Greetings

1. عسلامة

   ʿaslāma

   Hello

   Usage

   The everyday hello, usable at any time of day.

   Grammar Note

   A one-word greeting; the reply can simply be "ʿaslāma" again.

2. السلام عليكم

   s-salām ʿalīkum

   Peace be upon you

   Usage

   A courteous greeting for elders, strangers, or when entering a shop or office.

   Grammar Note

   A set phrase shared with the standard language; the reply is "w-ʿalīkum s-salām".

3. وعليكم السلام

   w-ʿalīkum s-salām

   And peace be upon you

   Usage

   The fixed reply to "s-salām ʿalīkum".

   Grammar Note

   The word order is swapped to make the reply.

4. صباح الخير

   ṣbāḥ l-khīr

   Good morning

   Usage

   A morning greeting for shops and neighbours alike.

   Grammar Note

   A noun phrase that works as a complete greeting.

5. مساء الخير

   msāʾ l-khīr

   Good evening

   Usage

   An evening greeting.

   Grammar Note

   Built like "ṣbāḥ l-khīr". A sentence assembled from attested words.

6. لاباس؟

   lābās?

   How are you?

   Usage

   The standard question when meeting; you answer with the same word.

   Grammar Note

   One word that means "how are you?"; answer "lābās" or "lābās, l-ḥamdu lillāh".

7. لاباس، الحمد لله

   lābās, l-ḥamdu lillāh

   Fine, thank God

   Usage

   The reply to "lābās?".

   Grammar Note

   The set reply, with "praise be to God" added. A sentence assembled from attested words.

8. يعيشك برشة

   yʿayyshek barsha

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   For a stronger thank-you.

   Grammar Note

   "yʿayyshek" with "a lot" added. A sentence assembled from attested words.

9. بالسلامة

   b-s-salāma

   Goodbye

   Usage

   Said when parting.

   Grammar Note

   Literally "in safety", used as a farewell.

10. مرحبا بيك

    marḥba bīk

    Welcome

    Usage

    Said to welcome someone to a home or shop.

    Grammar Note

    Takes the form "bīk" ("with you"), the same for men and women.

11. نهارك زين

    nhārek zīn

    Have a nice day

    Usage

    A parting wish.

    Grammar Note

    A wish meaning "may your day be good".

12. ما نحكيش عربي

    mā nḥki-sh ʿarbi

    I can't speak Arabic

    Usage

    Say it up front when you cannot communicate.

    Grammar Note

    Negation wraps the verb as "mā … -sh". A sentence assembled from attested words.

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