যাওঁ
zaü̃/zɑʊ̃/
In Assamese, 'bye' is expressed using যাওঁ (zaü̃). Wiktionary also lists আহোঁ (ahü̃).
Meaning: short for goodbye (intj)
Ways to say it
| Assamese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| যাওঁ | zaü̃ | /zɑʊ̃/ |
| আহোঁ | ahü̃ |
These terms are used as short forms of goodbye when parting ways.
What does it mean word for word?
The form যাওঁ literally means 'I go', while আহোঁ literally means 'I come'.
Which one should you use?
যাওঁ is used when the speaker is the one leaving. In contrast, আহোঁ is often used as a polite way to say 'I will see you again' or 'I'll be back'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
যাওঁ দিয়াঁ is a casual, idiomatic way to say goodbye. For a more polite or formal situation, you should use যাওঁ দিয়ক.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding দিয়াঁ to যাওঁ creates a more natural, idiomatic way to say 'Goodbye' or 'I'm off'.
How do you pronounce it?
zaü̃
Did you know?
- In many Assamese households, it is customary to seek the elder's permission or blessing before saying যাওঁ to signal one's departure.
- Because আহোঁ implies a return, using it when you know you will never see the person again can be seen as a polite social fiction.
- The word যাওঁ shares a common ancestor with the Sanskrit word যামি (yāmi), meaning 'I go'. This connects the modern Assamese farewell directly to ancient Indo-Aryan roots.
Examples in context
- যাওঁ দিয়াঁ। ভালে থাকিবাঁ!Bye! Take care!This sentence shows how to use যাওঁ when wishing someone well.Tatoeba #11134863 by Mohsin_Ali, translation #3847237 by Luciosp
- যাওঁ দিয়ক!Bye!This sentence demonstrates a polite way to use যাওঁ.Tatoeba #8620272 by Mohsin_Ali, translation #647456 by Hans07
- যাওঁ দিয়ক।Bye.This sentence is a simple use of যাওঁ.Tatoeba #11897761 by Mohsin_Ali, translation #1903709 by AsliAbbasi
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Pritam is leaving Priyanka's house after a visit.
- প্রীতম Pritamএতিয়া যাওঁ।Etia zao.I'll go now.
- প্রিয়াঙ্কা Priyankaঠিক আছে, সাবধানে যাবি।Thik ache, xabdane jabi.Okay, go safely.
- প্রীতম Pritamযাওঁ দেই, আকৌ কথা পাতিম।Zao dei, akou kotha patim.Bye then, we'll talk again.
- প্রিয়াঙ্কা Priyankaঠিক আছে, বাই!Thik ache, bye!Okay, bye!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bye” translations and entries যাওঁ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries যাওঁ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
