KalamHow to Say Hi in Arabic
The most common way to say hi in Arabic is مرحبا (marḥaba). It's friendly, neutral and understood everywhere. Egyptians usually say أهلاً (ahlan), people in the Gulf say هلا (hala), and Moroccans often just say سلام (salām). Among Muslims, السلام عليكم (as-salāmu ʿalaykum) is also an everyday hello.
Literally: “welcome”
Hi across the Arab world
Arabic changes from country to country. Here's what you'll actually hear.
Standard form, heard on TV and in textbooks. In speech most people drop the final -n.
Egyptians usually open with ahlan, often followed straight away by izzayyak (how are you?). To a woman: izzayyik.
Levantineمرحبا / هايmarḥaba / hāyMarḥaba is the classic Levantine hello. In Lebanon the English "hi" is everywhere, as in hāy, kīfak?
GulfهلاhalaThe go-to casual hi in the Gulf. Warmer versions: هلا والله (hala wallāh) or هلا هلا (hala hala).
DarijaسلامsalāmMoroccan Darija. A short salām, often followed by labās? (all good?), is the normal hi.
Other ways to say hi
How to respond
Two hellos back (Levantine reply to marḥaba)
Hi to you (Egyptian; to a woman: ahlan bīki)
Hey to you (Gulf; to a woman: hala fīki, or fīch in Kuwait)
Hi there (Levantine)
How to say it right
The sounds English speakers find tricky, and how to get them right.
Practise with feedbackThe ḥ in marḥaba is a breathy h from deep in the throat, like fogging up a mirror. It is not the English h and not a hard kh.
Stress the second syllable: mar-HA-ba. The final a is short and light.
Ahlan starts with a clear English-style h: AH-lan. Hala in the Gulf is said HA-la, quick and bright.
Salām has a long ā: sa-LAAM. Hold it a beat longer than feels natural.
Example sentences
Hi, how are you?
LevantineHi, how are you? How's it going?
EgyptianHey there, how are you?
GulfHi, all good?
DarijaHi, my name is Sara.
Standard (MSA)Using it like a local
In Arabic a hi is almost never just a hi. It is usually followed by a string of questions: how are you, how's the family, how's work. Answering with الحمد لله (al-ḥamdu lillāh, "praise God") and asking back is the polite rhythm, even with people you barely know.
Marḥaba and ahlan are religiously neutral and work with everyone, which is why Arab Christians and Muslims alike use them. As-salāmu ʿalaykum is the Islamic greeting; it is extremely common in daily life, especially in the Gulf and when walking into a room or shop.
Borrowed hellos are normal. In Beirut you'll hear "hi, kīfak, ça va?" in one breath, and Moroccans mix in the French "salut." Using them won't sound lazy, just local.
What does marhaba mean?
مرحبا (marḥaba) means "hello" or "hi." It comes from a root linked to spaciousness and welcome, so the sense is roughly "you are welcome here." It works with friends, strangers and shopkeepers in every Arab country.
How do you reply to marhaba?
You can say marḥaba back. In the Levant people often answer with مرحبتين (marḥabtēn), "two hellos," or أهلين (ahlēn). In the Gulf a hello is usually answered with هلا (hala) or هلا فيك (hala fīk).
What is the difference between ahlan and marhaba?
Both mean hi and are interchangeable in most places. Ahlan is a bit more casual and is the default in Egypt, while marḥaba is the classic Levantine hello. Ahlan wa sahlan is the fuller form used to welcome guests.
Is "hi" used in Arabic?
Yes. هاي (hāy) is very common among younger people in Lebanon, Jordan and the Gulf, often paired with an Arabic question like kīfak? (how are you?). In Morocco and Algeria the French "salut" is common too.
Related words & phrases
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