How to say "hello" in Levantine Arabic
مَرْحَبا
mar7aba
- Without tashkeel
- مرحبا
- Franco / chat alphabet
- mar7aba
- Literally
- welcome
When to use it
This is the most common, versatile way to say 'hello' across the Levant. It is appropriate for both formal and informal situations, regardless of the gender or number of people being addressed. In Lebanon and affluent urban areas, you will also frequently hear 'hi' or 'bonjour', but 'mar7aba' remains universally understood and used.
Other ways to say it
warm / enthusiastic
يا هَلا
ya hala
oh welcome
Used to show enthusiasm when greeting someone, especially common in Jordan and Palestine.
formal / traditional
السَلامُ عَلَيْكُم
as-salamu 3alaykum
peace be upon you
Used in more formal, traditional, or religious contexts, often when entering a shop or joining a group.
casual / modern
هاي
hay
hi
Borrowed from English, this is extremely common among younger people and in urban centers like Beirut or Amman.
How people reply
مَرْحَبْتَيْن
mar7abtayn
two hellos
أَهْلَيْن
ahlayn
two welcomes
مِيَّة هَلا
miyyet hala
a hundred welcomes
In a sentence
مَرْحَبا، كِيفَك اليَوْم؟
mar7aba, kifak il-yom?
Hello, how are you today?
مَرْحَبا يا شَباب، شُو الأَخْبار؟
mar7aba ya shabab, shu il-akhbar?
Hello guys, what's up?
مَرْحَبا، أَحْمَد هُون؟
mar7aba, a7mad hon?
Hello, is Ahmad here?