céad míle fáilte
a hundred thousand welcomes in Gaelic is céad míle fáilte.
This phrase is used as a warm and enthusiastic greeting to welcome someone.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to hundred thousand welcomes, where céad means hundred, míle means thousand and fáilte means welcome.
Did you know?
- While céad míle fáilte is often seen on signs for tourists, it is rarely used by native speakers in spontaneous daily conversation. They are more likely to use simpler greetings like dia duit.
- In traditional Irish law, the concept behind céad míle fáilte was tied to the 'duty of hospitality', where refusing a traveler food or shelter could result in a legal penalty or social shame.
- The word míle in céad míle fáilte is a cognate of the Latin word mille, which is where English gets the prefix 'milli-'.
Examples in context
- Céad míle fáilte romhat.A hundred thousand welcomes to you.
Example conversation
Angus arrives at Catriona's home for a visit.
- CatrionaCéad míle fáilte, a Angus!A hundred thousand welcomes, Angus!
- AngusGo raibh maith agat, a Chatríona.Thank you, Catriona.
- CatrionaTá an tea iad.The tea is ready.
- AngusSin iontach!That is wonderful!
