Oidhche Shamhna Shona
In Gaelic, happy Halloween is said as Oidhche Shamhna Shona.
This phrase is a holiday greeting used to wish someone a happy Halloween.
Meaning: holiday greeting (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'Happy Halloween night', where Oidhche means 'night', Shamhna is the genitive form of Samhain (referring to October) and Shona means 'happy'.
Did you know?
- The root of Oidhche is potentially linked to the Sanskrit word andha, meaning 'blind', which mirrors the concept of darkness.
- In traditional Gaelic culture, Samhain was the point where the 'veil' between the physical world and the spirit world was thinnest.
- Historically, the festival of Samhain was celebrated by lighting great bonfires to ward off the darkness of the coming winter.
Examples in context
- Oíche Shamhna Shona! Cad a bhfuil tú ag déanamh ar Oíche Shamhna?Happy Halloween! What are you doing on Halloween?
- Oidhche Shamhna Shona dhut!Happy Halloween to you!
Example conversation
Hamish and Eilidh meet while wearing costumes.
- HamishOidhche Shamhna Shona, a Eilidh!Happy Halloween, Eilidh!
- EilidhTapadh leat, a Hamish!Thank you, Hamish!
- HamishIs e cogadhs an costume sin!That costume is great!
- EilidhGo raibh ort!Thanks to you!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries oidhche, CC BY-SA 4.0.
