Phrases
Shlonak: How to Greet Someone in Iraqi Arabic
شلونك
shlonak
How are you?
The most important word you'll learn
In Iraqi Arabic, شلونك (shlonak) is the go-to way to ask someone how they're doing. You'll hear it everywhere — on the street, in shops, at family gatherings. It's warm, casual, and instantly signals that you're speaking Iraqi dialect rather than textbook Arabic.
Male vs female form
Like many Arabic words, shlonak changes depending on who you're talking to. Use شلونك (shlonak) with a man and شلونج (shlonich) with a woman. When speaking to a group, say شلونكم (shlonkum).
شلونك
shlonak
How are you? (to a man)
شلونج
shlonich
How are you? (to a woman)
شلونكم
shlonkum
How are you all?
How to respond
The most natural response is زين، الحمدلله (zain, ilhamdilla) — roughly 'Good, thank God.' You can also just say زين (zain) on its own, which means good or fine. Iraqis also love responding with هلا والله (hala wallah), a warm all-purpose expression of positivity.
زين، الحمدلله
zain, ilhamdilla
Good, thank God
A full mini-conversation
Here's what a typical Iraqi greeting exchange sounds like:
هلا، شلونك؟
hala, shlonak?
Hey, how are you?
زين، الحمدلله. وشلونك أنت؟
zain, ilhamdilla. w-shlonak inta?
Good, thank God. And how are you?
هلا والله، زين زين
hala wallah, zain zain
Great, really good!
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