Halò, ciamar a tha thu?
/haˈloː ˈkʲʰimaɾ ə ha u/word by word
In Gaelic, "hello how are you" is said as Halò, ciamar a tha thu?
This phrase is a common greeting used to say hello and to ask about someone's well-being.
Which one should you use?
Halò, ciamar a tha thu? is the informal version, whereas Halò, ciamar a tha sibh? is the formal or plural version.
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the greeting from the informal thu to the formal or plural sibh, you replace thu with sibh.
How do you pronounce it?
/haˈloː ˈkʲʰimaɾ ə ha u/
When do people say it?
A common response to Ciamar a tha thu? is Tha mi gu math, tapadh leat (I am well, thank you).
Did you know?
- The word halò is actually a relatively recent addition to the language, having been borrowed from the English word 'hallo'.
- In Gaelic culture, asking Ciamar a tha thu? can often be the start of a much longer exchange about health and family rather than a quick social formality.
- Even though the phrase is used to ask how someone is, the grammar functions by stating 'how is it that you are', rather than a direct 'how are you'.
Examples in context
- Halò, ciamar a tha thu?Hello, how are you?
