Ways to say it
| Gaelic | Note |
|---|---|
| beannachd leat | familiar |
| beannachd leibh | formal |
| soraidh | feminine |
The various forms of goodbye in Gaelic range from formal blessings to casual farewells. beannachd leat and beannachd leibh are common ways to bid farewell, while soraidh is a more direct equivalent to the English word 'bye'. You may also use Slàn leat or Slàn leibh to mean 'goodbye to you', and Tìoraidh is a versatile option that works in both informal and formal situations. If you want to say 'goodbye for now', use Tìoraidh an-dràsta.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase beannachd leat literally means 'blessing with you'.
Which one should you use?
The choice between forms often depends on how many people you are addressing. Use beannachd leat when speaking to one person, but use beannachd leibh when speaking to more than one person or when adopting a formal tone. Similarly, Slàn leat is used for one person informally, while Slàn leibh is used for multiple people or in a formal context.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
beannachd leat is the standard way to say goodbye to a single person in a familiar or everyday context. For a more formal tone, or when addressing a group to show respect, use beannachd leibh, which translates to 'blessings upon you'. While soraidh is considered an informal equivalent of 'bye', the word Tìoraidh is flexible and can be used as either an informal or a formal way to say goodbye.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase beannachd leat, the word leat is the singular form of the prepositional pronoun meaning 'with you'.
Did you know?
- Because beannachd stems from the Latin 'benedictio', your Gaelic goodbye is essentially a literal prayer for a blessing.
- The term Slàn used in Slàn leat comes from a word meaning 'whole' or 'healthy', reflecting a wish for the person's physical wellbeing.
- The difference between leat and leibh is not just about number, but is used to show social distance and respect to a superior.
Examples in context
- Beannachd leat, a charaid.Goodbye, friend.
- Beannachd leat an uairsidh.Goodbye for now.
Example conversation
Callum and Isla are finishing a chat on the street.
- CallumBha e snasail bruidhinn riat, a Isla.It was nice talking to you, Isla.
- IslaLeat fhèin, a Callum.You too, Callum.
- CallumBeannachd leat!Goodbye!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “goodbye” translations and entries beannachd leat, beannachd leibh, soraidh, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries beannachd, leat, leibh, soraidh, CC BY-SA 4.0.
