saħħa
/ˈsaħ.ħa/
The Maltese word for bye is saħħa.
saħħa is a common way to say goodbye.
Meaning: short for goodbye (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word saħħa literally means health.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈsaħ.ħa/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st of 2 syllables.
When do people say it?
When you say saħħa, you are essentially wishing the person health.
Did you know?
- Because saħħa means 'health', it is also used as a common toast when drinking with friends, much like saying 'to your health' in English.
- The double ħ in saħħa represents a pharyngeal sound that does not exist in English and is produced deep in the throat.
- The word saħħa shares its DNA with the Arabic word ṣiḥḥa, making it a linguistic bridge between Maltese and the Arabic-speaking world.
Examples in context
- Saħħa lil kulħen.Bye to everyone.
Example conversation
Andre and Jessica are leaving a cafe.
- AndreGħandi nistrieq il-karruġ, saħħa!I have to wait for the bus, bye!
- JessicaSaħħa, Andre!Bye, Andre!
- AndreNaraqek dalwaqt.I'll see you soon.
- JessicaIva, narak dalwaqt.Yes, see you soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry saħħa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries saħħa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
