Learn a Few Breton Words | Château du Colombier
Sometimes a single word is enough to dive into the soul of a region. In Brittany, the language becomes memory, music, and an invitation to travel. Its unique sounds evoke maritime landscapes, ancient legends, and a deep attachment to a land of character. During your stay at the Château du Colombier, a charming hotel near Saint-Malo, why not learn a few Breton words? A delicate way to extend the discovery, between living heritage and the art of hospitality.
Breton, a language at the heart of regional identity
A Celtic language, Breton — brezhoneg — is part of Brittany's cultural heritage. Passed down through generations, taught today in schools and present in the region's cultural life, it expresses a particular way of naming the world, its connections, and landscapes.
In Saint-Malo and more broadly in Upper Brittany, Gallo also holds an important historical place. This linguistic richness tells of a diverse Brittany, proud of its roots and always happy to share them with its visitors.
During a walk in the corsair city, an escape on the Emerald Coast, or a stop in a Breton village, a few expressions are enough to create a smile and show your curiosity.
A few Breton words to slip into your stay
Here is a small and simple Breton glossary to remember:
Demat: hello
Degemer mat: welcome
Mar plij: please
Trugarez: thank you
Mont a ra mat ?: how are you?
Mat-tre!: very well!
Yec’hed mat!: cheers!
Kenavo: goodbye
Ken arc’hoazh: see you tomorrow
Noz vat: good night
Pronounced simply, these words are already an invitation to meet. Degemer mat perfectly translates the spirit of Breton hospitality; trugarez thanks warmly; while kenavo, perhaps the most famous Breton word, hints that we will meet again.
And when the time comes to raise a glass after a day exploring Saint-Malo and its surroundings, a cheerful Yec’hed mat! immediately brings a Breton touch to the moment.
Experience Brittany from the Château du Colombier
Learning a few Breton words is also about choosing to travel differently: with attention, curiosity, and respect for the identity of the places. Nestled in a vast park at the gates of Saint-Malo, the Château du Colombier offers a privileged setting for this immersion. Here, the stay unfolds at the pace of nature, cultural discoveries, and sincere hospitality.
After a day between ramparts, beaches, and villages of character, the château invites you to find the calm of its rooms, the softness of its park, and the flavors of its bistronomic table. Every detail contributes to a more intimate experience of Brittany, where heritage is discovered as much in landscapes as in words.
So, during your next romantic getaway near Saint-Malo, let yourself be charmed by the musicality of Breton. All you have left to say is: Degemer mat e Breizh — welcome to Brittany!
