oidhche mhath
/ˌɤɪçə ˈvaː/
The English phrase "good night" is translated into Gaelic as oidhche mhath.
oidhche mhath is used as a farewell when parting from someone in the evening or when someone is going to sleep.
Meaning: a farewell (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of oidhche (night) and mhath (good).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌɤɪçə ˈvaː/
Did you know?
- The root of oidhche could potentially link back to the Sanskrit word andha, meaning 'blind'.
- While English uses the adjective 'good' before the noun, the Gaelic adjective mhath changes its spelling and sound because it follows the noun oidhche.
- The word oidhche is a feminine noun, which is why the adjective mhath must take its specific feminine form in this phrase.
Examples in context
- Oidhche mhath.Good night!This example shows how to use oidhche mhath.Tatoeba #877952 by Cainntear, translation #426950 by Pun_intended
Example conversation
Eilidh and Callum are saying goodbye before going to bed.
- EilidhTha mi sgìth. Oidhche mhath, a Callum.I am tired. Good night, Callum.
- CallumOidhche mhath, a Eilidh.Good night, Eilidh.
- EilidhInnis dhomh an t-ama breis.Tell me the time tomorrow.
- CallumNìimse sin an mithis.I will do that tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “good night” translations and entries oidhche mhath, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries oidhche, oidhche mhath, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
