bēo gesund
The Old English way to say bye is bēo gesund.
This phrase serves as a short form for goodbye.
Meaning: short for goodbye (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase bēo gesund literally means 'be healthy'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, bēo is the singular imperative or subjunctive form of the verb bēon (to be).
Did you know?
- While bēo gesund wishes health, Old English speakers often used the phrase wes hāl to say goodbye. This is the ancestor of the modern English word 'whole', as it literally meant 'be whole' or 'be healthy'.
- The English word 'sound' in 'sound asleep' shares the same linguistic ancestor as the gesund in the Old English farewell.
- The phrase bēo gesund uses the imperative mood, which means it is phrased as a command. Rather than saying 'I hope you are healthy', it literally tells the listener 'Be healthy'.
Examples in context
- Bēo gesund, mīn frēond.Be well, my friend.
- Nū iċ gā, bēo gesund.Now I go, be well.
- Bēo gesund, hlāford.Be well, lord.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gesund, CC BY-SA 4.0.
