Fad saoil duit
Word for wordLength of life to you
What it meansLong life to you.
Approximate pronunciation guide
fad SEEL ditch
Written for English speakers and editorial rather than sourced. It will get you close enough to be understood, and it is not a substitute for a native speaker. Recorded audio is planned; see About.
When to use it A birthday or milestone wish, and the traditional cheer for good news.
About this saying
Ó Dónaill prints it with an exclamation mark (a wish called out, not written) and pairs it in the same entry with a fuller form wishing long life and lasting health together. It belongs to the same family as the century toast Go maire tú an céad: Irish good wishes measure themselves in years.
Provenance
Where this wording comes from. We publish nothing we cannot point at.
- DictionaryÓ Dónaill, Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla (1977)s.v. fad, printed "~ saoil duit!" glossed "long life to you!"