Algeria Connect · First Words: Algerian Arabic · Lesson 1 of 10

Greetings and goodbyes

Hello, how are you, and goodbye — a complete Algerian conversation.

Listen — recorded by a native speaker

This is lesson 1 of ten in First Words: Algerian Arabic, a free email course — join here.

The words

salamhi — casual, works everywhereسلام
es-salamu 3likumhello — warmer, more formalالسلام عليكم
w 3likum es-salamhello back — the reply to the aboveوعليكم السلام
sba7 el-khirgood morningصباح الخير
wesh rak?how are you? (to a man)واش راك؟
wesh raki?how are you? (to a woman)واش راكي؟
shrak? / shraki?the local shortcut — same question, fasterشراك؟
labas?all good? — also the answer: labasلاباس؟
el-7amdulillahfine, thank Godالحمد لله
w enta? / w enti?and you? (m / f)وانتَ؟ / وانتِ؟
besslamagoodbyeبالسلامة
allah ysellmekthe reply to goodbyeالله يسلّمك
tesba7 3la khirgoodnightتصبح على خير
3asslamawelcome! — greeting someone who’s arrivedعسلامة
mar7ba bik / bikiwelcome (to a man / to a woman) — used with 3asslama or on its ownمرحبا بيك / بيكي

The dialogue

Try each line yourself first — the effort of recalling is exactly what makes it stick. Tap a line only when you’re stuck, and its translation appears.

salam! wesh rak?

Hi! How are you?

labas, el-7amdulillah. w enta?

All good, thank God. And you?

labas!

All good!

besslama.

Goodbye.

allah ysellmek.

The reply to goodbye — God keep you safe.

First Words: Algerian Arabic — an email course in eastern Algerian Darja.
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