How to say "good evening" in Levantine Arabic
مَسَا الخَيْر
masa l-kheir
- Without tashkeel
- مسا الخير
- Franco / chat alphabet
- masa el 5eir
- Literally
- evening the-goodness
When to use it
This is the standard, everyday greeting used from late afternoon until the end of the night. It is appropriate for all formalities and social situations across the Levant, and the base phrase does not change based on the gender or number of people being addressed.
Other ways to say it
standard
مَسَا الخَيْر
masa l-kheir
Good evening
The default greeting for any situation.
warm alternative (to a man)
يِسْعِد مَسَاك
yes3ed masak
May your evening be happy
A very common and slightly more affectionate alternative used when addressing a male.
warm alternative (to a woman)
يِسْعِد مَسَاكِي
yes3ed masaki
May your evening be happy
The feminine equivalent of the warm alternative.
warm alternative (to a group)
يِسْعِد مَسَاكُم
yes3ed masakom
May your evening be happy
Used when addressing two or more people.
plural/enthusiastic
مَسَا الخَيْرَات
masa l-kheirat
Good evenings
A cheerful, pluralized version often used when entering a room full of people.
How people reply
مَسَا النُّور
masa n-nour
Evening of light
مَسَا الوَرْد
masa l-ward
Evening of roses
يَا هَلَا
ya hala
Welcome / Hello
In a sentence
مَسَا الخَيْر يَا شَبَاب، كِيفكُم اليُوم؟
masa l-kheir ya shabab, kifkom l-yom?
Good evening guys, how are you today?
مَسَا الخَيْر، فِي طَاوْلِة لَشَخْصِين؟
masa l-kheir, fi tawle la-shakhsein?
Good evening, is there a table for two?
يِسْعِد مَسَاكُم، تَفَضَّلُوا ارْتَاحُوا.
yes3ed masakom, tfaddalo rta7o.
Good evening to you all, please come in and make yourselves comfortable.