Irish phrasebook

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Irish is one of the three Gaelic languages, the others being Scottish Gaelic and Manx. This 'Goidelic' branch together with the Brythonic branch (Welsh, Cornish and Breton) form the Celtic language family. These are spoken in parts of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

Some common features of the Celtic languages which strike learners as odd are:

'mutations': sounds change, often at the beginning of words, as part of the grammar, e.g. cat 'cat', but mo chat 'my cat'
the verb is usually at the beginning of the sentence
prepositional pronouns that are conjugated, e.g. agam 'at me', agat 'at you', etc.

Pronunciation guide

There are three major dialects in Irish, named for the three provinces in the north (Ulster, major cities Derry and Belfast), west (Connacht, major city Galway) and south (Munster, major cities Cork, Limerick, Waterford) of the island. the eastern province, (Leinster, major cities Dublin, Kilkenny), no longer has its own distinct dialect. The Caighdeán Oifigiúl (kaigh-DAWN iffig-YOOL, official standard) has been in place since the mid-20th century after spelling was 'regularised' (to an extent). This is the official Irish that appears in phrasebooks and in Government publications. It is largely the same as the Munster dialect, with a very few exceptions). There are great differences in pronunciation between the dialects, with Munster differing the most from the other two. eg 'tá go maith', 'yes indeed' is pronunced 'TAY guh MAIGH' in Ulster and Connacht but 'TAW guh MOH (like the english word 'moth' but without the 'th') in Munster. There are also differences in the phrases used in everyday speech. In the phrasebook below, the Munster phrase has been used except where indicated. The conjugation of verbs, too, differs from dialect to dialect. Munster uses a contracted form in the past and present first person and in the third person of all three tenses. For example 'tá mé' ('TAW MAY', I am) is 'táim' ('TAW'm') in Munster, and 'bhí mé' (VEE MAY, I was) is 'bhíos' (VEE-us) in Munster.

Vowels

a: like 'o' in "cod"
á: like 'aw' in "flaw"
e: like 'e' in "peg"
é: like 'ay' in "hay"
i: like 'i' in "tin"
í: like 'ee' in "heel"
o: like 'u' in "bud"
ó: like 'o' in "home"
u: like 'u' in "bud"
ú: like 'oo' in "cool"

Consonants

Consonant combinations with h are sometimes written with a dot (séimhiú, shay-VOO) on the letter instead of the h and are sometimes silent. Consonants have two versions called caol (narrow, palatalized) and leathan (wide, unpalatalized); this is indicated in writing by adjacent vowels.

b: like bed
bh: like veer
c: like kid
ch: as in Scottish 'loch'
d: like dog
dh: voiced h sound, y sound at the start of a word, sometimes vague 'gh' sound (munster dialect especially)
f: like fun
fh: silent
g: like go
gh: voiced velar fricative (in layman's terms, made soft in the back of the throat)
h: like help
l: like lean
m: like mother
mh: same as bh
n: like nice
p: like pig
ph: like phone or whom
r: rolled or flapped
s: like sheen or soon
sh: like hear
t: like tea
th: like hear

Common diphthongs

Diphthongs are generally irregular and can only be learned with experience. eg, 'ai' in "Corcaigh" (the city and county of Cork) is pronounced like the 'i' in "dig" but the 'ai' in "faic" (nothing) is pronounced like the 'a' in "hack", and the 'ai' in "haigh!" (hi! (transliteration of a loan-word)) is pronounced like the 'i' in "high".

Phrase list

There are differences in the phrases used in everyday speech in the different provinces. In the phrasebook below, the Munster phrase has been used except where indicated. The conjugation of verbs, too, differs from dialect to dialect. Munster uses a contracted form in the past and present first person and in the third person of all three tenses. For example 'tá mé' ('TAW MAY', I am) is 'táim' ('TAW'm') in Munster, and 'bhí mé' (VEE MAY, I was) is 'bhíos' (VEE-us) in Munster.

Basics

Hello.: Dia Dhuit (DEE-a GWIT)
How are you?: Conas atá tú? (CONN-us a-TAW too?)
Fine, thank you.: Táim go maith (TAW'm guh MOH)
What is your name?: Cad is ainm duit? (COD iss ANNim dit?)
My name is ______ .: ______ is ainm dom (_____ iss annum dum)
Nice to meet you.: Is orm é an t-onóir (ISS URR-um AAY on tonn-ORE')
Please.: Le do thoil (singular), Le bhur dtoil (plural). (LE do HULL, LE vur DULL)
Thank you/you (pl.).: Go raibh maith agat/agaibh. (GUH REV MOH agg-UT/agg-WIV)
You're welcome (in response to 'thank you'.: tá fáilte romhat/roimh (singular/plural). (TAW FOIL-ta ROW-it/ROW-iv)
Yes.: 'Sea (SHAH; note that there is no real translation for yes and no in Irish - these words mean 'it is'. People usually use the question verb again in their replies, in the positive or negative, in the same tense, voice and person as the question was asked.)
No.: Ní hea (Nee haah; literally 'it is not'. See note for 'Yes'.)
Excuse me.: Gabh mo leithscéal. (GOVV muh LAH-shkayl)
I'm sorry.: Tá brón orm. (TAW br-OWN urr-im (OWN like the english word))
Goodbye: Slán (Slaawn)
I can't speak Gaelic well.: Níl Gaeilge mhaith agam.
Do you speak English?: An bhfuil Béarla agat? (on will BAYR-la agg-ut?)
Is there someone here who speaks English?: An bhfuil Béarla ag éinne anseo? (on will BAYR-la egg AYN-ya on-SHUH?)
Help!: Help! (HEHLP!)
Look out!: Bí curamach (BEE KOOR-muk!)
Good morning.: Maidin mhaith. (Maddin WAH)
Good evening.: Maith an lae. (MOH on LAY)
Good night.: Oíche mhaith. (EE-hah WAH)
Good night (to sleep): Oíche mhaith. (EE-hah WAH)
I don't understand.: Ní thuigim. (NEE HIGG-im)
Where is the toilet?: Cá bhfuil an leithreas? (CAW will on LEH-HER-as?)
Where are you from?: Cá as duit? (CAW oss dit?)

Problems

Leave me alone.: Fág dom i m'éinear; (FAWG dum ih MAYN-ar)
Don't touch me!: Ná chuir isteach orm! (NAW kwirr ish-TOCK urrim)
I'll call the police.: Cuirfidh mé fios ar na Gardaí!. (KWIRR-higg may FISS air nah gard-EE!)
Police!: Gardaí! (guard-EE!)
Stop! Thief!: Stad! Gadaí! (STODD! god-EE!!)
I need your help.: Táim i gcruacháis. (TAWM ih GROOah-KAWS)
It's an emergency.: Tá sé práinneach. (TAW shay PRAWN-ak)
I'm lost.: Táim ar strae. (TAWM air STRAY)
I lost my bag.: Chaill mé mo mhála. (KYLE may muh WALL-a)
I lost my wallet.: Chaill mé mo sparán. (KYLE may muh spar-RAWN)
I'm sick.: Tá tinneas orm. (TAW TINN-iss urrim)
I've been injured.: Táim gortaithe. (TAWM GORT-i-HAH)
I need a doctor.: Ba mhaith liom an dochtúir. (BUH WHAH lum on duk-TOOR)
Can I use your phone?: An bhfuil cead agam do ghutháin a úsáíd? (ON will KYAD a-GUM duh guh-HAWN a YOO-SOYD?)

Numbers

1: aon (ay-on)
2: dó (doe)
3: trí (tree)
4: ceathair (KA-hir)
5: cuig (koo-igg)
6: sé (shay)
7: seacht (shokht)
8: ocht (okt)
9: naoi (nay)
10: deich (deh)
11: haon déag (hayn DAYeg)
12: dó dhéag (doe yAYog)
13: trí déag (tree DAYog)
14: ceathar déag (cah-har DAYog)
15: cúig déag (coo-igg DAYog)
16: sé déag (shay DAYog)
17: seacht déag (shokt DAYog)
18: ocht déag (ukt DAYog)
19: naoi déag (nay DAYog)
20: fiche (fih-ha)
21: fiche haon (fih-ha hay-un)
22: fiche dó (fih-ah doe)
23: fiche trí (fih-ah tree)
30: triocha (truck-ah)
40: daichead (do-head)
50: caoga (KWAY-ga)
60: seasca (shas-ca)
70: seachto (shokt-oe)
80: ochto (UKT-oe)
90: nocha (noe-KA)
100: céad (kay-ahd)
200: dhá céad (ghaw kay-ahd)
300: trí céad (tree kay-ahd)
1000: míle (mee-leh)
2000: dhá mhíle (ghaw vee-leh)
1,000,000: milliún (mill-yewn)
number _____ (train, bus, etc.): uimher a _____ (iv-urr ah)
half: leath (lah)
less: níos lú (nee-uss loo)
more: níos mó (nee-uss moe)

Time

now: anois (ann-ish)
later: níos déanaí (nee-uss DAY-nee)
before: roimh (riv)
morning: maidin (moj-in)
afternoon: iarnóin (ear-NOE-inn)
evening: tráthnóna (tráthnóna)
night: oíche (EE-hah)

Clock time

one o'clock AM: haon a chlog ar maidin (HAY-ann ah klug err MOJ-in)
two o'clock AM: dó a chlog ar maidin (DOE ah klug err MOJ-in)
noon: nóin (noe-inn)
one o'clock PM: haon a chlog san iarnóin (HAY-ann ah klug san ear-NOE-inn)
two o'clock PM: dó a chlog san iarnóin (DOE ah klug san ear-NOE-inn)
midnight: meanoíche (mann EE-hah)

Duration

_____ minute(s): _____ nóiméad (NOE-made)
_____ hour(s): _____ uair (oor)
_____ day(s): _____ la(ethanta) (lay(hint-ah))
_____ week(s): _____ seachtan(na) (shokt-inn(ah))
_____ month(s): _____ mí (mee)
_____ year(s): _____ blian(ta) (BLI-an(tah))

Days

today: inniu (inn-yew)
yesterday: inné (inn-yay)
tomorrow: amárach (am-AW-rok)
this week: an seachtain seo (on shokt-inn shuh)
last week: an seachtain seo caite (on shokt-inn shuh cotch-ah)
next week: an seachtain seo chugainn (on shokt-inn shuh koo-inn)

Sunday: Domhnach (DOW-nok)
Monday: Luain (Loo-inn)
Tuesday: Máirt (MAWrt)
Wednesday: Céadaoin (KAY-deen)
Thursday: Déardaoin (dare-deen)
Friday: Aoine (EE-nah)
Saturday: Satharn (SAH-harn)

Months

In Ireland, Spring starts on the 1st of February.

January: Eanair (ann-arr)
February: Feabhra (fyow-rah)
March: Márta (mawr-tah)
April: Aibreán (ab-rawn)
May: Bealtainne (byowl-tin-neh)
June: Meitheamh (meh-hiv)
July: Iúil (oo-ill)
August: Lúnasa (loon-assah)
September: Mean Fomhair (mann foe-arr)
October: Deireadh Fomhair (derr-ah foe-arr)
November: Samhain (SOW-inn)
December: Nollaig (null-igg)

Colors

black: dubh (duv)
white: bán (bawn)
gray: liath (LEE-ath)
red: dearg (dahrg)
blue: gorm (gurm)
yellow: buí (buee)
green: glas (gloss)
orange: oráiste (urr-AW-ish-tah)
brown: donn (done)

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?: How much is a ticket to _____? (...)
One ticket to _____, please.: One ticket to _____, please. (...)
Where does this train/bus go?: Where does this train/bus go? (...)
Where is the train/bus to _____?: Where is the train/bus to _____? (...)
Does this train/bus stop in _____?: Does this train/bus stop in _____? (...)
When does the train/bus for _____ leave?: When does the train/bus for _____ leave? (...)
When will this train/bus arrive in _____?: When will this bus arrive in _____? (...)

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?: Cad é an bealach go dtí _____ ? (...)
...the train station?: ...an stáisiún traenach? (...)
...the bus station?: ...an busáras? (...)
...the airport?: ...an t-aerfort? (...)
...downtown?: ...lár na cathrach? (...)
...the youth hostel?: ...an brú óige? (...)
...the _____ hotel?: ...the _____ hotel? (...)
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?: ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? (...)
Where are there a lot of...: Where are there a lot of... (...)
...hotels?: ...óstáin? (...)
...restaurants?: ...bialanna? (...)
...bars?: ...beáir? (...)
...sites to see?: ...sites to see? (...)
Can you show me on the map?: Can you show me on the map? (...)
street: sráid (...)
Turn left.: Cas ar chlé. (...)
Turn right.: Cas ar dheis. (...)
left: clé (...)
right: deas (...)
straight ahead: díreach ar aghaidh (...)
towards the _____: chun an/na_____ (...)
past the _____: thar an/na_____ (...)
before the _____: roimh an/na_____ (...)
Watch for the _____.: Bí ag faire amach do an/na_____. (...)
intersection: crosbhealach (...)
north: tuaisceart (...)
south: deisceart (...)
east: oirthear (...)
west: iarthar (...)
uphill: i gcoinne an aird (...)
downhill: downhill (...)

Taxi

Taxi!: Taxi! (...)
Take me to _____, please.: Take me to _____, please. (...)
How much does it cost to get to _____?: How much does it cost to

get to _____? (...)

Take me there, please.: Take me there, please. (...)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: Do you have any rooms available? (...)
How much is a room for one person/two people?: How much is a room for one person/two people? (...)
Does the room come with...: Does the room come with... (...)
...bedsheets?: ...bedsheets? (...)
...a bathroom?: ...a bathroom? (...)
...a telephone?: ...a telephone? (...)
...a TV?: ...a TV? (...)
May I see the room first?: May I see the room first? (...)
Do you have anything quieter?: Do you have anything quieter? (...)
...bigger?: ...bigger? (...)
...cleaner?: ...cleaner? (...)
...cheaper?: ...cheaper? (...)
OK, I'll take it.: OK, I'll take it. (...)
I will stay for _____ night(s).: I will stay for _____ night(s). (...)
Can you suggest another hotel?: Can you suggest another hotel? (...)
Do you have a safe?: Do you have a safe? (...)
...lockers?: ...lockers? (...)
Is breakfast/supper included?: Is breakfast/supper included? (...)
What time is breakfast/supper?: What time is breakfast/supper? (...)
Please clean my room.: Please clean my room. (...)
Can you wake me at _____? | Can you wake me at _____? (...)
I want to check out.: I want to check out. (...)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? (...)
Do you accept British pounds?: Do you accept British pounds? (...)
Do you accept cr cards?: Do you accept cr cards? (...)
Can you change money for me?: Can you change money for me? (...)
Where can I get money changed?: Where can I get money changed? (...)
Can you change a traveler's check for me?: Can you change a traveler's check for me? (...)
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?: Where can I get a traveler's check changed? (...)
What is the exchange rate?: What is the exchange rate? (...)
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?: Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? (...)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.: A table for one person/two people, please. (...)
Can I look at the menu, please?: Can I look at the menu, please? (...)
Can I look in the kitchen?: Can I look in the kitchen? (...)
Is there a house specialty?: Is there a house specialty? (...)
Is there a local specialty?: Is there a local specialty? (...)
I'm a vegetarian.: I'm a vegetarian. (...)
I don't eat pork.: I don't eat pork. (...)
I don't eat beef.: I don't eat beef. (...)
I only eat kosher food.: I only eat kosher food. (...)
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard): Can you make it "lite", please? (...)
fixed-price meal: fixed-price meal (...)
à la carte: à la carte (...)
breakfast: breakfast (...)
lunch: lunch (...)
tea (meal): tea (...)
supper: supper (...)
I want _____.: I want _____. (...)
I want a dish containing _____.: I want a dish containing _____. (...)
chicken: chicken (...)
beef: beef (...)
fish: fish (...)
ham: ham (...)
sausage: sausage (...)
cheese: cheese (...)
eggs: eggs (...)
salad: salad (...)
(fresh) vegetables: (fresh) vegetables (...)
(fresh) fruit: (fresh) fruit (...)
bread: bread (...)
toast: toast (...)
noodles: noodles (...)
rice: rice (...)
beans: beans (...)
May I have a glass of _____?: May I have a glass of _____? (...)
May I have a cup of _____?: May I have a cup of _____? (...)
May I have a bottle of _____?: May I have a bottle of _____? (...)
coffee: coffee (...)
tea (drink): tea (...)
juice: juice (...)
(bubbly) water: water (...)
water: water (...)
beer: beer (...)
red/white wine: red/white wine (...)
May I have some _____?: May I have some _____? (...)
salt: salt (...)
black pepper: black pepper (...)
butter: butter (...)
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): Excuse me, waiter? (...)
I'm finished.: I'm finished. (...)
It was delicious.: It was delicious. (...)
Please clear the plates.: Please clear the plates. (...)
The check, please.: The check, please. (...)

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: Do you serve alcohol? (...)
Is there table service?: Is there table service? (...)
A beer/two beers, please.: A beer/two beers, please. (...)
A glass of red/white wine, please.: A glass of red/white wine, please. (...)
A pint, please.: A pint, please. (...)
A bottle, please.: A bottle, please. (...)
_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.: _____ and _____, please. (...)
whiskey: whiskey (...)
vodka: vodka (...)
rum: rum (...)
water: water (...)
club soda: club soda (...)
tonic water: tonic water (...)
orange juice: orange juice (...)
Coke (soda): Coke (...)
Do you have any bar snacks?: Do you have any bar snacks? (...)
One more, please.: One more, please. (...)
Another round, please.: Another round, please. (...)
When is closing time?: When is closing time? (...)
a Toast - To Health or Life: Slainté (Slah-nchaw)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: Do you have this in my size? (...)
How much is this?: How much is this? (...)
That's too expensive.: That's too expensive. (...)
Would you take _____?: Would you take _____? (...)
expensive: expensive (...)
cheap: cheap (...)
I can't afford it.: I can't afford it. (...)
I don't want it.: I don't want it. (...)
You're cheating me.: You're cheating me. (...)
I'm not interested.: I'm not interested. (..)
OK, I'll take it.: OK, I'll take it. (...)
Can I have a bag?: Can I have a bag? (...)
Do you ship (overseas)?: Do you ship (overseas)? (...)
I need...: I need... (...)
...toothpaste.: ...toothpaste. (...)
...a toothbrush.: ...a toothbrush. (...)
...tampons.: ...tampons. (...)
...soap.: ...soap. (...)
...shampoo.: ...shampoo. (...)
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): ...pain reliever. (...)
...cold medicine.: ...cold medicine. (...)
...stomach medicine.: ...stomach medicine. (...)
...a razor.: ...a razor. (...)
...an umbrella.: ...an umbrella. (...)
...sunblock lotion.: ...sunblock lotion. (...)
...a postcard.: ...a postcard. (...)
...postage stamps.: ...postage stamps. (...)
...batteries.: ...batteries. (...)
...writing paper.: ...writing paper. (...)
...a pen.: ...a pen. (...)
...English-language books.: ...English-language books. (...)
...English-language magazines.: ...English-language magazines. (...)
...an English-language newspaper.: ...an English-language newspaper. (...)
...an English-English dictionary.: ...an English-English dictionary. (...)

Driving

I want to rent a car.: I want to rent a car. (...)
Can I get insurance?: Can I get insurance? (...)
stop (on a street sign): stop (...)
one way: one way (...)
yield: Géill slí (Gale shlee)
no parking: no parking (...)
speed limit: speed limit (...)
gas (petrol) station: gas station (...)
petrol: petrol (...)
diesel: diesel (...)

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.: I haven't done anything wrong. (...)
It was a misunderstanding.: It was a misunderstanding. (...)
Where are you taking me?: Where are you taking me? (...)
Am I under arrest?: Am I under arrest? (...)
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.: I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (...)
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.: I need to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. (...)
I want to talk to a lawyer.: I want to talk to a lawyer. (...)
Can I just pay a fine now?: Can I just pay a fine now? (...)

Learning more

This is where you'd give more information on learning the language, such as links to online courses or textbooks, or suggestions for in-person courses to take.

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