How to Say Welcome in Arabic
How to say welcome in Arabic: say 'Ahlan wa sahlan' (أهلاً وسهلاً, AH-lan wa SAH-lan). For 'you're welcome' use 'Afwan' (عفواً). Full guide with script and pronunciation.
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Quick answer
To welcome someone in Arabic, say 'Ahlan wa sahlan' (أهلاً وسهلاً, AH-lan wa SAH-lan), a warm 'welcome.' For 'you're welcome' as a reply to thanks, say 'Afwan' (عفواً, AF-wan). Note that English 'welcome' has two distinct meanings in Arabic.
أهلاً وسهلاً
/AH-lan wa SAH-lan/ — Arabic
How to Say Welcome in Arabic
The English word “welcome” has two meanings — welcoming a guest, and replying “you’re welcome” — and Arabic handles each differently. The famous, heartfelt welcome is Ahlan wa sahlan.
Welcoming a Guest: Ahlan wa Sahlan
أهلاً وسهلاً — pronounced AH-lan wa SAH-lan
This is the classic Arabic welcome, full of warmth. It is said when greeting a guest, a newcomer or a visitor. The shorter أهلاً (Ahlan) is a friendly “welcome/hi” on its own.
A guest can reply with أهلاً بك (Ahlan bik, to a man) or أهلاً بكِ (Ahlan biki, to a woman).
Copy the Phrase
The Arabic for welcome is أهلاً وسهلاً (Ahlan wa sahlan, AH-lan wa SAH-lan).
”You’re Welcome” — Replying to Thanks
When someone thanks you (Shukran), reply with:
- عفواً (Afwan, AF-wan) — “you’re welcome” / “no problem”
- العفو (Al-afw, al-AFW) — “not at all”
- لا شكر على واجب (La shukr ala wajib) — “no thanks needed; it was a duty”
Do not use Ahlan wa sahlan here — that is only for welcoming someone.
All the Ways to Say Welcome in Arabic
| Arabic | Transliteration | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| أهلاً وسهلاً | Ahlan wa sahlan | AH-lan wa SAH-lan | Welcome (warm) |
| أهلاً | Ahlan | AH-lan | Welcome / hi |
| أهلاً بك | Ahlan bik (m) | AH-lan bik | Welcome to you |
| أهلاً بكِ | Ahlan biki (f) | AH-lan BI-ki | Welcome to you |
| مرحباً بك | Marhaban bik | MAR-ha-ban bik | You are welcome here |
| عفواً | Afwan | AF-wan | You’re welcome (reply) |
| تفضل / تفضلي | Tafaddal / Tafaddali | ta-FAD-dal | Please, come in / go ahead |
”Come In, Please”: Tafaddal
A key word of welcome is تفضل (Tafaddal, to a man) / تفضلي (Tafaddali, to a woman). It means “please, go ahead” — used to invite someone to enter, sit, or help themselves to food. It is a cornerstone of Arab hospitality.
Formal vs. Informal
- Warm welcome: Ahlan wa sahlan — guests, visitors, formal or friendly.
- Casual: Ahlan on its own — quick and friendly.
- You’re welcome (reply): Afwan (neutral), Al-afw (modest), La shukr ala wajib (gracious).
Pronunciation Tips
- Ahlan begins with a clear “AH”; the ‘h’ is soft and breathy.
- In sahlan, the ‘h’ is again gentle — do not harden it.
- Afwan is “AF-wan,” stress on the first syllable.
- Tafaddal has a doubled, emphatic ‘d’: ta-FAD-dal.
Cultural Notes
Hospitality (karam) is central to Arab culture, and Ahlan wa sahlan embodies it — the phrase essentially tells a guest “you are among family, and your way is made easy.” Hosts welcome visitors warmly, often with coffee, tea or dates, and repeated invitations to tafaddal (help yourself). Greeting a guest with Ahlan wa sahlan and a genuine smile sets exactly the right tone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say welcome in Arabic?
To welcome a guest, say 'Ahlan wa sahlan' (أهلاً وسهلاً), pronounced AH-lan wa SAH-lan — a warm welcome. The shorter 'Ahlan' (أهلاً) also works. For 'you're welcome' (reply to thanks), say 'Afwan' (عفواً).
How do you pronounce Ahlan wa sahlan?
Say AH-lan wa SAH-lan. 'Ahlan' starts with a soft 'A,' and 'sahlan' has a gentle, breathy 'h.' 'Wa' means 'and.' The whole phrase flows warmly as a single welcome.
What does Ahlan wa sahlan literally mean?
It comes from an old expression meaning roughly 'you have come to family (ahl) and to ease/level ground (sahl).' In other words, 'you are among family and your path is smooth' — a heartfelt welcome wishing the guest comfort.
What is the difference between welcome (greeting) and you're welcome (reply) in Arabic?
English 'welcome' covers two ideas. To welcome a guest, use 'Ahlan wa sahlan' (أهلاً وسهلاً). To reply 'you're welcome' after someone says thank you, use 'Afwan' (عفواً) or 'Al-afw' (العفو). Arabic keeps these separate.
How do you reply to Ahlan wa sahlan?
A common warm reply is 'Ahlan bik' (أهلاً بك, to a man) or 'Ahlan biki' (to a woman), meaning 'welcome to you too / glad to be here.' You can also simply say 'Shukran' (thank you) to a warm welcome.