![\"A](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/arabic\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/05\/5456508340_767c17c1dd_o-1-350x197.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Today, we\u2019ll be looking at the interesting culture of saying \u2018goodbye\u2019 in Arabic and the linguistic phrases used in this ritual. Saying goodbye in the Arab world is not as simple as you think it is, so let\u2019s find out why.<\/p>\n
When starting a conversation, Arabic speakers usually say these phrases below, meaning \u2018hello\u2019:<\/p>\n
(\u064a\u0627 \u0647\u0644\u0627)<\/p>\n
(Ya) Hala<\/p>\n
(hello)<\/p>\n
Or<\/p>\n
\u064a\u0627 \u0623\u0647\u0644\u0627 \u0648\u0633\u0647\u0644\u0627<\/p>\n
Ya ahla w sahla<\/p>\n
(Hellow and welcome)<\/p>\n
\u0647\u0644\u0627 \u0648\u0627\u0644\u0644\u0647<\/p>\n
Hala wallah<\/p>\n
(Hello!)<\/p>\n
However, these same greetings are equally used to end a conversation!<\/p>\n
This interesting way of saying goodbye and the language used to express that (as I mentioned above) might – some people say – be a reflection or a metaphor of how affectionate and warm Arabs can be. Also, using \u2018hello\u2019 to mean \u2018goodbye\u2019 could be telling something about Arabic speakers\u2019 mind-set and how they view the idea of \u2018goodbye\u2019 and what it stands for. So, rather than just considering ending a meeting or a conversation, they instead consider the end of one meeting a mere transition to another meeting. This is manifested in some of the phrases used in saying goodbye, for example, the most popular way of ending a conversation is to say either:<\/p>\n
\u0625\u0644\u0649 \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0642\u0627\u0621<\/p>\n
ila al-liqaa<\/p>\n
(until we meet)<\/p>\n
Or<\/p>\n
\u0628\u0634\u0648\u0641\u0643 \u0628\u0639\u062f\u064a\u0646<\/p>\n
Bshoof-ak ba\u2019deen<\/p>\n
(See you later)<\/p>\n
These two expressions make this idea of linking the current meeting to the next one in the future quite clear.<\/p>\n
Also, this culture of saying \u2018goodbye\u2019 in the Arab world and the meaning behind it isn\u2019t only highlighted through the linguistic terms used for it, but is also manifested culturally and in every-day manners. Another interesting aspect to do with saying \u2018goodbye\u2019 in the Arab world is that saying goodbye can take a very long time! It\u2019s either because people are used start a new, long and a serious conversation at the front door and talk or that because they find it hard to say goodbye! Another \u2018cultural\u2019 reason a goodbye is done in many stages and is slightly longer than usual maybe to do with the assumption that leaving abruptly can be regarded a bit rude by the host. Although this can be considered a stereotype and there\u2019s an element of exaggeration in it as it\u2019s not necessarily the case among all Arabs, it\u2019s considered more like a habit and Arabs themselves are aware of it and joke about it.<\/p>\n
For example, there is a page http:\/\/arabproblems.tumblr.com\/<\/a> called \u2018Arabproblems\u2019 that is dedicated to talk about funny anecdotes associated with Arabs and Arabic speakers. The amount of time saying goodbye takes is something the page\u2019s admin(s) makes fun of and considers a problem (see photo below). He even goes to giving it a number<\/a> (#185), together with the rest of the problems!<\/p>\n From www.arabproblems.tumblr.com<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Today, we\u2019ll be looking at the interesting culture of saying \u2018goodbye\u2019 in Arabic and the linguistic phrases used in this ritual. Saying goodbye in the Arab world is not as simple as you think it is, so let\u2019s find out why. When starting a conversation, Arabic speakers usually say these phrases below, meaning \u2018hello\u2019: (\u064a\u0627…<\/p>\n![\"Arab](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/arabic\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/05\/Untitled-350x220.png\")