خدا حافظ
khudā hāfiz
خدا حافظ (khudā hāfiz) is the Urdu way to say bye.
خدا حافظ is the standard and most common way to say goodbye in Urdu-speaking environments. Due to English influence, the word Bye is also used in informal Urdu conversations.
Meaning: short for goodbye (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase خدا حافظ literally means 'God be the Guardian' or 'May God be your Protector'.
Which one should you use?
While خدا حافظ is widely used, Allah Hafiz is a very common alternative used by Muslims, meaning 'May God be your protector'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
خدا حافظ is a formal way to say goodbye, meaning 'May God protect you'. For informal situations, the English-influenced word Bye is used.
How do you pronounce it?
khudā hāfiz
When do people say it?
Because of the religious nature of these parting phrases, Muslims frequently use the alternative Allah Hafiz.
Did you know?
- The word حافظ in خدا حافظ shares the same Arabic root as the word for a person who has memorized the entire Quran, which is also called a حافظ.
- Despite the religious meaning of خدا حافظ, it is used as a general social convention by many non-Muslims in Urdu-speaking areas.
- While 'khudā hāfiz' is a standard parting, the full classical Persian form from which it was contracted is 'khudā hāfizat bāšad', meaning 'may God be your protector'.
Examples in context
- خدا حافظ، اب میں جا رہا ہوں۔Khuda hafiz, ab mein ja raha hoon.Bye, I am leaving now.
- خدا حافظ، کل ملیں گے۔Khuda hafiz, kal milein ge.Bye, we will meet tomorrow.
- ٹھیک ہے، خدا حافظ۔Theek hai, khuda hafiz.Okay, bye.
Example conversation
A friend is leaving after visiting a neighbor.
- سارہ Saraاب میرے جانے کا وقت ہو گیا۔Ab mere jaane ka waqt ho gaya.It is time for me to go now.
- عمر Omarٹھیک ہے، خدا حافظ، سارہ۔Theek hai, khuda hafiz, Sarah.Okay, bye, Sarah.
- سارہ Saraخدا حافظ، عمر۔Khuda hafiz, Umar.Bye, Umar.
- عمر Omarاپنا خیال رکھنا۔Apna khayal rakhna.Take care of yourself.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries حافظ, خدا, خدا حافظ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
