בײַ
bay
The Yiddish word בײַ (bay) means bye.
בײַ is a short form of goodbye. You can use longer phrases such as Zayt gezunt, which means "be well" or "stay healthy".
Meaning: short for goodbye (intj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Eastern Europe, the variation Zayt gesunt un shtark is used to mean "be well and strong". In North America, the variation Zayt gebentsht is used to mean "be blessed".
How do you pronounce it?
bay
Did you know?
- The word בײַ is a cognate of the English word 'by', as both descend from the Proto-Germanic word *bi.
- Yiddish farewells like Zayt gezunt use the imperative mood, meaning the speaker is literally commanding the other person to 'be healthy'.
Example conversation
Miriam and Itzhak are finishing a phone call.
- מרים Miriamדאַס איז אַלס, בײַ!das iz als, bay!That is all, bye!
- יצחק Yitzchakבײַ, מרים!bay, Miriam!Bye, Miriam!
- מרים Miriamזענען מיר גרייט?zenen mir greyt?Are we ready?
- יצחק Yitzchakיאָ, זײַט געזונט!yo, zayt gezunt!Yes, be well!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries בײַ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
