Every Scottish pub has a moment. You order your first dram, the bartender slides it across the bar, catches your eye, and says “Slàinte.” You nod, sip, and spend the rest of the evening wondering what just happened. You’ve just been offered a Gaelic toast.
What Does Slàinte Mean?
Slàinte is the Scottish Gaelic word for “health.” It’s used as a toast, the equivalent of “cheers,” when raising a glass.
The longer phrase is Slàinte mhath, which means “good health.” Slàinte on its own is also used as a toast. Most visitors just smile and raise their glass, which is entirely welcome.
Saying It
Scottish Gaelic doesn’t follow English spelling rules, which is why Slàinte can trip visitors up. We have not printed a phonetic spelling here, because English-sound guides vary and we could not confirm one in two reliable sources. The best way to learn it is to hear a Gaelic speaker say it, for example through the LearnGaelic website.
Where the Word Comes From
Slàinte comes from the Old Irish word sláinte, which is itself formed from the Old Irish adjective slán, “whole, healthy.” Irish still has the same word, with the same meanings of health and a toast.
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When to Use It
Slàinte is a toast, so the moment is simply when someone raises a glass.
The Toast in Scottish Hospitality
Slàinte is a simple way to wish someone good health before a drink.
If you’re sitting in on a Speyside distillery tasting or nursing a pint in a village pub on Skye, and someone raises a glass in your direction, “Slàinte” is a good word to answer with.
A simple reply is to raise your glass, meet their eyes, and say “Slàinte.”
What does Slàinte Mhath mean in Scottish Gaelic?
Slàinte mhath is a Scottish Gaelic phrase meaning “good health.” It is used as a toast when raising a glass, equivalent to saying “cheers” in English. Slàinte on its own means “health” and is also used as a toast.
How do you say Slàinte?
We have not printed a phonetic spelling, because English-sound guides vary and we could not confirm one in two reliable sources. The best way to learn it is to hear a Gaelic speaker say it, for example through the LearnGaelic website.
When should you say Slàinte?
You can say Slàinte whenever you raise a glass with someone, as a toast meaning “cheers” or “good health.”
Is Slàinte only a Scottish word?
No. The same word, sláinte, is used in Irish, where it also means “health” and “cheers.” Scottish Gaelic slàinte and Irish sláinte both come from the Old Irish word sláinte.
Sources: Wiktionary, Scottish Gaelic slàinte; Wiktionary, Irish sláinte; Wikipedia, Sláinte; Omniglot, Scottish Gaelic phrases; Wikivoyage, Scottish Gaelic phrasebook.
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