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Basic Greetings

Learn essential High Valyrian greetings and conversation starters

Lesson 4 of 6

Common Greetings

High Valyrian has several ways to greet people depending on the context and relationship. Let's learn the most common greetings.

Formal Greetings

Rytsas
[RIT-sas]
Hello (formal)
Aōha ñuhoso ȳgha
[AO-ha nyu-HO-so EE-gha]
At your service (very formal)
Valar morghūlis
[VA-lar mor-GHOO-lis]
All men must die (traditional greeting)
Valar dohaeris
[VA-lar do-HAE-ris]
All men must serve (response to Valar morghūlis)

Informal Greetings

Sȳz
[SEEZ]
Hi/Hello (informal)
Sȳrī
[SEE-ree]
Hello (to multiple people, informal)
Skorkydoso ūdrāzma?
[skor-ki-DO-so oo-DRAZ-ma]
How are you? (informal)

Cultural Note

The greeting "Valar morghūlis" and its response "Valar dohaeris" originated in Braavos with the Faceless Men, but spread throughout Essos. It's considered a traditional and somewhat solemn greeting, often used between strangers or in formal situations.

Introductions

After greeting someone, you'll often want to introduce yourself. Here's how to do that in High Valyrian.

Nyke [name] iksan
[NI-ke [name] IK-san]
I am [name]
Skoriot brōzā?
[SKO-riot BROH-zah]
Where are you from?
Braavosot brōzan
[BRAH-vo-sot BROH-zan]
I am from Braavos
Kostilus, skoriot brōzā?
[KOS-ti-lus, SKO-riot BROH-zah]
And you, where are you from?

Grammar Note

In High Valyrian, the verb "to be" changes form depending on the subject:

  • iksan - I am
  • iksā - you are (singular)
  • iksis - he/she/it is
  • iksāt - you are (plural)
  • iksi - they are

Farewells

Here are some common ways to say goodbye in High Valyrian:

Sōvegon
[SOH-ve-gon]
Goodbye (formal)
Jaelan aōt māzīli
[JAE-lan a-OHT mah-ZEE-li]
I wish you well
Geros ilas
[GE-ros I-las]
Good day/farewell
Kesīr jitīn
[ke-SEER ji-TEEN]
See you soon (informal)

Basic Conversation

Let's put it all together in a basic conversation:

Person A:

Rytsas!

Hello!

Person B:

Valar morghūlis.

All men must die.

Person A:

Valar dohaeris. Nyke Daenerys iksan.

All men must serve. I am Daenerys.

Person B:

Nyke Jorah iksan. Skoriot brōzā?

I am Jorah. Where are you from?

Person A:

Valyriot brōzan. Kostilus, skoriot brōzā?

I am from Valyria. And you, where are you from?

Person B:

Vesterozirot brōzan.

I am from Westeros.

Person A:

Sōvegon, Jorah.

Goodbye, Jorah.

Person B:

Geros ilas, Daenerys.

Farewell, Daenerys.