Dé do bheatha

Irish

Irish phrasebook
This entry is part of the phrasebook project, which presents criteria for inclusion based on utility, simplicity and commonness.

Alternative forms

  • Dia do bheatha, dé do bheatha, dé do bheathasa, dé bheathasa, is é do bheatha, 's é do bheatha

Etymology

From Middle Irish dia do betha or dé do betha, from Old Irish rot·bia do bethu (“you shall have your life”) or rot·bé do bethu (“may you have your life”). Compare is é do bheatha and Scottish Gaelic 's e do bheatha (“don’t mention it, you are welcome”).[1]

Phrase

Dé do bheatha

  1. welcome, hail (used as a greeting, addressed to one person)

Usage notes

  • Often interpreted as meaning “God is your life” (hence Dé commonly capitalized).

Synonyms

  • is é do bheatha, 'sé do bheatha
  • Dé bhur mbeatha (addressed to two or more people)

References

  1. ^ Brian Ó Cuív (1981) “The etymology of Dia do bheatha”, in Celtica, volume 14, pages 27–40

Further reading

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