Irish (Gaeilge), also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Celtic language family, native to Ireland. Despite its challenges, learning Irish can be a deeply rewarding experience, offering insights into the rich cultural and historical tapestry of Ireland. This lesson covers essential conversational phrases and questions in Irish for a variety of social interactions.

Greetings

• Hello – “Dia dhuit” (Dee-ah gwit) [Literally means “God to you”]
• How are you? – “Conas atá tú?” (Kun-as ah-taw too?)
• Good morning – “Maidin mhaith” (Moj-in wah)
• Good afternoon/evening – “Tráthnóna maith” (Traw-no-nah wah)
• Goodbye – “Slán” (Slawn)

Introducing Yourself or Others

• My name is [name]. – “Is mise [ainm].” (Iss misha [an-im])
• This is [name]. – “Seo é/í [ainm].” (Shaw ay/ee [an-im])
• I am from [country/city]. – “Is as [tír/cathair] mé.” (Iss ass [teer/cah-her] may)
• I live in [city/place]. – “Táim i mo chónaí i [cathair/áit].” (Taw-im ih muh khoh-nee ih [cah-her/awt])

Asking for Directions or People

• Where is the [place]? – “Cá bhfuil an [áit]?” (Kaw will on [awt]?)
• How do I get to [place]? – “Conas a théim go dtí an [áit]?” (Kun-as ah hay-im guh dee on [awt]?)
• Is this the way to [place]? – “An bhfuil sé seo an bealach go dtí an [áit]?” (On will shay shuh on bal-akh guh dee on [awt]?)
• Can you show me on the map? – “An féidir leat é a thaispeáint dom ar an léarscáil?” (On fay-dir lat ay a hash-pawnt dum air on layr-skawl?)

Solving a Misunderstanding

• Sorry, I don’t understand. – “Tá brón orm, ní thuigim.” (Taw brone urm, nee hig-im)
• Can you please repeat that? – “An féidir leat sin a rá arís, le do thoil?” (On fay-dir lat shin a raw aw-reesh, leh duh hull?)
• I mean… – “Ciallaíonn mé…” (Kee-lee-own may…)
• What does [word] mean? – “Cad é brí [fhocal]?” (Kad ay bree [uck-ul]?)

Farewell Expressions

• See you later – “Feicfidh mé tú níos déanaí” (Feck-hee may too nees day-nee)
• Take care – “Tabhair aire” (Tour air-eh)
• Have a good day – “Bíodh lá maith agat” (Bee-ukh law wah ah-gut)

Travel and Dining

• I would like to book a room. – “Ba mhaith liom seomra a chur in áirithe.” (Ba wah lum shum-rah a khur in aw-ree-ha)
• Can I see the menu, please? – “An féidir liom an roghchlár a fheiceáil, le do thoil?” (On fay-dir lum on roh-klawr a feck-awl, leh duh hull?)
• I am vegetarian. – “Is feoilséantóir mé.” (Iss fwehl-shawn-tohr may)
• The bill, please. – “An bille, le do thoil.” (On bil-leh, leh duh hull)

Shopping

• How much does this cost? – “Cé mhéad atá air seo?” (Kay vayd ah-taw air shuh?)
• Do you have this in another size? – “An bhfuil seo agat i méid eile?” (On will shuh ah-gut ih mayd ella?)
• I’m just looking, thanks. – “Tá mé díreach ag féachaint, go raibh maith agat.” (Taw may deer-ukh egg fay-khint, guh rev mah ah-gut)
• Can I pay by card? – “An féidir íoc le cárta?” (On fay-dir eek leh kawr-ta?)

Dating and Love

• You look beautiful. (to a woman) / You look handsome. (to a man) – “Tá tú go hálainn.” / “Tá tú dathúil.” (Taw too guh haw-lin / Taw too dah-hool)
• I miss you. – “Tá tú in easnamh orm.” (Taw too in as-nuv urm)
• I love you. – “Gráím thú.” (Graw-im hoo)
• Would you like to go out with me? – “Ar mhaith leat dul amach liom?” (Air wah lat dull ah-makh lum?)

Emergencies

• Help! – “Cabhair!” (Kow-ir!)
• Call the police! – “Cuir glaoch ar na gardaí!” (Kwir glay-kh air nah gar-dee!)
• I need a doctor. – “Tá dochtúir ag teastáil uaim.” (Taw dukh-toor egg chas-tawl oom)
• Where is the nearest hospital? – “Cá bhfuil an t-ospidéal is gaire?” (Kaw will on tus-peed-ale iss gar-eh?)

These phrases provide a foundation for basic communication in Irish. Practice speaking and listening regularly, engage with Irish media, and don’t hesitate to converse with native speakers. Remember, language learning is a journey—embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and continue to explore the rich linguistic and cultural nuances of Irish.