How to say "hello" in Saudi Arabic
هَلا
hala
- Without tashkeel
- هلا
- Franco / chat alphabet
- hala
- Literally
- welcome
When to use it
The everyday Hijazi hello, warm and fine for anyone. In Jeddah a greeting is usually followed by "kaifak?" and a few blessings before getting to the point.
Other ways to say it
formal / traditional
السَّلامُ عَلَيكُم
is-salaamu 3alaikum
peace be upon you
The standard greeting when entering a shop, office or home; always answered with "w-3alaikum is-salaam".
extra warm
يا هَلا
ya hala
oh welcome
Warm and very common when you see a friend.
casual
أهلين
ahlain
two welcomes
Friendly and relaxed, typical of Hijaz.
How people reply
هَلا بيك
hala beek
welcome to you
أهلين وسَهلين
ahlain w-sahlain
welcome, welcome
In a sentence
هَلا، كيفَك اليوم؟
hala, kaifak il-yoom?
Hello, how are you today?
يا هَلا، إيش الأخبار؟
ya hala, eesh il-akhbaar?
Hello, what's new?
هَلا، أحمد موجود؟
hala, a7mad mawjood?
Hello, is Ahmed here?