Wes hāl, mīn nama is
The phrase Wes hāl, mīn nama is is how you say "hello my name is" in Old English.
This phrase is used to greet someone and introduce yourself by name.
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase, mīn is the possessive pronoun meaning "my", which agrees with the masculine noun nama (name).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase contains mīn, which is the possessive pronoun for "my" and agrees with the masculine noun nama. Additionally, if you wish to say "I am" instead of "my name is", you can use ic eom.
Did you know?
- While Wes hāl is a friendly greeting, the 'wassail' tradition evolved from this phrase into a custom of drinking spiced cider to ensure a good harvest.
- The word hāl in this phrase is the root of several modern English words including 'hale' as in 'hale and hearty', 'health' and 'holy'.
- Because Wes hāl functions as a command or a wish, it would change its form if you were addressing more than one person or a person of higher status.
Examples in context
- Wes þu hál, ic hatte Ælfric.Hello, my name is Ælfric.
- Hál, ic eom Eadgyth.Hello, I am Eadgyth.
- Wes hāl, mīn nama is Eadwig.Hello, my name is Eadwig.
- Wes hāl, mīn nama is Cynethryth.Hello, my name is Cynethryth.
Example conversation
A man meets a woman at a village gathering.
- ÆthelstanWes hāl, mīn nama is Æthelstan.Hello, my name is Æthelstan.
- ÆthelflædWes hāl, Æthelstan. Ic eom Æthelflæd.Hello, Æthelstan. I am Æthelflæd.
- ÆthelstanIc eom glæd þæt ic þē mēte.I am glad to meet you.
- ÆthelflædIc eall swā glæd eom.I am just as glad.
