Irish Sayings and Phrases

A few words of the native language is much appreciated by the locals no matter what country you're in, so when in Ireland's Gaeltacht areas, here are a few handy phrases to get you by…

Dia dhuit  (jeeh – ah – gwit)  Hello  translates as 'God be with you'

Dia is Muire dhuit (jeeh – ah- iss mwira gwit) Hello  literally translates as 'God and Mary be with you'

Conas atá tú?  (cun – iss - a – taw – too) How are you?

Tá mé ceart go leor? (taw – mey- cart- guh- lower) I'm ok/fine.

Céad Míle Fáilte  (cade – meela –fawl – che) A hundred thousand welcomes

Bail ó Dhia ort  (ball – o – yeea – urt)  The blessing of God be with you

Le do thoil  (le – the – hull)   Please

Go raibh maith agat (guh – rev- mah – agut)  Thanks

Tá fáilte romhat  (taw – fall-che – row –at) You are welcome

Sláinte   (slawn – cha)   Cheers/Good health

Slán   (slawn)    Goodbye

Slán abhaile  (slawn ah –wall-ya)  Safe home

Slán go fóill  (slawn – guh – foh – ell) Bye for a while

Slán agus beannacht (slawn – auh-gus- ban-ockt) Goodbye and blessings with you

Go n-éirí an bóthar leat (guh niyree an bow-har latt)   Have a safe trip   literally translates as 'May the road rise with you'


Hope this helps you brush up on your basic Irish phrases. If you want to learn more on the history of Irish and where it is still spoken in Ireland, then read our blog article on the Irish language.


Please feel free to add more Irish phrases to this list. We also welcome any questions, comments or even maybe some tips for learning Irish! Slán go foill!

Comments

We really appreciate your comments. We reserve the right to moderate posted comments and may paraphrase individual entries. Opinions expressed here are not the opinions held by GoIreland.com unless expressly stated.

The few Irish words that have been given in this article are very good and a few more would be very welcomed.Go raibh maith agut,Michael O Leathlaboir
I like this website its good to learn irish
  • #3
  • By: Amy McNamara
  • On: 19/Jul/09
I heard an old saying and i want to know if its Irish and i was wondering will you help me??
It goes by
"Why have a dog when you can bark yourself" it would also help if you could translate it for me.If you could help it would be greatly appreciated.
Yours sinceraly
Amy McNamara
  • #4
  • By: Bob
  • On: 27/Aug/09
Can you please provide the Gaelic words for the phrase "He opened the door."

Thank You
Bob
  • #5
  • By: Editor1
  • On: 28/Aug/09
Hi Bob

Thank you for your comment!

The translation for that is; " D'oscail sé an doras "

Regards
Editor
  • #6
  • By: Greg Neuhaus
  • On: 06/Oct/09
Can you tell me how to say "Mind yourself" in gaelic?
  • #7
  • By: Editor1
  • On: 07/Oct/09
Hi Greg

Thank you for your comment!

"Tabhair aire duit féin" is one way of saying "Mind Yourself" or "Take care of yourself"

Regards
Editor

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