Ramadan 2026 starts on the evening of 17 February. If you work alongside Muslim colleagues, have Muslim neighbours, or have been invited to an iftar for the first time, the next few weeks will be full of Arabic phrases floating past you. Some of them you will half recognise. Most of them will have a specific reply attached, which nobody will tell you directly because it feels obvious to them. I wrote a shorter piece on this last year for people who had never encountered Ramadan before. This year I want to go further, because a surprising number of my students ask me the same small questions every February, and the answers are worth writing down properly.
The greeting that opens Ramadan
You will hear two phrases more than any other. The first is Ramadan Kareem (رمضان كريم), which translates roughly as "a generous Ramadan". The second is Ramadan Mubarak (رمضان مبارك), meaning "a blessed Ramadan". Both are lovely. Both are acceptable from a non-Muslim. Mubarak leans slightly more religious, Kareem slightly more social, but either works everywhere. If someone greets you with one of these, the traditional reply is Allahu akram (الله أكرم), meaning "God is more generous". That response is specifically a Muslim one, so if you are not Muslim and feel uncomfortable with it, "Ramadan Kareem to you too" in English is perfectly fine and warmly received.
The quieter greetings at work
In an office or hospital or school with Muslim colleagues, the tone shifts slightly during Ramadan. Energy drops in the afternoon. The fasting is not dramatic but it is real. If you want to acknowledge it without making a fuss, a simple "Ramadan Kareem" at the start of the month is plenty. You do not need to say it every morning. Once at the start, a gentle "hope the fast is going well" mid-way, and you are being thoughtful without being overbearing. Please do not apologise for eating in front of a colleague who is fasting. They are not bothered. They have done this many times. Apologising draws attention to it.
If you are invited to iftar
Iftar is the evening meal that breaks the daily fast, taken at sunset. If you are invited, say yes. It is one of the warmest meals you will ever sit at. Traditionally the fast is broken with dates and water, following the Prophet's practice, and then a full meal follows. Two phrases that go with iftar: sahtein (صحتين), which loosely means "to your good health" and is said when someone starts eating; and yislamu ideyki (يسلمو ايديكي), meaning "bless your hands", which you say to whoever cooked. Saying the second one to the cook, even in broken Arabic, will be remembered. It lands that well.
"Saying yislamu ideyki to the cook, even in broken Arabic, will be remembered. It lands that well."
The late-night gatherings
One thing people often miss about Ramadan is that it is not, primarily, about hunger. It is about gathering. After iftar, families and friends sit up talking until very late, often with sweet tea and pastries. If you are invited to one of these evenings, you may hear people say Ramadan yejma3na (رمضان يجمعنا), meaning "Ramadan brings us together". It is the sentiment of the whole month in one phrase. The second half of the month, particularly the last ten nights, is considered the most sacred, with more time spent in prayer and reflection.
Wishing someone a blessed Eid in advance
The month ends with Eid al-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast. In 2026, Eid is expected around 18 or 19 March, depending on the moon sighting. In the last days of Ramadan, it is traditional to start exchanging Eid greetings. The core phrase is Eid Mubarak (عيد مبارك), meaning "a blessed Eid". A warmer variation is kul 3am wa antum bi-khair (كل عام وأنتم بخير), which translates roughly as "may every year find you well". The reply is wa antum bi-khair (وأنتم بخير), meaning "and you, well too". These are lovely phrases and they travel a long way with a small effort.
One thing to avoid
Please do not say "happy Ramadan" to a fasting colleague in a chirpy, lunchtime-sandwich voice. It is not rude exactly, but it misses the tone. Ramadan is contemplative as much as festive. A softer "Ramadan Kareem" or "hope the fast is going well" matches the mood better. Small thing, but worth knowing.
A note for heritage learners
Some of my students have heritage that includes Ramadan but feel rusty about the phrases, embarrassed to say them wrong. I say this every year and I will say it again. Your cousin, your grandmother, your neighbour, they will not judge your pronunciation. They will be pleased you tried. Arabic is not a test. It is a door. Walk through it at whatever pace you have.
If you want to pick up a handful of Ramadan phrases properly before the month ends, we can cover them in a single lesson. I offer a free thirty-minute taster, no pressure, just a conversation. Book a taster and we can put the phrases in your mouth before you need them.