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"Shalom" (shah-lohm) is the Hebrew language's general, all-purpose greeting. While it literally means "peace," it is also used as a greeting and a farewell.[1] However, there are also other ways to greet people in Hebrew, depending on the time of day. Some time-specific greetings are used to say "hello," while others are more appropriately used when you're ending a conversation and taking your leave.[2]
Steps
Say "shalom" in any situation. If you want to greet someone in Hebrew, "shalom" (shah-lohm) is the main word to use. It's appropriate as a greeting regardless of the context, the age of the person you're greeting, or how well you know them.[3]- On the Sabbath (Saturday) you can also say "Shabbat Shalom" (shah-baht shah-lohm), which literally means "Sabbath peace" or "peaceful Sabbath."
Switch up your greeting by saying "shalom aleikhem" (shah-lohm ah-ley-khem). This greeting is commonly used in Israel. Like "shalom" by itself, it's appropriate in any situation when greeting anyone.[4]- This greeting is related to the Arabic greeting "salaam alaikum" and both greetings mean literally the same thing: "peace upon you." There's a lot of overlap between Arabic and Hebrew because the two languages belong to the same language family.
Pronunciation Tip: The last syllable is usually stressed in Hebrew words, regardless of how many syllables the word has.
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Use "ahlan" (ah-hah-lahn) to say "hi" more casually. "Ahlan" is borrowed from Arabic. Hebrew speakers use it in the same way Arabic speakers do, as a simple "hi." While it's far more casual than "shalom," you can still use it to greet anyone, young or old, in casual contexts.[5]- In a more formal situation, or when speaking to someone in a position of authority, this may be too casual a greeting.
Tip: You can also just say "hey" or "hi" as you would in English. However, these greetings are considered extremely casual and are only appropriate with people you know well who are around the same age as you or younger.
Say "boker tov" (boh-kehr tahv) to greet people in the morning. "Boker tov" is a general greeting that you can use instead of "shalom" as long as it's before midday. It's suitable in any context, regardless of who you're greeting.[6]- Israelis may respond "boker or," which means "morning light." This phrase is only used in response to "boker tov." You can also respond by simply saying "boker tov" back.
Try "tzoharaim tovim" (tsoh-hah-rye-ihm tahv-ihm) as a greeting around noon. The phrase "tzoharaim tovim" literally means "good midday." While you may hear it anytime after noon and before sunset, it's generally more appropriate in the early afternoon.[7]- If you want to use this phrase later in the afternoon, but before evening, add "akhar" (ahk-hahr) to the beginning of it. Since "tzoharaim tovim" means "good midday," "akhar tzoharaim tovim" means "good after-midday" or "good afternoon." This phrase can be used until the sun sets.[8]
Pronunciation Tip: The word "tzoharaim" can be challenging to pronounce if you're a new Hebrew speaker. Remember that the word has four syllables. The "ts" at the beginning of the word sounds like the "ts" in the English word "cats."
Switch to "erev tov" (ehr-ehv tahv) after the sun sets. This phrase means "good evening," and is appropriate as a greeting after the sun sets, but before late night. This is a more formal phrase that you probably wouldn't use around friends or people your own age. However, it's appropriate to use in shops, restaurants, or when greeting a stranger – particularly if they are older than you and you want to sound polite.[9]- In response to "erev tov," many people will simply say "erev tov" back. They may also say "shalom" or ask how you're doing or how they can help you.
Use "lilah tov" (lie-lah tahv) late at night. This phrase literally means "good night," and is used as both a greeting and a farewell in Hebrew. It's appropriate in any context, regardless of who you're greeting.[10]- If someone says "lilah tov" to you, it's appropriate to say "lilah tov" back. You can also simply say "shalom."
Use "shalom" (shah-lohm) to mean also "goodbye." In Hebrew, "shalom" is an all-purpose greeting that can be used both when you're meeting someone and when you're parting ways. If you're not sure exactly what to say, this is an appropriate word to use.[11]- "Shalom" is appropriate with anyone, regardless of how old you are or how well you know them.
Try "lehitra'ot" (leh-hiht-rah-oht) as an alternative to "shalom." "Lehitra'ot" is more like saying "see you later," but it's also used as a standard way of saying "goodbye" in Israel. If you learn any other way to say "goodbye" other than "shalom," learn this.[12]- This is a little more difficult to pronounce than other basic Hebrew words, such as "shalom," but if you travel to Israel, you'll hear it quite a bit. Just start slow and practice your pronunciation. A native speaker can help you.
Switch to "yom tov" (yahm tahv) to wish someone a good day. Just as you might say "have a good day" in English when you're parting ways with someone, Hebrew speakers say "yom tov." While this phrase literally means "good day," it's only used as a parting or farewell phrase, never as a greeting.[13]- You can also say "yom nifla" (yahm nee-flah), which means "have a wonderful day." It's a little more enthusiastic than "yom tov," but it's also appropriate in any context with any person.
Alternative: After the end of Shabbat or during the first few days of the week, replace "yom" with "shavua" (shah-vooh-ah) to which someone a nice week ahead.
Say "bye" or "yalla bye" to your friends. The word "yalla" comes from Arabic and doesn't have an exact English equivalent. However, it's a word that Hebrew speakers use often. Essentially, it means "time to go" or "time to move on."[14]- This phrase is informal and casual, so it's best used between friends or when talking to people your age or younger.
Community Q&A
- QuestionHow do you respond when someone says “shalom”?
How.com.vn Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerHow.com.vn Staff EditorStaff AnswerYou can simply say it back! Shalom is a simple, straightforward greeting, much like ahlan (but slightly more formal). - QuestionWhat does “shana tova” mean in English?How.com.vn Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerHow.com.vn Staff EditorStaff AnswerShana tova literally means “good year,” with “shana” meaning year and “tova” meaning good. It’s a traditional Rosh Hoshana/Jewish New Year’s greeting. - QuestionWhat is the proper greeting for Passover?How.com.vn Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerHow.com.vn Staff EditorStaff AnswerThere are several greetings you can use, but “chag Pesach sameach” is a good option. It simply means “Happy Passover festival!”
Tips
References
- ↑ https://jewsforjesus.org/publications/inherit/what-is-shalom-the-true-meaning
- ↑ https://www.interfaithfamily.com/holidays/shabbat_and_other_holidays/_jewish_greetings_cheat_sheet/
- ↑ https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/hebrew-greetings-and-congratulations
- ↑ https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/hebrew-greetings-and-congratulations
- ↑ https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/israeli-culture/israeli-culture-greetings
- ↑ https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/israeli-culture/israeli-culture-greetings
- ↑ https://www.doitinhebrew.com/blog/The-5-Most-Important-Greetings-in-Hebrew.aspx
- ↑ https://omniglot.com/language/phrases/hebrew.php
- ↑ https://omniglot.com/language/phrases/hebrew.php
- ↑ https://www.interfaithfamily.com/holidays/shabbat_and_other_holidays/_jewish_greetings_cheat_sheet/
- ↑ https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/hebrew-greetings-and-congratulations
- ↑ https://www.doitinhebrew.com/blog/The-5-Most-Important-Greetings-in-Hebrew.aspx
- ↑ https://www.lingualift.com/blog/hebrew-greetings/
- ↑ https://www.lingualift.com/blog/hebrew-greetings/
About This Article
While “shalom” is the Hebrew language’s general greeting, which literally means “peace,” there are other greetings that you can use for variety or to be more specific to the time of day. If you typically use “shalom” but want to switch it up a bit, say “shalom aleikhem,” which is commonly used in Israel and is appropriate in any situation. For a more casual greeting, try “ahlan,” which means “hi.” To greet people in the morning, try “boker tov,” and use “tzoharaim tovim” for good afternoon. After the sun sets, switch to “erev tov,” and late at night use “lilah tov.” To learn how to say goodbye in Hebrew, keep reading!
Reader Success Stories
"Helped me to greet a client who speaks English as first language, and Hebrew conversationally. She typically greets her friends with good morning or good night (in Hebrew), but never good afternoon. My simple gesture/greeting of good afternoon (tzaraiim tovim) has made her smile, and has guaranteed additional business with my client. "..." more
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