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)

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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?

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3

I am... : Tá mé...

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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

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It means thank you and is pronounced gu-revv-ma-agut.

5

Here you go: Seo leat

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It means: "here you go" and it is pronounced - shu latt.

6

You're welcome: Tá fáilte romhat

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It's pronounced as "Taw fawlchta rowt" and means "you're welcome."

7

Goodbye: Sián agat

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The person remaining says, "Slán leat," which also means goodbye.

8

Please: Más é do thoil é

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is pronounced as "mawsh ay du hull ay."

9

Excuse me/pardon: Gabh mo leithscéal

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It means excuse me, or pardon.

10

I don't speak Irish: Níl Gaeilge agam

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You can also say "Ní Thuigim" (Knee Higim), which means: "I don't understand."

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What are the days of the week?

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

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How do I say thank you in Irish Gaelic?

Hannelore Claes

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Go raibh maith agat.

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How do you say Ireland in Irish Gaelic?

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Ireland is "Éire" in Irish Gaelic.

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Tips

A fada (ie, á) over the letter makes the word sound different.
- Over an a, makes it have an aw... sound,
- over an e, it sound like, a (the letter a),
- over an i it sounds like ee,
- over an o, it just sounds like o
- and over a u it sounds like, oo (as in ooh and ahh)
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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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How to Learn Common Phrases in Irish

Steps

Hello: Dia Duit (dee-ya-gwitch)

How are you: Conas atá tú?

I am... : Tá mé...

Thank you: Go raibh maith agat

Here you go: Seo leat

You're welcome: Tá fáilte romhat

Goodbye: Sián agat

Please: Más é do thoil é

Excuse me/pardon: Gabh mo leithscéal

I don't speak Irish: Níl Gaeilge agam

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