salam سلام
Algerian Darja · interjection
“salam” (سلام) is an interjection in Algerian Darja meaning hi, hello.
Meanings
- hi, hello
- bye, so long (when leaving)
- peace
Usage
A short greeting formula, abbreviated from "essalamou 3alikoum". It is used on arriving as well as on leaving, which can throw an English speaker off: at the end of a message or video, "salam" means "goodbye". The register is casual-neutral, suitable among friends, colleagues or strangers. In online writing, the abbreviation "slm" is common. The sense "peace" appears mostly in religious or formal expressions. The usual reply is "salam" or "wa 3alikoum salam".
Example
سلام خويا، واش راك؟
salam khouya, wach rak ?
“Hi brother, how are you?”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “salam” but also “slm”, “slam” and “salem”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Type “salam” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “hello, hi (greeting)”; “peace”: salam in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “hello, hi (greeting)”; “peace”: salam in Tunisian.