كيف حالك؟

When to use

This phrase is used as a follow-up greeting after initial pleasantries, like 'hello' or 'nice to meet you'.

How it works

'Kayfa' means 'how', and 'haluk' combines 'hal' (state/condition) with the second-person masculine singular possessive suffix '-ka' (your).

• كَيْفَ: how
• حَالُكَ: your state/condition (masculine singular)

Gender and Address

To ask a female 'How are you?', you would say 'kayfa haluki?' (كَيْفَ حَالُكِ؟). The suffix changes from '-ka' to '-ki'.

Pronunciation Nuances

The 'h' sound in 'haluk' (حَالُكَ) is a voiceless fricative produced in the throat, distinct from the softer 'h' sound (ه).

Notes

Friendly greeting after hello. Neutral polite wording.