How to Say “Greetings” in Gaelic

Did you know?

• If you say fàilte to a stranger on the street, they might think you are actually inviting them into your home. The word carries a heavy weight of hospitality that goes far beyond a simple 'hello'.
• In Highland traditions, a formal fàilte might be part of a more elaborate poetic greeting used in song or 'òran'. These traditional songs often use highly stylized versions of greeting words to set a dramatic scene.
• A person in a Gaelic-speaking community is more likely to greet you by asking about your well-being or your family than by using the word fàilte. The focus is often on the state of the person rather than the act of greeting.