How to say "how are you?" in Iraqi Arabic
شلونَك؟
shloonak?
- Without tashkeel
- شلونك؟
- Franco / chat alphabet
- shloonak?
- Literally
- what is your colour?
When to use it
The standard Iraqi "how are you?" to one man. Its literal meaning is "what's your colour (complexion)?". To a woman say "shloonich?", to a group "shloonkum?". Iraqis often ask it several times in one greeting.
Other ways to say it
to a woman
شلونِك؟
shloonich?
how are you? (f)
The feminine form, used with any woman.
to a group
شلونكُم؟
shloonkum?
how are you all?
For two or more people, or politely to a family.
what's new
شكو ماكو؟
shaku maku?
what's there, what's not?
The famous Iraqi "what's up?", casual and friendly.
How people reply
زين، الحَمدِلله
zein, il-7amdilla
good, praise God
تَمام، وإنتَ شلونَك؟
tamaam, w-inta shloonak?
fine, and how are you?
In a sentence
هَلا خالِد، شلونَك؟
hala khaalid, shloonak?
Hi Khalid, how are you?
شلونِك يا خالة؟
shloonich ya khaala?
How are you, auntie?
شلون الأهل؟
shloon il-ahal?
How's the family?