Dé do bheatha
Irish
Irish phrasebook
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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 Middle Irish dé do betha, from Old Irish rot·bia do bethu (“you shall have your life”) or Old Irish rot·bé do bethu (“may you have your life”). Compare 's é do bheatha and Scottish Gaelic 's e do bheatha (“don’t mention it, you are welcome”).
Phrase
Dé do bheatha
- 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
- Brian Ó Cuív (1981), “The etymology of Dia do bheatha”, in Celtica, volume 14, pages 27–40
Further reading
- “beatha” in Foclóir Gaeḋilge agus Béarla, Irish Texts Society, 2nd ed., 1927, by Patrick S. Dinneen.
- “dé” in Foclóir Gaeḋilge agus Béarla, Irish Texts Society, 2nd ed., 1927, by Patrick S. Dinneen.
- "beatha" in Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla, An Gúm, 1977, by Niall Ó Dónaill.
- "dé" in Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla, An Gúm, 1977, by Niall Ó Dónaill.