Spending Eid in Saudi Arabia is a vibrant, joyous experience. But when you're visiting a Saudi friend's house or returning to the office after the holidays, sticking to a plain 'Happy Eid' in English might feel a bit lacking. Knowing exactly how to greet people on Eid in the local dialect will instantly earn you smiles and appreciation.
The Universal Greeting
If you only learn one phrase, make it this one. It works everywhere, with everyone, in all situations.
عيد مبارك
Eid Mubarak
Blessed Eid
The standard Islamic greeting across the world.
كل عام وأنتم بخير
Kull aam wa antum bikhayr
May you be well every year
Extremely common in Saudi Arabia. Usually follows 'Eid Mubarak'.
The Most Saudi Eid Greetings
If you want to sound exactly like a local, you need to use the traditional Saudi Eid greetings. These are the phrases you'll hear endlessly in majalis during the holiday.
من العايدين والفايزين
Min al-a'ideen wal fa'izeen
May you be among those who return to Eid and succeed
A classic Saudi Eid greeting.
عساكم من عواده
Asakum min awwadah
May you witness this occasion again for many years
A very warm local Saudi greeting, especially familiar in Najdi speech.
تقبل الله منا ومنكم
Taqabbal Allah minna wa minkum
May Allah accept from us and from you
Often said after prayer during Eid.
How to Reply?
The easiest rule of thumb for Arabic greetings is to simply return the same greeting back. If someone says 'Eid Mubarak!', you reply 'Eid Mubarak!' However, if they use the local greetings, you can reply:
وأنتم بخير
Wa antum bikhayr
And may you be well
The most natural reply to 'Kull aam wa antum bikhayr'.
منا ومنكم
Minna wa minkum
From us and from you
The perfect reply to 'Taqabbal Allah'.
Don't overthink it! Saudis are extremely welcoming. If you mix up the responses, simply smiling and saying 'Eid Mubarak' or 'Wa antum bikhayr' is completely fine!
Eid greetings are a beautiful start, but Saudi Arabic is something you'll use every single day, not just once a year. The same warm reaction you get for 'Eid Mubarak' happens when you greet a colleague, order coffee, or talk to a taxi driver in their own dialect.
Go from one-off Eid phrases to real everyday conversations. Start with a free lesson built around the situations you actually live, greetings, restaurants, taxis, and daily small talk.