Conversational Irish Survival Phrases
Use this as a language resource as you learn to speak Irish, or Irish Gaelic! You find lists of words and vocabulary below of the Common Irish Phrases , the Irish Phrases for Meeting and Greeting and Asking for Directions, which will help you with conversational Irish.
The following Irish language lesson is a partial excerpt from Transparent Language's Irish software, Learn Irish Now!.
Additional resources:
- Hear Irish phrases to learn pronunciation spoken by a native Irish speaker.
- Irish Word of the Day, which can also help anyone learn to speak Irish one word at a time.
Common Irish Phrases
- Dia dhuit ar maidin. Good morning.
- Oíche mhaith. Good night.
- Más é do thoil é. Please.
- Go raibh maith agat. Thank you.
- Tá fáilte romhat. You're welcome.
- Gabh mo leithscéal. Excuse me.
- Tá brón orm. I'm sorry.
- Is ea. Yes.
Examples of English words with Gaelic origin: whiskey, shamrock, bard, glen, galore and bog.
Meeting and Greeting
- Cad is ainm duit? What is your name?
- Is mise Bríd. My name is Bríd.
- Cén chaoi a bhfuil tú? How are you?
- Tá mé go maith, go raibh maith agat. I'm fine, thank you.
- Bíodh lá maith agat! Have a nice day!
- Ba dheas casadh leat. It was nice meeting you.
- Tá an-athás orm bualadh leat. I am very glad to meet you.
- Cad a dúirt tú? What did you say?
- Ní thuigim. I don't understand.
- An miste leat labhairt níos moille? Can you speak more slowly?
- Maith dom mo chuid Gaeilge bhriste. Excuse my poor Irish.
- Níl agam ach beagáinín Gaeilge. I only speak a little Irish.
- An labhraíonn tú Gaeilge? Do you speak Irish?
- An labhraíonn éinne anseo Gaeilge? Does anyone here speak Irish?
Asking for Directions
- An bhfuil an tacsaí seo tógtha? Is this taxi free?
- An bhfuil óstán maith thart anseo? Is there a good hotel nearby?
- An dtógfaidh tú go dtí An Ard-Eaglais mé? Can you take me to the cathedral?
- An dtógfaidh tú go dtí an Ollscoil mé le do thoil? Please take me to the university.
- An féidir leat fiche punt a bhriseadh? Can you change this 20 pound note?
- Ba mhaith liom dul go dtí Sráid Grafton. I would like to go to Grafton Street.
- Cén fhad é as seo go dtí an t-aerfort? How far is it from here to the airport?
- Cén t-achar a dtógfaidh sé é a bhaint amach? How long will it take to get there?
- Coinnigh an tsóinseáil. Keep the change.
- An féidir leat bialann mhaith a mholadh? Can you recommend a good restaurant?
