How to say "good evening" in Modern Standard Arabic
مَسَاءُ الْخَيْرِ
masaa' al-khayr
- Without tashkeel
- مساء الخير
- Franco / chat alphabet
- masa2 el 5eir
- Literally
- evening of goodness
When to use it
This is the standard greeting used from late afternoon until late at night in formal and broadcast contexts. It is universally understood across the Arab world and remains unchanged regardless of the gender or number of people being addressed. It is frequently used to open news broadcasts, formal speeches, and evening meetings.
Other ways to say it
standard
مَسَاءُ الْخَيْرِ
masaa' al-khayr
Good evening
The default phrase used for anyone, regardless of gender or number.
highly formal to a group
طَابَ مَسَاؤُكُمْ
Taaba masaa'ukum
May your evening be good
Used by news anchors, hosts, or public speakers addressing an audience.
highly formal to a man
طَابَ مَسَاؤُكَ
Taaba masaa'uka
May your evening be good
A formal wish directed at a single male.
highly formal to a woman
طَابَ مَسَاؤُكِ
Taaba masaa'uki
May your evening be good
A formal wish directed at a single female.
How people reply
مَسَاءُ النُّورِ
masaa' an-nuur
Good evening (literally: evening of light)
مَسَاءُ السُّرُورِ
masaa' as-suruur
Good evening (literally: evening of joy)
مَسَاءُ الْخَيْرَاتِ
masaa' al-khayraat
Good evening (literally: evening of blessings)
In a sentence
مَسَاءُ الْخَيْرِ أَيُّهَا السَّيِّدَاتُ وَالسَّادَةُ.
masaa' al-khayr ayyuhaa as-sayyidaat wa as-saadah.
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
مَسَاءُ الْخَيْرِ، هَلْ يُمْكِنُنِي التَّحَدُّثُ مَعَ الْمُدِيرِ؟
masaa' al-khayr, hal yumkinunii at-ta7adduth ma3a al-mudiir?
Good evening, may I speak with the manager?
قَالَ الْمُذِيعُ: مَسَاءُ الْخَيْرِ وَأَهْلاً بِكُمْ فِي نَشْرَةِ الْأَخْبَارِ.
qaala al-mudhii3: masaa' al-khayr wa ahlan bikum fii nashrat al-akhbaar.
The announcer said: Good evening and welcome to the news broadcast.