שָׁלוֹם
shalom
Shalom means peace, and Israelis say it for hello and goodbye
What it means
Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace. It comes from the root shin, lamed, mem, the root of shalem, whole or complete, so the peace it names is wholeness as much as quiet. The same word is the everyday greeting: Israelis say shalom when they meet and shalom when they part.
When Israelis say it
Shalom works at any hour, with anyone, on the phone and in a shop. It is a little formal for close friends, who say hi, ahlan or ma nishma, and it is the word in many longer greetings: Shabbat shalom, and shalom aleichem, peace be upon you.
How to answer
Answer shalom with shalom. Answer shalom aleichem with aleichem shalom, the same words turned round.
Frequently asked questions
Does shalom mean hello or goodbye?
Both, and peace. Which one is meant is clear from the moment: arriving, leaving, or a wish for a world without war.
How do you pronounce shalom?
Sha-LOM, with the stress on the second syllable and the sh as in shop.