How to Say "How Are You?" in Arabic – A Complete Guide

Introduction

If you're learning Arabic, one of the most essential phrases you'll need is "How are you?". This common greeting is used in daily conversations and varies depending on gender, formality, and dialect. In this guide, we'll explore different ways to say "How are you?" in Arabic, with pronunciation, examples, and cultural insights.

The Standard Arabic Way: كيف حالك؟ (Kayfa Haluk?)

In Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), the most common way to ask "How are you?" is:

  • ✅ كيف حالك؟ (Kayfa ḥāluka?) – [For a male]
  • ✅ كيف حالك؟ (Kayfa ḥāluki?) – [For a female]

Breakdown:

  • كيف (Kayfa) = How
  • حالك (Ḥāluka/Ḥāluki) = Your condition/state

Example Conversation:

A: مرحبًا! كيف حالك؟ (Marḥaban! Kayfa ḥāluka?) – Hello! How are you?

B: بخير، شكرًا! وأنت؟ (Bikhayr, shukran! Wa anta?) – I’m fine, thank you! And you?

Casual & Dialectical Variations

While MSA is understood across the Arab world, native speakers often use dialectical variations in daily conversations. Here are some popular ones:

1. Egyptian Arabic

🇪🇬 إزيّك؟ (Ezzayyak?) – [For a male]

🇪🇬 إزيّك؟ (Ezzayyek?) – [For a female]

Example: إزيّك يا أحمد؟ (Ezzayyak ya Ahmed?) – How are you, Ahmed?

2. Levantine Arabic (Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine)

🇱🇧 كيفك؟ (Keefak?) – [For a male]

🇱🇧 كيفك؟ (Keefik?) – [For a female]

Example: مرحبا! كيفك اليوم؟ (Marhaba! Keefik el-yawm?) – Hello! How are you today?

3. Gulf Arabic (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, etc.)

🇸🇦 شلونك؟ (Shlonak?) – [For a male]

🇸🇦 شلونچ؟ (Shlonich?) – [For a female]

Example: شلونك يا صديقي؟ (Shlonak ya Ṣadīqī?) – How are you, my friend?

4. Moroccan Arabic

🇲🇦 كيف داير؟ (Kif dayr?) – [For a male]

🇲🇦 كيف دايرة؟ (Kif dayra?) – [For a female]

Example: السلام! كيف داير؟ (Salam! Kif dayr?) – Hello! How’s it going?

Common Responses to "How Are You?"

Now that you know how to ask, here are some common responses:

  • ✅ بخير، شكرًا! (Bikhayr, shukran!) – I'm fine, thank you!
  • ✅ الحمد لله (Alhamdulillah) – Thank God!
  • ✅ تمام (Tamam) – Great!
  • ✅ مشغول شوية (Mashghool shwaya) – A little busy

Cultural Insights

  • In Arab culture, greetings are an important social ritual. It's common to ask about one's family, health, and well-being.
  • Saying الحمد لله (Alhamdulillah) is a polite and culturally appreciated response.
  • In formal settings, MSA is preferred, while dialects are used in informal situations.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to say "How are you?" in Arabic, try using these phrases in real conversations! Whether you're speaking in Modern Standard Arabic or a specific dialect, this simple greeting can help you connect with native speakers and show cultural appreciation.

✅ Quick Recap:

  • كيف حالك؟ (Kayfa haluk?) – Standard Arabic
  • إزيّك؟ (Ezzayyak?) – Egyptian Arabic
  • كيفك؟ (Keefak?) – Levantine Arabic
  • شلونك؟ (Shlonak?) – Gulf Arabic
  • كيف داير؟ (Kif dayr?) – Moroccan Arabic

Now go ahead and practice these phrases! أي سؤال؟ (Any questions?)