lá cothrom lae sona duit
The Irish phrase for happy anniversary is lá cothrom lae sona duit.
This phrase is a greeting used to congratulate someone on the date of a past event, such as a wedding.
Did you know?
- The word cothrom is used in Irish to describe everything from a 'fair' trial to a 'level' surface. In the context of an anniversary, it treats the date as a balanced scale where the current day and the past day weigh the same.
- Irish has no single word that directly translates to 'anniversary', so it uses a descriptive phrase involving the word lá for 'day'.
- While sona is used for 'happy' in this greeting, it is also the word for 'lucky'. Wishing someone a sona anniversary can be interpreted as wishing them continued good fortune rather than just a pleasant day.
Example conversation
Oisín and Saoirse are celebrating their wedding anniversary at dinner.
- OisínLá cothrom lae sona duit, a Saoirse.Happy anniversary to you, Saoirse.
- SaoirseGo raibh maith agat, a Oisín!Thank you, Oisín!
- OisínAn bhfuil tú sásta leis an lá?Are you happy with the day?
- SaoirseTá, tá sé go hiontach.Yes, it is wonderful.
