Lebanese Greetings 101 – From Hi to Goodbye with Style

• Transliteration: Marhaba
• Meaning: Hello
• When to use: Works any time of day, in casual or polite settings.
• Example:
• A: Marhaba, kifak? (مرحبا، كيفك؟)
• E: Hello, how are you?

• Transliteration: Ahla w sahla
• Meaning: Welcome
• When to use: To greet guests at home, in shops, or when someone arrives.

• Transliteration: Kifak (to a male) / Kifik (to a female)
• Meaning: How are you?
• When to use: Right after saying hello.
• Example:
• A: Marhaba! Kifak? (مرحبا! كيفك؟)
• E: Hello! How are you?
  

• Hi (هاي)
• Borrowed from English, but super common in Beirut.
• Casual, used among friends and younger people.

• Transliteration: Sabah el kheir
• Meaning: Good morning
• Response: Sabah el nour (صباح النور) – “Morning of light.”
• Example:
• A: Sabah el kher!
• B: Sabah el nour!

• Transliteration: Masa el-kheir
• Meaning: Good evening
• Response: Masa el-nour (مساء النور).

• Transliteration: Maʿa salame
• Meaning: Goodbye (literally “with peace”).
• When to use: Formal or polite goodbye.

• The ultimate Lebanese hybrid, Arabic yalla (“let’s go”) + English “bye.”
• Casual, friendly, used constantly.
• Cultural note: Very common among young people.

• Transliteration: Bshufak (male) / Bshufik (female)
• Meaning: See you
• Example: Bshufik bokra (بشوفك بكرا) – See you tomorrow.

• A: Marhaba, kifak? (مرحبا، كيفك؟)
• B: Tamem, shokran! (تمام، شكرا!)
• E: Hello, how are you? → Fine, thank you!

• A: Sabah el kher! (صباح الخير)
• B: Sabah el nour! (صباح النور)
• E: Good morning! → Morning of light!

• A: Yalla bye! (يلّا باي)
• B: Ma3 l salame! (مع السلامة)
• E: Bye! → Goodbye!

• Greetings in Lebanon often come with handshakes, cheek kisses, or hugs depending on closeness.
• You usually start with hello first, then ask kifak/kifik.
• Lebanese greetings can become a mini-conversation:
• “Kifak? Kif el 3ayle? Kif shighlek?”
• Translation: How are you? How’s the family? How’s work?

• Is “Marhaba” Lebanese or MSA?
  Both. In Lebanon, it’s informal and used every day.
  
  
• Do Lebanese people say “Salam Alaikum”?
  Rarely in daily life. It’s more formal or religious.
  
  
• Is “Yalla Bye” real Lebanese Arabic?
  Yes, it’s a unique Lebanese blend of Arabic and English!

Mastering greetings in Lebanese Arabic is the first step to building real connections. From Marhaba to Yalla Bye, you now know how to start and end conversations naturally.

👉 Ready to go beyond greetings? Download the Free Lebanese Arabic Starter Guide and learn 150+ essential phrases with cultural tips to sound like a local.