ደሓን ኩን
dehan kun
The English phrase 'goodbye' is translated into Tigrinya as ደሓን ኩን (dehan kun).
The phrase functions as a wish for the person's well-being rather than a simple interjection.
Meaning: farewell (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ደሓን ኩን literally means 'be well' or 'be safe'.
Which one should you use?
Unlike the English 'goodbye', which is a noun/interjection, the Tigrinya form is a verb phrase functioning as a wish for the person's well-being.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ደሓን ኩን is used when addressing one person (masculine or general). To say goodbye to one female person, use ደሓን ኩኺ.
How do you pronounce it?
dehan kun
Did you know?
- Tigrinya belongs to the Ethio-Semitic branch, making the roots of ደሓን ኩን distant cousins to words found in Arabic and Hebrew.
- While ደሓን ኩን is the standard farewell, speakers often extend the goodbye by asking about the person's family and health before finally departing.
- If you are leaving a group of people, you must use the plural form ደሓን ኩናት instead of the singular ደሓን ኩን.
Examples in context
- ደሓን ኩን።dehan kun.Goodbye.
Example conversation
Me'ar and Efrem are parting ways after a meeting.
- መዓር Me'arኣብቲ ስራሕ ርክብ ንገብር።Abti sirah rikib nigebir.We will connect at work.
- ኤፍሬም Efremእወ፣ ትኽክል እዩ።Ewe, tikkhil eyu.Yes, that is correct.
- መዓር Me'arደሓን ኩን፣ ኤፍሬም!Dehan kun, Efrem!Goodbye, Efrem!
- ኤፍሬም Efremንስኺ እውን ደሓን ኩኚ፣ መዓር።Niski ewin dehan kunyi, Me'ar.You be well too, Me'ar.
