Internet & WiFi

1. Cá bhfuil an Wi-Fi?

   kaw will un WAI-fai

   Where is the Wi-Fi?

   Usage

   Asking about Wi-Fi location or access

   Grammar Note

   Technology vocabulary like "Wi-Fi" and "internet" is used directly from English in Irish. "Cá bhfuil" (where is) is a versatile locative question applicable to any location query.

2. Cén focal faire é?

   kayn FUK-ul FAR-eh ay

   What is the password?

   Usage

   Asking for a password. "Focal faire" (watchword/sentinel word) is the Irish for "password"

   Grammar Note

   "Focal faire" (watch-word/guard-word) is a calque (loan translation) for "password" — an Irish native coinage. Irish uses both calques and phonological loans for tech vocabulary.

3. Níl an t-idirlíon ag obair

   neel un TID-ir-leen egg UB-ir

   The internet is not working

   Usage

   Reporting internet problems. "Idirlíon" is an Irish coinage for "internet"

   Grammar Note

   "Idirlíon" = "idir (between) + líon (net)" is a perfect calque of "internet." "Níl" is the negative of "tá" (is not). Irish Tech vocabulary features many such systematic calques.

4. Ríomhaire glúine

   REE-wir-eh GLOO-neh

   Laptop computer (literally: knee computer)

   Usage

   Irish for laptop computer. Features "glúin" (knee) in a descriptive calque

   Grammar Note

   "Ríomhaire" = "ríomh (to calculate) + -aire (agent suffix)" = "computing device." "Glúine" is the genitive of "glúin" (knee). Irish systematically creates tech terms through N + genitive N compounds.

5. Seol ríomhphost chugam

   shohl REE-wuh-fosht KHU-gum

   Send me an email

   Usage

   Requesting an email to be sent. "Ríomhphost" (electronic post) is the Irish word for email

   Grammar Note

   "Ríomhphost" = "ríomh (electronic/computer) + post (post/mail)" is a calque of "email." "Chugam" = "chuig (towards) + mé (me)." "Chuig" expresses directional motion towards someone.

6. Íoslódáil an aip

   EES-loh-dawl un AP

   Download the app

   Usage

   Requesting an app download. "Íoslódáil" is the Irish calque for "download"

   Grammar Note

   "Íoslódáil" = "íos (low/down) + lódáil (load)" — a perfect calque of "download." Its antonym "uaslódáil" (upload) = "uas (high/up) + lódáil." Irish tech vocabulary is systematically constructed.

7. Tá an cadhnra ag fáil bháis

   taw un KAI-ruh egg FAWL WAWSH

   The battery is dying

   Usage

   Informal expression for low battery. Uses the colorful metaphor "fáil bháis" (dying)

   Grammar Note

   "Ag fáil bháis" (receiving death = dying) is an Irish idiom for dying. "Bháis" is the lenited genitive of "bás" (death). Used metaphorically for dying battery — colorful Irish expression.

8. An féidir liom do líonra a úsáid?

   un FAY-dir lyum duh LYUN-ruh uh OO-sawj

   Can I use your network / hotspot?

   Usage

   Requesting to use someone's mobile hotspot or network

   Grammar Note

   "Líonra" derives from "líon" (net/web). The structure "an féidir liom X a + verbal noun?" is the standard Irish permission/ability question. "A" is the particle preceding the verbal noun object.

9. Luchtaigh mo ghuthán

   LUKH-tee muh GHOO-hawn

   Charge my phone

   Usage

   Requesting to charge a mobile phone

   Grammar Note

   "Guthán" = "guth (voice) + -án (diminutive)" = "voice device" for phone/mobile. After "mo" (my), g lenites to gh (pronounced /ɣ/ or /j/). "Mo ghuthán" is a textbook example of lenition.

10. Tá an comhartha lag

    taw un KOW-ruh lag

    The signal is weak

    Usage

    Reporting weak mobile or Wi-Fi signal

    Grammar Note

    "Comhartha" (sign/signal) is the Irish word for any signal or sign, including mobile/Wi-Fi signal. "Lag" (weak) vs "láidir" (strong). "Tá comhartha láidir agam" = I have a strong signal.

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