selam

Selam is a word used as a greeting in Turkish and as a word meaning "peace" in Ethiopian Semitic languages such as Amharic and Tigrinya. The term originates from the Arabic salaam, meaning peace or safety, and entered Turkish via forms used in the Ottoman period, where it took the form selam.

In Turkish, selam functions as an informal greeting equivalent to "hi" or "hello." It is commonly used in daily conversation among friends and family. In religious contexts, speakers may also use the longer phrase Selamün Aleyküm, borrowed from Arabic and meaning "peace be upon you."

In Amharic, Tigrinya, and related languages, selam literally means "peace" and is a standard greeting. The word appears at the start of conversations and is a polite way to address someone. It also serves as a common term in Ethiopian and Eritrean popular and cultural usage.

Selam is also used as a given name in Ethiopia and among people of Ethiopian descent. As a name, it carries the meaning of peace and is used for both genders in some communities, though it is more frequently given to girls.

Variations include "Salam" in Arabic-speaking regions and Persian-speaking areas, and "Selam" in Turkish contexts; these forms are cognate and share the same semantic root.