Goodbye is a word we use often in our daily lives: when we leave home in the morning, when we leave work or school, when we meet up with friends and leave them after our chat, when we leave from visiting our family. Goodbye can also be one of the most difficult words to say in the English language.
The French express goodbye using two words: au revoir (meaning until we meet again) and adieu (until we meet in front of God). It is the goodbye expressing adieu that can be so difficult: it is a goodbye with the knowledge that we will never meet the person again. The adieus that I have said, have been those to loved ones that have passed away. I know that I will never see them again, and it was a goodbye that was heart wrenching.
There are those goodbyes that express au revoir: goodbyes that do not cause any emotional upheaval. I have found, however, when I say au revoir to my family in South Africa that at times the emotion I experience borders on an adieu goodbye. This may be because I am never sure when I will see them again: the next time I am able to visit, or in front of God.
But at least the word goodbye in the English language (as in any language) is balanced by the positivity of the word hello.
What are your experiences of the word goodbye?
(Join me in the Five Minute Friday Challenge hosted by The Gypsy Mama. Participants write for 5 minutes with no editing, no over thinking, and no backtracking. This week’s prompt is: Goodbye.)
Goodbye can also be an arrogant rejection. The value of goodbye lies in the tone of voice, so it is a lovely word on thin ice.
I agree. Makes one think of relationships that have not turned out too well; or of a worker being told to leave the workplace and not come back.
Well written Colline. Great post.
*hugs*
Thank you Sonel.
I never say adieu, I like leaving open doors. There is no room in life for bitterness.
Like you say, you never know when the person may come into your life again. Reminds me a bit of my policy never to burn bridges – but that is another topic
Greeting from Iceland
Young people today often say hi and bye when greeting people. Young people at all times have always created their own form of greetings.
As we age we use the good old greeting that we inherited from our ancestors.
When we meet people then we say come blessed and happy and when we go away we say be blessed and happy. In Icelandic it is komdu blessuð og sæl and vertu blessuð og sæl.
Sometimes we shorten the greeting, especially when we met the same people often in one day, then we say just blessed.
So I now say, vertu blessuð og sæl
Greetings,
Inga Hel
(http://ingahel.com/)
What a lovely tradition – and it is so sad that the young people no longer use it. I like that your geetings focus on wishing people happiness. Thank you for sharing this interesting part of your culture.
It is so true. I agree with you and know how you feel about saying “goodbye” and go away maybe for ever!
I am sure you experience this too, living far away from your hometown and the many people you knew.
I just said adieu to my great aunt this week. She was 102! She had a long, full life and yet it is hard to know that she is gone from this earth.
It is hard for us left behind – especially when they played an important role in our lives. She must have been an interesting woman.
Fantastic post Colline!
I love to read other bloggers comments to see the variety of interpretations. Each person is unique and has their own viewpoint based on their culture and life experiences. Very interesting. I like what newsferret said – that goodbye is all in the tone and it is a word on thin ice – basically dangerous and precarious all at once with a hint of possibilities depending on the terms under which it is spoken. I love that in Iceland they say blessed and happy. I’ve never been a fan of the word goodbye…. a sad word. I try not to say it, but then what do you say? Usually I say it in another language – ciao!
An Italian word which means both hello and goodbye
I actually never say “goodbye.” I prefer “See you later!” Goodbye seems so permanent!
It does, doesn’t it? I like saying “see you next time”.
The hardest goodbyes for me,,when my kids would drive off to return to college..and every time my son leaves to go back to Montana..so very far…The worst? Leaving him in Montana, to begin college..he knew no one there…four days later…Sept. 11, 2001..I was so afraid, he was so far away.
This is a goodbye I have yet to experience. It must have been extremely hard, especially after the terrorist attack.
I had a for real panic and ended up making a trip to the hospital…just one of many upset people.
I am pleased that no-one had to say adieu to you
Haha! No, no adieu.
And then there is the Hawaiian greeting that covers all the bases….Aloha. It can mean hello, goodbye, love. That is my favorite form of greeting and taking my leave.
What a beautiful greeting – I did not know that it meant “love” as well.
As always it is wonderful post… You expressed so nicely… In my own language we say “Allah”a Ismarladık” or “Allah’a emanet ol” it means “be entrusted by God”… It is very old saying like that, but we also use, “Hoşçakal” means “stay in pleasure after my leaving… But we also use Bye Bye in our language too… On the other hand, I don’t like to use any of them… And I don’t use too… “To see you again”, “See you again…” etc. are my preferring words..
Thank you dear Colline, with my love, nia
Thank you Nia for sharing the words that you use in your own language – it is so interesting to learn the habits of another language and culture. I like the term “Hoşçakal” as it suggests that you do not wish anyone to be upset at your leaving.
yes, this is right you expressed nicely… You are welcome dear Colline, with my love, nia
What a beautiful post! I never knew the real meaning behind the word adieu… Thank you for your unique perspective on the word good-bye!
Thanks Sheena. It is not something English speaking people really think about as we only have one word to express leaving someone.