fàilte gu alba
/ˈfaːltʲə ɡ̊ə ˈaˈl̪ˠa.pə/word by word
fàilte gu alba is how you say "welcome to scotland" in Gaelic.
This phrase is a greeting used to welcome someone who has just arrived in Scotland.
Which one should you use?
While fàilte gu alba is the default form, fàilte a dh'Alba is also used to mean "welcome to scotland".
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈfaːltʲə ɡ̊ə ˈaˈl̪ˠa.pə/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- In Gaelic, the word Alba is used for 'Scotland', but it is also the root of the English word 'Albion', one of the oldest known names for the island of Britain.
- The greeting fàilte is often paired with the offering of a drink, reflecting an ancestral Gaelic code of hospitality where the guest's needs are prioritized above all.
- The phrase fàilte gu alba can be used as a formal greeting, but in historical contexts, a fàilte was also a physical reception or a feast held to honor a visiting guest.
Examples in context
- Fàilte gu Alba, a charaid.Welcome to Scotland, friend.
Example conversation
Finlay meets Catriona at the airport.
- FinlayHalo, Catriona! Fàilte gu Alba.Hello, Catriona! Welcome to Scotland.
- CatrionaTapadh leat, Finlay.Thank you, Finlay.
- FinlayA bheil thu sgìth?Are you tired?
- CatrionaTha, ach tha mi gluaisach!Yes, but I am excited!
