How Are You in Arabic: Useful Expressions and Greetings

“How are you?” – It’s often one of the first phrases we learn in any language, and for good reason. In Arabic, a language renowned for its warmth and formality, knowing how to ask “how are you?” is essential for polite conversation. Whether you’re making new friends in Cairo, greeting a shopkeeper in Dubai, or chatting with family in Beirut, a simple “how are you?” (in the Arabic language) can go a long way in showing respect and starting a friendly exchange.

But here’s the catch: Arabic isn’t just one monolithic language. It’s a collection of diverse dialects spread across different regions. The phrase for “how are you?” can vary from country to country – sometimes slightly, sometimes drastically. Don’t worry, though! This guide will walk you through how to say “how are you?” in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and in all the major colloquial dialects: Egyptian, Levantine, Gulf, Maghrebi, and Iraqi Arabic. Along the way, you’ll learn a bit about when to use each greeting, how to pronounce it, and what it really means in context. We’ll also sprinkle in cultural tips, example responses, and even a handy comparison table, so by the end, you’ll be well-equipped to greet Arabic speakers confidently – no matter where they’re from.

Why learn multiple versions? Because using the local greeting can make your interaction more authentic. Arabic speakers greatly appreciate when foreigners or beginners use colloquial phrases – it’s often met with a smile and encouragement. Plus, learning these variations is a fun peek into the rich tapestry of Arabic dialects. So, let’s dive in! Yallā bina (let’s go) – here’s how to say “how are you?” in Arabic, in more ways than one.

(Quick navigation: Feel free to skip to the dialect that interests you most, or read on for the full picture. We’ll start with the formal universal Arabic, then explore each dialect region.)

How to Say “How Are You?” in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)

Modern Standard Arabic, often abbreviated as MSA, is the formal version of Arabic taught in books and used in official media. It’s understood (at least to some degree) by Arabic speakers everywhere, even if it’s not what they speak at home. When you want a phrase that will be recognized across all Arab countries – especially in formal or business settings – MSA is your go-to.

The Phrase: “كيف حالك؟” (Kayfa ḥāluka/ḥāluki?)

In MSA, “how are you?” is commonly expressed as “كيف حالك؟”. Let’s break that down:

• Arabic script: كيف حالك؟ 
• Transliteration: kayfa ḥāluka? (if addressing a male) / kayfa ḥāluki? (if addressing a female).
• Literal meaning: “How is your condition/state?”
• Pronunciation: KAY-fah HA-lu-ka (male) / KAY-fah HA-lu-kee (female). The “ḥ” in ḥāluka is a strong “h” sound coming from the throat (like a gentle clearing of the throat).

This phrase is formal yet friendly. It’s composed of common Arabic words:

• kayfa (كيف) – means “how”. 
• ḥāl (حال) – means “condition” or “state”.
• The suffix -uk(a/i) ( ـك) means “your”. -ka is “your” for masculine, and -ki is “your” for feminine.

Gender and Number: As noted, Arabic phrases often change slightly based on who you’re addressing:

• To a single male: kayfa ḥāluka (كيف حالُكَ؟). 
• To a single female: kayfa ḥāluki (كيف حالُكِ؟).
• To two people (dual, not commonly used in conversation): kayfa ḥālukumā (كيف حالُكُما؟) – relatively rare, you can generally use plural for two people as well.
• To a group (plural masculine or mixed group): kayfa ḥālukum (كيف حالُكُم؟).
• To a group (plural feminine, if all are female): kayfa ḥālukunna (كيف حالُكُنَّ؟).

(If you’re a beginner, don’t get overwhelmed by the dual and plural – mentioning them is more for completeness. In most day-to-day scenarios, you’ll use the singular forms above. The plural ḥālukum is useful if you’re addressing say, an audience or a family.)

When to use “kayfa ḥāluka?”: This is appropriate in almost any polite context – from meeting someone in a formal setting, to chatting with an elder, or in correspondence (emails/letters). It might sound a bit formal for very close friends in a casual setting (they’d likely slip into dialect), but no one will be offended by it. Think of it as the Arabic equivalent of “How do you do?” or “How are you doing?” said in a polite tone.

Example: You meet a new colleague who speaks Arabic. After saying hello, you might ask:

• “Assalāmu ʿalaykum, kayfa ḥāluka?” – “Peace be upon you, how are you?” They could reply formally or just pleasantly. 

Responses in MSA:

If someone asks you kayfa ḥāluka?, here are a couple of classic responses in standard Arabic:

• “أنا بخير، شكراً.” (Ana bi-khayr, shukran.) – “I am fine, thank you.” 

Ana means “I”, bi-khayr means “in goodness/ well”, shukran means “thank you”. This is a straightforward, positive response.

• “الحمد لله.” (Al-ḥamdu lillāh.) – “Praise be to God.” 

This is a very common phrase used in response to any inquiry about one’s well-being. Instead of saying “I’m good,” many Arabic speakers will simply say “al-ḥamdu lillāh”. Culturally, this indicates that one is grateful for whatever condition they’re in – good or bad – but in context it implies “I’m okay” or “I’m doing well.” It’s a humble, religiously-influenced reply and is used across dialects as well. Don’t be surprised if you hear it even after someone says they’re not feeling great – it’s about gratitude.

After someone responds, a polite follow-up is:

• “وأنت؟” (wa anta?) – “And you?” (if you’re asking a male) 
• “وأنتِ؟” (wa anti?) – “And you?” (asking a female).
  This turns the question back to the asker, just as in English. It’s good manners in Arabic to reciprocate the inquiry.

Cultural Tip: In more formal interactions or with older people, Arabic speakers might go beyond just “I’m fine” and give blessings. For example: “ الحمد لله بخير ونعمة” (al-ḥamdu lillāh bi-khayr w ni’ma) – “Praise God, (I’m in) goodness and blessing.” As a learner, you’re not expected to produce such phrases, but don’t be surprised to hear elaborations, especially among very polite or traditional speakers.

Now that we have the pan-Arabic phrase under our belt, let’s explore how different regions say “how are you?” – this is where it gets really interesting!

How to Say “How Are You?” in Egyptian Arabic

Egyptian Arabic (Dialect name: Maṣri) is one of the most widely understood dialects of Arabic, thanks to Egypt’s prolific film, television, and music industries. If you can toss out a phrase in Egyptian Arabic, chances are most Arabic speakers from Morocco to Iraq will recognize it (even if they reply in their own dialect). Egyptians are known for their friendly and humorous communication style, so learning their version of “how are you?” is both useful and fun.

The Phrase: “إزيّك؟” (Izzyak? / Izzyik?)

• Arabic script: إزيّك؟ 
• Transliteration: izzayyak? (to a man), izzayyik? (to a woman).
• Pronunciation: iz-ZAY-yak / iz-ZAY-yik. (The “zz” is a strong Z sound; pronounce it with a bit of a buzz. The stress is on the “ZAY” part. The ending “-ak” vs “-ik” indicates gender as usual.)
• Meaning: It literally means “How are you?” in Egyptian colloquial speech – functionally the same as kayfa halak but in local vernacular. Unlike the MSA phrase, “izzayyak” doesn’t literally include “condition” or “state” – it’s a standalone slangy expression derived from classical “how” (kayf) but evolved in sound.

This is the default informal greeting in Egypt for “how are you.” You can use it in almost any casual or semi-formal situation: meeting a friend, chatting with a taxi driver, talking to shop staff you’re friendly with, etc. Egyptians use it all the time.

Variations:

• To a man: إزيّك؟ (izzayyak?). 
• To a woman: إزيّك؟ (izzayyik?) – note in Arabic script it looks the same except context or diacritics would change the pronunciation of the last letter to “-ik”. When speaking, make sure to use -ik for females. If you accidentally say izzayyak to a woman, it’s not a huge problem; Egyptians will understand and often they’ll playfully correct you or just continue.
• To a group: إزيّكم؟ (izzayyakum?) – “How are you (pl)?” addressing several people at once. Also very common if, say, you meet a group of friends and want to greet all of them.

Example: You sit down at a cafe in Cairo where you’re a regular. The waiter smiles and says, “Izzayyak النهاردة?” (izzayyak el-naharda?) – “How are you today?” You could reply simply, “كويس الحمد لله، إنت عامل إيه؟” (“I’m good, thank God. How are you doing?”).

Other Egyptian Greetings for “How are you?”

Egyptian Arabic has a few other colloquial expressions that essentially serve the same purpose:

• “عامل إيه؟” (ʿĀmil eh?) – Translation: “How are you doing?” (literally “What are you doing?”, but idiomatically it’s like asking how someone is).
  • Usage: Very common among friends. ʿĀmil means “doing” (masculine form). To a female, you’d say “عاملة إيه؟” (ʿāmla eh?) (ʿāmla is the feminine participle “doing”). If addressing a group: **“عاملين إيه؟” (ʿāmlīn eh?). This phrase is akin to saying “How’s it going?” or “What’s up?” in English. It’s informal and friendly. 
  • Note: Sometimes Egyptians combine greetings: e.g. “إزيك؟ عامل إيه؟” back-to-back, to really emphasize the inquiry – basically “How are you? How’s it going?”
• “أخبارك إيه؟” (Akhbārak eh?) – Translation: “What’s your news?” i.e., “How are you/what’s new with you?”
  • Usage: This is another casual way to ask someone how they’ve been, implying you’re interested if there’s any news or updates in their life. Akhbārak comes from akhbār (news) + -ak (your). For a female: *“أخبارك إيه؟” (akhbārik eh?) (sounds like akhbarik). For plural: *“أخباركم إيه؟” (akhbārkum eh?) – “What’s the news with you all?”. Often, this is used if you haven’t seen someone for a little while: “أخبارك إيه؟” – “How are things? What’s new?” 

These alternatives can be used interchangeably with “izzayyak” in many situations. As a learner, don’t worry about choosing the perfect one; just recognize them. If you stick with إزيّك (izzayyak), you’ll be perfectly fine in Egypt and understood. Knowing the others simply means you’ll understand when Egyptians use them with you (and you can impress if you use them yourself).

Egyptian Responses:

Egyptians have some colorful ways to reply, but let’s cover the basics:

• “كويس/كويسة” (kwayyis / kwayyisa) – “Good” (male/female). Often followed by “الحمد لله”. For example: “أنا كويس، الحمد لله.” – “I’m good, thank God.” كويس (sometimes transliterated kuwayyis, but Egyptians pronounce it more like kwayyis) means “good/fine” for a man; a woman would say “أنا كويسة، الحمد لله” (ana kwayyisa, al-hamdu lillah). 
• “تمام” (tamām) – “Great/Perfect.” A very casual, upbeat “all good!” kind of answer. “زي الفل” (zayy el-full, literally “like jasmine”) is a slangy way to say “awesome,” but tamām is more common and easier to remember. You can say “كلّه تمام” (kullo tamām) – “everything is good.”
• “ماشي الحال” (māshi l-ḥāl) – “Things are okay.” (Literally “the situation is walking.”) This phrase is also used in Levantine. Egyptians might say “ماشي الحال” or just “ماشي” which kind of means “it’s going/it’s okay.” It implies you’re managing, things are fine even if not spectacular. (If said in a down tone, it could imply you’re only just okay – context matters.)

And of course, “الحمد لله” on its own or attached is extremely common in replies, just like in MSA.

Cultural Insight (Egypt): Egyptians are generally very warm and conversational. It’s common that after the initial “izzayyak” and a short reply like “good, thanks,” the conversation continues to more personal greetings: asking about family, health, or even throwing in a joke. Don’t be surprised if an Egyptian friend follows “إزيك” with questions like “عامل إيه في الشغل؟” – “How’s work going?” They’re not prying; it’s a cultural way of showing they care about you. As a foreigner, using “izzayyak” instantly tags you as someone who’s making an effort to connect informally – a great ice breaker. And if you add a local term of endearment or respect, like “إزيك يا باشا؟” (izzayak ya basha? – “How are you, boss?”)

Now that we’ve visited Egypt, let’s hop over to the Levant – the land of Sham – to see how they ask “How are you?”.

How to Say “How Are You?” in Levantine Arabic (Syrian, Lebanese, etc.)

The Levantine dialect (called Shami, covering Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine) has its own charming set of greetings. While there are slight variations between these countries, they’re mutually intelligible for the most part. We’ll focus on a couple of phrases that you’ll hear often from Levantine speakers.

The Phrase: “كيفك؟” (Kīfak? / Kīfik?)

• Arabic script: كيفك؟
• Transliteration: kīfak? (to a man), kīfik? (to a woman). Often spelled kifak/kifik in informal Latin script.
• Pronunciation: In Levantine, كيف (how) is pronounced slightly shorter – like keef or kif. So it sounds like keef-ak / keef-ik. The k at the end attaches to “you” as before.
• Meaning: Literally “How are you?” (It’s basically a shortened colloquial form of the MSA “kayfa ḥāluka” – they dropped “ḥāl” and just say “how you?”)
• Usage: Ubiquitous in Syria and Lebanon especially. You can use kifak/kifik in almost any casual or semi-formal context. It might be a bit informal for addressing someone much older or in a very formal setting (where MSA or more formal Arabic might be used), but generally it’s fine to use with anyone in day-to-day life. In Jordan and Palestine, you’ll also hear “كيف حالك؟” sometimes in dialect (pronounced keef ḥālak?), but “كيفك؟ (kifak?)” is extremely common everywhere.

Like in Egyptian, Levantine speakers also have multiple ways to inquire about someone:

• “شو أخبارك؟” (Shu akhbarak?) – Translation: “What’s your news?”
  •  
  • Pronunciation: shoo akh-bar-ak? (to a male; shu akhbarek? to a female: شو أخباركِ). 
  • Usage: This is a friendly way to ask “How are you/what’s new?” in places like Lebanon and Syria. “Shu” means “what” (distinctive of Levantine, where MSA uses “maa” for “what”, dialect uses “shu”). Akhbārak as earlier means “your news.” This is akin to saying “How have you been?” with an implication of asking if there’s any news. Often, someone might say “kīfak? shu akhbarak?” together – first “how are you,” then “what’s new with you?” if they haven’t seen you in a bit.
• “شو الحال؟” (Shu l-ḥāl?) – Translation: “How’s the condition?” or effectively “How are things?”
  • This is closer to the literal MSA (kayfa al-ḥāl) but with “shu” (what) replacing “kayfa”. It’s used, but not as commonly as kifak or shu akhbarak in conversation. You might hear it occasionally or in somewhat more polite contexts. 
• “شلونك؟” (Shlonak?) – Translation: “How are you?” (literally “What’s your color?” – an idiom).
  • Wait, isn’t shlonak Iraqi/Gulf? Yes – shlonak originated in Iraq and the Gulf, but due to migration and overlap, you will hear it in parts of Syria as well, especially in the east or among older generations. In cities like Aleppo, which had trade ties with Iraq, or in colloquial Iraqi TV series that Syrians watched, shlonak is understood. In Lebanon or Jordan, shlonak is less common; they stick to kifak. So this one is optional to know for Levantine, but it’s good to recognize. (And as you’ll see below, it’s primary in Iraq.) 

So, if you’re in say, Lebanon or Syria, the likely exchange is: “Marḥaba! Kīfak?” (Hi! How are you?)
– “Mnih, ḥamdillah! Kīfak?” (I’m good, thank God! And you?)

Levantine Responses:

• “منيح/منيحة” (mniḥ / mniḥa) – “Good/fine.” (Mniḥ – masculine, mniḥa – feminine). This is the Levantine word for “good” (in MSA “good” is jayyed or using bi-khayr, but no one says jayyed in conversation). Example: “ كيفك؟ – أنا منيح! ” (“How are you? – I’m fine!”). It’s very common to add “الحمد لله” (al-ḥamdulillah) after mniḥ. If you’re not doing well, you could say “مش منيح” (mish mniḥ) – “not well,” but people rarely respond with negativity at first; they’ll usually say they’re okay out of politeness, then maybe expand. 
• “ماشي الحال” (māshi l-ḥāl) – We saw this in Egyptian, and Levantines use it too. Literally “the situation is walking.” Meaning: “It’s going okay” or “so-so, managing.” This is a wonderfully vague response that implies you’re alive and things are moving along. Context and tone will convey if you mean “Yeah, I’m okay/average” or if you’re somewhat unenthused.
• “تمام” (tamām) – Same as in Egyptian, meaning “perfect/okay”. Often used in Jordan and Palestine as a response. If someone says tamām, it means all good.
• “بخير” (bikhēr) – “Well”. Some Levantine speakers might use bikhēr especially if speaking a bit more formally (it’s understood, being an MSA word). But typically, mniḥ is more common in pure dialect.

Also, like everywhere, “الحمد لله” is a near-universal add-on or standalone reply in the Levant.

Cultural Insight (Levant): In the Levant, as in many Arab regions, it’s polite to follow a positive response with “الحمد لله.” People might also downplay struggles by still thanking God. For instance, someone might respond “mniḥa al-ḥamdulillah, bass الدني شتي كتير اليوم” – “I’m fine, thank God, but (by the way) it’s raining a lot today” – segueing to small talk about weather or life. It’s common to shift to a neutral topic after the initial greeting before maybe discussing any real issues. As a learner, if you use kifak and mniḥ, you’ll fit right into a casual street conversation in Beirut or Amman. Don’t be surprised if you get a friendly barrage of further questions – Levantine folks might ask if you’ve eaten (“ṣār aakul?” – have you eaten?), how your family is (“kīf el-ʿāile?”), etc., as part of extended greetings. It’s a cultural way of showing they care about your well-being in a broad sense, not just a perfunctory “you good? good.”

Now, shifting gears to another important region: the Gulf countries and Saudi Arabia, where different expressions await.

How to Say “How Are You?” in Gulf Arabic (Khaliji dialects)

The Gulf dialects span countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and by extension, we’ll also include Yemeni and some parts of Iraq. There are local variations, but they share many similarities. We’ve already encountered “shlonak”, which is used in some Gulf areas, but let’s start with the one Gulf speakers themselves often default to:

Common Gulf Phrases:

• “كيف حالك؟” (Keef ḥālak?) – Yes, ironically, Gulf speakers often use a version of the MSA phrase in daily speech, but pronounced in their accent. In Gulf dialects (especially in Saudi), ج can sound like “y” or “j” depending on region, but here there’s no tricky letters. “Keef 7alak?” in a Saudi or Kuwaiti accent is understood as “How are you?”. The pronunciation might drop the kayfa to keef (similar to Levantine). This is pretty standard and polite. However, many Gulf Arabs also use more colloquial alternatives: 
• “شلونك؟” (Shlonak?) – We’ve discussed this idiom meaning “How are you?” (literally “What’s your color?”). It’s very common in Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, and parts of Saudi (particularly in the Eastern Province and among Bedouin-influenced dialects). In the UAE and Qatar, people will understand shlonak even if they might not use it as much as keef ḥalak. Shlonak to a female is “شلونچ؟ (shlonich?) – note the -ch ending sound (in Gulf and Iraqi dialects, the feminine “you” often is pronounced -ch instead of -ik as in Levantine/Egyptian).
• “شخبارك؟” (Shikhbārak?) – Colloquial contraction of “esh akhbarak” or “shu akhbarak”, literally “what’s your news?”. This is heavily used in Gulf countries like the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain. It sounds like “shikh-bar-ak” in fast speech. To a woman: “شخبارچ؟ (shikhbarich?). It’s basically the Gulf counterpart of “shu akhbarak” from the Levant.
• “علومك؟” (ʿUlūmak?) – A specifically Gulf (especially Saudi Bedouin or Kuwaiti) expression meaning “How are you?” but literally “Your news/knowledge?”. ʿUlūm is like “information” in classical, but colloquially “Shū ʿulūmak?” means “what’s up with you?” (This one is a bit more colloquial; you might not encounter it unless you’re interacting with folks from certain areas or watching Gulf TV dramas).
• “كيف الحال؟” (Keif il-ḥāl?) – “How is the situation?” Another very common phrase in Gulf and Saudi. It’s basically the same as MSA kayfa l-ḥāl but minus the ka or using local pronunciation. Many Saudis will greet with “Salam alaykum…keif il-haal?”. Think of it as “How’s it going?” equivalent.

You might be thinking, wow, Gulf has many! Yes, because different countries and even different cities have their preferred sayings. The good news: as a learner, if you use “keef halak” or “shlonak”, you will be understood across the Gulf. Locals will likely respond in their style, but they’ll get what you mean.

Gulf Responses:

• “زين” (zayn) – “Good”. This word is almost synonymous with Gulf dialects (also used in Iraq). Zayn literally means “good/fine”. If you ask a Kuwaiti “Shlonak?”, they might simply reply “Zayn!” with a smile. A longer response: “والله زين الحمد لله” (walla zayn, al-hamdu lillah) – “By God, (I’m) good, praise be to God.” (Gulf speakers often preface statements with walla or wallah – “by God” – for emphasis or just habit). 
• “بخير” (bikhair) – “Well/fine.” Like MSA, but used in Gulf too. Often: “بخير الحمد لله”. In many Gulf dialects, they might not pronounce the “bi” strongly, so it sounds like “khair al-hamdulillah”.
  • Note: Gulf Arabic has a negative particle “mo” (or “mū” in some places) meaning “not.” If someone isn’t doing well (with a trusted friend), they might say “mo zayn” (not good) or “mo bikhair” (not well). But typically, for a casual greeting, you’ll still get a positive-sounding answer. 
• “طيب” (ṭayyib) or “طيبين” (ṭayyibīn) – In some Gulf areas, people might say “ṭayyib” which means “good” (similar to zayn). Or “ṭayyibīn” (which is plural form, but they use it to say “(we’re) good” or as an abstract “good”). For instance, in parts of Saudi/Bahrain:
  • Q: “Shikhbarak?” 
  • A: “ṭayyibīn, al-ḥamdulillah” – essentially “(We’re) good, thank God.” Sometimes a person speaking can use plural to modestly include their family or just as a manner of speaking.
• “ماشي” (māshi) – As elsewhere, means “okay/going”. You might hear “al-ḥāl māshi” – “things are going.” Not as prevalent as zayn or bikhair, but understood.

And again, “الحمد لله” is extremely common as part of the answer. In Gulf culture, if someone says they’re good without “al-hamdu lillah,” often the asker will add it for them: e.g.,

• Person A: “Keif ḥalak?” 
• Person B: “Zayn.”
• Person A: “Zayn, al-ḥamdulillah.” – reinforcing that good, thanks to God.

Cultural Insight (Gulf): In the Gulf region, showing respect and cordiality in greetings is paramount. It’s not uncommon for a Gulf Arab to ask “How are you?” multiple times in one sitting as the conversation ebbs and flows – it’s a way of showing continuous interest. For example, at the beginning, and then later after discussing something, they might ask again “… keif ḥalak al-ḥīn?” (“how are you now?”) – more rhetorical than literal. Also, Gulf Arabs might accompany greetings with handshakes (among men) and even touches on the shoulder or kisses on the cheek if they’re close (same gender; men with men, women with women). As a foreigner, you’ll likely get a simple handshake, but don’t be surprised at the warmth. Using a phrase like “shlonak” or “shikhbarak” in the Gulf can pleasantly surprise locals – it signals you’ve made an effort to learn local lingo beyond textbook Arabic. It’s a conversation starter in itself (“Oh, you speak Arabic?!” they might respond happily).

Finally, let’s journey to North Africa and then Iraq to cover those unique dialects.

How to Say “How Are You?” in Maghrebi Arabic (North Africa)

Maghrebi Arabic, also known as Darija in Morocco, is quite different from Middle Eastern Arabic – to the point that eastern Arabs often find it hard to understand. But the greetings have some familiar elements and a few distinct ones. We’ll touch on Moroccan, Algerian, and Tunisian varieties (Libya as well shares some features).

Moroccan/Algerian: “كيداير؟” (Kidayr?)

One very common way Moroccans (and many Algerians) ask “How are you?” is:

• Arabic script: كيداير؟ 
• Transliteration: kidayr? (to a man), kidayra? (to a woman).
• Pronunciation: kee-dye-er (roughly). The ki is like “kayf” compressed to “ki” (meaning “how” in Moroccan Arabic). داير (dayr) comes from the verb meaning “to be doing” or “to be in a state”. So “kidayr” literally is “how are you doing,” similar to Egyptian “ʿāmil eh” but in one word.
• Usage: Very casual, used all the time in Morocco among friends, family, even acquaintances. In Algeria, a similar phrasing exists (some regions say “kidayr”, some might say “wach rak” – see below). If you’re a man talking to a Moroccan woman, remember to use kidayra? for the feminine.

Other Moroccan/Algerian greetings:

• “لاباس عليك؟” (Labās ʿlīk?) – This is a hugely common Moroccan greeting. Translation: “Are you without harm?” which implies “Are you okay/doing well?”
  • Pronunciation: la-bas ʿaleek? often run together as labāsʿlīk?. 
  • The word “labās” literally means “no harm” or “no problem”. When used as a question “لاباس؟ (labās?)”, it’s like asking “All good?” or “You alright?”. One can ask “labas ʿlik?” (to a male/female doesn’t change except tone). The expected answer often uses the same word: “لاباس” (labās) meaning “I’m fine” (i.e., no harm upon me).
  • This call-and-response is very typical in Morocco and Algeria. It’s almost like:
    • Q: Labās? (All good?) 
    • A: Labās, الحمد لله (All good, praise God).
  • As a learner, labas? is a nice and easy phrase to remember and use.
• “واش راك؟” (Wash rak?) – Common in Algeria (and also Tunisia, with slight accent differences). Translation: roughly “How are you?” but literally “What are you?” in state.
  • Pronunciation: wash rak? (to a man), wash rik? (to a woman). 
  • واش (wash) is an Algerian/Moroccan question particle meaning “what/so?” and راك (rak) is “you are” (masc.). So, “How you are?” might be a way to interpret it. This is very colloquial. Algerians often greet: “و̈ش راك؟Labas?” – they might combine both: “Wash rak? Labas?” just to double-check.
• “شنو أحوالك؟” (Shnu aḥwâlk?) – Common in Tunisia (also understood in Morocco/Algeria). Translation: “What are your conditions?” i.e., “How are you?”
  • Pronunciation: shno aḥwalek? (to male; aḥwalik to female). 
  • شنو (shnu) means “what” (Tunisian for “shu”). أحوالك (aḥwâlk) = your conditions (plural of ḥāl). It’s like saying “How are things (with you)?”
  • Tunisians also say “أش عامل؟” (esh ʿāmil?) similar to Egyptian “ʿāmil eh,” or “لاباس؟” like Moroccans.
• Libyan Arabic: Libya, being between Tunisia and Egypt, says “كيف حالك؟ (kayf ḥālak)” in a lot of situations (closer to MSA/Gulf usage), but also a unique one: “شن الجو؟” (Shinn il-jaw?) – literally “How’s the weather?” meaning “How are you?”! It’s an idiom in Libya. They often shorten it to “Shinu jaw-ak?” or even just “Shnjao?”. As a visitor, you’re unlikely to use that unless you’re advanced in Libyan dialect, but it’s fun to know if you ever travel there or meet Libyans.

As you can see, Maghrebi greetings have a lot of French influence in responses and a mix of Arabic phrasing:

• Using labas (from Arabic la ba’s = no harm) which coincidentally sounds like French “ça va” in usage. 
• Using kidayr (how doing) similar to Levantine kiyfak yet quite distinct in sound.

Maghrebi Responses:

• “لاباس” (labās) – The go-to response: “No harm (to me)”, meaning “I’m fine.” For example:
  • Q: “Labās ʿlik?” – Are you well? 
  • A: “Labās, الحمد لله. ونتَ/نتِ؟” – I’m fine, thank God. And you?
• “مزيان” (mzyān) – Moroccan for “good”. In Algeria: “مليح” (mlih) is often used (similar meaning). These words mean “good/nice.” One might say “mzyān bzāf” – “very good” in Morocco.
• “بخير” (bikhir) – Yes, Maghrebis also use bikhir (dropping the “a” of bikhair) for “fine.” Actually, “labas” and “bikhir” often go together: “Labas, bikhir, الحمد لله.” – fine, well, thanks to God – you’ll hear both words for emphasis.
• *“ الحمد لله، etc.” – As everywhere, thanking God is common. You might hear “الحمد لله، نعمة” – “Praise God (I’m in) grace,” particularly from older folks.

If things are not so great, a Moroccan might say “شويّة مشكل” (shwiyya mushkil) meaning “a little problem,” but generally for a greeting, they’ll still say labas.

Cultural Insight (Maghreb): In North Africa, personal space in greetings can vary: Moroccans and Algerians often cheek-kiss friends and family in greeting (multiple times). With foreigners, a handshake is common. But the verbal exchange of “labas?” “labas” can go on to more questions: “How’s the family?” (“كيداير العائلة؟” – kidayr l-ʿā’ila), “How’s work?”. Hospitality is huge: in Morocco, if you’re greeting someone you know, they might even invite you for tea on the spot after a bit of chatting. As a learner, using words like labas and mzyan will delight people – they know their dialect is considered tough for outsiders, so even a little Darija in your Arabic repertoire is met with surprise and joy. Expect that they might excitedly rapid-fire more Darija at you (out of enthusiasm). It’s okay to then gently steer back to using some simpler words or French/English if needed. But that initial dialect greeting will have built a bridge of respect.

How to Say “How Are You?” in Iraqi Arabic

We’ve mentioned Iraq a few times. Iraqi Arabic (also called Mesopotamian or “ʿAmmiya” in Iraq) has similarities with Gulf speech, but also unique vocabulary influences (from Turkish, Kurdish, etc.). The quintessential Iraqi greeting is:

The Phrase: “شلونك؟” (Shlonek? / Shlonich?)

• We’ve covered شلونك earlier, but to reiterate for Iraq specifically: 
• Arabic script: شلونك؟
• Transliteration: shlonak? (to a man), shlonich? (to a woman). In Iraqi writing, you might even see the Persian letter چ to indicate the “ch” sound for feminine (شلونچ).
• Pronunciation: shloh-nak / shloh-nich.
• Literal meaning: “What is your color?” (Yes, really!) Historically, it’s said to come from a phrase like “شُلون لونك؟” asking about someone’s color/complexion as an indicator of health. Now it just means “How are you?”.
• Usage: Absolutely standard in Iraq for “how are you” among all ages and contexts (except the most formal, where they might revert to MSA). You’ll hear shlonak at markets, between colleagues, friends, etc. It’s friendly and common.

Other Iraqi greetings:

• “شخبارك؟” (Shakhbārak? / Shakhbārich?) – Same meaning “what’s your news?” as in Gulf. Iraqis use this too, sometimes right after shlonak or in place of it. 
• “شلون الصحة؟” (Shlon el-ṣiḥḥa?) – “How’s (your) health?” Another way Iraqis may ask, especially if someone was sick before or as a general polite inquiry.
• “شكو ماكو؟” (Shako mako?) – The famous Iraqi phrase meaning “What’s up?” but literally “What is there? What isn’t there?”
  • This isn’t exactly “how are you?”, but it’s a common conversational opener. It’s like asking “what’s happening in your life? anything new?”. A typical conversation in Iraq might go:
    • A: “Shako mako?” (What’s new?) 
    • B: “Wallah mako shi” (By God, nothing [new]) – often the response is literally “there is nothing” meaning “not much, all is as usual”.
  • This is usually said after or in addition to a hello and maybe shlonak. It’s very Iraqi and using it will definitely get you credibility points as someone who knows colloquial Iraqi nuances.

Iraqi Responses:

• “زين” (zayn) – Just like Gulf, means “good.” Extremely common response. Iraqis will often double it: “zayn zayn!” to emphasize they’re very good, or just habit. 
• “بخير” (bikhair) – Also used in Iraq.
• “ماكو شي” (māku shī) – “There’s nothing (new/wrong).” If someone asks “shako mako?”, you respond “māku shī” or “mako شي جديد” (nothing new). This indicates everything’s okay (since nothing bad or notable is happening).
• “تعبان شويّة” (taʿbān shwiyya) – “A bit tired.” Iraqis (like many others) might sometimes give an honest answer like being tired. Taʿbān = tired. But this usually comes after first saying you’re fine or as part of a longer reply.
• And of course, “الحمد لله” – cannot be omitted from an Iraqi’s vocabulary. You’ll hear “Alhamdulillah” as part of responses often, sometimes as the only response if things are so-so:
  • Q: “Shlonak?” 
  • A: “Alhamdulillah.” (with a tone that implies “I’m managing, thank God.”)

Cultural Insight (Iraq): Iraqis are incredibly hospitable and resilient people. Given their history, greetings carry a lot of weight. You might find that after the initial “shlonak” exchange, an Iraqi will genuinely want to know if everything is okay and if you need anything. As a guest or foreigner, if you greet in Iraqi Arabic, be prepared for a warm, possibly surprised reaction. Iraqi humor might come into play too – sometimes if things are hectic, someone might reply to “shako mako” with a playful complaint or joke. Also, elders in Iraq might respond to “how are you” with a blessing for you instead of talking about themselves, e.g. “Allah yahfadak” (May God protect you) – meaning “thank you for asking, (may God protect you)”. The expected reply to that is also a polite blessing. Don’t worry, in casual settings with peers you won’t get that deep – a simple zayn, shukran will do.

Other Common Arabic Greetings to Enrich Your Vocabulary

(Encouraging broader engagement – though the focus is “how are you,” it helps to know these around the same context.)

While “كيف حالك؟” and its dialect variants are usually preceded or followed by other greetings, it’s worth knowing a few more common Arabic greetings that often go hand-in-hand with “how are you.” Here are a couple you probably encountered in the Transcribe Lingo post and elsewhere:

• “مرحبا” (Marḥaba) – “Hello.” Used across the Arab world, especially in the Levant. It’s friendly and can be followed by a “how are you.” E.g., “Marḥaba, kifak?” 
• “السلام عليكم” (As-salāmu ʿalaykum) – “Peace be upon you.” The universal Islamic greeting, used in religious and many formal contexts (and also daily life, particularly in Gulf and conservative communities). The expected response is “وعليكم السلام” (Wa ʿalaykum as-salām) – “And upon you be peace.” You often greet with Salam alaykum first, then ask “how are you” (especially if you want to be extra polite).
• “أهلاً وسهلاً” (Ahlan wa sahlan) – “Welcome.” Often just shortened to “أهلاً” (Ahlan) meaning “Hello/Hi”. If someone says “Ahlan!” to you, you can say “Ahlayn!” (literally “two ahlans”) back – a friendly little exchange. It’s common to combine: “Ahlan, kayfa haluka?” when greeting in a slightly formal manner.
• “صباح الخير” (Ṣabāḥ al-khayr) – “Good morning.” and “مساء الخير” (Masā’ al-khayr) – “Good evening.” These time-specific greetings are often followed by a “how are you?”. E.g., “Sabah al-khayr, kef halak?” They have responses too: “صباح النور” (ṣabāḥ an-nūr) – “morning of light” in reply to morning greeting, and “مساء النور” for evening.

Learning these will complement your “how are you” and make your conversations more complete.

For instance, a full exchange when meeting someone at noon might be:
You: “السلام عليكم” (as-salāmu ʿalaykum) – Peace be upon you.
Them: “وعليكم السلام” (wa ʿalaykum as-salām) – And upon you peace.
You: “أهلاً! كيف الحال؟” (Ahlan! keif al-ḥāl?) – Hello! How are things?
Them: “الحمد لله، بخير. إنت كيفك؟” (al-ḥamdu lillah, bikhir. Inta keifik?) – Praise God, (I’m) well. How are you?
…and so on.

As you study these greetings, you’ll notice the dance of politeness that is typical in Arabic conversations. It’s always courteous to ask back how the other person is, and often to deflect praise or say one is fine even if one isn’t, just to keep the interaction positive at first. As you get to know someone, of course, you can share more frankly.

Conclusion: Connect with Confidence

Mastering “how are you?” in Arabic – in all its beautiful forms – is a doorway to deeper connection. It’s amazing how a simple phrase can break barriers: a traveler attempting “izzayyak” with a Cairo taxi driver might suddenly find the driver beaming and chatty; a student greeting a new classmate with “marḥaba, kifak?” in Beirut could spark a friendship; a businessperson saying “keif halak, ya ustādh?” in Riyadh shows respect and builds rapport.

To recap, here’s a quick comparison of “how are you?” across dialects (for review):

(For female forms above, note Levantine and Egyptian “كيفك” is pronounced kifik/izzayyik with an “-ik” sound, whereas Gulf/Iraqi “شلونك” becomes shlonich with a “-ch” sound. Small differences that come with practice.)

By learning these, you’re not just memorizing phrases – you’re getting a glimpse into local culture and customs. Each “how are you?” carries the flavor of its region. Use them as a starting point to delve further: perhaps next learn how to say “thank you” in each dialect, or “nice to meet you,” etc.

Encouragement: Don’t be afraid to use these greetings with native speakers. Arabs are generally very encouraging to anyone trying to speak Arabic. You might get a response that’s fast and you don’t fully catch – that’s normal! You can always smile and say in Arabic, “شوَيّ شوَيّ” (shway shway) meaning “slowly, please” – they will gladly repeat or simplify. Language is about connection, and by asking someone how they are in their language, you’re opening that door.

So next time you meet an Arabic speaker, give it a try: “السلام عليكم، كيف الحال؟” or “مرحبا, شلونك?” – and watch the world open up. Happy learning, and سلامتكم! (Your health/safety!)