Amaze your friends and family!  Here are a few Irish Sayings that may come in handy if you ever take a trip to Ireland - or perhaps they could just be fun to use around the house or in your own backyard!  Enjoy!
 
 
GREETINGS: 
  • A Chairde - Dear Friends, 
  • Jane, a chara - Dear Jane, 
  • Tom, a chara - Dear Tom, 
  • Dia duit! - Hi there! (to one person) 
  • Dia daoibh! - Hi there! (to more than one person) 
REQUESTS:
  • Scríobh chugam as Béarla, más é do thoil é. - Write to me in English, please. (to one person) 
  • Scríobhaigí chugam as Gaeilge, más é bhur dtoil é. - Write to me in Irish, please. (to more than one person) 
  • An féidir le héinne cuidiú liom - Can anyone help me? 
HUMILITY: 
  • Gabhaim pardún agaibh as an teachtaireacht seo i mBéarla. - My apologies to you for this message in English. (to more than one person) 
  • Níl mórán Gaeilge agam. - I don't know much Irish. 
  • Níl mé ach ag tosú ar an teanga a fhoghlaim. - I'm only beginning to learn the language. 
  • Tuigim Gaeilge shimplí. - I understand simple Irish. 
 
GRATITUDE: 
  • Go raibh maith agat! - Thank you! (to one person) 
  • Go raibh míle maith agaibh as bhur gcúnamh! - Thank you very much for your help! (to more than one person) 
  • Tá mé buíoch díot as do chúnamh. I'm grateful to you for your help. (to one person) 
  • Go méadaí Dia thú! - May God prosper you! (to one person, serious thanks) 
  • Go mba seacht bhfearr a bheas tú bliain ó inniu! - May you be seven time better a year from today! (very serious thanks, to one person) 
  • Tá fáilte romhat! - You're welcome! (to one person) 
MISCELLANEOUS:
  • Tá an ceart agat. - You're right. 
  • Nár lagaí Dia thú! - More power to you! 
  • Mo ghraidhin go deo thu! - Bravo! Good for you! 
  • B'fhéidir go bhfuil an ceart agat. - Maybe you're right. 
  • An dáiríre atá tú? - Are you serious? 
  • Ababúna!  - Good Heavens!
FAREWELL: 
  • Slán! - Bye! 
  • Slán go fóill! - Bye for now! 
  • Ádh mór! - Cheers! 
  • Le buíochas, - With thanks, 
  • Beir bua agus beannacht, - Best wishes, 
 Irish Literal Translation
The following are certain Irish words followed by their literal translation which are displayed in the brackets.  Beside the brackets is the english interpretation of these words.
  • Dia duit!  [God to-you]  "Hello!" 
  • Dia sa teach!  [God in-the house]  "Hello, everyone here!" 
  • Dia linn!  [God with-us] "God bless!" (when someone sneezes) 
  • Buíochas le Dia.  [thanks with God] "Thank God!" (especially useful in discussing the weather, and how it could be worse) 
  • Le cúnamh Dé!  [With help of-God] "God willing!" 
  • As ucht Dé!  [for sake of-God]  "For heaven's sake!" 
  • Go bhfóire Dia orainn!  [that may-aid God on-us] "God help us!" 
  • Nár lige Dia!  [that-not may-allow God]  "Heaven forbid!" 
  • A Dhia!  [O God] "My God!" 
 
Irish Sayings and their Pronunciation
  • Lá Fhéile Pádraig (LAW AY-luh PAW-rihg) = St. Patrick's Day 
  • Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh! (BAN-uhkh-tee nuh FAY-luh PAW-rihg O-rihv) = Happy St. Patrick's Day to You All! 
  • Éire go Brách (AY-ruh guh BRAWKH) = Ireland Forever! 
  • Sláinte is táinte! (SLAWN-chuh iss TAWN-chuh) = Health and wealth! 
  • Caith siar é is ná lig aniar é! (KAH SEE-uhr ay iss NAW LIHG uh-NEE-uhr ay)= Toss it back and don't let it come back up (your liquor, that is) 
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