KalamHow to Say Goodbye in Arabic
The most common way to say goodbye in Arabic is مع السلامة (maʿa as-salāma), which literally means "with safety." It works in every Arab country. Casually, many people also say يلا باي (yalla bāy), and in the Levant you'll often hear باي (bāy) on its own.
Literally: “with safety”
Goodbye across the Arab world
Arabic changes from country to country. Here's what you'll actually hear.
Formal, "until we meet". Common on TV and in writing.
The everyday goodbye in Egypt. Friends also say سلام (salām).
Levantineباي / مع السلامةbāy / maʿ es-salāmeLebanese and Syrians mix in the English "bye" all the time.
Gulfمع السلامة / في أمان اللهmaʿa s-salāma / fī amān illāh"In God's safekeeping" is very common in the Gulf.
Darijaبسلامةb-slāmaMoroccan Darija. You'll also hear the French "bslama, au revoir" mix.
Other ways to say goodbye
How to respond
May God keep you safe (to a man; to a woman: yisallmik)
Goodbye (simply repeating it is fine)
In God's safekeeping
How to say it right
The sounds English speakers find tricky, and how to get them right.
Practise with feedbackThe ع in maʿa is a tight sound from the throat, like the start of a gentle gag. If you can't make it yet, a short pause sounds far better than skipping it.
Stress the long ā in salāma: sa-LAA-ma. Arabic long vowels are held about twice as long as short ones.
In casual speech the article blends in, so it sounds like "ma-sa-LAA-ma" or "maʿ es-salāme" in Lebanon.
Example sentences
OK, goodbye! See you tomorrow.
LevantineGoodbye, dear, take care of yourself.
EgyptianThank you for everything, until we meet again.
Standard (MSA)Take care, say hi to the family.
GulfUsing it like a local
Goodbyes in Arabic are rarely one word. People wrap them in blessings: "go in safety," "in God's safekeeping," "say hi to the family." Answering a goodbye with a blessing of your own, like الله يسلمك (allāh yisallmak), sounds warm and natural.
Leaving a family gathering takes time. Expect a round of goodbyes, kisses on the cheek between friends and relatives of the same gender, and at least one "stay a little longer." Saying goodbye too quickly can come across as cold.
إلى اللقاء is correct but formal. Use it in a presentation or a news broadcast, not when you hang up with your aunt.
Goodbye: common questions
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What does ma'a salama mean?
مع السلامة (maʿa as-salāma) means "with safety" or "go safely." It's the most common goodbye in the Arab world and works with anyone, from friends to shopkeepers.
How do you respond to ma'a salama?
Say الله يسلمك (allāh yisallmak) to a man or الله يسلمك (allāh yisallmik) to a woman, meaning "may God keep you safe." You can also simply say مع السلامة back.
Is "bye" used in Arabic?
Yes. باي (bāy) is extremely common in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and the Gulf, often as يلا باي (yalla bāy). In Morocco and Algeria you'll hear French goodbyes mixed in too.
What's the formal way to say goodbye in Arabic?
إلى اللقاء (ilā al-liqā') is the formal Modern Standard Arabic goodbye, meaning "until we meet." It's used on TV, in writing and in formal settings.
Related words & phrases
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