Sláinte means “health” in Irish and is also used as a toast—roughly, “to your health.” For a natural-sounding pronunciation, listen to the regional recordings in the official Teanglann pronunciation database rather than relying on one English-style spelling.
What does sláinte mean?
Sláinte is the Irish word for “health.” It is also used as a toast: the Irish-English dictionary lists Sláinte! and Seo do shláinte!, glossed as “Here’s a health to you!” The toast is therefore a wish for someone’s health, not simply a word whose only meaning is “cheers.” Foras na Gaeilge’s Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla (Ó Dónaill), “sláinte” records both senses and these examples.
How do you say “cheers” in Irish?
To make a toast, you can say Sláinte! The dictionary also gives Seo do shláinte!, meaning “Here’s a health to you!” The English-Irish dictionary records the phrase for drinking to someone’s health as sláinte duine a ól, reinforcing the sense behind the familiar “to your health” translation. Foras na Gaeilge’s English–Irish Dictionary (de Bhaldraithe), “HEALTH” includes that wording.
How do you pronounce sláinte?
Irish pronunciation varies by dialect, so there is not one English respelling that captures every speaker. Use Teanglann’s pronunciation entry for “Sláinte” to hear the available regional recordings. Foras na Gaeilge says its pronunciation database includes sound files in the three major dialects; compare Ulster, Connacht, and Munster recordings rather than treating one as more correct. Teanglann’s website information describes the resource and its dialect recordings.
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A related Irish toast
The dictionary also records Sláinte agus saol (chugat)!, meaning “Health and long life to you!” It is a longer related expression if you want to extend the toast. The “sláinte” entry in Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla gives this phrase and translation.
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