Lá breithe sona duit
The English phrase 'happy birthday' is translated into Gaelic as Lá breithe sona duit.
This phrase is used to offer good wishes to someone on their birthday.
Meaning: good wishes for a birthday (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Lá breithe sona duit literally translates to 'Happy birthday to you'. The component Lá breithe means 'birthday', sona means 'happy' and duit means 'to you'.
Which one should you use?
While Lá breithe sona duit is a standard way to express the sentiment, Breithlá sona duit is also commonly used in Irish Gaelic to wish someone a happy birthday.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing more than one person or using the formal 'you', the phrase changes from duit to sibh, as in Lá breithe sona sibh.
Did you know?
- In Gaelic culture, it is common to celebrate a 'name day' in addition to a birthday. This occurs on the feast day of the saint for whom a person is named.
- Because sona can also mean 'lucky' or 'fortunate', the phrase can be interpreted as wishing the person a 'lucky birth-day'.
- In some traditional Gaelic contexts, instead of just wishing a happy birthday, one might wish for 'long life' or 'many happy returns' to show deeper respect.
Examples in context
- Mòran taing!Thank you very much!
- Breithlá sona duit, a chara!Happy birthday, friend!
- Go raibh maith agat!Thank you!
- Lá breithe sona duit, a charaid.Happy birthday to you, friend.
Example conversation
Hamish gives a gift to Eilidh.
- HamishLá breithe sona duit, a Eilidh!Happy birthday, Eilidh!
- EilidhTapadhleis, a Hamish!Thank you, Hamish!
- HamishAn toilleadh thu seo?Do you like this?
- EilidhTha, tha e sgoinneach!Yes, it is wonderful!
