сау бол
saw bol
The Kazakh phrase for "bye" is сау бол (saw bol).
This phrase is used as a short way to say goodbye.
Meaning: short for goodbye (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase сау бол literally translates to "be healthy".
Which one should you use?
The form сау бол is used for singular subjects and is informal, whereas сау болыңыз is the polite version.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the phrase in a polite or formal way, use the form сау болыңыз instead of сау бол. When addressing a group of people politely, use the form сау болыңыздар.
How do you pronounce it?
saw bol
Did you know?
- If someone sneezes, a Kazakh speaker might say сау бол to mean 'bless you'.
- Historically, a Kazakh person might have used more formal religious farewells such as жәрекімалда, which is a loan from the Arabic phrase for 'may God have mercy on you'.
- In the Kumyk language, the related form савбол can mean both 'thank you' and 'goodbye'.
Examples in context
- Сау бол, ертең кездесерміз.Sau bol, erteng kezdeserimiz.Bye, we will meet tomorrow.
- Мен кеттім, сау бол!Men kettim, sau bol!I'm leaving, bye!
- Жақсы, сау бол.Zhaksy, sau bol.Okay, bye.
Example conversation
Madina and Berik are finishing a quick phone call.
- Мадина MadinaБәрін білемін, рахмет.Barin bilemin, rakhmet.I know everything, thanks.
- Берик BerikЖақсы, сау бол, Мадина.Zhaksy, sau bol, Madina.Okay, bye, Madina.
- Мадина MadinaСау бол, Берик.Sau bol, Berik.Bye, Berik.
- Берик BerikКездескенше!Kezdeskenshe!Until next time!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry сау бол, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries сау, сау бол, CC BY-SA 4.0.
