slán go fóill
The Irish phrase for "goodbye for now" is slán go fóill.
slán go fóill is used to say goodbye when you expect to see or speak to the person again soon. You may also use Slán libh to say "goodbye to you all" or "goodbye everyone."
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of slán (safe/healthy), go (until/to) and fóill (a while/a short time).
Which one should you use?
While slán go fóill implies a temporary separation with an expected reunion, slán leat is a more standard, general way to say goodbye.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Connacht dialect, Slán go fóill leat is used to say goodbye for now informally to one person.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding agat (to you) at the end of the phrase, as in slán go fóill agat, is a common way to make the expression more personal when addressing one person.
Did you know?
- The word slán is a distant relative of the English word 'whole', stemming from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'whole'.
- In some traditions, the act of saying slán functions more as a blessing than a simple notification of departure.
- Irish learners may find it counterintuitive that slán is used for both a short-term 'goodbye for now' and a final farewell.
Examples in context
- Slán go fóill, a chara.Goodbye for now, friend.
- Slán go fóill leat.Goodbye for now to you.
Example conversation
Aoife and Oisín are finishing a phone call.
- AoifeBa bhá fáil liom go dtí an chéile go luachúil.I would like us to meet soon.
- OisínTá mé ag coinnealóir é sin, a Aoife.I am looking forward to that, Aoife.
- AoifeGo raibh maith agat, slán go fóill!Thank you, goodbye for now!
- OisínSlán, a Aoife!Goodbye, Aoife!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fóill, go, slán, CC BY-SA 4.0.
