How are you?(كيف حالك؟)
| Arabic | Transcription | Meaning | Literally | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| كيف حالك ؟ | kiif Haalak? | How are you? | How is your state? | To ask someone how they're doing |
| This phrase slightly changes depending on who you are addressing | Addressing a Man: كيف حالَك؟ kiif Haalak? | Addressing a Woman: كيف حالِك؟ kiif Haalik? | Addressing a Group: كيف حالكُم؟ kiif Haalkum? | |
| و أنت ؟ | wa anta? | And you? | And you? | To turn the question around after answering. "I'm fine, and you?" |
| This phrase slightly changes depending on who you are addressing | Addressing a Man: و أنتَ؟ wa anta? | Addressing a Woman: و أنتِ؟ wa anti? | Addressing a Group: و أنتُم؟ wa antum? | |
| ,أنا بخير .شكرا | ana bikheer, shukran. | I'm fine thank you. | I am of goodness, thank you. | When you are doing just fine. |
| الحمد لله | alHamdu liAllah | I'm okay not great. | Thanks be to God. | Instead of saying one is not doing so well, this phrase is used. The sentiment behind "Thanks be to God" is that things could be much worse. "Thanks be to God that I am still alive, even if things are not great, I have this." |
| !الحمد لله | alHamdu liAllah | I am doing fantastically well! | Thanks be to God. | On the other hand the same exact phrase can mean imply that you are doing exceedingly well and are incredibly grateful for life. Its all in the tone-of-voice. |
Arabic is a language whose history and existence are tied in with that of Islam. There are many phrases and expressions that invoke Allah, especially in the more scripted questions and responses. Much in the same way that "God bless you" "Bless you" or "Oh my God" show up in English, they do not necessarily mean anything about the speaker's religion.
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Related Links: Arabic The Hour(ال س اعة) Days of the Week(أيام للأسبوع) |
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