ደሓን ኩን
dehan kun
The English phrase 'bye' is translated into Tigrinya as ደሓን ኩን (dehan kun).
ደሓን ኩን is a shortened way to say goodbye.
Meaning: short for goodbye (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ደሓን ኩን literally means 'be well' or 'stay well'.
Which one should you use?
ደሓን ኩን is the masculine singular form, whereas ደሓን ኩኒ is the feminine singular form.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ደሓን ኩን is used when addressing a single person in an informal or familiar context.
How do you pronounce it?
dehan kun
Did you know?
- While ደሓን ኩን is the standard for 'bye', it is common in Eritrea and Ethiopia to use the Arabic word ሰላም as a universal greeting for both hello and goodbye.
- The concept of 'ደሓን' (dehan) shares a linguistic root with the idea of 'peace', which is a central value in Eritrean and Ethiopian social etiquette.
- When leaving a formal gathering or an elder, using the informal 'ደሓን ኩን' might be seen as slightly abrupt or disrespectful compared to longer, more polite versions.
Examples in context
- ደሓን ኩን፣ ነገ ተራእየና።dehan kun, nege teraeyena.Bye, see you tomorrow.
- ደሓን ኩን፣ ብሰላም ተጓዝ።dehan kun, beselam tegual.Bye, travel safely.
Example conversation
Two friends are parting ways after a walk.
- ርእሳ Re'esaርእሳ፡ እዚ ንመውጫይ ዝበጽሐ ቦታ እዩ።Ezi nimewchay zibetsa bota eyu.This is where we reach the exit.
- ዳዊት Dawitዳዊት፡ እወ፣ ስለ ዝተረክብካይ የቕደረየ።Ewe, siliterekibkay yeqdereye.Yes, I'm glad I met you.
- ርእሳ Re'esaርእሳ፡ ኣነ እውን። ደሓን ኩን ዳዊት።Ane iwn. Dehan kun Dawit.Me too. Bye Dawit.
- ዳዊት Dawitዳዊት፡ ደሓን ኩኒ ርእሳ።Dehan kuni Ritsa.Bye Ritsa.
