Greetings and everyday phrases
Arabic · Key Stage 2 · The School
Greeting and replying
السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُم — peace be upon you. The reply is وَعَلَيْكُم السَّلام — and upon you, peace. It is always said back, never left hanging. Many Muslims use it as their everyday hello, whatever language they are speaking otherwise.
How are you?
كَيْفَ حالُك؟ — how are you, to a boy. كَيْفَ حالُكِ؟ — the same question to a girl, note the extra sound at the end. A common answer: بِخَيْر، الحَمْدُ لله — well, praise be to God.
Please and thank you
مِن فَضْلِك — please. شُكْراً — thank you. عَفْواً — you're welcome, or sorry, depending on the moment — context decides which. These three carry a conversation a long way even before any grammar is learned.
A short conversation
A: السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُم! B: وَعَلَيْكُم السَّلام! A: كَيْفَ حالُك؟ B: بِخَيْر، الحَمْدُ لله. وَأَنْتَ؟ A: بِخَيْر أَيْضاً، شُكْراً. Six lines, and already a real exchange: greeting, reply, question, answer, question back, answer. Practise it with a partner, swapping roles.