How are you?
ديسمبر 19th, 2007كَيفَ الحال؟ (kayf hal) - How are you?
Alternatively, one might say “Keyf heh lak” (to a male) or keyf heh lik (to a female).
When asked this question, one is expected to respond positively, no matter what one is feeling. You should answer by saying الحَمدُ لِلةِ بِخَير (al-hamdu lila bikheer) which translates as “Thank God, I am well”. بخَير الحَمدُ لِلةِ (bikheer al-hamdu lila) is also acceptable.
Alternative to “how are you?” in Egypt:
Izzayyak (to a male); response: Kwayyis, il-hamdu lillaah, which means “fine, thank you”;
Izzayyik (to a female); response: Kwayyisa, il-hamdu lilaah;
Izzayyukum (to a group); response: Kwayyisiin, il hamdu lilaah;
Other questions:
Izzaay il-awlaad - how are the children?
Izzaay il-madaam - how is madam? (your wife)
