ما أخبارك؟

You can use this phrase with almost anyone you know. To a male friend, say أخبارك إيه؟ (Akhbarak eh?). To a female friend, change the suffix to أخباركِ إيه؟ (Akhbarik eh?). If you are talking to a group, use أخباركم إيه؟ (Akhbarkum eh?). It usually comes right after the initial Salam or Marhaba. The most common response is تمام، الحمد لله (Tamam, alhamdulillah), which means "Great, thank God."

Use it when you walk into a coffee shop to meet a friend. It is perfect for the start of a phone call. Use it when you see a colleague in the office kitchen. It is also a great way to restart a conversation over text. If you haven't seen someone in a few days, this is your go-to phrase. It makes you sound like a local who understands the rhythm of daily life.

Avoid using this in extremely formal settings. Do not say it to a judge in court. Avoid it during a very serious job interview with a high-level executive. It might feel a bit too relaxed for a first-time meeting with someone much older. In those cases, stick to the formal كيف حالك؟ (Kayfa haluk?). Also, don't use it if someone is clearly in the middle of a crisis. It might seem a bit too lighthearted for a heavy moment.

In Arabic culture, social bonds are everything. Asking about "news" reflects a deep-seated interest in the well-being of the community. It is not just small talk; it is a way of maintaining connections. Historically, news traveled through people, not apps. Asking for someone's news was the only way to stay informed. Today, even with social media, this phrase remains the heart of Egyptian and Levantine greetings. It signals that you are part of the inner circle.

You will hear many versions of this phrase. إيه الأخبار؟ (Eh el-akhbar?) means "What's the news?" and is even more casual. إيه أخبارك؟ (Eh akhbarak?) is just a slight word flip. In some regions, people might say شلونك؟ (Shlonak?) or عامل إيه؟ (Amil eh?). However, أخبارك إيه؟ is understood by almost every Arabic speaker. It is especially popular in Egypt, the cultural hub of the Arab world. Use it and watch people smile.