codladh sámh
/ˈkɔl̪ˠə sˠɑːvˠ/word by word
The Irish phrase for sweet dreams is codladh sámh.
codladh sámh is a common way to wish someone sweet dreams or a peaceful sleep.
Meaning: sweet dreams (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to peaceful sleep.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the adjective sámh (peaceful/calm) follows the noun codladh (sleep).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkɔl̪ˠə sˠɑːvˠ/
Did you know?
- In traditional Irish folklore, a 'peaceful sleep' was sometimes seen as a vulnerable state where the soul could wander.
- The word sámh is a distant relative of the English word 'soft', both stemming from a common Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'one' or 'same'.
- The word sámh can also describe a gentle breeze or a calm sea, moving beyond just a feeling of peace.
Examples in context
- Slán agus codladh sámh duid-se freisin!Goodbye and peaceful sleep to you too!
- Codladh sámh duit.Sweet dreams to you.
- Codladh sámh, a stóir.Sweet dreams, my treasure.
Example conversation
Conor and Aoife are saying goodnight before going to their separate rooms.
- ConorOíche mhaith agat, Aoife.Goodnight to you, Aoife.
- AoifeOíche mhaith agat, a Chonair.Goodnight to you, Conor.
- ConorCodladh sámh.Sweet dreams.
- AoifeGo raibh maith agat.Thank you.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (codladh, sámh) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries codladh, sámh, CC BY-SA 4.0.
