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The conventional way to say “cheers” in Irish is by using the word “sláinte,” yet there exist various other expressions and phrases you can employ when raising a toast in the Irish language. Below are some of the most useful ones to be acquainted with.
Steps
Traditional Toasts
Declare 'Sláinte!' This stands as the nearest equivalent to the English toast 'cheers!' in the Irish Gaelic lexicon.
- Technically, “sláinte” translates to the English word “health.” By using this expression, you’re essentially proposing a toast to someone’s well-being.
- Articulate this Irish term as slawn-cha.
Present 'Good Health!' This expression underscores the positive wishes inherent in a traditional toast.
- 'Sláinte' denotes 'health' and 'mhaith' translates to 'good.'
- Directly translated, it signifies 'health good' or 'good health.'
- To articulate this Irish phrase, say slan-cha vah.
Express 'Health to You!' This adaptation of the customary toast is more intimate and personalized.
- 'Sláinte' conveys 'health' and 'chugat' signifies 'you.'
- When combined in this context, it translates to 'health to you' in English.
- Pronounce the Irish toast as slawn-cha hoo-ut'.
- Alternatively, 'chugaibh' can be used for addressing multiple individuals, pronounced as 'hoo-uv'.
Employ 'Health and Prosperity!' This phrase represents another variation of the traditional toast, emphasizing good wishes for the individual being toasted.
- 'Sláinte' denotes 'health,' 'agus' translates to 'and,' and 'táinte' signifies wealth.
- When literally translated, it means 'health and wealth' in English.
- To pronounce this Irish phrase, say slawn-cha ogg-uss tawn-cheh.
Offer a hearty wish: 'Health to the Men and Eternal Life to the Women!' This rendition of the traditional toast is more elaborate and works particularly well in group settings among friends.
- 'Sláinte' translates to 'health,' 'na' indicates 'the,' and 'bhfear' refers to 'men.'
- 'Agus' means 'and.'
- 'Go' means 'that,' 'maire' signifies 'endure,' 'na' denotes 'the,' 'mná' represents 'women,' 'go' means 'that,' and 'deo' signifies 'forever.'
- When strung together, the toast signifies, 'Health to the men and may the women live forever.'
- This phrase should be pronounced approximately as slawn-cha na var agus guh mara na m-naw guh djeo.
Additional Toasts and Good Wishes
Present 'A Healthy Heart and Quenched Thirst!' This toast encapsulates a wish for good health and a satisfying drink.
- Translated literally, it means 'a healthy heart and a wet mouth.'
- In detail, 'Croí' signifies 'heart,' 'folláin' translates to 'healthy,' 'agus' means 'and,' 'gob' means 'mouth' or 'beak,' and 'fliuch' denotes 'wet.'
- To pronounce the phrase, say cree full-in ah-gus gob fluck.
Declare 'Long Life, Quenched Thirst, and End in Ireland!' This expression extends the wish for longevity and a satisfying drink by also including a wish for a full life in Ireland.
- Translated directly, this phrase means 'long life to you, a wet mouth, and death in Ireland.'
- Breaking it down, 'Fad' denotes 'length' or 'long,' 'saol' means 'life,' and 'agat' means 'you have.'
- 'Gob' stands for 'mouth' or 'beak,' and 'fliuch' signifies 'wet.'
- Additionally, 'agus' translates to 'and.'
- 'Bás' represents 'death,' 'in' means 'in,' and 'Éireann' is the Irish term for 'Ireland.'
- To pronounce this phrase, say fah-d seal, gob fluck, ah-gus boss in Air-inn.
Express 'May God Strengthen Your Hand!' This toast expresses a wish for strength and resilience.
- Translated literally, it means 'may God not weaken your hand.'
- Breaking it down, 'Nár' means 'not,' 'laga' signifies 'weak' or 'weaken,' 'Dia' stands for 'God,' 'do' translates to 'to,' and 'lámh' denotes 'hand.'
- To pronounce this phrase, say Nar lah-ga Djee-ah duh lawv.
Offer 'May Your Kingdom Come!' Present this toast to wish for prosperity.
- Translated directly, it means 'may thy kingdom come.'
- Breaking it down, 'Go' denotes 'in,' 'dtaga' means 'come,' 'do' translates to 'to,' and 'ríocht' represents 'kingdom.'
- To pronounce this toast, say guh DAG-uh duh REE-ukht.
Seasonal Celebrations
Exclaim 'Happy Christmas to You!' during the festive season. This phrase is akin to toasting 'Merry Christmas' in English.
- 'Nollaig shona' translates to 'happy Christmas,' while 'duit' means 'to you,' directing the toast to the person being wished.
- Pronounce this seasonal toast as null-ig hun-ah ditch.
Use 'May We Live Again at This Time Next Year' for New Year's celebrations. This toast is fitting for New Year's Eve, expressing wishes for health and longevity.
- It roughly translates to, 'may we be alive at this time next year.'
- Breaking it down, the first part, 'Go mbeire muid mbeo ar,' means 'may we live again,' and the latter part, 'an am seo arís,' signifies 'this time next year.'
- To pronounce this toast, say go merr-ih-meedh mee-oh err on om shioh ah-reesh.
Offer 'Generations of Children on Your Children' at weddings. Present this toast to the newlyweds, wishing blessings upon their future family.
- Translated roughly, the toast means, 'may there be a generation of children on the children of your children.' Essentially, it expresses a wish for the newlyweds' family to thrive for many generations to come.
- Pronounce this wedding toast as sluckt schlock-ta er shlucht voor schlock-ta.
Check Your Understanding Quiz
How do you pronounce the phrase 'Sláinte mhaith'?
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