Assalomu alaykum / Salom
Greetings: Assalomu Alaykum and Salom
Greet with Assalomu alaykum, and reply with Va alaykum assalom. Say Salom to friends.
How It Works
The respectful greeting. Assalomu alaykum fits any time of day and any person. The reply is Va alaykum assalom (and peace be upon you too). You will also see the reply written as Vaalaykum assalom. Both spellings are accepted.
- — Assalomu alaykum, ustoz! — Va alaykum assalom! (— Hello, teacher! — Hello!)
The casual greeting. Salom means hi. Use it with friends, classmates and younger people: Salom, Aziz! Hammaga salom! (Hi, everyone!)
Time-of-day greetings. Xayrli tong (good morning) and Xayrli kun (good day) are also common.
What comes next. A greeting is usually followed by a question about the other person, such as Yaxshimisiz? (Are you well?). Use siz forms to show respect and sen forms with close friends: Qalaysiz? or Qalaysan? (How are you?)
Custom. The younger person usually greets first. Many people place the right hand on the chest while greeting.
Spelling: the official spelling is alaykum, with a. Aleykum is a common mistake.
Examples (6)
- Assalomu alaykum, ustoz!
Hello, teacher!
Word by Word: Peace upon-you, teacher!
The respectful greeting, right for a teacher.
- Va alaykum assalom!
Hello to you too!
Word by Word: And upon-you peace!
The reply to Assalomu alaykum.
- Salom, Aziz! Qalaysan?
Hi, Aziz! How are you?
Word by Word: Hi, Aziz! How-are-you?
Casual: Salom and the sen form qalaysan, for a friend.
- Hammaga salom!
Hi, everyone!
Word by Word: To-everyone hi!
- Xayrli tong, dada!
Good morning, Dad!
Word by Word: Good morning, Dad!
- Assalomu alaykum, yaxshimisiz?
Hello, how are you?
Word by Word: Peace upon-you, are-you-well?
The greeting is usually followed by a question about the other person.
Common Mistakes
Spelling alaykum as aleykum.
Assalomu aleykum!Assalomu alaykum!The official Uzbek spelling has a in both places: alaykum. Aleykum is a common mistake in online writing.
Opening a conversation with the reply Va alaykum assalom.
Va alaykum assalom, ustoz!Assalomu alaykum, ustoz!Va alaykum assalom means "and peace upon you too", so it only answers someone who greeted you first. When you speak first, say Assalomu alaykum.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Builds on You (Polite or Plural).
Related Patterns
- Yaxshimisiz?How Are You?
Yaxshimisiz? (Are you well?) usually follows the greeting.
Level 1 - XayrGoodbye
Xayr (goodbye) closes the conversation that the greeting opens.
Level 1 - senYou (Familiar)
Friends you greet with Salom are usually addressed with sen.
Level 1 - Xush kelibsizWelcome
Hosts often greet a guest with Assalomu alaykum and then Xush kelibsiz.
Level 1 - Ismingiz nima?Asking Someone's Name
After greeting someone new, you ask their name.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Assalomu alaykum / Salom in Bubblegum
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