BASIC IRISH

Nice simple holiday phrases, If you have an urge to try your hand, these are the sorts of odds and sods of Gaelic you should get your tongue around, rather than the fit Irish barman after you've drank the bar dry on a hen/Stag weekend!

GREETINGS

Dia Dhuit = Hello (If first)
Dia is Muire dhuit = Hello (In reply)
Maidin mhaith = Good morning
Dia dhuit tráthnóna = Good afternoon
Tráthnóna = Good evening
Fáilte = Welcome


FAREWELLS


Tóg bog é = Take it easy
Slán = So long / bye
Slán leat = Goodbye (said if you’re staying)
Slán agat = Goodbye (said if you’re leaving)
Tabhair aire = Take care
Slán go fóill! = Bye for now!
Oíche mhaith = Goodnight

MANNERS

Tá áthas orm bualadh leat = Nice to meet you
Ma’s é do thoil é / le do thoil = Please
Go raibh maith agat = Thank you
Go raibh míle maith agat = Thank you very much
Gaibh mo leithscéal = Excuse me
Gaibh mo phardún = Pardon me
Gurab amhlaidh duit = The same to you
Tá fáilte romhat = You are welcome
Ná habair é = Don’t mention it
Tá brón orm = I’m sorry

FEELINGS

Conas tá tú? / Cén chaoi a bhuil tú? = How are you?
Tá mé go maith / Táim go maith = I’m doing well / good
Tá mé go hiontach = I’m wonderful
Tá mé go breá = I am fine
Tá áthas orm = I’m happy
Tá mé go caoiseach = I’m "so so"
Níl mé go maith = I’m not so good
Tá mé go dona = I am (feeling) bad
Tá mé tinn = I am sick
Tá tinneas cinn orm = I have a headache
Tá tuirse orm / Tá mé tuirseach = I am tired
Tá eagla orm = I’m afraid
Tá fearg orm = I’m angry
Tá mé ar buille = I am mad (angry or crazy)
Tá mé ólta = I’m very drunk
Tá okras orm = I’m hungry
Tá tart orm = I’m thirsty

 

FIRST CONTACT

Cad is ainm duit? = What is your name?
Bea is ainm dom = Bea is my name
Cén t-ainm atá ort? = What is your name?
Is e Bea an t-ainm atá orm = Bea is my name
Is mise Bea = I am Bea
Cá bhuil tú I do chónai? = Where do you live?
Tá mé I mo chónai I bSligo = I live in Sligo

STATEMENTS

Buíochas le Dia = Thank God
Rath Dé ort! = God bless you!
Dia linn = Bless you (if you sneezed...)

Go n’éirí an t-ádh leat = Good luck
Go maire tú I bhfad = Congratulations
Bréithlá shona dhuit = Happy Birthday
Nollig Shona = Merry Christmas


A TOAST

Sláinte! = Cheers!


DECLARING LOVE

Táim I n-Grá le Westlife = I’m in love with Westlife


INSULTS

Póg ma thoin! = Kiss my arse!
Bí ciúin! = Be quiet!
Dún do bheal! = Shut your mouth!

Of course you were listening...

B’fhéidir = Maybe
B’fhéidir go bhfuil an ceart agat = Maybe you’re right
Cén fáth? = Why?
Ná bac leis = Never mind

 

 

 

 

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