How to Learn Common Phrases in Irish

Last Updated: September 16, 2021 Approved

Irish may seem tricky, but it can be quite an easy language once you get started. And believe it or not, English is the second hardest, next to Mandarin Chinese. But this isn't a how-to on learning the language, this is just going to help you if you go to Ireland on holidays, or as a tourist, even though people in Ireland speak English as their main language anyone will appreciate you trying out the language.

Steps

1
If a friendly enough Irish person, picks up a conversation with you, the first thing they'll say would be "Hello" which in Irish is - "Dia Duit". (Dee-ya-gwitch) it literally means God be with you. Who ever says Dia Duit first, the other person answers - "Dia's Muire Duit". (dee-yass murra gwitch) that's 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
"Conas atá tú?" means "How are you?", and is pronounced Cunnis taw too.

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3
When you get asked "Conas atá tú?", you must reply "Tá mé..." and then there's a choice, here are some 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
If someone hands you a gift, you say: "Go raibh maith agat." It means thank you and is pronounced gu-revv-ma-agut.
5
As you hand someone a gift, say: "Seo leat", and that means: "here you go." and it is pronounced - shu latt.
6
If you hand someone a gift and they say, "Go raibh maith agat", you say': "Tá fáilte romhat"'. (Taw fawlchta rowt) which means you're welcome.
7
If you are leaving, you say: "Slán agat" and the person remaining says, "Slán leat ".
8
Más é do thoil é (Mawsh ay du hull ay) means please.
9
Gabh mo leithscéal (Gohv moh lesh kale) means excuse me, or pardon.
10
If they ask you a question or tell you something in Irish and you don't know what it means, just say: "Níl Gaeilge agam." (Kneel, gwail ga, ugum, ) which means: I don't speak Irish or Ní Thuigim (Knee Higim), which means: I don't understand.

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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.
Question

How do I say and pronounce "Do you speak English" in Irish?

Community Answer

"An bhfuil Béarla agat?" It means, "Have you English?" It's pronounced "un will bear la uggit."

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.

Thanks!
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