Gaeilge for Beginners
Essential beginner phrases in Irish Gaelic (Gaeilge), with pronunciation guides and examples.
| Irish Gaelic | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Dia dhuit | DEE-a ghwit | Hello (singular) |
| Dia dhaoibh | DEE-a jeev | Hello (plural) |
| Conas tá tú? | KUN-us TAW too? | How are you? (singular) |
| Conas tá sibh? | KUN-us TAW shiv? | How are you? (plural) |
| Tá mé go maith | Taw may guh mah | I'm good |
| Slán | Slawn | Goodbye (to someone staying) |
| Slán leat | Slawn lat | Goodbye (to someone leaving) |
| Céad míle fáilte | KAYD MEE-leh FAWL-teh | A hundred thousand welcomes |
| Cad is ainm duit? | Kad is AN-im dit? | What is your name? |
| Is mise [name] | Iss MISH-uh [name] | My name is [name] |
| Go raibh maith agat | Guh rev mah ah-GUT | Thank you |
| Tá fáilte romhat | Taw FAWL-chuh ROH-ut | You're welcome |
| Leithscéal | LEH-shkayl | Excuse me / Sorry |
| Gabh mo leithscéal | Gow muh LEH-shkayl | I'm sorry (more formal) |
| Sláinte! | SLAWN-chuh | Cheers! / Health! (toast) |
| Is maith liom... | Iss mah lyum... | I like... |
| Ní maith liom... | Nee mah lyum... | I don't like... |
| Tá ocras orm | Taw OH-krus or-um | I'm hungry |
| Tá tart orm | Taw tart or-um | I'm thirsty |
| Cá bhfuil...? | Kaw will...? | Where is...? |
| Tuigim | TIG-im | I understand |
| Ní thuigim | KNee HIG-im | I don't understand |
| Maith go leor | Mah guh lor | All right / Okay |
| a haon | uh HAYN | 1 |
| a dó | uh DOH | 2 |
| a trí | uh TREE | 3 |
| a ceathair | uh KA-her | 4 |
| a cúig | uh KOO-ig | 5 |
| a sé | uh SHAY | 6 |
| a seacht | uh SHAKT | 7 |
| a hocht | uh HUKHT | 8 |
| a naoi | uh NEE | 9 |
| a deich | uh DEH | 10 |
Ag deireadh thiar thall — At the end of the day / Ultimately
Ag bogadh ar aghaidh — Going forward
Idir an dá linn — In the meantime
Le dea-mhéin — With kind regards (excellent email closer)
Ná bíodh lagmhisneach ort — Don't be discouraged
Caithfidh mé a admháil gur tháinig sé aniar aduaidh orm. — I must admit I was surprised.
"... Focail áirithe nach féidir leat iad a rá; smaointe fírinneacha ar muca magadh meige iad...; siúicre á leathadh ar an bhfírinne shearbh …." — "Certain words you cannot say; they are truthful thoughts on mocking bleating pigs; sugar that is spread on the cutting truth"
— From an Irish Times article (2009)