mo lá breithe
The English phrase "my birthday" is mo lá breithe in Irish.
mo lá breithe is used to refer to the anniversary of the day a person was born.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of mo (my), lá (day) and breithe (of birth).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word breithe is the genitive form of breith (birth), used here because it is part of a noun phrase describing the day.
Did you know?
- In old Irish traditions, some believed that celebrating a birthday too publicly could attract the attention of the 'fair folk' or fairies, who might become jealous and cause mischief.
- In Ireland, it is common to refer to a birthday as a 'name day' in some traditional contexts, as the feast day of a person's patron saint was historically celebrated with as much importance as the date of birth.
- While mo lá breithe means 'my birthday', the word breith also appears in the Irish word for 'judgment' (breithiú), reflecting an ancient linguistic link between the act of bringing a child into the world and the act of deciding a case.
Examples in context
- Is inniu mo lá breithe.Today is my birthday.
- An bhfuil mo lá breithe ar an pósta?Is my birthday on the poster?
- Níor chuimhin liom mo lá breithe.I didn't remember my birthday.
Example conversation
Cian and Siobhán are chatting in the kitchen.
- CianSiobhán, an cuimhneigh tú mo lá breithe?Siobhán, do you remember my birthday?
- SiobhánTá, tá sé an chéad chéile!Yes, it is next week!
- CianGo raibh agat! Beidh cóisir ag mo lá breithe.Thank you! There will be a party on my birthday.
- SiobhánTá mé ag teacht go cinnte.I am definitely coming.
