BACK
HOME

Lesson 1: Basic Greetings in Arabic

Join us on Arabic 1! ! It's FREE 🙂

Objective

In this lesson, you will learn how to greet people in Arabic, understand the structure of Arabic greetings, and practice using them. This lesson covers listening, speaking, reading, and writing aspects of language learning.

Listening Practice

Listen to the following conversations.

*Script:*

 

**Speaker 1**: Marhaba! (مرحبا) - (Hello)

**Speaker 2**: Ahlan! (أهلا) - (Hi)

**Speaker 1**: Kaifa haluka? (كيف حالك؟) - (How are you?)

**Speaker 2**: Ana bikhair, shukran! (أنا بخير، شكرا) - (I'm fine, thank you!)

 

**Speaker 3**: Sabah al-khair! (صباح الخير) - (Good morning!)

**Speaker 4**: Sabah an-nur! (صباح النور) - (Good day!)

 

**Speaker 5**: Masa' al-khair! (مساء الخير) - (Good evening!)

**Speaker 6**: Kaifa haluki? (كيف حالك؟) - (How are you?)

**Speaker 7**: Ana bikhair, shukran! (أنا بخير، شكرا) - (I'm fine, thank you!)

Speaking Practice - Activity 1: Role Play

Pair up with a partner and take turns greeting each other and asking how you are using the phrases in Arabic.

  1. Partner A, greet Partner B in Arabic. Partner B, respond.
  2. Switch roles. Partner B, greet Partner A in Arabic. Partner A, respond.
**Speaking Practice - Activity 2: Record Yourself**

Use your smartphone to record your Arabic greetings and how you're doing. Listen to your recordings to improve pronunciation.

  1. Record yourself saying "Marhaba" and "Ahlan." Listen to the recordings. Are your greetings clear?
  2. Record yourself asking, "Kaifa haluka?" or "Kaifa haluki?" and responding with "Ana bikhair, shukran!" Listen to the recordings. How's your pronunciation?

**Reading Practice - Activity 1: Translate and Match**

Match the Arabic greetings to their English translations

  1. Translate "Marhaba" into English.    
  2. Translate "Sabah al-khair" into English.    
  3. Translate "Masa' al-khair" into English.    
  4. Translate "Sabah an-nur" into English.     
  5. Translate "Ahlan" into English.   
  6. Translate "Kaifa haluka?" (used for a male) into English.     
  7. Translate "Kaifa haluki?" (used for a female) into English.      
  8. Translate "Ana bikhair, shukran!" into English.     

**Reading Practice - Activity 2: Fill in the Blanks**
Complete the missing words in the Arabic greetings.

  1. Complete the greeting for "Good morning!" in Arabic: "Sabah al-  !"
  2. Complete the general greeting in Arabic: "  !" (Equivalent to "Hello")
  3. Write the Arabic phrase for "How are you?" used for a male: "Kaifa   ?"
  4. Complete the greeting for "Good evening!" in Arabic: "Masa' al-  !"
  5. Complete the friendly greeting in Arabic: "Sabah al-  !" (Equivalent to "Good day")
  6. Write the Arabic phrase for "How are you?" used for a female: "Kaifa   ?"
  7. Write the Arabic greeting that is equivalent to "Hi": "  !"
  8. Complete the response to "How are you?" in Arabic: "Ana bikhair,   !" (Equivalent to "I'm fine, thank you!")

**Writing Practice - Activity 1: Copy and Write**

Write each greeting in Arabic script .

  1. Write "Marhaba" in Arabic script multiple times.      
  2. Write "Sabah al-khair" in Arabic script several times.      
  3. Write "Ahlan" in Arabic script repeatedly.      
  4. Practice writing "Kaifa haluka?" in Arabic script.    
  5. Write "Masa' al-khair" in Arabic script several times.      
  6. Practice the Arabic script for "Sabah an-nur" multiple times.      
  7. Write the script for "Kaifa haluki?" in Arabic.      
  8. Practice writing "Ana bikhair, shukran!" in Arabic script.      

**Writing Practice - Activity 2: Create Dialogues**

Write short dialogues using the greetings and asking how someone is. Be creative!

  1. Write a dialogue where two people meet in the morning and exchange greetings.

  1. Create a conversation where one person asks, "Kaifa haluka?" and the other responds positively.

  1. Write a dialogue in the evening where someone uses "Masa' al-khair" and asks how the other person is doing.

  1. Create a conversation that includes both "Sabah al-khair" and "Sabah an-nur."

  1. Write a dialogue where one person says "Ahlan" and asks how the other person is feeling.

  1. Create a dialogue where two friends meet and use the phrases "Marhaba" and "Ahlan."

  1. Write a conversation where one person uses "Kaifa haluki?" and the other responds with "Ana bikhair, shukran!"

  1. Create a dialogue between two people who exchange greetings throughout the day.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've learned common Arabic greetings and how to ask someone how they're doing. Keep practicing to improve your Arabic communication skills.

Grammar Treasure

English Grammar library is designed to support learners all over the world with a variety of English grammar activities.

Grammar Treasure