وداعا إلى الأبد
wada'an ila al'abad
The English phrase "goodbye forever" is translated into Arabic as وداعا إلى الأبد (wada'an ila al'abad).
This phrase is used as a final farewell when two people will never see or speak to each other again.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of وداعا (farewell), إلى (to) and الأبد (the eternity/forever).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
وداعا إلى الأبد is highly formal and dramatic. It is suitable for use in literature, films or during a very serious final parting, rather than in casual conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
wada'an ila al'abad
Did you know?
- The root of وداعا is shared with words meaning 'to entrust' or 'to leave something in someone's care'. Saying this farewell is linguistically like entrusting the person to the care of a higher power.
- Because وداعا إلى الأبد is so dramatic, people often use more hopeful phrases like إلى اللقاء meaning 'until we meet again' even when they suspect they will never see the person again.
- In many Arabic dialects, people would much prefer to use the phrase مع السلامة (with peace) even for long separations, as وداعا إلى الأبد sounds like a line from a tragic opera.
Example conversation
Two former friends part ways for the last time in a quiet park.
- زياد Ziadلقد انتهى كل شيء بيننا.Laqad intaha kullu shay'in baynana.Everything between us has ended.
- سارة Saraأعلم، وداعا إلى الأبد يا زياد.A'lamu, wada'an ila al-abad ya Ziad.I know, goodbye forever, Ziad.
- زياد Ziadلن أتصل بك مجددا.Lan attasila biki mujaddadan.I will not call you again.
- سارة Saraوداعا إلى الأبد.Wada'an ila al-abad.Goodbye forever.
