Basic Words

1. Tá

   Yes

   Usage

   The shortest affirmative reply; use it to confirm anything

   Grammar Note

   Irish has no word for "yes" — you echo the verb of the question. "Tá" is the affirmative of "to be"

2. Níl

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; also works to decline an offer

   Grammar Note

   Likewise no word for "no" — you echo the verb in the negative. "Níl" means "is not"

3. Le do thoil

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request or order; it also stands alone

   Grammar Note

   Literally "by your will"; addressing several people it is "le bhur dtoil"

4. Go raibh maith agat

   Thank you

   Usage

   Use it everywhere: after paying, after getting directions

   Grammar Note

   Literally "may you have goodness"; to several people, "go raibh maith agaibh"

5. Gabh mo leithscéal

   Excuse me

   Usage

   The opening word when you need a stranger's attention

   Grammar Note

   Literally "take my excuse"; used to get someone's attention

6. Tá brón orm

   Sorry

   Usage

   An apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake

   Grammar Note

   Literally "sorrow is on me" — Irish expresses feelings with prepositions

7. Tá sé ceart go leor

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Reply to an apology, or politely wave off offered help

8. Ní thuigim

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say it as soon as you lose the thread; people will rephrase

   Grammar Note

   The negative "ní" lenites the following consonant: "tuigim" becomes "thuigim"

9. Tuigim

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms you followed an explanation

10. Tá mé críochnaithe

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tell staff you have finished a meal or a procedure

11. Fan nóiméad, le do thoil

    Please wait

    Usage

    Use it when you need the other person to hold on

    Grammar Note

    "Fan" is the imperative of "to wait"; the plural is "fanaigí"

12. Nóiméad amháin

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A shorter, lighter version for a very brief pause

13. Duine fásta amháin, le do thoil

    One adult, please

    Usage

    Say it at a ticket window or an entrance gate

    Grammar Note

    "Duine fásta" is an adult; "amháin" (one) follows the noun

14. Níl áirithint agam

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Tell a restaurant or hotel that you are a walk-in

    Grammar Note

    Irish expresses possession as "tá ... agam" — "it is at me"

15. Tá áirithint agam

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it first at reception, then give your name

16. Cabhraigh liom, le do thoil

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or emergencies; a strong call for help

    Grammar Note

    In an emergency, shout "Cabhair!"

17. Arís, le do thoil

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what you missed

18. Labhair go mall, le do thoil

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speech is too fast; people almost always oblige

19. Tá beagán Gaeilge agam

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Saying it early makes the other person slow down

    Grammar Note

    Literally "a little Irish is at me" — language ability uses the possessive construction too

20. An bhfuil Béarla agat?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when you get stuck

    Grammar Note

    "An bhfuil...?" forms the question; "Béarla" is the English language

21. é seo

    This one

    Usage

    Point at something near you to mean "this one"

    Grammar Note

    "Seo" is the proximal demonstrative. Irish has a three-way seo/sin/siúd series, similar to Japanese kore/sore/are, though sin often covers both "sore" and "are"

22. é sin

    That one

    Usage

    Point at something a little further away to mean "that one"

    Grammar Note

    "Sin" is the distal demonstrative and can cover both Japanese "sore" and "are"

23. é siúd

    That one over there

    Usage

    For something far from both speaker and listener

    Grammar Note

    "Siúd" is the far demonstrative; in speech "é sin thall" (that one over yonder) is common and is the usual choice in Munster

24. anseo

    Here

    Usage

    Point at a map or a seat to mean "here"

    Grammar Note

    A place adverb; the anseo/ansin/ansiúd series maps well onto Japanese koko/soko/asoko

25. ansin

    There

    Usage

    Point at a place near the other person to mean "there"

    Grammar Note

    "Ansin" also means "then" in time, so point to make the spatial sense clear

26. ansiúd

    Over there

    Usage

    Point at a distant place to mean "over there"

    Grammar Note

    "Ansiúd" is the most distant of the three; "thall" (yonder) is used in the same situations

27. mé

    I / me

    Usage

    Point at yourself to answer "who?"

    Grammar Note

    The emphatic form is "mise"; Irish does not distinguish subject and object forms here

28. tú

    You

    Usage

    Point at the other person

    Grammar Note

    "Tú" is singular; the plural is "sibh" and the emphatic form is "tusa". Irish has no polite V-form

29. le chéile

    Together

    Usage

    Point at it to ask to be seated, roomed or billed together

    Grammar Note

    Literally "with each other"; "céile" lenites to "chéile" after "le"

30. Tá sin go leor

    That's enough

    Usage

    Show it to stop someone serving more or to decline a refill

    Grammar Note

    "Go leor" means enough or plenty; English "galore" is borrowed from it

31. anois díreach

    Right now

    Usage

    Point at it to show that something is urgent

    Grammar Note

    "Anois" (now) + "díreach" (just); "láithreach" also means immediately

32. duine amháin

    One person

    Usage

    Point at it to give the number in your party at a restaurant or desk

    Grammar Note

    Irish has a separate set of personal numerals: "duine amháin" for one, then "beirt", "triúr" and so on

33. beirt

    Two people

    Usage

    Point at it to give the number in your party

    Grammar Note

    "Beirt" (fem.) counts people only; counting objects uses "dhá"

34. triúr

    Three people

    Usage

    Point at it to give the number in your party

    Grammar Note

    "Triúr" (masc.) counts people only; objects take "trí". Four people is "ceathrar"

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