How to say happy birthday in Scottish Gaelic
Co-là breith sona dhut
Say it like this: koh-LAH BREH SON-ah GHOOT
To say happy birthday in Scottish Gaelic, you say "Co-là breith sona dhut". Gaelic (Gàidhlig) is spoken in Scotland, most of all in the Western Isles and the Highlands, and by learners all over the world. Here is how to say it, and other friendly ways to wish someone well.
"Co-là breith" means birthday ("là" is day and "breith" is birth). "Sona" means happy, and "dhut" means "to you". So it means "happy birthday to you".
Other ways to say happy birthday in Scottish Gaelic
- Co-là breith sona dhuibhSay it like this: koh-LAH BREH SON-ah GHOO-iv"Dhuibh" is the polite or plural "you". Use it for an older person, or for more than one person.
- Là breith sona dhutSay it like this: LAH BREH SON-ah GHOOTA shorter form you will also see on cards. It means the same thing.
- Co-là breith sona, a ghràidhSay it like this: koh-LAH BREH SON-ah, uh GHRAH-eeAdds "my dear" or "my love". Lovely for family, a partner or a close friend.
- Meal do naidheachd!Say it like this: MYAL doh NEH-yokhMeans "congratulations" (word for word, "enjoy your news"). Good for a card.
- Slàinte mhath!Say it like this: SLAHN-cheh VAHMeans "good health". The classic Scottish toast when you raise a glass.
The Happy Birthday song in Scottish Gaelic
Co-là breith sona dhut,
co-là breith sona dhut,
co-là breith sona [name],
co-là breith sona dhut.
This is sung to the usual Happy Birthday tune, for example in Gaelic-medium schools. At most parties in Scotland, people sing the English version.
Birthday customs
- In Scotland, children are sometimes given the "birthday bumps": friends lift them up and gently bump them on the ground, once for each year.
- In Scotland, "Slàinte mhath" is a toast used at many celebrations, birthdays included.
A quick tip
In Gaelic, an "h" after a letter changes its sound. So "dh" in "dhut" is a soft, throaty "gh" sound, and "mh" in "mhath" sounds like a "v". Keep the accent on "là" when you write it.
Questions people ask
Is Scottish Gaelic the same as Irish?
No. They are close cousins and share many words, but they are separate languages. In Irish you would say "Breithlá shona duit".
How do you pronounce Gaelic?
In Scotland, the language is usually called GAH-lik, not GAY-lik.
What do you say back?
Say "Tapadh leat" (TAH-puh let), which means thank you. To someone older, say "Tapadh leibh" (TAH-puh lyve).
Wish someone happy birthday in Scottish Gaelic
Type their name, and we will turn it into a birthday surprise in Scottish Gaelic: a gift box to open, confetti, their name in gold and the birthday song. Then send it by WhatsApp, text or email. It is free.