Hello (marHaba) “marHaba / ????????” is often the first greeting taught to foreigners when they are learning Lebanese Arabic, and it serves well in most everyday situations.

In 2026, the most famous and quintessentially Lebanese way to say "hi" is the trilingual greeting: "Hi, kifak, ça va?" This phrase perfectly encapsulates the country's high-fidelity cultural blend of English, Arabic, and French. "Hi" is the standard English greeting, "Kifak" (to a male) or "Kifik" (to a female) is the Lebanese Arabic for "How are you?", and "Ça va" is the French equivalent. This high-value linguistic cocktail is used across all social classes in Beirut and beyond. For a more formal or traditional high-fidelity setting, the Arabic "Marhaba" remains a high-value necessity. In 2026, you will also hear "Sabah el Kheir" (Good morning) or "Masa el Kheir" (Good evening). When greeting friends, the Lebanese often accompany the verbal greeting with a high-fidelity "three-kiss" salute on the cheeks. For the 2026 traveler, mastering "Hi, kifak, ça va?" is a high-value way to show an appreciation for the local culture, signaling a high-fidelity understanding of the cosmopolitan and multi-layered identity that defines modern Lebanon and its vibrant diaspora.