How are you?
After the greeting comes the question كيف حالك(kayfa hâluka) — how are you? (literally how is your state?). The standard answer is بخير(bikhayrin), fine or well, very often followed by الحمد لله(al-hamdu lillâh), praise be to God. Arabic speakers of every background use الحمد لله this way, the way English speakers say thank God or simply thanks.
| I am fine, thank God. | أنا بخير، الحمد لله.ana bikhayrin, alhamdu lillâh |
If things are only so-so, say لا بأس(lâ ba's) — not bad, it's all right.
| How are you? Not bad. | كيف حالك؟ لا بأس.kayfa hâluka? lâ ba'sa. |
Meeting someone
When you are introduced, say تشرفنا(tasharrafnâ) — pleased to meet you (literally we are honoured). The form is the same whoever says it and to whomever it is said.
| This is my sister. Pleased to meet you! | هذه أختي. تشرفنا!hâdhihi ukhtî. tasharrafnâ! |
Saying goodbye
| formula | when |
|---|---|
| مع السلامة | the everyday goodbye (literally with safety) |
| إلى اللقاء | see you — you expect to meet again |
| وداعا | farewell — a longer or final parting |
| تصبح على خير | good night, said when someone goes to sleep |
| Goodbye! — See you later! | مع السلامة! — إلى اللقاء!ma'a as-salâmah! — ilâ al-liqâ'! |
Like good night in English, تصبح على خير(tusbih 'alâ khayrin) is only a leave-taking, never a greeting. It is addressed to a man; to a woman it becomes تصبحين على خير.
