How to say "happy birthday" in Levantine Arabic
كُلّ سَنَة وَإِنْتَ سالِم
kull saneh w inta salem
- Without tashkeel
- كل سنة وإنت سالم
- Franco / chat alphabet
- kol sana w enta salem
- Literally
- every year and you are safe
When to use it
This is the most common all-purpose greeting in the Levant for birthdays and holidays. While the literal translation '3eed meelaad sa3eed' is understood, locals heavily prefer this phrase or '3a2bal el miyyeh' (may you reach 100). It requires gender and number agreement based on who you are addressing.
Other ways to say it
to a woman
كل سنة وإنتي سالمة
kull saneh w inti salmeh
Happy birthday (to a female)
Use this when wishing a happy birthday to a woman or girl.
to a group
كل سنة وإنتو سالمين
kull saneh w intu salmeen
Happy birthday (to a group)
Use this when addressing multiple people celebrating together.
common alternative
عقبال المية
3a2bal el miyyeh
May you reach 100
A very common birthday-specific wish often said immediately after the main greeting.
literal translation
عيد ميلاد سعيد
3eed meelaad sa3eed
Happy birthday
The literal translation of 'happy birthday', often used in writing, on cakes, or in formal contexts.
How people reply
وأنت سالم
w inta salem
And you are safe (replying to a man)
وأنتي سالمة
w inti salmeh
And you are safe (replying to a woman)
تسلم
tislam
May you be kept safe (general thank you)
In a sentence
كل سنة وإنت سالم يا أحمد، عقبال المية!
kull saneh w inta salem ya ahmad, 3a2bal el miyyeh!
Happy birthday Ahmad, may you reach 100!
اليوم عيد ميلادها، لازم نقول لها كل سنة وإنتي سالمة.
el yom 3eed meelaadha, lazem n2oul laha kull saneh w inti salmeh.
Today is her birthday, we have to wish her a happy birthday.
شكرا على الهدية، وأنتو سالمين يا رب.
shukran 3ala el hadiyyeh, w intu salmeen ya rabb.
Thank you for the gift, and may you all be well.