Bain sult as do bhia
Bain sult as do bhia is the Irish way to say enjoy your meal.
This is a polite phrase used to wish someone pleasure while they are eating their food.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'Take pleasure from your food'.
Did you know?
- The verb bain in the phrase 'Bain sult as do bhia' traces its roots back to the Old Irish 'benaid', which meant to 'beat' or 'strike'.
- The concept of 'taking pleasure' in Bain sult as is used for more than just food, such as enjoying a book or a sunny day.
- Irish grammar changes the word bia to bhia in this phrase because it follows the possessive do, a process known as initial consonant lenition.
Example conversation
Siobhán serves a plate of food to Cathal.
- SiobhánSeo do phláta, a Chathail.Here is your plate, Cathal.
- CathalGo raibh a aisling, go raibh maith agat.It looks lovely, thank you.
- SiobhánBain sult as do bhia!Enjoy your meal!
- CathalGo raibh maith agat, a Shibhán.Thank you, Siobhán.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries as, bain, do, CC BY-SA 4.0.
