Slang

1. Cén craic?

   What's the craic?

   Usage

   Keep the fada on the é. "Craic" bundles up fun, atmosphere and news — the central Irish word. For friends and pub company; with a stranger or an elder use "Conas atá tú?"

2. Sláinte!

   Cheers!

   Usage

   Keep the fada on the á. It means "health" — the standard toast, safe with anyone. The reply is "Sláinte mhaith!"

3. Maith thú!

   Good on you!

   Usage

   Keep the fada on the ú. A short word of praise, fine for friends and children. To a group: "Maith sibh!"

4. Ar fheabhas!

   Excellent!

   Usage

   "Feabhas" (excellence) lenites to "fheabhas" after the preposition "ar". Safe with anyone

5. Thar barr!

   Top-notch!

   Usage

   Literally "over the top" — for praising food or a performance. Safe with anyone

6. Ceart go leor

   All right / fair enough

   Usage

   Literally "right enough" — an all-purpose "OK" or "not bad". Safe with anyone

7. Cinnte!

   Definitely! / sure

   Usage

   A cheerful yes to an invitation or a request. Safe with anyone

8. Tóg go bog é

   Take it easy

   Usage

   Keep both fadas (ó, é). Literally "take it softly" — for calming someone in a rush. For friends and colleagues

9. Ná bac leis

   Never mind it

   Usage

   Keep the fada on the á. "Don't bother with it" — reassuring, as long as you say it warmly rather than curtly

10. Ná bí buartha

    Don't worry

    Usage

    Keep both fadas (á, í). A kind line that works with anyone

11. Ar mhuin na muice

    On the pig's back (doing great)

    Usage

    Literally "on the pig's back" — the famous idiom for thriving. Use it about yourself or about someone else: "Tá tú ar mhuin na muice!"

12. Seafóid!

    Nonsense!

    Usage

    Keep the fada on the ó. It rejects the claim, not the person. Banter among friends — said flatly it dismisses what they just said

13. Tá sé ag stealladh báistí

    It's pouring rain

    Usage

    Keep the fadas (á, é). Literally "it's spilling rain" — the most-used weather line in Ireland. Safe with anyone

14. Tá mé traochta

    I'm wrecked

    Usage

    Keep both fadas (á, é). Stronger than "tuirse". For friends — with a doctor use "Tá tuirse orm"

15. cúpla focal

    A few words (of Irish)

    Usage

    Keep the fada on the ú. Literally "a couple of words" — the set phrase for having a little Irish. Saying "Tá cúpla focal agam" goes down very well with anyone

16. Slán go fóill

    Bye for now

    Usage

    Keep both fadas (á, ó). "Slán" alone already means goodbye. Safe with anyone

17. Go n-éirí an bóthar leat

    May the road rise with you

    Usage

    Keep both fadas (é, ó). The famous blessing for someone setting off — appropriate for anyone, elders included

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