Greetings

1. مرحبا

   Marḥaba

   Hello

   Usage

   The all-purpose hello, fine at any hour. Typical replies: "marḥaba" back, or "ahlēn".

   Grammar Note

   Same word as Standard Arabic, written without tanwīn in colloquial spelling. In Jordan/Palestine "halā" is equally common.

2. السلام عليكم

   Es-salāmu ʿalēkum

   Peace be upon you

   Usage

   The standard Muslim greeting, showing respect to elders and strangers. The reply is "waʿalēkum es-salām". A traveller using it is not impolite.

   Grammar Note

   A fixed formula, close to the Standard Arabic form.

3. وعليكم السلام

   Waʿalēkum es-salām

   And upon you, peace

   Usage

   The set reply to "es-salāmu ʿalēkum".

   Grammar Note

   The reply reverses the word order of the greeting.

4. صباح الخير

   Ṣabāḥ el-khēr

   Good morning

   Usage

   Morning greeting. The standard reply is "ṣabāḥ en-nūr" ("a morning of light"). In Lebanon you will also hear French "bonjour".

   Grammar Note

   The article is "el-". The diphthong of "خير" becomes ē in speech (khayr -> khēr).

5. مسا الخير

   Masā el-khēr

   Good evening

   Usage

   Used from the afternoon into the night. Reply: "masā en-nūr".

   Grammar Note

   Standard "masāʾ" shortens to "masā" in speech.

6. كيفك؟

   Kīfak?

   How are you?

   Usage

   To a man "kīfak", to a woman "kīfik" (same spelling). Reply: "mnīḥ, el-ḥamdulillāh". Add a title ("ya ustāz") to be more respectful.

   Grammar Note

   A contraction of Standard "kayfa ḥāluka" with "ḥāl" dropped. The -ak/-ik gender distinction is invisible in the spelling.

7. منيح، الحمد لله

   Mnīḥ, el-ḥamdu lillāh

   Fine, thank God

   Usage

   The standard reply to "kīfak?". "el-ḥamdulillāh" is added by almost everyone in daily speech. A woman says "mnīḥa".

   Grammar Note

   "mnīḥ" is an adjective that agrees with the speaker (m. mnīḥ, f. mnīḥa).

8. شكرا كتير

   Shukran ktīr

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   Thanks strengthened with "ktīr" (a lot). In Syria "yislamo" works too. Replies: "ʿafwan" or "ahlēn".

   Grammar Note

   "ktīr" is a very frequent colloquial word, used as adverb or adjective.

9. عفوا

   ʿAfwan

   You're welcome / Excuse me

   Usage

   Works as a reply to thanks, a light apology, or a request to repeat.

   Grammar Note

   A Standard-Arabic formula; tanwīn is not written in colloquial spelling.

10. مع السلامة

    Maʿ es-salāme

    Goodbye

    Usage

    The usual goodbye; reply with the same or "allāh maʿak". In Lebanon "bāy" and "tshāw" are also heard.

    Grammar Note

    Literally "with safety".

11. لو سمحت

    Law samaḥt

    Please

    Usage

    Attach it to a request. To a woman: "law samaḥti".

    Grammar Note

    Literally "if you permit".

12. أهلا وسهلا

    Ahlan w-sahlan

    Welcome

    Usage

    Said to guests. Reply "ahlēn bīk". The host says it to someone entering a home or shop.

    Grammar Note

    Literally "as family, and with ease".

13. وين الحمام؟

    Wēn el-ḥammām?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    "el-ḥammām" means bathroom and also toilet in public places.

    Grammar Note

    No copula is needed.

14. ما بحكي عربي

    Mā baḥki ʿarabi

    I can't speak Arabic

    Usage

    A first line to a local. Follow with "baḥki shwayy" (I speak a little) or "btiḥki inglīzi?".

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar. Language names are bare -i forms.

15. رح إجي مرة تانية

    Raḥ iji marra tānye

    I'll come again

    Usage

    A friendly line to a shop or hotel host. A woman uses the same form.

    Grammar Note

    The future is "raḥ" plus a bare verb.

16. انبسطت كتير

    Inbasaṭt ktīr

    I had a great time

    Usage

    After a visit or meal. A woman uses the same form.

    Grammar Note

    First-person past of "inbasaṭ" (to enjoy oneself).

17. شكرا، بشوفك

    Shukran, bshūfak

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell. To a woman it is pronounced "bshūfik" (same spelling).

    Grammar Note

    "bshūfak" is literally "I see you", implying a later meeting.

18. تصبح على خير

    Tiṣbaḥ ʿala khēr

    Good night

    Usage

    A bedtime farewell. To a woman: "tiṣbaḥi ʿala khēr". The reply repeats the same phrase.

    Grammar Note

    Literally "may you wake up to good".

19. أنا رايح

    Ana rāyiḥ

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    The form for a man. A woman says "ana rāyiḥa".

    Grammar Note

    An active participle that changes with gender.

20. أنا رجعت

    Ana rjiʿt

    I'm back

    Usage

    When you return. There is no fixed formula equivalent to Japanese "tadaima".

    Grammar Note

    First-person past of "rijiʿ" (to return).

21. عن إذنك، لازم روح

    ʿAn iznak, lāzim rūḥ

    Excuse me, I need to get going

    Usage

    When leaving a table or taking your leave.

    Grammar Note

    "lāzim" plus a bare verb means "must".

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