Welcome to ‘Gaelic on the Go’. We have been busy putting together a list of useful Irish phrases to impress the locals and immerse yourself in our culture. You don’t need to speak Irish in Ireland as almost everyone speaks English, but it’s a lot of fun to learn a new language, and Irish is a little more unique than most modern languages.
Not only will you see Ireland through the eyes of the locals on your tour but you will learn to speak like them too! If anything we say inspires you to visit Ireland with us, check out our small group tours of Ireland and get in touch if you have any questions.
Gaeilge Abú!
(Meaning: Hurray for Irish! Pronunciation: Gayl-ga a-boo)
Meaning: The name for the Irish language – Pronunciation: Gay-L-ga
Meaning: Cheers (Literal translation: Health) – Pronunciation: Slawn-cha
Meaning: Hello (literal translation: God to you) – Pronunciation: Jee-ya gutch
Meaning: A Hundred thousand welcomes – Pronunciation: Kade mee-la fall-cha
Meaning: Thank you – Pronunciation: Guh ruh moh a-guth
Meaning: You’re welcome – Pronunciation: Thaw fall-cha row-th
Meaning: Goodbye – Pronuncation: Slawn
Meaning: Any news? – Pronunciation: Ain sh-cale
Meaning: I’m doing well – Pronunciation: Thaw may guh moh
Meaning: OK – Pronunciation: Kyart go lore
Meaning: John is my name – Pronunciation: John is an-im dumb
Meaning: what is your name? – Pronunciation: Cod is an-im dutch?
Meaning: Good night – Pronunciation: Ee-ha wah
Meaning: Good morning – Pronunciation: Mah – gin wah
Meaning: Take care – Pronunciation: Thore are-ah
Meaning: The food is lovely – Pronunciation: Thaw on bee-ya guh hall-in
Meaning: Please – Pronunciation: Le duh hull
Meaning: Exit – Pronunciation: Bal-akh/ Shlee amakh
Meaning: Toilet – Pronunciation: Le-ris
Meaning: Men – Prononciation: Fear
Meaning: Ladies – Pronunciation: Ma – naw
Meaning: Two people shorten the road
Pronunciation: Girr-ee-in birch bo-har
Meaning: A little kinship is better than a lot of charity
Pronunciation: Is far beg-awn gin gail naw more-awn gin corr-hanas
Meaning: There is no place like home
Pronunciation: Kneel ane hin-tawn mar duh hin-tawn fane
Meaning: There is no strength without unity
Pronunciation: Knee nyart guh kir leh kayla
Meaning: As clumsy as a pig climbing a ladder
Pronunciation: Ko key-uh-tach le muck egg dull sue-As dray-mer-A
Meaning: It is better to have a friend in court than a pound in your wallet
Pronunciation: Is far kah-ra sa coor-ch naw punt sa spaw-rawn
Meaning: What is rare is wonderful
Pronunciation: An rud is an-iv is een-tach
Meaning: It is better to have broken Irish than clever English
Pronunciation: Is far gayl-ge vrish-ta naw bear-la clish-ta