slàinte
/ˈslaːnt͡ʃə/
The Gaelic phrase for "bless you" is slàinte.
This expression is used when someone has sneezed.
Meaning: said to somebody who has sneezed (intj)
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈslaːntʃə/
Did you know?
- While slàinte is used for a sneeze, it is much more commonly heard in a pub when people are clinking glasses to mean 'health' during a toast.
- The word slàinte is closely related to the word 'salut' in French and 'salute' in Italian, all deriving from the Latin 'salus' meaning health.
- The concept of slàinte covers both physical health and wholeness, meaning a sneeze is treated as a momentary break in one's overall well-being.
Examples in context
- Slàinte agad.Bless you (literally: health to you).
Example conversation
Callum sneezes while talking to Mairead.
- MaireadSlàinte!Bless you!
- CallumTapadh leat, a Mhairead.Thank you, Mairead.
- MaireadA bheil thu gu math?Are you doing okay?
- CallumTha, dìreach an t-uagasgaire.Yes, just a sneeze.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry slàinte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
