Greetings

1. Dia dhuit

   Dee-a gwit

   Hello / God be with you

   Usage

   The standard Irish greeting — literally "God be with you"

   Grammar Note

   The response is "Dia is Muire dhuit" — God and Mary be with you

2. Go raibh maith agat

   Gu rev mah a-gut

   Thank you

   Usage

   The most common Irish expression of gratitude

   Grammar Note

   Literally "may you have goodness." For plural "you" use "Go raibh maith agaibh"

3. Slán

   Slawn

   Goodbye

   Usage

   The Irish farewell meaning "goodbye / be safe"

   Grammar Note

   Say "Slán leat" to the person leaving and "Slán agat" to the person staying

4. Tá / Níl

   Taw / Neel

   Yes / No

   Usage

   Basic Irish words for yes and no

   Grammar Note

   Irish has no direct words for yes/no; answers echo the verb. "Tá" answers a question with "An bhfuil…?", while "Sea" answers a copula question ("An é…?"); "Níl" is the negative answer for "An bhfuil…?"

5. Conas atá tú?

   Kun-us a-taw too

   How are you?

   Usage

   The Irish way to ask how someone is doing

   Grammar Note

   Reply "Tá mé go maith" — I am well. "Go maith" means "well/good"

6. Maidin mhaith

   Mod-jin wah

   Good morning

   Usage

   The standard Irish greeting used in the morning

   Grammar Note

   "maidin" is feminine, so the adjective "maith" (good) lenites to "mhaith"

7. Oíche mhaith

   Ee-heh wah

   Good night

   Usage

   Farewell or bedtime greeting in Irish

   Grammar Note

   "Oíche" (night) is feminine, so the adjective "maith" lenites to "mhaith"

8. Tá áthas orm bualadh leat.

   Taw aw-hus or-um boo-luh lat.

   I am pleased to meet you.

   Usage

   Formal way to express pleasure at meeting someone new

   Grammar Note

   Emotions in Irish are expressed as being "on" a person — "áthas orm" means happiness is on me

9. Gabh mo leithscéal.

   Gov muh lesh-kayl.

   Excuse me.

   Usage

   Used to get someone's attention or to apologize for an inconvenience

   Grammar Note

   Literally "accept my excuse" — "mo" (my) causes lenition, but "leithscéal" begins with "l" which doesn't lenite

10. Tá Gaeilge bheag agam.

    Taw Gway-lgeh vyag a-gum.

    I have a little Irish.

    Usage

    Letting someone know you only speak a little Irish

    Grammar Note

    "Having" in Irish = "tá … agam" (there is … at me). "agam" is a contracted form of "ag" + "mé"

11. Cá bhfuil an leithreas?

    Kaw will on leh-russ?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Essential phrase for finding a toilet in any public place

    Grammar Note

    "bhfuil" is the eclipsed form of "fuil" (is/are). Irish triggers initial mutations after question words

12. Ní féidir liom Gaeilge a labhairt

    Nee fay-dir lyum Gway-lgeh ah low-irt

    I can't speak Irish

    Usage

    Used to let someone know you don't speak Irish

    Grammar Note

    "féidir" is an impersonal verb meaning "it is possible". "liom" = "with/for me"

13. Tiocfaidh mé ar ais.

    Chuk-ee may er ash.

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop or restaurant

14. Bhí am iontach agam.

    Vee om een-tukh a-gum.

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said as you part ways

15. Go raibh maith agat, slán go fóill!

    Gu rev mah a-gut, slawn gu fohl!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell

16. Tá fáilte romhat

    Taw fawl-che roe-ut

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Reply to "Go raibh maith agat" (thank you). Literally "there is a welcome for you"

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