How to say "hello" in Modern Standard Arabic
مَرْحَبًا
mar7aban
- Without tashkeel
- مرحبا
- Franco / chat alphabet
- mar7aba
- Literally
- spaciousness (functions directly as hello)
When to use it
This is the standard, secular way to say hello in Modern Standard Arabic. It is used in formal writing, news broadcasts, and educational settings, and is appropriate for addressing anyone regardless of gender or number. While 'as-salamu 3alaykum' is also ubiquitous, 'mar7aban' is the most direct equivalent to a simple English hello.
Other ways to say it
formal greeting
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ
as-salamu 3alaykum
peace be upon you
The most common formal and traditional greeting used across the Arab world.
casual / short
أَهْلًا
ahlan
hi / hello
A shorter, slightly more casual greeting often used interchangeably with marhaban.
warm welcome
أَهْلًا وَسَهْلًا
ahlan wa sahlan
welcome
Used when receiving guests or emphasizing a warm reception.
How people reply
مَرْحَبًا بِكَ
mar7aban bika
hello to you (to a man)
مَرْحَبًا بِكِ
mar7aban biki
hello to you (to a woman)
أَهْلًا بِكُمْ
ahlan bikum
welcome to you (to a group)
In a sentence
مَرْحَبًا، كَيْفَ حَالُكَ الْيَوْمَ؟
mar7aban, kayfa 7aluka al-yawm?
Hello, how are you today? (to a man)
مَرْحَبًا بِالْجَمِيعِ فِي هَذَا اللِّقَاءِ.
mar7aban bil-jami3 fi hadha al-liqa'.
Hello everyone in this meeting.
قَالَتْ مَرْحَبًا ثُمَّ جَلَسَتْ.
qalat mar7aban thumma jalasat.
She said hello, then sat down.