fáilte go
/ˈfˠɑːlʲtʲə ɡo/word by word
The Irish phrase for "welcome to" is fáilte go.
This phrase is a greeting used to welcome someone to a specific place.
What does it mean word for word?
The word fáilte is a noun meaning "welcome".
How does it change in a sentence?
When welcoming someone to a specific place or person, the preposition go often expands to go dtí.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfˠɑːlʲtʲə ɡo/
Did you know?
- The Irish word for 'welcome' is used in the phrase Céad Míle Fáilte, which literally translates to 'a hundred thousand welcomes'.
- The word go is a cognate of the Russian word ко, meaning both words share a common history of expressing being 'with' or 'at' something.
- Unlike English, where 'welcome' can be used to grant permission (e.g., 'you are welcome to stay'), fáilte is almost exclusively used for the act of greeting.
Examples in context
- Fáilte chuig ár gcomhdháil bliantúil!Welcome to our annual conference!
- Céad míle fáilte romhat chuig Éire!A hundred thousand welcomes to you to Ireland!
- Fáilte romhat chuig Gaillimh!Welcome to Galway!
- Fáilte go dtí Corcaigh!Welcome to Cork!
- Fáilte isteach chuig an Ghaeltacht!Welcome to the Gaeltacht!
- Dia duit! Fáilte go hÉirinn!Hello! Welcome to Ireland!
- Fáilte go hÉire.Welcome to Ireland.
- Fáilte go dtí an baile.Welcome to the home/house.
- Fáilte go dtí an tScoil.Welcome to the school.
Example conversation
Cathal greets Niamh at the airport.
- CathalFáilte go hÉirinn, a Niamh!Welcome to Ireland, Niamh!
- NiamhGo raibh maith agat, a Chathal!Thank you, Cathal!
- CathalAn bhfuil tú sásta anseo?Are you happy here?
- NiamhTá, tá an áit go hálainn.Yes, the place is beautiful.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (fáilte, go) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fáilte, go, CC BY-SA 4.0.
