ܨܠܐ ܘܒܢܐ

Assyrian Neo-Aramaic

Etymology

Literally, “may it go down and build”.

Pronunciation

• (standard) IPA^(key): [sˤɑːleː‿wə.bˤɑːneː]

Phrase

ܨܵܠܹܐ ܘܒܵܢܹܐ! • (ṣālē w-bānē!)

1. bon appétit, enjoy your meal (Used to wish someone enjoyment of the meal they just ate)

Usage notes

• Unlike equivalent phrases in English, ܨܵܠܹܐ ܘܒܵܢܹܐ (ṣālē w-bānē) in Assyrian is a politeness formula used much more automatically, like please or thank you
• This is usually used when serving a meal or sitting down to eat with others after the meal is finished. As well as when departing from someone who is eating, or when saying goodbye to someone who is leaving in order to eat (e.g. leaving work at lunchtime).

See also

• ܢܗܵܢܹܐ ܠܘܼܟ݂ (nhānē loḵ)
• ܨܲܚܬܹܝܢ (ṣaḥtēyn)