Literal translation
to God be it!
Meaning
goodbye!
Explanation
A very old parting formula, inherited from a religious invocation entrusting the departing person's fate to divine protection, much like the Spanish adiós or the old French à Dieu vous commande. Everyday usage has worn away this religious dimension in favor of a simple polite formula equivalent to goodbye, used in every context without any pious connotation for most speakers today. Adessias is said in any register, from the most familiar to the most formal, whether taking leave of a relative at the end of a visit or closing a letter or a public speech. Together with à la revisto, it ranks among the two most widespread parting formulas in Provence, the first stressing protection or blessing over the departure, the second the concrete expectation of meeting again. Its distinctive sound, instantly recognizable, makes it a strong identity marker of the Provençal language.