Saying 'how are you' in Manx

You and You (formal/informal)

Manx makes an important distinction between informal singular and formal/plural when addressing someone.

• t’ou / oo → used when speaking informally to one person, such as a friend or family member.
• shiu → used when speaking to several people, or politely to one person (similar to French vous or German Sie).

Example:

• Kys t’ou? = How are you? (informal, singular)
• Kys shiu? = How are you? (formal singular or plural)

Saying “thank you”

• Gura mie ayd literally means may there be good with you. In practice, it simply means thank you.
• When speaking formally or to more than one person, you use gura mie eu (thank you / thank you all).

Right away, you’ll notice how Manx requires you to think a little differently—but the patterns will become familiar as you go!