Slán
general
The Irish word for goodbye is Slán, meaning "safe". Say Slán leat to a person who is leaving and Slán agat to a person who is staying.
Meaning: farewell (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Gaelic | Note |
|---|---|
| Slán | general |
| Slán leat | to the person leaving |
| Slán agat | to the person staying |
Slán go fóill means "goodbye for now" and fits when you will see the person again soon.
How does it change in a sentence?
For more than one person the endings change: Slán libh to those leaving and Slán agaibh to those staying.
Did you know?
- The Irish slán also means "safe" or "healthy", so the farewell is a wish for the person's safety.
Example conversation
Seán leaves Máire's house in Galway after a visit.
- SeánSlán agat, a Mháire.Goodbye, Máire.
- MáireSlán leat, a Sheáin. Go n-éirí leat!Goodbye, Seán. Good luck!
- SeánSlán go fóill!Goodbye for now!
