Greetings

1. Halò

   Hello

   Usage

   A short all-purpose greeting, also used when answering the phone

   Grammar Note

   An interjection borrowed from English "hello", written "Halò"

2. Beannachd leat

   Goodbye

   Usage

   Said when parting from a friend. Polite form uses "leibh"

   Grammar Note

   Literally "a blessing with you". Use "Beannachd leibh" for several people or someone you address formally

3. Ciamar a tha thu?

   How are you?

   Usage

   A greeting for friends, family or children

   Grammar Note

   For elders, strangers or several people, use "sibh" instead of "thu" (Ciamar a tha sibh?)

4. Madainn mhath

   Good morning

   Usage

   Morning greeting; the same form for one person or many

   Grammar Note

   Learn it as a fixed phrase; "mhath" is "math" with lenition (the written "h")

5. Oidhche mhath

   Good night

   Usage

   Said at bedtime or when parting at night

   Grammar Note

   Add "leat" (informal) or "leibh" (formal): Oidhche mhath leat / leibh

6. Tha mi toilichte coinneachadh ribh

   I am pleased to meet you

   Usage

   A polite phrase for meeting someone for the first time. With a friend, say "riut" instead of "ribh"

   Grammar Note

   Built from dictionary words by regular rules. "coinneachadh ri" means "meeting", and ri + sibh gives "ribh"

7. Càit a bheil an taigh-beag, mas e ur toil e?

   Where is the toilet, please?

   Usage

   A polite way to ask where the toilet is

   Grammar Note

   "taigh-beag" literally means "small house" and refers to the toilet. "Mas e ur toil e" is the polite "please"

8. Chan eil Gàidhlig agam

   I don't speak Gaelic

   Usage

   To say you cannot speak Gaelic

   Grammar Note

   Literally "Gaelic is not at me". Gaelic expresses "have" with "aig" (at)

9. Thig mi a-rithist

   I'll come again

   Usage

   Said when leaving, to say you will visit again

   Grammar Note

   "Thig" is the future form of "come". "A-rithist" means "again"

10. Bha deagh àm agam

    I had a great time

    Usage

    To say you enjoyed an occasion

    Grammar Note

    "Deagh" is a prefix meaning "good" that lenites the next word. "Have" is expressed with "agam" (at me)

11. Tapadh leat, chì mi thu

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A friendly farewell that also thanks the person

    Grammar Note

    "Chì" is the future of "faic" (see); "Chì mi thu" works as "see you"

12. 'S e do bheatha

    You're welcome

    Usage

    A reply to thanks; it also works as "welcome"

    Grammar Note

    Literally "it is your life", a set phrase of welcome. Polite form: "'S e ur beatha"

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