52 Part I: Getting Started

Arabic phrases and terms, youll notice that the reference to Allah is wide-
spread. Modern Arabic evolved from the Koran, and many everyday phrases
still contain religious references. Thats why a phrase as mundane as Im
doing well takes on religious overtones.

A greeting wouldnt be complete if both sides didnt address each other. So

after you say al-Hamdu li-llah, shukran, you need to ask the other person
how he or she is doing:

If youre speaking with a man, you say wa anta kayf al-Haal (wa an-ta
ka-yef al-haal; And you, how are you?).
If youre speaking with a woman, you say wa anti kayf al-Haal (wa an-
tee ka-yef al-haal; And you, how are you?).

Talkin the Talk

Myriam and Lisa, who are both students at the university, greet
each other at the school entrance.

Myriam: as-salaamu alaykum!

as-salaam-ou a-lai-koum!
Hello!

Lisa: wa alaykum as-salaam!

wah a-lai-koum as-salaam!
Hello!

Myriam: kayf al-Haal?

ka-yef al-haal?
How are you?

Lisa: al-Hamdu li-llah, shukran. wa anti, kayf al-Haal?

al-ham-dou lee-lah, shouk-ran. wah an-tee,
ka-yef al-haal?
Im doing well, thank you. And you, how are you?

Myriam: al-Hamdu li-llah, shukran.

al-ham-dou lee-lah, shouk-ran.
Im doing well, thank you!

Lisa: ilaa al-ghad!

ee-laa al-gad!
Ill see you tomorrow!

Myriam: ilaa al-ghad!

ee-laa al-gad!
Ill see you tomorrow!