HeyRuaHow to say “farewell” in Irish
- Irish:
- slán
- English:
- farewell, healthy person, guarantee, challenge
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, first declension
- Pronunciation:
- “slawn” /sˠl̪ˠɑːnˠ/
- Plural:
- slána (farewells)
- Genitive singular:
- sláin, an tsláin (e.g. am an tsláin, the time of the farewell)
- Genitive plural:
- slán, na slán (e.g. líon na slán, the number of farewells)
What does “slán” mean?
“Slán” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- farewell
- A goodbye or parting word said when someone leaves, as in 'slán agat' and 'slán leat'.Also: goodbye, parting, leave-taking.
3 other meanings: healthy person or guarantee or challenge
- 2healthy person
- A person who is in good health, as opposed to someone who is sick or injured.Also: well person, sound person.
- 3guarantee
- A pledge or surety given that something will be done or kept safe.Also: surety, security, pledge.
- 4challenge
- A defiance or challenge given to someone, as in 'slán a chur' to challenge.Also: defiance, dare.
“Slán” with the article
The plural of farewell in Irish is slána. Here is slán after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Slán” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using slán, the Irish word for farewell.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Farewell in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for farewell?
The Irish for farewell is slán (pronounced “slawn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is slána. Depending on context it can also mean healthy person or guarantee or challenge.
How do you pronounce slán in Irish?
Slán is said like “slawn” (IPA /sˠl̪ˠɑːnˠ/).
What is the plural of farewell in Irish?
The plural of slán is slána; with the article, na slána means “the farewells”. The genitive plural is slán, as in líon na slán (the number of farewells).
Does slán have more than one meaning?
Yes. Slán can mean farewell, healthy person, guarantee or challenge, depending on context; the first is the most common. Slán also has its own entry as an adjective meaning safe.
Why does slán change to shlán?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo shlán. After ár (our) it stays ár slán, because s does not take eclipsis.
What is the difference between 'slán agat' and 'slán leat'?
The person leaving says 'slán agat' to the one staying, and the person staying says 'slán leat' to the one leaving.
Is 'slán' related to 'dúshlán'?
Yes, 'dúshlán' (challenge) comes from the older sense of 'slán' as a challenge or defiance, as in 'dúshlán a thabhairt'.
