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