salvē
singular
The English phrase "bless you" can be translated into Latin as salvē. Wiktionary also lists absit omen and salūtā.
Meaning: said to somebody who has sneezed (intj)
Ways to say it
| Latin | Note |
|---|---|
| salvē | singular |
| absit omen | |
| salūtā | |
| salvēte | plural |
Which one should you use?
The form of the word changes depending on how many people you are addressing: use salvē when speaking to one person and salvēte when speaking to a group. The phrase absit omen is another option used in this context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms provided follow number agreement: salvē is the singular form used for one person, and salvēte is the plural form used for multiple people.
Did you know?
- In Roman culture, a sneeze could be interpreted as a 'divine signal', which is why phrases like absit omen were used to neutralize any negative meaning.
- The word salvē is the imperative form of a verb meaning 'to be in good health'. It functions as a wish for the other person's physical wellbeing.
Examples in context
- Benedicat tibi DeusMay God bless you.
- Sit tibi dies benedictusMay your day be blessed.
Example conversation
Quintus sneezes while talking to Lucia.
- LuciaSalvē!Bless you!
- QuintusGrātiās tibi ago, Lucia.Thank you, Lucia.
- LuciaNihil est.It is nothing.
- QuintusTū es benigna.You are kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bless you” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries omen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
