Greetings & Expressions in Irish – Rosmerta Publishing

Last updated July 15, 2026

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Grimoire Vocabulary — Greetings & Expressions

Irish greetings often carry a blessing. Dia duit (hello) literally means “God to you,” and the reply, Dia is Muire duit, adds “and Mary.” The everyday greetings and set expressions are below, with pronunciation and sources.

128 entries in this theme. Use the search box below to find a specific word, or scroll the table.

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Irish	Ogham	How to say it	English	Source	Note
‘Níl aon athrú ar do ghoile,’ ar seisean go habartha.	᚛ᚅᚔᚂ ᚐᚑᚅ ᚐᚈᚆᚏᚒ ᚐᚏ ᚇᚑ ᚌᚆᚑᚔᚂᚓ ᚐᚏ ᚄᚓᚔᚄᚓᚐᚅ ᚌᚑ ᚆᚐᚁᚐᚏᚈᚆᚐ᚜	`NEEL EEN AH-hroo AHR DUH GHIH-luh AHR SHEH-uh-shan GUH HAH-buh-rhuh`	quip	Foclóir Teanglann
abair arís é	᚛ᚐᚁᚐᚔᚏ ᚐᚏᚔᚄ ᚓ᚜	`AB-er uh-REESH ay`	say it again	Rosmerta editorial	Say it again. Useful when learning.
abair é	᚛ᚐᚁᚐᚔᚏ ᚓ᚜	`AB-er ay`	you said it	Rosmerta editorial	You said it. Used to agree emphatically.
amhrán deas	᚛ᚐᚋᚆᚏᚐᚅ ᚇᚓᚐᚄ᚜	`OW-rawn DASS`	a nice song	Rosmerta editorial	A nice song. Said as praise after sean-nós performance.
an mbeidh tú liom	᚛ᚐᚅ ᚋᚁᚓᚔᚇᚆ ᚈᚒ ᚂᚔᚑᚋ᚜	`un may too lyum`	will you be with me	Rosmerta editorial	Will you be with me — common construction.
An rud is annamh is iontach	᚛ᚐᚅ ᚏᚒᚇ ᚔᚄ ᚐᚅᚅᚐᚋᚆ ᚔᚄ ᚔᚑᚅᚈᚐᚉᚆ᚜	`un rud iss AN-uv iss EEN-tukh`	the rare thing is wonderful	Rosmerta editorial	Proverb: ‘The rare thing is wonderful.’ Familiar things are taken for granted.
an-mhaith	᚛ᚐᚅᚋᚆᚐᚔᚈᚆ᚜	`AN-vah`	very good	gaelspell Foclóir	Very good. The an- prefix intensifies maith.
ar bharr na hábhair	᚛ᚐᚏ ᚁᚆᚐᚏᚏ ᚅᚐ ᚆᚐᚁᚆᚐᚔᚏ᚜	`er VAR nuh HAW-vir`	above all	Rosmerta editorial	Above all things. A phrase for emphasis.
ar bhuail tú leis	᚛ᚐᚏ ᚁᚆᚒᚐᚔᚂ ᚈᚒ ᚂᚓᚔᚄ᚜	`er VOOL too lesh`	did you meet him	Rosmerta editorial	Did you meet him? Common conversational opener.
ar fheabhas	᚛ᚐᚏ ᚃᚆᚓᚐᚁᚆᚐᚄ᚜	`er OW-uss`	excellent	Foclóir Teanglann	Excellent. The standard praise word in conversation.
Ar mhuin na muice	᚛ᚐᚏ ᚋᚆᚒᚔᚅ ᚅᚐ ᚋᚒᚔᚉᚓ᚜	`er VWIN nuh MWIK-uh`	on the pig’s back	Rosmerta editorial	Doing very well — literally ‘on the pig’s back.’ Idiom for thriving.
ar shláinte	᚛ᚐᚏ ᚄᚆᚂᚐᚔᚅᚈᚓ᚜	`er SLAWN-chuh`	to your health	Rosmerta editorial	To your health. A toast — also ‘sláinte’ alone.
arú	᚛ᚐᚏᚒ᚜	`uh-ROO`	ah	gaelspell Foclóir	Ah! Used to attract attention or express mild surprise.
Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit	᚛ᚐᚈᚆᚁᚆᚂᚔᚐᚔᚅ ᚃᚐᚑᚔ ᚋᚆᚐᚔᚄᚓ ᚇᚒᚔᚈ᚜	`AH-vlee-un fwee VASH-uh dwitch`	happy new year	Rosmerta editorial	Happy New Year — ‘a new year of beauty to you.’
Bail ó Dhia ort	᚛ᚁᚐᚔᚂ ᚑ ᚇᚆᚔᚐ ᚑᚏᚈ᚜	`bal oh YEE-uh urt`	blessing of god on you	Wiktionary Rosmerta editorial	Blessing of God on you. Often said when someone is working at something.
barróg a thabhairt dá chéile	᚛ᚁᚐᚏᚏᚑᚌ ᚐ ᚈᚆᚐᚁᚆᚐᚔᚏᚈ ᚇᚐ ᚉᚆᚓᚔᚂᚓ᚜	`BAH-rrohg AH HOW-UH-uhrt DAW HAY-uh-luh`	hug	Foclóir Teanglann
Beannacht leat	᚛ᚁᚓᚐᚅᚅᚐᚉᚆᚈ ᚂᚓᚐᚈ᚜	`BAN-ukht lat`	blessing with you	Rosmerta editorial	Blessing with you — common parting phrase.
Beannachtaí na Cásca	᚛ᚁᚓᚐᚅᚅᚐᚉᚆᚈᚐᚔ ᚅᚐ ᚉᚐᚄᚉᚐ᚜	`BAN-ukh-tee nuh KAW-skuh`	easter blessings	Rosmerta editorial	Easter blessings — Easter greeting.
Beidh lá eile ag an bPaorach	᚛ᚁᚓᚔᚇᚆ ᚂᚐ ᚓᚔᚂᚓ ᚐᚌ ᚐᚅ ᚁᚚᚐᚑᚏᚐᚉᚆ᚜	`BAY law EL-uh eg un BAY-rukh`	another day will come	Rosmerta editorial	There’ll be another day for the Powers — said when defeated, with hope of revenge or recovery. The Powers (Paorach) were a Norman family who lost in many feuds.
bheith ag dordán	᚛ᚁᚆᚓᚔᚈᚆ ᚐᚌ ᚇᚑᚏᚇᚐᚅ᚜	`VEH-uhh AHG DUH-rdawn`	hum	Foclóir Teanglann
bheith ag geabaireacht	᚛ᚁᚆᚓᚔᚈᚆ ᚐᚌ ᚌᚓᚐᚁᚐᚔᚏᚓᚐᚉᚆᚈ᚜	`VEH-uhh AHG GA-buh-uh-rakht`	chatter	Foclóir Teanglann
bheith ag smeacharnach	᚛ᚁᚆᚓᚔᚈᚆ ᚐᚌ ᚄᚋᚓᚐᚉᚆᚐᚏᚅᚐᚉᚆ᚜	`VEH-uhh AHG SHMA-khuh-rnuhkh`	sob	Foclóir Teanglann
bheith ag éagaoineadh	᚛ᚁᚆᚓᚔᚈᚆ ᚐᚌ ᚓᚐᚌᚐᚑᚔᚅᚓᚐᚇᚆ᚜	`VEH-uhh AHG AY-uh-gee-uh-nagh`	moan	Foclóir Teanglann
bhí gearranáil orm	᚛ᚁᚆᚔ ᚌᚓᚐᚏᚏᚐᚅᚐᚔᚂ ᚑᚏᚋ᚜	`VEE GA-rruh-naw-uhl UHRM`	pant	Foclóir Teanglann
buíochas	᚛ᚁᚒᚔᚑᚉᚆᚐᚄ᚜	`BUH-ee-uh-khuhs`	appreciation	Wiktionary Tatoeba gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
Cad é mar atá an saol agat?	᚛ᚉᚐᚇ ᚓ ᚋᚐᚏ ᚐᚈᚐ ᚐᚅ ᚄᚐᚑᚂ ᚐᚌᚐᚈ᚜	`kud ay mar uh-TAW un SEEL AH-gut`	how is life with you?	Rosmerta editorial	How is life with you? Conversational opener.
Cad é mar atá tú?	᚛ᚉᚐᚇ ᚓ ᚋᚐᚏ ᚐᚈᚐ ᚈᚒ᚜	`kud ay mor uh-TAW too`	how are you?	Rosmerta editorial	How are you? — Ulster form.
caochadh	᚛ᚉᚐᚑᚉᚆᚐᚇᚆ᚜	`KEE-kheye`	wink	Wiktionary gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
ceart go leor	᚛ᚉᚓᚐᚏᚈ ᚌᚑ ᚂᚓᚑᚏ᚜	`kyart guh LYOHR`	alright	Wiktionary Rosmerta editorial	Alright, OK — literally ‘right enough.’
ciúnas	᚛ᚉᚔᚒᚅᚐᚄ᚜	`KIH-oo-nuhs`	hush	Wiktionary gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
ciúta	᚛ᚉᚔᚒᚈᚐ᚜	`KIH-oo-tuh`	witticism	gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
clampar	᚛ᚉᚂᚐᚋᚚᚐᚏ᚜	`KLAH-mpuhr`	clamour	Wiktionary gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
cnead a ligean	᚛ᚉᚅᚓᚐᚇ ᚐ ᚂᚔᚌᚓᚐᚅ᚜	`KNAD AH LIH-gan`	gasp	Foclóir Teanglann
comhbhrón	᚛ᚉᚑᚋᚆᚁᚆᚏᚑᚅ᚜	`KOH-wrohn`	condolences	gaelspell Foclóir
comhghairdeas	᚛ᚉᚑᚋᚆᚌᚆᚐᚔᚏᚇᚓᚐᚄ᚜	`KOH-ghuh-uh-rdas`	congratulations	Wiktionary Tatoeba gaelspell Foclóir
Conas atá tú?	᚛ᚉᚑᚅᚐᚄ ᚐᚈᚐ ᚈᚒ᚜	`KUN-uss uh-TAW too`	how are you?	Rosmerta editorial	How are you? — literally ‘how is at you.’ Munster form. Connacht: Cén chaoi a bhfuil tú? Donegal: Cad é mar a tá tú?
croitheadh láimhe	᚛ᚉᚏᚑᚔᚈᚆᚓᚐᚇᚆ ᚂᚐᚔᚋᚆᚓ᚜	`KRIH-hagh LAW-uh-vuh`	handshake	Foclóir Teanglann
cuireadh	᚛ᚉᚒᚔᚏᚓᚐᚇᚆ᚜	`KIH-ragh`	invitation	gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
céad míle fáilte	᚛ᚉᚓᚐᚇ ᚋᚔᚂᚓ ᚃᚐᚔᚂᚈᚓ᚜	`KAYD MEE-luh FAWL-chuh`	a hundred thousand welcomes	Rosmerta editorial	A hundred thousand welcomes. The traditional Irish welcoming phrase.
Cén chaoi a bhfuil tú?	᚛ᚉᚓᚅ ᚉᚆᚐᚑᚔ ᚐ ᚁᚆᚃᚒᚔᚂ ᚈᚒ᚜	`kayn KHEE uh wil too`	how are you?	Rosmerta editorial	How are you? — Connacht form. Literally ‘what way is it that you are?’
cúirtéis	᚛ᚉᚒᚔᚏᚈᚓᚔᚄ᚜	`KOO-uh-rtay-uhsh`	salute	gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
Dia duit	᚛ᚇᚔᚐ ᚇᚒᚔᚈ᚜	`DEE-uh dwitch`	hello	Wiktionary Foclóir Teanglann	Hello — literally ‘God to you.’ The standard Irish greeting; a blessing built into hello.
Dia idir sinn agus an t-olc	᚛ᚇᚔᚐ ᚔᚇᚔᚏ ᚄᚔᚅᚅ ᚐᚌᚒᚄ ᚐᚅ ᚈᚑᚂᚉ᚜	`DEE-uh ID-er shin AG-uss un TUL-uk`	god between us and evil	Rosmerta editorial	God between us and evil. Said when a misfortune is mentioned, to ward off the same.
Dia is Muire duit	᚛ᚇᚔᚐ ᚔᚄ ᚋᚒᚔᚏᚓ ᚇᚒᚔᚈ᚜	`DEE-uh iss MWIR-uh dwitch`	hello	Foclóir Teanglann	Reply to Dia duit — ‘God and Mary to you.’ The exchange escalates the blessing.
diúltú	᚛ᚇᚔᚒᚂᚈᚒ᚜	`DIH-oo-ltoo`	refusal	Wiktionary gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
déan deifir	᚛ᚇᚓᚐᚅ ᚇᚓᚔᚃᚔᚏ᚜	`jayn JEFF-er`	hurry	Foclóir Teanglann	Make haste, hurry.
dún an doras	᚛ᚇᚒᚅ ᚐᚅ ᚇᚑᚏᚐᚄ᚜	`doon un DUR-uss`	close the door	Rosmerta editorial	Close the door.
eascainigh	᚛ᚓᚐᚄᚉᚐᚔᚅᚔᚌᚆ᚜	`A-skuh-uh-nuhy`	curse	gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
Erin go brách	᚛ᚓᚏᚔᚅ ᚌᚑ ᚁᚏᚐᚉᚆ᚜	`AYR-in guh brawkh`	ireland forever	Rosmerta editorial	Erin go bragh — Ireland forever. Anglicised version of Éire go brách. The diaspora’s rallying cry.
faic	᚛ᚃᚐᚔᚉ᚜	`fakh`	anything	Wiktionary Tatoeba gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann	Anything (slang). Níl faic agam — I haven’t a thing.
fan nóiméad	᚛ᚃᚐᚅ ᚅᚑᚔᚋᚓᚐᚇ᚜	`fan NOH-mayd`	wait a moment	Rosmerta editorial	Wait a moment.
fan socair	᚛ᚃᚐᚅ ᚄᚑᚉᚐᚔᚏ᚜	`fan SUKH-er`	calm	Foclóir Teanglann	Stay still / calm.
gabh mo leithscéal	᚛ᚌᚐᚁᚆ ᚋᚑ ᚂᚓᚔᚈᚆᚄᚉᚓᚐᚂ᚜	`gow muh LESH-kayl`	excuse me	Wiktionary Rosmerta editorial	Excuse me — literally ‘take my excuse.’
Gaeilge a labhairt	᚛ᚌᚐᚓᚔᚂᚌᚓ ᚐ ᚂᚐᚁᚆᚐᚔᚏᚈ᚜	`GAYL-guh uh LOW-erch`	to speak irish	Rosmerta editorial	To speak Irish. Labhair Gaeilge liom — speak Irish to me.
glacadh	᚛ᚌᚂᚐᚉᚐᚇᚆ᚜	`GLAH-keye`	acceptance	gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
glam	᚛ᚌᚂᚐᚋ᚜	`GLAHM`	howl	gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
go brách	᚛ᚌᚑ ᚁᚏᚐᚉᚆ᚜	`guh brawkh`	forever	Wiktionary Foclóir Teanglann	Forever, eternally. Erin go bragh — Ireland forever.
go deo	᚛ᚌᚑ ᚇᚓᚑ᚜	`guh JOH`	forever	Wiktionary Foclóir Teanglann	Forever, eternally.
Go gcuire Dia an t-ádh ort	᚛ᚌᚑ ᚌᚉᚒᚔᚏᚓ ᚇᚔᚐ ᚐᚅ ᚈᚐᚇᚆ ᚑᚏᚈ᚜	`guh GIR-uh JEE-uh un TAW urt`	may god put luck on you	Rosmerta editorial	May God put luck on you. Common parting blessing.
go hiontach	᚛ᚌᚑ ᚆᚔᚑᚅᚈᚐᚉᚆ᚜	`guh HEEN-tukh`	wonderful	Foclóir Teanglann	Wonderful. Literally ‘to a wonder.’
go hálainn	᚛ᚌᚑ ᚆᚐᚂᚐᚔᚅᚅ᚜	`guh HAW-lin`	beautiful	Foclóir Teanglann	Lovely, beautiful. Adverbial form.
go mall	᚛ᚌᚑ ᚋᚐᚂᚂ᚜	`guh MAL`	slowly	Foclóir	Slowly. Labhair go mall — speak slowly.
Go n-éirí an bóthar leat	᚛ᚌᚑ ᚅᚓᚔᚏᚔ ᚐᚅ ᚁᚑᚈᚆᚐᚏ ᚂᚓᚐᚈ᚜	`guh NAY-ree un BOH-her lat`	may the road rise with you	Wiktionary Rosmerta editorial	May the road rise to meet you. Traditional Irish blessing for someone setting out.
go raibh maith agat	᚛ᚌᚑ ᚏᚐᚔᚁᚆ ᚋᚐᚔᚈᚆ ᚐᚌᚐᚈ᚜	`guh rev MAH AH-gut`	thank you	Wiktionary Rosmerta editorial	Thank you — literally ‘may there be good at you.’ Plural form: go raibh maith agaibh.
Go raibh tú slán	᚛ᚌᚑ ᚏᚐᚔᚁᚆ ᚈᚒ ᚄᚂᚐᚅ᚜	`guh rev too SLAWN`	may you be safe	Rosmerta editorial	May you be safe.
grá	᚛ᚌᚏᚐ᚜	`GRAW`	adoration	Wiktionary Tatoeba gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
gáire beag a dhéanamh os íseal	᚛ᚌᚐᚔᚏᚓ ᚁᚓᚐᚌ ᚐ ᚇᚆᚓᚐᚅᚐᚋᚆ ᚑᚄ ᚔᚄᚓᚐᚂ᚜	`GAW-uh-ruh BAG AH YAY-uh-now UHS EE-shal`	chuckle	Foclóir Teanglann
Imíonn an tuirse ach fanann an tairbhe	᚛ᚔᚋᚔᚑᚅᚅ ᚐᚅ ᚈᚒᚔᚏᚄᚓ ᚐᚉᚆ ᚃᚐᚅᚐᚅᚅ ᚐᚅ ᚈᚐᚔᚏᚁᚆᚓ᚜	`IM-yun un TIR-shuh akh FAN-un un TAR-vuh`	the tiredness goes but the benefit remains	Rosmerta editorial	Proverb: ‘Tiredness goes; the benefit remains.’ On hard work.
inis	᚛ᚔᚅᚔᚄ᚜	`IH-nuhsh`	recite	Tatoeba gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
Is binn béal ina thost	᚛ᚔᚄ ᚁᚔᚅᚅ ᚁᚓᚐᚂ ᚔᚅᚐ ᚈᚆᚑᚄᚈ᚜	`iss bin bayl IN-uh hust`	a silent mouth is sweet	Rosmerta editorial	Proverb: ‘A silent mouth is sweet.’ Or: silence is golden.
is breá liom	᚛ᚔᚄ ᚁᚏᚓᚐ ᚂᚔᚑᚋ᚜	`iss braw lyum`	i love	Rosmerta editorial	I love (it) — literally ‘it is fine with me.’ The Irish way to say you love something.
Is fearr Gaeilge bhriste ná Béarla cliste	᚛ᚔᚄ ᚃᚓᚐᚏᚏ ᚌᚐᚓᚔᚂᚌᚓ ᚁᚆᚏᚔᚄᚈᚓ ᚅᚐ ᚁᚓᚐᚏᚂᚐ ᚉᚂᚔᚄᚈᚓ᚜	`iss far GAYL-guh VRISH-cheh naw BAYR-luh KLISH-cheh`	broken irish better than clever english	Rosmerta editorial	Proverb: ‘Broken Irish is better than clever English.’ Anyone trying their cúpla focal is doing the right thing — perfection isn’t required.
is fearr liom	᚛ᚔᚄ ᚃᚓᚐᚏᚏ ᚂᚔᚑᚋ᚜	`iss FAR lyum`	i prefer	Rosmerta editorial	I prefer — ‘better with me.’
is féidir liom	᚛ᚔᚄ ᚃᚓᚔᚇᚔᚏ ᚂᚔᚑᚋ᚜	`iss FAY-jer lyum`	i can	Rosmerta editorial	I can — literally ‘it is possible with me.’
is iontach an scéal é	᚛ᚔᚄ ᚔᚑᚅᚈᚐᚉᚆ ᚐᚅ ᚄᚉᚓᚐᚂ ᚓ᚜	`iss EEN-tukh un shkayl ay`	it’s a wonderful story	Rosmerta editorial	It’s a wonderful story. Used metaphorically — ‘it’s something amazing.’
le do thoil	᚛ᚂᚓ ᚇᚑ ᚈᚆᚑᚔᚂ᚜	`leh duh hul`	please	Wiktionary Foclóir Teanglann	Please — literally ‘with your will.’ More formal: más é do thoil é.
Lá breithe shona duit	᚛ᚂᚐ ᚁᚏᚓᚔᚈᚆᚓ ᚄᚆᚑᚅᚐ ᚇᚒᚔᚈ᚜	`law BREH-uh HUN-uh dwitch`	happy birthday	Rosmerta editorial	Happy Birthday — ‘happy birth-day to you.’
magadh	᚛ᚋᚐᚌᚐᚇᚆ᚜	`MAH-geye`	banter	Wiktionary Tatoeba gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
Maith an buachaill	᚛ᚋᚐᚔᚈᚆ ᚐᚅ ᚁᚒᚐᚉᚆᚐᚔᚂᚂ᚜	`mah un BOO-uh-khil`	good boy	Rosmerta editorial	Good boy.
Maith an cailín	᚛ᚋᚐᚔᚈᚆ ᚐᚅ ᚉᚐᚔᚂᚔᚅ᚜	`mah un KAH-leen`	good girl	Rosmerta editorial	Good girl. Said in praise.
Maith thú	᚛ᚋᚐᚔᚈᚆ ᚈᚆᚒ᚜	`mah HOO`	good for you	Wiktionary Rosmerta editorial	Good for you, well done. Spoken approval.
maithiúnas	᚛ᚋᚐᚔᚈᚆᚔᚒᚅᚐᚄ᚜	`MAH-uh-huh-oo-nuhs`	forgiveness	Wiktionary gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
meangadh	᚛ᚋᚓᚐᚅᚌᚐᚇᚆ᚜	`MA-ngeye`	grin	Tatoeba gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
meas	᚛ᚋᚓᚐᚄ᚜	`MAS`	admiration	Tatoeba gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
mhuise	᚛ᚋᚆᚒᚔᚄᚓ᚜	`WISH-uh`	well	Foclóir Teanglann	Well, well now (interjection). Often opens a sentence in conversational Irish: Mhuise, ní raibh a fhios agam — well, I didn’t know.
Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí	᚛ᚋᚑᚂ ᚐᚅ ᚑᚔᚌᚓ ᚐᚌᚒᚄ ᚈᚔᚑᚉᚃᚐᚔᚇᚆ ᚄᚔ᚜	`mul un OH-guh AG-uss CHUK-ee shee`	praise the youth and they will come on	Rosmerta editorial	Proverb: ‘Praise the young and they’ll flourish.’ On parenting and teaching.
monabhar	᚛ᚋᚑᚅᚐᚁᚆᚐᚏ᚜	`MUH-now-uhr`	murmur	Wiktionary gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
más é do thoil é	᚛ᚋᚐᚄ ᚓ ᚇᚑ ᚈᚆᚑᚔᚂ ᚓ᚜	`mawss ay duh hul ay`	if you please	Wiktionary Rosmerta editorial	If it is your will (formal please).
Nollaig shona duit	᚛ᚅᚑᚂᚂᚐᚔᚌ ᚄᚆᚑᚅᚐ ᚇᚒᚔᚈ᚜	`NUL-ig HUN-uh dwitch`	merry christmas	Rosmerta editorial	Merry Christmas — ‘happy Christmas to you.’
Ní bhíonn an rath ach mar a mbíonn an smacht	᚛ᚅᚔ ᚁᚆᚔᚑᚅᚅ ᚐᚅ ᚏᚐᚈᚆ ᚐᚉᚆ ᚋᚐᚏ ᚐ ᚋᚁᚔᚑᚅᚅ ᚐᚅ ᚄᚋᚐᚉᚆᚈ᚜	`nee VEEN un rah akh mar uh MEEN un smukht`	no prosperity without discipline	Rosmerta editorial	Proverb: ‘There is no prosperity except where there is discipline.’
Ní fada uainn	᚛ᚅᚔ ᚃᚐᚇᚐ ᚒᚐᚔᚅᚅ᚜	`nee FAD-uh OO-in`	not far from us	Rosmerta editorial	Not far from us — usually said wistfully of past times still felt close.
ní féidir liom	᚛ᚅᚔ ᚃᚓᚔᚇᚔᚏ ᚂᚔᚑᚋ᚜	`nee FAY-jer lyum`	i can’t	Rosmerta editorial	I can’t — literally ‘it is not possible with me.’
ní hé an chéad bhliain é	᚛ᚅᚔ ᚆᚓ ᚐᚅ ᚉᚆᚓᚐᚇ ᚁᚆᚂᚔᚐᚔᚅ ᚓ᚜	`nee HAY un KHAYD VLEE-un ay`	it’s not the first time	Rosmerta editorial	Idiom: ‘it’s not the first year’ — used like ‘this isn’t the first time’ or ‘I’ve seen this before.’
Ní neart go cur le chéile	᚛ᚅᚔ ᚅᚓᚐᚏᚈ ᚌᚑ ᚉᚒᚏ ᚂᚓ ᚉᚆᚓᚔᚂᚓ᚜	`nee nyart guh kur leh KHAY-luh`	no strength without unity	Rosmerta editorial	Proverb: ‘No strength without unity.’ Often translated ‘In unity is our strength.’
Ní raibh sé i ndán	᚛ᚅᚔ ᚏᚐᚔᚁᚆ ᚄᚓ ᚔ ᚅᚇᚐᚅ᚜	`nee rev shay ee NAWN`	it was not destined	Rosmerta editorial	It was not destined / fated. Wistful idiom for things that didn’t happen.
ní thuigim	᚛ᚅᚔ ᚈᚆᚒᚔᚌᚔᚋ᚜	`nee HIG-im`	i don’t understand	Rosmerta editorial	I don’t understand.
níl aon mhaith ann	᚛ᚅᚔᚂ ᚐᚑᚅ ᚋᚆᚐᚔᚈᚆ ᚐᚅᚅ᚜	`neel ayn vah un`	it’s no good	Rosmerta editorial	It’s no good — there’s no use in it.
níl mé cinnte	᚛ᚅᚔᚂ ᚋᚓ ᚉᚔᚅᚅᚈᚓ᚜	`neel may KIN-cheh`	i’m not sure	Rosmerta editorial	I’m not sure.
níl tada	᚛ᚅᚔᚂ ᚈᚐᚇᚐ᚜	`neel TAD-uh`	there’s nothing	Foclóir	There’s nothing. Tada is an emphatic ‘nothing.’
oscail an doras	᚛ᚑᚄᚉᚐᚔᚂ ᚐᚅ ᚇᚑᚏᚐᚄ᚜	`USS-kil un DUR-uss`	open the door	Rosmerta editorial	Open the door.
scaimh a chur ort féin	᚛ᚄᚉᚐᚔᚋᚆ ᚐ ᚉᚆᚒᚏ ᚑᚏᚈ ᚃᚓᚔᚅ᚜	`SKAH-uhv AH KHUHR UHRT FAY-uhn`	scowl	Foclóir Teanglann
scig-gháire a dhéanamh	᚛ᚄᚉᚔᚌᚌᚆᚐᚔᚏᚓ ᚐ ᚇᚆᚓᚐᚅᚐᚋᚆ᚜	`SHKIH-gyaw-uh-ruh AH YAY-uh-now`	giggle	Foclóir Teanglann
siúil amach	᚛ᚄᚔᚒᚔᚂ ᚐᚋᚐᚉᚆ᚜	`SHOOL uh-MAKH`	go out	Rosmerta editorial	Go out, walk out.
sláinte	᚛ᚄᚂᚐᚔᚅᚈᚓ᚜	`SLAWN-chuh`	cheers	Wiktionary Tatoeba gaelspell Foclóir	Cheers — said when raising a glass. Literally ‘health.’
Sláinte chugat	᚛ᚄᚂᚐᚔᚅᚈᚓ ᚉᚆᚒᚌᚐᚈ᚜	`SLAWN-chuh KHUG-ut`	health to you	Rosmerta editorial	Health to you (toast). Variant of sláinte.
slán	᚛ᚄᚂᚐᚅ᚜	`slawn`	goodbye	Wiktionary Tatoeba gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann	Goodbye. Same word means ‘safe’ or ‘whole’ — go safely is the wish.
slán abhaile	᚛ᚄᚂᚐᚅ ᚐᚁᚆᚐᚔᚂᚓ᚜	`slawn uh-WAL-yuh`	safe home	Wiktionary Foclóir	Safe home. Said to someone leaving for the journey home.
snag	᚛ᚄᚅᚐᚌ᚜	`SNAHG`	hiccup	gaelspell Foclóir
srann	᚛ᚄᚏᚐᚅᚅ᚜	`SRAHNN`	snore	gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
stán	᚛ᚄᚈᚐᚅ᚜	`STAWN`	gaze	Tatoeba gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
súil fhiata	᚛ᚄᚒᚔᚂ ᚃᚆᚔᚐᚈᚐ᚜	`SOO-uhl EE-UH-tuh`	glare	Foclóir Teanglann
Tabhair aire	᚛ᚈᚐᚁᚆᚐᚔᚏ ᚐᚔᚏᚓ᚜	`tor AR-uh`	take care	Foclóir	Take care — ‘give attention.’
tabhair leat é	᚛ᚈᚐᚁᚆᚐᚔᚏ ᚂᚓᚐᚈ ᚓ᚜	`tor lat ay`	take it with you	Rosmerta editorial	Take it with you — friendly offer.
tabhairt isteach	᚛ᚈᚐᚁᚆᚐᚔᚏᚈ ᚔᚄᚈᚓᚐᚉᚆ᚜	`TOW-UH-uhrt IH-shtakh`	introduction	Foclóir Teanglann
tada	᚛ᚈᚐᚇᚐ᚜	`TAD-uh`	nothing	Tatoeba gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann	Nothing (emphatic).
tar isteach	᚛ᚈᚐᚏ ᚔᚄᚈᚓᚐᚉᚆ᚜	`tar ish-CHAKH`	come in	Foclóir	Come in. Standard Irish welcome at the door.
tost	᚛ᚈᚑᚄᚈ᚜	`TUHST`	silence	Wiktionary gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
trua	᚛ᚈᚏᚒᚐ᚜	`TROO-UH`	sympathy	gaelspell Foclóir Teanglann
tuigim	᚛ᚈᚒᚔᚌᚔᚋ᚜	`TIG-im`	i understand	Tatoeba gaelspell Foclóir	I understand. Used as confirmation in conversation.
tá an ceart agat	᚛ᚈᚐ ᚐᚅ ᚉᚓᚐᚏᚈ ᚐᚌᚐᚈ᚜	`thaw un kyart AH-gut`	you are right	Rosmerta editorial	You are right — literally ‘the right is at you.’
Tá an saol ag dul ar aghaidh	᚛ᚈᚐ ᚐᚅ ᚄᚐᚑᚂ ᚐᚌ ᚇᚒᚂ ᚐᚏ ᚐᚌᚆᚐᚔᚇᚆ᚜	`thaw un SEEL eg dul er EYE`	life goes on	Rosmerta editorial	Life goes on — literally ‘the world is going forward.’
tá brón orm	᚛ᚈᚐ ᚁᚏᚑᚅ ᚑᚏᚋ᚜	`thaw brohn UR-um`	i’m sorry	Wiktionary Rosmerta editorial	I’m sorry — literally ‘sadness is on me.’ The on-me construction in action.
tá fáilte romhat	᚛ᚈᚐ ᚃᚐᚔᚂᚈᚓ ᚏᚑᚋᚆᚐᚈ᚜	`thaw FAWL-chuh ROH-ut`	you’re welcome	Wiktionary Rosmerta editorial	You’re welcome — literally ‘a welcome is before you.’ Reply to ‘thank you.’
tá go leor	᚛ᚈᚐ ᚌᚑ ᚂᚓᚑᚏ᚜	`thaw guh LYOHR`	that’s enough	Rosmerta editorial	That’s enough.
tá go maith	᚛ᚈᚐ ᚌᚑ ᚋᚐᚔᚈᚆ᚜	`thaw guh MAH`	it’s good	Rosmerta editorial	OK; it’s good. Common assent.
tá mé go maith	᚛ᚈᚐ ᚋᚓ ᚌᚑ ᚋᚐᚔᚈᚆ᚜	`thaw may guh MAH`	i am well	Rosmerta editorial	I am well — the standard reply to ‘How are you?’
tóg go bog é	᚛ᚈᚑᚌ ᚌᚑ ᚁᚑᚌ ᚓ᚜	`tohg guh bug ay`	take it easy	Rosmerta editorial	Take it easy — literally ‘take it softly.’
Tús maith leath na hoibre	᚛ᚈᚒᚄ ᚋᚐᚔᚈᚆ ᚂᚓᚐᚈᚆ ᚅᚐ ᚆᚑᚔᚁᚏᚓ᚜	`tooss mah lah nuh HIB-ruh`	a good start is half the work	Rosmerta editorial	Proverb: ‘A good start is half the work.’

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Last updated July 15, 2026