Irish For Absolute Beginners
Learning Irish can be fun! These are simple phrases you can use right away. Think of them as your first Irish words 🌱
1. “Dia dhuit!” – Hello!
This is the most common way to say hello in Irish.
You can use it any time — morning, day, or night.
• It literally means “God to you”
• If you’re talking to more than one person, say “Dia dhaoibh”
👉 When someone says “Dia dhuit” to you, you can reply:
• “Dia is Muire dhuit” – “God and Mary to you”
2. “Conas atá tú?” – How are you?
This is how you ask one person how they are doing.
• It’s mostly used in the south of Ireland(places like Cork and Kerry)
• A very common answer is:
• “Táim go maith”– I’m well
3. “Cad is ainm duit?” – What’s your name?
This is how you ask someone their name.
• It literally means “What is name on you?”
• To answer, you say:
• “Pól is ainm dom!”– My name is Pól
👉 You say your name first, then “is ainm dom”
4. “Cad as duit?” – Where are you from?
People love to ask this question! You’ll hear it a lot 😊
• This usually means what countryyou are from
• To answer, you say:
• “Is as [country] dom”
Example:
• “Is as tSeicia dom”– I’m from Czechia
5. “Cá bhfuil tú i do chónaí?” – Where do you live?
Now we’re getting more specific!
• This asks about the city or areawhere you live
• To answer, you say:
• “Táim i mo chónaí i [city]”
Example:
• “Táim i mo chónaí i gCorcaigh”– I live in Cork
👉 In Irish, city names often change a little
That’s normal — it’s just Irish grammar doing its thing!
6. “Táim ag foghlaim Gaeilge” – I’m learning Irish
This is a very helpful sentence!
• It tells people you are learning
• It also helps them know you’re not fluent yet
People will usually slow down and be kinder when they hear this 💚
7. “Tá sé deas bualadh leat” – Nice to meet you
This is what you say when you meet someone.
• Often people say the shorter version:
• “Deas bualadh leat”– Nice to meet you
8. “Níl ach cúpla focal agam” – I only have a few words
This is a great beginner phrase!
• It literally means “I have only a few words”
• It’s a friendly way to say:
• “I’m still learning, please be patient”
9. “Tá brón orm. Ní thuigim.” – I’m sorry, I don’t understand.
Irish can sound fast at first, and that’s okay!
This phrase helps you when you feel lost.
You can also add:
• “Go mall, le do thoil”– Slowly, please
• Or: “Can you repeat that?”
Sometimes we get into an awkward situation when we don’t understand, either we get stuck or we pretend we understand even though we don’t. This phrase is great for getting you back into the conversation. 😄
10. “Go raibh maith agat.” – Thank you.
This is how you say thank you in Irish.
A friendly reply is:
• “Tá fáilte romhat” – You’re welcome
11. “Gabh mo leithscéal” – Excuse me / Sorry
This is a very polite phrase for getting someone’s attention or apologizing.
Examples:
Bumping into someone:
“Gabh mo leithscéal” – Excuse me / Sorry
Asking a question:
“Gabh mo leithscéal, an bhfuil Gaeilge agat?” – Excuse me, do you speak Irish?
12. “Le do thoil” – Please
This is a very polite word to use when asking for something.
It literally means “With your permission”
13. “Sláinte!” – Cheers! / Good health!
This is what people say when they clink glasses or toast.
It literally means “health”, so you are wishing someone well!
Example:
You’re at a family meal or party, and someone raises a glass — you say:
• “Sláinte!” 🥂
14. “Go hiontach” – Wonderful!
Use this when something is really wonderful or exciting.
Example:
Friend: “Tá mé ag foghlaim Gaeilge!” – I’m learning Irish!
You: “Go hiontach!” – Wonderful!
15. “Slán!” – Bye!
We started with hello, and now we finish with goodbye.
• “Slán”is the quickest and most common way to say bye
• You can use it anytime