bless you

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English[edit]

English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia

Etymology[edit]

From Middle English God blesse you, God blisse you.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /ˈblɛs juː/
  • Audio (AU)(file)

Interjection[edit]

bless you!

  1. Short for (may) God bless you: said as a short prayer for the recipient.
  2. (idiomatic) Said to someone who has just sneezed, as a polite remark.
    Synonym: gesundheit
  3. (idiomatic, humorous) Used to express non-understanding of someone who has just used an unusual or foreign word or phrase (as if to imply that it sounds like a sneeze).
    • 2000 July 8, J. K. Rowling [pseudonym; Joanne Rowling], Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter; 4), London: Bloomsbury Publishing, →ISBN:
      “What's that?” said Ron, pointing at a large dish of some sort of shellfish stew that stood beside a large steak-and-kidney pudding.
      “Bouillabaisse,” said Hermione.
      “Bless you,” said Ron.
      “It's French,” said Hermione, “I had it on holiday summer before last. It's very nice.”

Usage notes[edit]

  • Saying bless you after a sneeze is not considered particularly religious. The remark is used by and toward those who belong to a religion as well as those who do not.

Translations[edit]

short for "God bless you" — see God bless you
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