nollaig na mban shona duit
The phrase for "happy women's Christmas" in Irish is nollaig na mban shona duit.
This phrase is used as a greeting to wish someone a happy celebration of Women's Christmas.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are greeting more than one person, you must change duit to agaibh to reflect the plural "you", resulting in nollaig na mban shona agaibh.
Did you know?
- Nollaig na mBan is traditionally celebrated on 6 January, coinciding with the Feast of the Epiphany. This allows women to have their own holiday after the busy Christmas period.
- In a traditional celebration, men are expected to perform all the household chores and cooking so that women can relax and socialize.
- The word shona is an adjective meaning 'happy', but its roots are connected to the concept of 'luck' or 'good fortune'. To wish someone a 'shona' Christmas is to wish them a fortunate one.
Example conversation
Cian is visiting Saoirse for a celebration.
- SaoirseFáilte romhat, a Chian!Welcome, Cian!
- CianGo raibh maith agat. Nollaig na mban shona duit!Thank you. Happy Women's Christmas to you!
- SaoirseGo raibh maith agat! Tar an isteach.Thank you! Come inside.
- CianTá mé ag teacht.I am coming.
