Halò
hello, everyday
In Scottish Gaelic "hello" is Halò and "goodbye" is Mar sin leat, literally "likewise with you". A warmer goodbye is Beannachd leat, "blessing with you". To several people or someone you address politely, use leibh in place of leat. It is also called Mar sin leibh.
Meaning: greeting and farewell (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Gaelic | Note |
|---|---|
| Halò | hello, everyday |
| Mar sin leat | goodbye, to one person |
| Beannachd leat | goodbye, warm |
| Mar sin leibh | goodbye, formal or plural |
Halò is often followed by Ciamar a tha thu?, "How are you?" Times of day have their own greetings, such as Madainn mhath for good morning and Feasgar math for good afternoon.
Which one should you use?
Mar sin leat is the light, everyday goodbye. Beannachd leat sounds a little more heartfelt and is common in writing at the end of a letter.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The ending -leat is for one person you know well. The ending -leibh is for a group or for someone you treat with respect, as in Mar sin leibh and Beannachd leibh.
Did you know?
- The word beannachd means "blessing", so Beannachd leat is a farewell that literally wishes a blessing on the other person.
Examples in context
- Halò, ciamar a tha thu?Hello, how are you?
- Mar sin leat, chì mi thu a-màireach.Goodbye, I will see you tomorrow.
- Beannachd leibh, a Mhàiri.Goodbye, Mairi.
Example conversation
Màiri meets her neighbor Calum outside the shop in Portree.
- MàiriHalò, a Chaluim. Ciamar a tha thu?Hello, Calum. How are you?
- CalumTha mi gu math, tapadh leat.I am well, thank you.
- MàiriMar sin leat, a Chaluim. Chì mi thu a-màireach.Goodbye, Calum. I will see you tomorrow.
- CalumBeannachd leat.Goodbye.
