What Does Ahlan Wa Sahlan (أهلا وسهلا) Mean in Arabic?

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Plus, how to use & respond to this warm expression

Co-authored by Mufti Samir Wahid and Devin McSween

Last Updated: August 20, 2025 Fact Checked

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Meaning

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How to Use It

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Variations

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Responding

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Related Phrases

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Video

“Ahlan wa sahlan” (أهلا وسهلا) is a warm and friendly Arabic expression that means “welcome.” People commonly use it to say a welcoming “hello” to one another. If you want to learn more about this phrase, keep on reading! In this article, we’ll explain how to use “ahlan wa sahlan,” go over some of its casual and formal variations, and tell you how to respond to this expression.

What is the meaning of “ahlan wa sahlan?”

“Ahlan wa sahlan” means “welcome.” It’s a common Arabic expression that people use to say hello and welcome someone into their home or space. The most common response is “ahlan bik,” or you can simply say “ahlan wa sahlan” back.

Section 1 of 5:

“Ahlan Wa Sahlan” Meaning

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“Ahlan wa sahlan” means “welcome” in Arabic. “Ahlan wa sahlan” (أهلا وسهلا) is a common Arabic expression that means “welcome.” It’s a warm and friendly phrase that people primarily use to greet others and say hello when inviting them into their home or another place. People sometimes say it in response to being thanked, too, just like how you say “you’re welcome” in English.^{[1]
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- Literal translation: In Arabic, “ahlan wa sahlan” literally translates to something like “you’re among people who are like family and in a place that’s comfortable, so be at ease,” which makes it a very warm and hospitable expression.
- “Ahlan wa sahlan” breakdown in Arabic:
  - Ahlan (أَهلا) means “family”
  - Wa (و) means “and”
  - Sahlan (سهلا) means “easy” or “smooth”
- Pronunciation: “ah-lan wah sah-lan”

Section 2 of 5:

How to Use “Ahlan Wa Sahlan”

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Say “ahlan wa sahlan” to greet and welcome someone into your space. You typically use “ahlan wa sahlan” to give someone a warm “hello” when welcoming them into your home or greeting them at some other location, like your workplace or favorite hangout spot. This friendly phrase is appropriate to use in all situations and among family, friends, acquaintances, and strangers.^{[2]
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- Example sentences:
  - “Ahlan wa sahlan! Please make yourself at home!”
  - “Ahlan wa sahlan! Thanks for meeting me at my office. How are you?”
- For instance, it’s common for shop owners to greet you with “ahlan wa sahlan” when you enter their store. So, if you own a business, greet your customers with “ahlan wa sahlan,” too.
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Respond with “ahlan wa sahlan” when someone thanks you. In some Arabic-speaking countries, “ahlan wa sahlan” is a common way to say “you’re welcome” after someone thanks you for helping them. In this context, “ahlan wa sahlan” means something closer to “no need to thank me” or “it’s my pleasure” instead of “hello and welcome.”^{[3]
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- Example sentences:
  - Them: “Shukran! I appreciate you helping me with my homework.”
    You: “Ahlan wa sahlan. I’m glad I could help!”

Section 3 of 5:

“Ahlan Wa Sahlan” Variations

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“Ahlan” is the shorter, more casual version of “ahlan wa sahlan.” When greeting friends, family members, and other people in more casual situations, feel free to simply say “ahlan” (أَهلا). This also means “hello and welcome,” it’s just a more informal and laid-back way to say it.^{[4]
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- Example sentences:
  - “Ahlan! I’m so glad you could make it and hang out today!”
  - “Ahlan! How was the drive to my place?”
- In some Arabic dialects, like in the Levant (Lebanon, Jordan, etc.), you might hear or see people using “ahlayn,” which is used the same way as “ahlan.”
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“Halalta ahlan wa wat'ta sahlan” is the full phrase “ahlan wa sahlan” comes from. “Halalta ahlan wa wat'ta sahlan” (حللت أهلًا ووطئت سهلًا) literally translates to something like, “May you arrive as part of the family and may you walk on an easy path as you enter.” While the shorter versions of this phrase, “ahlan wa sahlan” and “ahlan,” are more common, you might say the entire expression in very formal situations or among elder authority figures.^{[5]
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- Example sentences:
  - “Halalta ahlan wa wat'ta sahlan. Thank you for coming.”
  - “Halalta ahlan wa wat'ta sahlan. It’s an honor to have you with us.”

Section 4 of 5:

How to Respond to “Ahlan Wa Sahlan”

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Respond with “ahlan bik” or say “ahlan wa sahlan” back. The most common way to reply to “ahlan wa sahlan” is to say “ahlan bik” (أهلاًبيك). This means something like, “In you, I see my family” or “You are my family,” which returns their warm greeting. You can also respond with “ahlan wa sahlan” or “ahlan” to say “hello and welcome” right back!^{[6]
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- Example sentences:
  - Them: “Ahlan wa sahlan! I’m so glad to have you!”
    You: “Ahlan bik. Thank you for inviting me to your home!”
- “Ahlan bik” changes depending on who you’re talking to:
  - If you’re talking to a man: Say “Ahlan bik.”
  - If you’re talking to a woman: Say “Ahlan biki.”
  - If you’re talking to multiple people: Say “Ahlan bikum.”

Section 5 of 5:

Related Arabic Phrases

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There are several other warm ways to greet people in Arabic. While “ahlan wa sahlan” is one of the more common ways to say “hello and welcome” in Arabic, there are plenty of other phrases that you can use to greet others. Check out some of these other common expressions below:
- Marhaban (مرحبا) means “Welcome” or “Hello.”^{[7]
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- As-salamu alaikum (السلام عليكم) means “Peace be upon you” and is a common way to say, “Hello,” according to Islam expert Mufti Samir Wahid.^{[8]
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- Sabah al-khayr (صباح الخير) means “Good morning.”^{[9]
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- Masaa’ al-khayr (مساء الخير) means “Good afternoon” or “Good evening.”