How to Learn Common Phrases in Irish

Last Updated: June 8, 2022 Approved

Hoping to learn some Irish phrases before heading over to the Emerald Isle? The Irish language may seem tricky, but it can be quite an easy language once you get started. We've put together a list of simple phrases to learn, so you can have some basic interactions with the Irish-speaking locals.

1

Hello: Dia Duit (dee-ya-gwitch)

Dia Duit it literally means God be with you. Whoever says Dia Duit first, the other person answers "Dia's Muire Duit" (dee-yass murra gwitch), which means God and Mary be with you, or 'Dia is Muire is Seosamh duit' (dee-ya iss murra is showsive gwitch) God, Mary and Joseph be with you. It's from a more religious time really

2

How are you: Conas atá tú?

Conas atá tú is pronounced Cunnis taw too.

3

I am... : Tá mé...

You must reply "Tá mé..." When you get asked "Conas atá tú." Then there are different words you could put in after Tá mé:
- Go maith (good) (Gu ma)
- Go deas (great) (Gu dass)
- Go brón (sad) (Gu brone)
- Tá sceitimíní orm (excited) (Tah skettimeeni uram)
- "Tá mé go maith" (fine) (Tah may go mahth)
- "Tá mé beo ar éigean" (not so good) (Ta may be-or reagan)

4

Thank you: Go raibh maith agat

Say "go raibh maith agat" if someone hands you a gift. It means thank you and is pronounced gu-revv-ma-agut.

5

Here you go: Seo leat

Say "seo leat" when you hand somebody a gift. It means: "here you go" and it is pronounced - shu latt.

6

You're welcome: Tá fáilte romhat

Say "tá fáilte romhat" if someone thanks you for something. It's pronounced as "Taw fawlchta rowt" and means "you're welcome."

7

Goodbye: Sián agat

Say "sián agat" when you're leaving. The person remaining says, "Slán leat," which also means goodbye.

8

Please: Más é do thoil é

Más é do thoil é is pronounced as "mawsh ay du hull ay."

9

Excuse me/pardon: Gabh mo leithscéal

Gabh mo leithscéal is pronounced "Gohv moh lesh kale." It means excuse me, or pardon.

10

I don't speak Irish: Níl Gaeilge agam

Say "Níl Gaeilge agam" (Kneel gwail ga ugum) if you don't know what someone's saying. You can also say "Ní Thuigim" (Knee Higim), which means: "I don't understand."

Community Q&A

Question

What are the days of the week?

Community Answer

Dé Domhnaigh-Sunday; Dé Luain- Monday; Dé Máirt- Tuesday; Dé Céadaoin- Wednesday; Déardaoin- Thursday; Dé hAoine- Friday; Dé Sathairn- Saturday.
Question

How do I say thank you in Irish Gaelic?

Hannelore Claes

Community Answer

Go raibh maith agat.
Question

How do you say Ireland in Irish Gaelic?

Community Answer

Ireland is "Éire" in Irish Gaelic.

Warnings

Many adults in Ireland do not speak irish past their schooling years and thus don't know a whole lot. If you want to visit a part of ireland that is predominantly irish speaking research The Ghaeltacht.

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