Marhaban

Marhaban is a common Arabic greeting used to welcome someone and to say hello. It is widely used in Arabic-speaking countries and communities. The form marhaban can be used on its own or as part of longer phrases such as marhaban bik, meaning “welcome to you,” or simply marhaban in response to someone arriving. A more universal greeting in many contexts is ahlan wa sahlan.

Etymology and variations: The word derives from the Arabic root R-H-B, associated with spaciousness and hospitality, and thus with a warm welcome. In Standard Arabic it is written marhaban, with variants such as marhaba, marhaban, or marḥabān depending on dialect. Transliterations vary: marhaban, marhaba, and merhaba are common in different regions and in Turkish usage, where the form merhaba is widely heard.

Regional usage: In the Levant, Gulf, and North Africa, marhaban is a standard greeting. In everyday speech in the Maghreb you may also hear marhaba or merhaba, while in the Gulf marḥaban is particularly common. In many contexts, marhaban serves to greet guests, customers, or hosts, and signage or media may use it as a friendly welcome.

Cultural notes: Hospitality is a central value in many Arab cultures, and greetings such as marhaban reflect this emphasis. The phrase is also used as a given name in some communities and appears in music and popular media as a symbol of welcome.