Elvish Greetings: Mae Govannen and 15 Essential Phrases

Quick Answer: The standard Sindarin greeting is 'Mae govannen' — "Well met," built from 'mae' (well/good) plus 'govannen', the past-participle form of 'govaned' (to meet). It's the everyday Elvish equivalent of "hello."

Quick reference — say hello in Elvish:

• Sindarin: Mae govannen — "Well met / Hello"
• Quenya: Aiya — "Hail / Hello"

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The 15 Most Essential Elvish Greetings

1. Mae govannen — "Well Met" (Sindarin)

Pronunciation: may go-VAN-nen

The most common Elvish greeting. Literally "well encountered" — mae (well/good) + govannen (encountered, past participle of govaned).

Used exactly like "hello" in modern English. Legolas uses this with the Fellowship; Elves in Rivendell greet guests this way.

"Mae govannen, hîr nín" — "Well met, my lord"

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2. Aiya — "Hail / Hello" (Quenya)

Pronunciation: EYE-ya

A Quenya exclamation used as a greeting. Frodo says Aiya Eärendil Elenion Ancalima — "Hail Eärendil, brightest of stars" — when using the Phial of Galadriel against Shelob.

Used as a general exclamation of greeting or wonder.

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3. Namárië — "Farewell" (Quenya)

Pronunciation: na-MAR-ee-ay

The most famous Elvish word. Literally "be well" (nai + márë = "may it be good"). Galadriel's entire lament to the Fellowship is titled Namárië — it is the longest piece of Quenya in all of Tolkien's published works.

"Namárië! Nai hiruvalyë Valimar!" "Farewell! May you find Valinor!"

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4. Navaer — "Farewell" (Sindarin)

Pronunciation: NAH-ver

The Sindarin equivalent of Namárië. Used to bid farewell in the Grey Elven tongue.

"Navaer, mellon nín" — "Farewell, my friend"

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5. Le hannon — "Thank you" (Sindarin)

Pronunciation: leh HAN-non

Literally "I thank thee." Le = thee/you, hannon = I thank. Aragorn uses this in the Elvish portions of The Lord of the Rings.

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6. Hantanyel — "Thank you" (Quenya)

Pronunciation: han-TAN-yel

The Quenya equivalent of thanks. From the root hanta- (to thank).

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7. Á vala Manwë — "May Manwë bless you" (Quenya)

Pronunciation: AH VAL-a MAN-way

A blessing invoking Manwë, the King of the Valar and lord of the winds. Used when wishing someone luck or saying farewell with good wishes.

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8. Galu — "Blessings / Good luck" (Sindarin)

Pronunciation: GAL-oo

A short Sindarin blessing — essentially "be well" or "good fortune". Used casually to wish someone well.

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9. Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo — "A star shines on the hour of our meeting" (Quenya)

Pronunciation: EL-en SEE-la LOO-men oh-men-tee-EL-vo

The most beautiful Elvish greeting. Frodo says this to Gildor Inglorion — a traditional greeting of great formality and warmth. Literally: elen (star) + síla (shines) + lúmenn' (on the hour of) + omentielvo (our meeting).

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10. Êl síla erin lû e-govaned vîn — Sindarin equivalent

The Sindarin version of the star greeting. Êl (star) + síla (shines) + erin lû (on the hour) + e-govaned vîn (of our meeting).

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11. Tolo — "Come" (Sindarin)

Pronunciation: TOH-lo

An imperative meaning "come here" — used in invitations and welcoming gestures.

"Tolo, mellon" — "Come, friend"

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12. Mara mesta — "Good journey / Farewell" (Quenya)

Pronunciation: MAR-a MES-ta

A parting blessing for travelers. Mara (good) + mesta (going, departure). Appropriate when someone is setting out on a journey.

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13. Andave laituvalmet — "We will praise them long" (Quenya)

Pronunciation: AN-da-veh lie-too-VAL-met

Used in the celebration after the fall of Sauron — "Cuio i Pheriain anann! Aglar'ni Pheriannath! ... Andave laituvalmet!" — "Long live the Halflings! Glory to the Halflings! ... We will praise them long!"

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14. Pedo — "Speak" (Sindarin)

Pronunciation: PED-o

An imperative meaning "speak." Famous from the inscription on the Doors of Durin: "Pedo mellon a minno" — "Speak, friend, and enter."

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15. Utúlie'n aurë — "The day has come!" (Quenya)

Pronunciation: oo-TOO-lee-en OW-ray

The battle cry of Fingon at the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. Used to announce a long-awaited moment. Utúlie'n = "has come" (perfect tense of utúlë) + aurë = "day".

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Pronunciation Guide

Elvish sounds are mostly regular once you know the patterns:

Letter	Sound
ae	like "eye"
ai	like "eye"
c	always hard K sound
ch	like Scottish "loch"
dh	like "th" in "the"
ë	always pronounced, like "eh"
th	always hard, like "think"
ú, ó, á	long vowels, held longer

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Quick Reference Table

English	Quenya	Sindarin
Hello / Well met	Aiya	Mae govannen
Farewell	Namárië	Navaer
Thank you	Hantanyel	Le hannon
Good luck	Á vala Manwë	Galu
Good journey	Mara mesta	—
Friend	Meldo	Mellon
Come	Tola	Tolo
Speak	Quetë	Pedo

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People Also Ask

What does 'Mae govannen' mean in Elvish? 'Mae govannen' is a Sindarin Elvish greeting meaning 'Well met'. It is literally translated as 'well encountered' — 'mae' means well/good, 'govannen' is the past participle of 'govaned' (to meet). It is the standard Elvish hello.

What does 'Namárië' mean? 'Namárië' is a Quenya word meaning 'Farewell' or 'Be well'. It is most famous as the title of Galadriel's lament when the Fellowship leaves Lothlórien — the longest piece of Quenya in The Lord of the Rings.

How do you say hello in Elvish? In Sindarin: 'Mae govannen' (Well met). In Quenya: 'Aiya' (Hail/Hello). Mae govannen is the most common greeting in Tolkien's Elvish and literally means 'Well encountered'.

What does 'Aiya' mean in Quenya? 'Aiya' is a Quenya exclamation meaning 'Hail!', 'Hello!', or 'Behold!'. It appears in Tolkien's texts as a greeting and an exclamation of wonder. Frodo uses it when he encounters the High-Elves in the Shire.

Related Reading

• what to say after Mae Govannen — Elvish blessings for guests
• Elvish Greeting Etiquette in Lord of the Rings — Rivendell Customs Explained
• Elvish Oaths and Strong Words: The Fierce Side of Tolkien's Language
• How to Write a Love Letter in Elvish: Quenya & Sindarin Phrases for Romance
• Elvish Christmas & Yule Greetings — Middle-earth Winter Phrases

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