Elvish Greetings: Mae Govannen and 15 Essential Phrases
Elvish Greetings: Mae Govannen and Essential Phrases
Quick reference — say hello in Elvish:
- Sindarin: Mae govannen — "Well met / Hello"
- Quenya: Aiya — "Hail / Hello"
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"
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.
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!"
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"
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.
6. Hantanyel — "Thank you" (Quenya)
Pronunciation: han-TAN-yel
The Quenya equivalent of thanks. From the root hanta- (to thank).
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.
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.
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).
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).
11. Tolo — "Come" (Sindarin)
Pronunciation: TOH-lo
An imperative meaning "come here" — used in invitations and welcoming gestures.
"Tolo, mellon" — "Come, friend"
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.
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!"
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."
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".
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 |
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Mae govannen' mean in Elvish?
Mae govannen is Sindarin for "Well met" — the standard Elvish greeting. Mae = well, govannen = encountered.
What does 'Namárië' mean?
Namárië is Quenya for "Farewell" — literally "be well." It's the title of Galadriel's famous lament.
How do you say hello in Elvish?
In Sindarin: Mae govannen. In Quenya: Aiya.
Related Articles
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Practice these greetings with interactive flashcards on Tengwar. Free forever for the first lessons.
Related Reading
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- How to Write a Love Letter in Elvish: Quenya & Sindarin Phrases for Romance
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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.
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