell but means ‘Until we meet again.’