This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Saudis are hard but fair bargainers, after all. Here are 10+ Arabic greetings you can use so youll know how to say hello in Arabic, whatever the situation. Eat only with the right hand as the left is considered unclean. Saudi Arabia may lack the business-friendly tag of nearby Dubai. This rises to 30 days after five years service. If the person you are greeting is a relative, between males you touch noses twice, between females you exchange hugs. This is a term used between two people in love, and is a sweet phrase for that special someone in your life. This said with a hand over the heart can be considered respectful in most Islamic countries.
Office 1303, Control Tower, Motor City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as there are two ways to greet someone with it. Obviously helpful phrases especially when hearing them after asking for lovely kofta or a hookah pipe for some shisha perhaps.
This greeting is a bit like Awefe, but this time it is just singular and with the addition that God is referred to in the passive form. it can be used on all occasions. Mnih is well or good.
For expats who have done business elsewhere in the Arab world, there are familiar themes. Honored guests are often offered the most prized pieces such as a sheep's head. The governments National Anti-Corruption Commission started in 2011 to tackle corruption in public organizations. Wa Alaykum as-salam, meaning and unto you peace, is the standard response. A reply would be Wa masakom which means and may you have a nice evening., Marhaba is simply hello in Arabic. A reply can be Wa sabahkom which means and your morning., Jumpstart Learning Arabic with Cudoo's Online Courses. Because Saudi society is close-knit, an us and them culture between locals and expats may prevail in some companies, and discrimination exists.
Vision 2030 is also helping improve business operations in the Kingdom.
A reply would be Yeseed masak which means may you have a nice evening or Saide., Ahlan wa sahlan means welcome but it is used as a general greeting in the Arab region.
Join in Pride Month: some ideas to commemorate this date, Where to Stay When in France: 4 Fantastic Hostels, Copyright 2007 - 2022 Listen & Learn. Incidentally, there are no trade or labor unions in Saudi Arabia. Annual paid leave is 21 days by law. Dont be afraid to try and haggle, as it can often be seen as complimentary and a friendly way to engage in simple business. So if you are feeling down or not so much yourself that day, you can reply with meshe lhal. As the Bedouins were desert travelers, they did this to refresh their guests and wash away any unpleasant smells they had garnered through their travels. If you move around the world by choice, consider helping those forced from their homes by conflict. If both sexes are included, they will be in separate rooms. All Rights Reserved, Language Courses and Language Services USA & Canada, Tel: 1-877-566-9299 (USA) / 1-416-800-9242 (Canada). Really anything at all, even if you perceive it as an obvious given fact can be said with an Inshallah, for cultural effect. Business culture in Saudi Arabia is adapting to the changes and new realities relating to Saudi Vision 2030; of which one aim is to establish a vibrant society. Business etiquette in Saudi Arabia reflects wider society. The most common reply is Sabah an-noor meaning, morning or light. It is not performed unless people are deeply loyal to one another. Having a little bit of Arabic under your belt is a great way to do that. 
That said, the lines between business and pleasure can be blurred, particularly in the Kingdoms expat community; where many professionals live in gated compounds. It could even be your very first step to having a 15-minute conversation in Arabic in 90 days. Meetings and office environments in Saudi Arabia, while business-like, tend to be flexible and cordial affairs.
When someone says this to you, you can reply with Lhamdella or Mnih. Muslims generally do not make physical contact with members of the opposite gender. Business socializing has a very different meaning in Saudi Arabia to what it might in the west. A nod or a verbal greeting is enough. Sabah is morning, so Sabaho doesnt only mean morning; It means his morning. However, Saudis appreciate aesthetics and style. Therefore, developing a sixth sense about the rules of engagement in business is a vital ingredient to success. A reply can be Sabaho or Sabah el kheir., Yeseed sabahkom means may you have a nice morning and is used before noon.
Some red lines do exist which could cause offense and which should be avoided. Saudis socialize primarily in restaurants and international hotels 
In late 2017, for instance, it launched a high profile campaign targeting members of the royal family, ministers, and top businessmen; recovering $106 billion worth of assets. It basically means: may you have a lot of health to keep you in shape for all the stuff that you are doing. And heres an infographic you can download for quick reference: How do you say hello in Arabic? You can always say (ghali) meaning expensive to see how flexible the price can be! In addition, employees still need permission from their employer, should they wish to leave the country at any time. Many Saudi businesspeople are used to dealing with foreigners and will forgive small cultural faux pas. If its a person you see frequently one kiss on the cheek is enough. How to Put Together a Winning University Application! which means How is your health? Sometimes it comes directly after the Marhaba. There are rigid top-down structures in most organizations, with decision-making powers usually resting with just a few senior managers.
Good night is expressed with Tisbah ala khayr roughly meaning, wake up to the good and the responding reply is Wa anta/anti min ahloo meaning, and may you be one of the good. Other than offices, business meetings might take place in a hotel lobby, or perhaps over lunch or dinner. Dont be pushy, hasty, or apply high-pressure tactics, though. An important note: if you are greeting members of the opposite gender and they have an Islamic dress on its better to only greet verbally. Greetings among friends of the same gender involve kisses on the cheeks, either all on one cheek or alternate cheeks. The other person can reply with either ahlan wa sahlan, Ahlan, or Marhaba., Ahlan or Halaa is the same as ahlan wa sahlan but more informal.
Sabaho, Sabah el Kheir, Sabah el Noor Morning (Good morning, light morning), 15-minute conversation in Arabic in 90 days, this post on 33 Free Online Arabic classes, go-to list of varied resources to learn Arabic. The greeting you choose to use also depends on the relationship you have with the other person you are saying hello to such as a friend, the elderly or someone with authority.
On the flip side, the gender pay gap in Saudi Arabia is still one of the lowest in the world.
Because Saudi Arabia has long depended on foreign expertise (but where employers effectively own the employee while they are in the country), business culture often sees expats on call at all hours for their companies. Most decision-makers are Saudi and people doing business can expect unrivaled Arabian hospitality, canceled appointments, cordial chat, and hard bargaining in equal measure; all washed down with copious amounts of qahwa (a traditional Arabic coffee recipe).
Original article by Ali Matar, updated by the Fluent in 3 Months team. The answer is (Marhaba). You can use Marahib at any time of the day as well. The National Anti-Corruption Commission, however, focuses primarily on mid-level bureaucratic abuses.
Good friends may greet each other with a handshake and a kiss on each cheek. The most used form of greeting is a handshake among members of the same gender. Lhamdella is Thanks, God, as in thanking Him for being in good health.
Corruption was historically part and parcel of business culture in Saudi Arabia. Its amazing to see the difference between cultures in how to say hello. In the Arab region, it is considered a hi.
A handshake is the standard first-contact greeting in Saudi Arabia for men. Its close to saying Good Morning but its used casually between people. Product reviews: Get our take on the resources for learning a language. For this reason, avoid talking over your Saudi host, or disagreeing with them in front of others.
Understanding the unique interplays, and influences, between the families (tribes) in Saudi society is also useful. Saudis and other Arab men may embrace, and/or kiss on the cheek, nose, or forehead as a sign of deference and respect. Afrikaans Another Language Kicking the Bucket? When it comes to the business end of negotiations, Saudi thinking becomes hard to read.
Furthermore, many run active corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs supporting the wellbeing of workers and their families, promoting economic prosperity, improving the lives of the local communities, and protecting the environment. 
Saudi Arabia is a country rich in culture in a land of differences you can find some of the most amazing animals (like the Oryx), as well as houses made from coral in Jeddah on the coast. It is a beautiful greeting and you are basically wishing the other person a bright morning.
However, the Kingdom offers unique opportunities for those prepared to decipher the local business etiquette.
Often heard when requesting something at a restaurant or in the market when haggling, this is a fun phrase to know. The more senior your contact, the steadier the flow of well-wishers, phone calls, and other disruptions! Are you planning to go to the Middle East or North Africa and would like to know the different variations of hello in Arabic? Business etiquette in Saudi Arabia is different from anywhere else on earth. There are other ways Arab hospitality is expressed, namely rose water and Arabic Coffee. Also, compensation packages and salaries in Saudi Arabia in some companies may be based more on ethnicity rather than skills or experience. Every year CEOs of the biggest companies converge at the Future Investment Initiative (dubbed Davos in the Desert) in Riyadh. If you want to be precise though, here are the variations of Salamo Alaykom depending on whom youre addressing. Initial meetings may not cover any substantive business, as Saudis see these as an opportunity to get to know each other and build trust.
The Cultural Atlas team acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands throughout Australia on whose country we have the privilege to live and work. This is very common between close friends and at social events, but can also occur when first introduced to someone. You can say this to your friends when youre ready to move on to the next activity or leave a place. Arabic Coffee is a bit more interesting, as there are two ways to greet someone with it. If you are meeting them for the first time a handshake takes place. How Technology in Education Can Help Maximize Digital Learning!
The Arab region tries to preserve tradition in daily activities and goes the extra mile to keep it prevalent in times where external influences are taking over. Essentially if this is said during haggling, then the price or item is agreed upon. Marhaba is the simplest type of greeting that is used across the Arabic speaking world. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. The first is with half a cup; this means youre welcome to hang around for a while.
Business culture in Saudi Arabia is adapting to this spirit of openness. Handshakes are most common in business settings and always use the right hand. This is a calm and soft peace to use in greeting. Knowing a few Arabic greetings will also go down really well, although most Saudi businesspeople speak good English. I know I translated this as good day, but it doesnt actually mean good day.
Use the search field below. Meetings likely have no agenda (or anyone to take minutes) and dont take it personally if the appointment starts late, or they cancel it at the last minute.
This detailed guide explains all, including the dos and donts when doing deals and working in the country. Rose water is an old Bedouin tradition, poured over your hands when you arrive at camp.
For more information on proper Arabic greetings, be sure to download our Dubai Rules & Etiquette Guide. Yet it remains a conservative country with conservative values, and business etiquette in the Kingdom reflects that. That said, no legislative body currently exists in Saudi Arabia to co-ordinate CSR programs.
Men and women would not greet each other in public from outside the family. Junior staff are expected to show loyalty to management and are not expected (or empowered) to openly question decisions or strategy. Furthermore, during Ramadan, it is forbidden to eat or drink in public (including offices) during daylight hours. Alternatively, get a personal introduction through a contact; sponsors in Saudi Arabia can be really useful in this respect. Inshallah, it wont rain today, or inshallah, they have a table to seat us at for dinner. A survey on CSR perceptions in Saudi Arabia, conducted by National Commercial Bank in co-operation with YouGov, revealed that 49% of respondents believe that companies involved in CSR exhibit good business ethics.
In Lebanon, greetings are usually accompanied by three kisses on alternating cheeks if it has been a while since you have seen the person you are greeting. Smiling is also encouraged when greeting others though if youre female, be careful about how much eye contact you use, as this can sometimes be misconstrued. if you know the person you are greeting is close then you can use three cheek kisses and you always use the right cheek. A reply would be ahlan or halaa.. How You Can Build a Better Business with Online Learning. However, women tend to be less physically affectionate if they are greeting in public or are in the view of men who are not family members. Even though about half of the Kingdoms workforce of 13 million is expat, business culture in Saudi Arabia dances to a decidedly local tune. Some firms (especially multinationals or large international-facing Saudi organizations) now have staff clock-in devices.
Online networking is also big in Saudi Arabia, with LinkedIn being the most widely-used network. This is particularly the case if it is a Saudi company.
Try to arrive at the invited time.
Salamo Alaykom is known to be the Muslim greeting. For instance, the Saudi Stock Exchange appointed its first female head in 2017. During a meeting or in negotiations, Saudis will sometimes start talking loudly and passionately. Thats amazing, it means you can start conversations with people! In Saudi Arabia, the most common form of greeting is a handshake and the phrase . Saudi women, meanwhile, account for about 40% of the total number of entrepreneurs, up 35% over the past 10 years. There are three public holidays in Saudi Arabia for employees of private companies: Eid Al Fitr (three to seven days, depending on the public or private sector), Eid Al Adha (three to seven days, depending on the public or private sector), and Saudi National Day (23 September).
Who gives you health? When Saudis greet each other they take their time with conversation. In Syria, greetings between close people of the same gender are two kisses on each cheek between males, or a hug for males or females. Sign in|Recent Site Activity|Report Abuse|Print Page|Powered By Google Sites, Management Styles, Group & Motivational Orientation. Exchange business cards (with the right hand) at the start of the meeting. Just as a joke, write the word health on a lot of small pieces of paper, and throw them at an Arabic-speaking friend. In Jordan greeting are rather more formal than in other Arab countries. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander custodians past, present and emerging.
In fact, Saudis place little value on punctuality as a whole. The literal translation of meshe lhal is the situation is walking. The Arabic language is a deep and expressive language and the word hello is no exception. Either way, you have landed on the right page! Therefore, when greeting a Saudi of the opposite gender, it is best practice to simply greet them verbally with a nod of the head and wait to see if they feel comfortable extending their hand. For most of them, life in the Kingdom is about working hard and saving money.
There is often quite a lot of food. Wow, youre ready to use Arabic greetings. According to GAN Integrity, a business anti-corruption portal, companies operating or planning to invest in Saudi Arabia face a moderate to high risk of corruption. Copyright It can be used in formal and informal occasions, and a reply to Sabah el kheir can be Sabah el noor or Sabaho., Sabah el noor means the morning of the bright light. This is noticeable in the expanded role of women in business and the workforce. Good evening pretty much follows the same pattern.
A very handy phrase to use even if this is the only Arabic you know throughout your stay. This influences their approach to societal, community, environmental, and economic issues. Discuss any sensitive issues in a way that does not imply blame on anyone. Ive also included the literal translations into English. You can also say Kif Halak? The hospitality in Saudi Arabia and indeed in most Middle Eastern countries is hard to beat, so enjoy your stay and youll find yourself making friends for life. Home Articles 10+ Ways to say Hello in Arabic and Other Arabic Greetings. Between male and female a handshake is acceptable only when the female extends her arm first, and if she doesnt the male bows his head as a sign of greeting. The Saudi British Joint Business Council, the American Business Association in the Eastern Province, and the German-Saudi Arabian Liaison Office for Economic Affairs all promote bilateral business and partnership opportunities. With friends you can say (mar-ha-ban), though generally sticking with this greeting will work well. Learn more about the language by enrolling in our Arabic language courses available from beginner to more advanced levels. You can use it when you are greeting a group or a person. Salamo Alaykom is used when speaking to groups of people. You can use Marhaba at any time of the day and in any informal occasion. A high degree of respect is paid to elders in Saudi Arabian society. In some regions however, like in the Middle East, it might be considered funny, since it is not typically used. It includes the following information: Saudi Arabia has been doing business with the outside world for decades. Heres is more about how to greet properly in Arabic: Its fine to address a group of people, but make sure you give everyone a personal greeting as well. Do not make gift lavish, it could be seen as too much and may make it difficult for them to accept it. Terms of Use| Privacy Policy. These usually deal with disputes over labor contracts, wages, rights, and work injuries, and compensations. You always feel welcome! Things are changing, however. Men shake hands. No matter how frustrating it is for your pitch to be interrupted, breathe deeply and smile politely! Entertainment will generally be same-sex only.
You can also say Sho fi ma fi. Donate to the UN Refugee Agencytoday. The governments Saudization policy, where citizens are fast-tracked into jobs, training, and promotion at the expense of expats, can stoke tensions. In the morning, you can say Sabah al-khayr meaning, good morning. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. It might take them a while to understand, but it will be funny and worth it. Important point, this is not considered to be religious and can be used in neutral form like Marhaba. Show respect for the elders by greeting them first., Accept the offer of Arabian coffee and dates even if you do not normally drink coffee., If the meal is on the floor, sit cross-legged or kneel on one knee If you are delivering a presentation, keep it succinct and not too technical; unless, of course, the subject matter dictates it. If she doesnt, keep your hand by your side. It means Peace be upon you. We come in peace! Martians How nice is it to be greeted with the word peace?
Or would you just like to show off in front of your friends that you know how to speak Arabic? Being generous with your opinions on Saudi culture, history, and achievements will be very well received.
The speaker may tweak morning of light to Morning of joy, Morning of beauty, Morning of the rose, and so on. Time spent getting to know, and gaining the trust of, business associates is time well spent.
Professional business associations are also great places to make contacts. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Entrepreneurship is flourishing in the country, too, as the government prioritizes the creation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
After some
That said, employers routinely still confiscate workers passports on arrival in the country. Prepare yourself for delays and overruns. There is little conversation during meals so that diners may relish the food. Hence, [May God] give you health.
Kifak becomes Kifik if youre speaking to a woman.
This is a general and slightly more formal way to say hello. True story. Learn how to say hello in Arabic in 14 different ways and be prepared to greet people in any Arab country and in any situation. And its not just about saying hello. LEARN ARABIC WITH OUR WIDE RANGE OF COURSES. Marhaba is the ideal general greeting: it is soft to say and is considered to be polite and neutral. Peace out.
Whos morning? A reply to Sabaho would be Sabaho or Sabah el kheir., Sabah el kheir means Good Morning and it is also used in the morning.
In Egypt, handshakes are used in greetings between two people of the same gender.
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Saudi Arabia has a comprehensive legal framework to address corruption. Article list: All the articles written by Benny and other polyglots. Long handshakes, hugs, and praise are exchanged in greeting between people of the same gender. Flexibility, open-mindedness, and a calm demeanor are essential when going into battle for business in Saudi Arabia. During negotiations, be aware that reputation and honor are important in business culture in Saudi Arabia. I wouldnt use it as a first greeting though. This is also kind of a soft and nice thing to say. This applies to all Arab countries. Local business culture revolves around personal relationships, consensus, and cohesion of the unit; whether thats family, extended family, or business. The left hand is extended to the other persons right shoulder whilst leaning in to give three kisses on the cheek (either right-left-right, or all on the same cheek). It is polite to address colleagues or superiors with the title . While line managers may have an input on planning, execution, and setting budgets, strategic decisions are typically made by a select few. Its the Arabic coffee greeting and the offering of rose water. In my humble opinion, wishing someone a happy day when you first see that person, is the sweetest greeting ever. If a female wishes to shake hands she will make it clear and if not a male should not take the initiative. You may want to have a copy of the presentation in Arabic, too. No matter where you go in Saudi Arabia you will undoubtedly be struck by the differences and often the beauty of your surroundings.
Thats why I translated it as healths and not health, because it is in the plural form, hence healths.
This is more of a Fusha a.k.a. Government initiatives have helped to root out corruption. All rights reserved. Women generally hug and kiss close friends, otherwise greet cordially with hellos. A hello in Arabic accompinied by a smile and a handshake can be used as well in Lebanon. The other person can reply in several ways such as Marhaba, Sabaho, and Sabah el kheir., Marahib is saying hello but to a group of people, and it is informal.
The other person can reply by saying Wa naharak which means and your day., Yeseed masakom means may you have a nice evening and is used in the evening. Watch him speaking in Arabic here! Youre visiting Dubai and you want to talk the talk and walk the walk. People expect to be referred to by their titles especially if they are your senior and/or elder (e.g.
When just one Hello is just not enough, you throw all the hellos at them! Acceptable topics for discussion are families, business, art, culture, and sport. Between females, greetings include hugs and two or three kisses on each cheek. There are two ways to approach this: turn up at an office on-spec and hope that Arab hospitality towards visitors lands you an off-chance meeting with a decision-maker. This might just be the head of the family if it is a family business. Youll especially want to know some of the key phrases when you experience the famous Arab hospitality. There are different greetings used for different times of the day. Abuse of power, nepotism, and the use of middlemen (wasta) to do business are particularly common. For instance, when men greet one another with a handshake, they often come face-to-face to let their noses touch. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. As Saudi Arabia becomes more business-orientated, avenues for business networking are opening up. Mr/Mrs, Uncle/Aunt, Doctor, Professor). Business culture in Saudi Arabia is unique, and understanding how things are done in the Kingdoms boardrooms, offices, and meeting venues is central to successfully doing business in the Arab worlds largest economy.