How to say "welcome" in Gulf Arabic
حَيّاك الله
7ayyaak alla
- Without tashkeel
- حياك الله
- Franco / chat alphabet
- 7ayyaak alla
- Literally
- may God greet you
When to use it
The classic Gulf welcome to a guest, to one man; to a woman "7ayyaach alla", to a group "7ayyaakum alla". Coffee and dates always follow.
Other ways to say it
to a group
حَيّاكُم الله
7ayyaakum alla
welcome all
For several guests.
standard
أهلاً وسَهلاً
ahlan w-sahlan
family and ease
Understood everywhere.
How people reply
الله يحَيّيك
alla y7ayyeek
God greet you
الله يِسَلمَك
alla ysallimak
God keep you safe
In a sentence
حَيّاك الله، تِفَضَّل
7ayyaak alla, tfadhdhal
Welcome, come in
حَيّاكُم الله في الإمارات
7ayyaakum alla fil-imaaraat
Welcome to the UAE
البيت بيتَك
il-bait baitak
My house is your house