Madainn mhath
greeting
To say "good morning" in Scottish Gaelic you say Madainn mhath. It is the standard greeting until about midday.
People say it to friends, neighbours and strangers. A natural follow-up is Ciamar a tha thu?, "How are you?"
Meaning: morning greeting (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
Madainn means "morning" and mhath is math, "good", softened after a feminine noun.
Which one should you use?
After midday the greeting changes to Feasgar math, and for going to bed you say Oidhche mhath.
Did you know?
- The word madainn is also used in the phrase sa mhadainn, which means "in the morning".
Examples in context
- Madainn mhath dhuibh uile.Good morning to you all.
Example conversation
Niall meets his neighbour Catrìona at the bus stop.
- NiallMadainn mhath, a Chatrìona.Good morning, Catrìona.
- CatrìonaMadainn mhath, ciamar a tha thu?Good morning, how are you?
- NiallTha gu math, tapadh leat.I am well, thank you.
