Home Research Gaelic Irish Phrases. Irish Phrases The Irish phrases and words below have appeared as a regular article in our Free Monthly Newsletter about Ireland. Gaelic phrases and words, days of the week, days of the month, months of the year, colors, numbers, common greetings and much more. Though some Irish curses don't translate very well, Irish Gaelic has enriched the way Irish people speak English in many ways. The importing of many a mallacht (the Irish word for a curse) from Gaelic to English has added colour, even when more sinister than funny. I have put together a list of traditional and funny Irish curses below. If you want to know how to say lucky in Scots Gaelic, you will find the translation here. We hope this will help you to understand Scots Gaelic better. Here is the translation and the Scots Gaelic word for lucky. The Scots Gaelic for lucky is aotroime. Find more Scots Gaelic words at wordhippo.com! Irish Blessings make everyone feel good! Patrick's Day, we offer seven classic lucky blessings for a good life. May you always have. Walls for the winds A roof for the rain Tea.
lucky
![Lucky In Gaelic Lucky In Gaelic](https://mobilecasinoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/10-wagerless-free-spins-image.jpg)
Favoured by luck; fortunate; meeting with good success or good fortune. Said of persons.
Producing, or resulting in, good chance, or unexpectedly; favorable; auspicious; fortunate.
Favoured by luck; fortunate; meeting with good success or good fortune. Said of persons.
Producing, or resulting in, good chance, or unexpectedly; favorable; auspicious; fortunate.
being good by chance
having or bringing good fortune; 'my lucky day'; 'a lucky man'
occurring by chance; 'a lucky escape'; 'a lucky guess'
presaging or likely to bring good luck or a good outcome; 'a favorable time to ask for a raise'; 'lucky stars'; 'a prosperous moment to make a decision'
Less reliable translations
We don't have straight translations, but we think one of translations given below may be right. Be careful.
- (through 57: fr:heureux fr:heureuse fr:content )
- (through 57: fr:heureux fr:heureuse fr:content )sona
- (through 57: fr:heureux fr:heureuse fr:content )
- (through 10: de:Glücklichkeit ja:幸運 ja:幸せ )àigh
- (through 9: ja:幸運 ja:幸せ ja:好運 )
- (through 8: es:afortunado sv:lycklig bg:късметлийски )fortanach
- (through 6: es:suerte sh:сретан sh:sretan )
- (through 6: es:suerte sh:сретан sh:sretan )fortan leat
- (through 4: fr:content ca:feliç pt:feliz )
- (through 4: grc:ἀγαθός zh:好 bg:добър )math
- (through 4: fr:opportun zh:合适 ru:удачный )
- (through 3: fr:opportun zh:合适 zh:恰当 )freagarrach
- (through 3: de:dick ja:太い ru:толстый )
- (through 3: ja:幸運 ja:幸せ vi:hạnh phúc )toileachas
- (through 3: ru:хороший grc:ἀγαθός bg:добър )
- (through 3: ja:幸運 ja:幸せ vi:hạnh phúc )subhachas
- (through 3: de:dick de:fett ru:толстый )
- (through 2: hu:boldog ar:مُبَارَك )naomh
- (through 2: la:sinister la:laevus )
- (through 2: de:dick ru:толстый )çhiu
Lucky
Less reliable translations
We don't have straight translations, but we think one of translations given below may be right. Be careful.
- (through 57: fr:heureux fr:heureuse fr:content )
- (through 57: fr:heureux fr:heureuse fr:content )sona
- (through 57: fr:heureux fr:heureuse fr:content )
- (through 10: de:Glücklichkeit ja:幸運 ja:幸せ )àigh
- (through 9: ja:幸運 ja:幸せ ja:好運 )
- (through 8: es:afortunado sv:lycklig bg:късметлийски )fortanach
- (through 6: es:suerte sh:сретан sh:sretan )
- (through 6: es:suerte sh:сретан sh:sretan )fortan leat
- (through 4: fr:content ca:feliç pt:feliz )
- (through 4: grc:ἀγαθός zh:好 bg:добър )math
- (through 4: fr:opportun zh:合适 ru:удачный )
- (through 3: fr:opportun zh:合适 zh:恰当 )freagarrach
- (through 3: de:dick ja:太い ru:толстый )
- (through 3: ja:幸運 ja:幸せ vi:hạnh phúc )toileachas
- (through 3: ru:хороший grc:ἀγαθός bg:добър )
- (through 3: ja:幸運 ja:幸せ vi:hạnh phúc )subhachas
- (through 3: de:dick de:fett ru:толстый )
- (through 2: hu:boldog ar:مُبَارَك )naomh
- (through 2: la:sinister la:laevus )
- (through 2: de:dick ru:толстый )çhiu
Similar phrases in dictionary English Scottish Gaelic. (2)
There are lots of wonderful Irish Gaelic phrases and expressions, some of which have been translated to English but I have to say the often quoted ‘Top of the morning to you’ is not one of them. I know of no Irish person who uses it and it sounds as strange to Irish people as it does to most other people. In fact, I am not sure where that phrase originated though I have heard it rumoured that it may be from New Zealand but I wouldn't bet on it.
Now that that’s off my chest, let’s start with some Irish Gaelic phrases and Gaelic expressions that most Irish people should know or have learned in school. I give a non-linguistic pronunciation guide to the expression, a fairly literal translation and an equivalent English expression.
It is important to know that some Gaelic expressions vary from one dialect to another. In Ireland there are three key dialects, in the North (Ulster), West (Connaught) and South (Munster). I will go into these differences in more detail elsewhere. Red bull bc one live stream. Anyway most people in Ireland learn standard Gaelic in school, basically a mix of all three dialects.
In the pronunciation guide for all the Irish Gaelic phrases below I have left 'ch' as is. This is because 'ch' in Gaelic does not have an equivalent sound in English. That said, many people will be familiar with the throaty sound made in the Scottish and Irish word 'loch'. This is the correct sound. If you are not able to replicate this sound, pronounce 'ch' as a 'k'. It may not be correct but you will be understood. Just don't pronounce 'ch' as 'ch' in 'church' which no one will understand.
I have included a video of the words below to help you with the pronunciation. While I am not a native speaker, my pronunciation should be reasonably accurate.
Irish Gaelic Phrases most Irish people know
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Dia duit Dee-ah gwit God to you Hello |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Dia is Muire dhuit Dee-ah iss Mwir-eh gwit God and Mary to you Hello, the response to 'Dia dhuit' |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Cad is ainm duit? Cod iss anim gwit? What is the name to you? What is your name? |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Seán is ainm dom Seán iss anim dum Seán is the name to me My name is Seán |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Níl a fhios agam Neel ah iss a-gum The knowledge is not at me I don't know |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Dún an doras Doon on dur-ass Close the door Close the door |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Slán leat Slawn lat Health/Safety with you Goodbye |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Más é do thoil é Maws aye duh hull aye If it is your will Please |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Ní thuigim Nee hig-im Not I understand I don't understand |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Sláinte Slawn-che Health Cheers (toast) |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Gabh mo leithscéal Gov muh leh-scale Accept my excuse Excuse me, Pardon me |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Conas atá tú? Kun-ass a-taw to? How are you? How are you? |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Tá me go maith Taw may guh maw I am well I am well |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Oíche mhaith Ee-hah wah Night good Goodnight |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Go raibh maith agat Guh rev mah ah-gut That there may good at you Thanks |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Tá fáilte romhat Taw fall-che row-at There is a welcome before you You're welcome (response to thanks and a greeting) |
Gaelic Expressions that are good to know
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Cad as dhuit? Cod oss gwit? Where out of are you? Where are you from? |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Is as na Stáit Aontaithe mé Iss oss nah Stawt Ane-tih-hah may It is out of the States United I am I am from the United States |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Abair arís é Ah-bur areesh aye Say again it Say it again |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Maith thú Moh hoo Good to you Well done |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Slán go fóill Slawn guh foal Health/Safety till later See you later |
Expression Pronounced Pronunced Literal Meaning In English | Tá áthas/fearg/ocras/tart/brón/díoma orm Taw aw-hass/far-ig/uk-rass/ tort/brone/de-om-a orum There is happiness/anger/hunger/ thirst/sadness/disappointment on me I am happy/angry/hungry/thirsty/sad/disappointed |
Expression Pronounced Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Tá sé fuar/te/gaofar/ ag cur báistí/ag cur sneachta/ Taw shay foor/cheh/gway-for/ egg kur baw-shtee/egg kur shnach-tah It is cold/hot/windy/putting rain/putting snow It is cold/hot/windy/raining/snowing |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Is/Ní maith liom é Iss/Nee moh lum aye It/Not agrees with me I like it/I don't like it |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Ar mhaith leat tae/deoch? Err wah lat tay/juhch? Would a tea/drink agree with you? Would you like some tea/drink |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Is cuma liom Iss cum-ah lum I don't mind/I don't care |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | An bhfuil Gaeilge agat? On will Gail-geh ah-gut? Is there Gaelic at you? Do you speak Gaelic/Irish? |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Beagáinín byug-awn-een A small bit A little |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Tá cúpla focal agam |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Is múinteoir/macléinn/dlídóir/Éireannach mé Iss moon-tore/mack-lane/dlee-dore/Air-en-och may Is a teacher/student/lawyer/Irish person I am I am a teacher/student/lawyer/Irish person |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Cén chaoi a bhfuil tú? Kane chwee (kwee) a will to? What way are you? How are you? Same as 'Conas atá tú?' above but used in Western Gaelic dialect |
Expression Pronounced Literal Meaning In English | Conas atá an craic? Kun-ass a-taw on crack? How's the craic/fun? What's up? |
Merry Christmas in Gaelic
The Irish Gaelic phrase for Merry Christmas is 'Nollaig shona dhuit' (pronounced Null-ig hun-ah gwit). You can also say 'Nollaig faoi shéan is faoi mhaise dhuit' (pronounced Null-ig fwee hyane iss fwee vosh-eh gwit) which means 'A prosperous and pleasant Christmas'
To say Happy New Year, we use the gaelic expression 'Athbhliain faoi mhaise dhuit' (prononunced 'aw-vlee-an fwee vosh-eh gwit' ) which can be more close translated as 'A prosperous New Year.'
Happy Birthday in Gaelic
The gaelic expression for 'Happy Birthday' is simply 'Lá Breithe Shona dhuit' (pronounced 'Law breh-ha hun-ah gwit). If you want to reveal your age you can say the following:'Tá mé fiche seacht mbliana d'aois' (pronounced 'Taw may fih-heh shocht mleena deesh') which means 'I am 27 years of age'.
You can also wish somebody well on their birthday by using the humorous Irish Gaelic phrase 'Go maire tú an lá' (pronounced 'Guh mwir-eh to on law) meaning 'May you survive the day.'
Póg mo thóin
The Irish Gaelic phrase 'Póg mo thóin' (pronounced pogue mohone) is one of the first Irish Gaelic phrases that many visitors to Ireland learn, probably because people just seem to love learning curses as much as teaching them. It means literally 'Kiss my ass' but can be used as 'Get out of it' when you think somebody is trying to pull the wool over your eyes or when you get annoyed with them.
The London-Irish band 'The Pogues' were originally called 'Pogue Mahone', an anglicised version of the gaelic expression. Because of BBC censorship, they shortened the name to be less offensive. I have included a video of them singing their best known song 'The Fairytale of New York.'
I am open to correction or suggested improvements on anything above. I would also love to hear of other Irish gaelic phrases you think should have been included as basics. Get in touch with me through the contact GaelicMatters page.
Pages Related to Irish Gaelic Phrases
Good Luck In Gaelic
If you didn't find what you are looking for check out the Irish words page.If you want some tips and suggestions on how to learn Irish Gaelic visit our Learn Irish Language page.
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