Greetings

1. أهلا

   Ahlan

   Hello

   Usage

   A casual greeting for any time of day. With elders start with "السلام عليكم"

   Grammar Note

   Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "أهلا" comes from "welcome". "أهلا وسهلا" is more polite

2. السلام عليكم

   As-salām ʿalēkum

   Peace be upon you

   Usage

   The basic greeting among Muslims. It is safe with strangers and in shops alike

   Grammar Note

   Vowels in the romanization are estimated. The reply is "وعليكم السلام". Even to one person the plural "عليكم" is used

3. وعليكم السلام

   Wa-ʿalēkum as-salām

   And upon you peace

   Usage

   The fixed reply to "السلام عليكم"

   Grammar Note

   Thinly attested word; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. A reply formed by turning the greeting around

4. صباح الخير

   Ṣabāḥ il-khēr

   Good morning

   Usage

   A morning greeting. The reply is "صباح النور"

   Grammar Note

   Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "ال" in "الخير" is pronounced as it is written. The phrase is close to the standard form

5. مساء الخير

   Masāʾ il-khēr

   Good evening

   Usage

   An evening greeting. The reply is "مساء النور"

   Grammar Note

   Same form as Modern Standard Arabic; native review recommended. Thinly attested word. Vowels in the romanization are estimated

6. كيف حالك؟

   Kēf ḥālak?

   How are you?

   Usage

   The standard question when meeting. More casually "كيفك؟" is also said

   Grammar Note

   Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "حال" means "state". "-ك" means "your"

7. تمام, الحمد لله

   Tamām, il-ḥamd lillāh

   Fine, thank God

   Usage

   The reply to "how are you?", meaning "fine, thank God"

   Grammar Note

   Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "الحمد لله" is a set phrase of thanks used often in daily Muslim speech

8. شكرا شديد

   Shukran shadīd

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   Used to thank someone warmly

   Grammar Note

   Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "شديد" means "very" and follows "شكرا"

9. ما في مشكلة

   Ma fī mushkila

   You're welcome

   Usage

   A reply to thanks, meaning "it's no trouble"

   Grammar Note

   Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Same form as Modern Standard Arabic. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "ما في" is the usual "there is no". "مشكلة" has the same form as standard Arabic

10. عفوا

    ʿAfwan

    Excuse me (to pass by)

    Usage

    Said when passing through a crowd or a narrow spot. It also works as a light apology

    Grammar Note

    Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "عفوا" means "pardon me". It ends in a plain alif

11. مع السلامة

    Maʿa s-salāma

    Goodbye

    Usage

    A parting phrase. "في امان الله" is also said

    Grammar Note

    Vowels in the romanization are estimated. Literally "with safety". "ال" assimilates into "س" in "السلامة"

12. تصبح على خير

    Tuṣbiḥ ʿala khēr

    Good night

    Usage

    Said before bed or when parting at night. To a woman "تصبحي على خير", to several people "تصبحوا على خير"

    Grammar Note

    Same form as Modern Standard Arabic; native review recommended. Thinly attested word. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. Literally "may you wake up in goodness"

13. حبابك

    Ḥabbābak

    Welcome

    Usage

    A word of welcome for guests at home or in a shop. "حبابِك" for a woman and "حبابكم" for several

    Grammar Note

    Vowels in the romanization are estimated. A welcome especially common in Sudan. "أهلا وسهلا" is used in the same situations

14. اتفضل

    Itfaḍḍal

    Please, go ahead / here you are

    Usage

    Used when handing over something, or offering a seat or a meal. "اتفضلي" for a woman and "اتفضلو" for several

    Grammar Note

    Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "فضل" means "favour". It is a fixed polite imperative

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