Useful Phrases
Following is a list of useful phrases that can be used in correspondence and in conversation and you conducting business in Irish. If you require and other translations that are not listed here, please contact us on 091 568876 or eolas@gleg.ie.
Seanfhocail
An rud is annamh, is iontach
- What is rare is strangest.
Is maith an scáthán súil charad
- A friend’s eye is a good mirror.
Aithníonn ciaróg ciaróg eile
- It takes one to know one.
Moladh luath agus cáineadh mall
- Early praise and delayed criticism.
Bíonn blas ar an mbeagán
- A little tastes well.
Éist le fuaim na habhann agus gheobhaidh tú breac
- Listen to the sound of the river and you will get a trout
Eochair feasa foghlaim
- Learning is the key to knowledge.
Faigheann an tseanbhróg an tseanstoca
- The old shoe gets the old stocking.
Giorraíonn beirt bóthar
- Two shorten the road
Is ait an mac an saol
- Life is strange.
Is binn béal ina thost
- Silence is golden.
Is fearr an tsláinte ná an táinte
- Health is better than wealth.
Tagann cruatan i ndiaidh an chaite
- Waste not, want not.
Is glas iad na cnoic i bhfad uainn
- Faraway hills are green.
Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine
- People live in one another’s shadow.
An té nach gcuirfidh san earrach, ní bhainfidh sé san fhómhar.
- He who does not sow in spring, will not reap in the autumn.
Uireasa a mhéadaíonn cumha.
- Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Beidh lá eile ag an bPaorach.
- Power will have another day.
Is breá an ní an óige, ach ní thagann sí faoi dhó.
- Youth is a fine thing, but it does not come twice.
Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin.
- There is no place like home.
Níor bhris focal maith fiacail riamh.
- A good word never broke a tooth.
Tarraingíonn scéal scéal eile.
- One story leads on to another.
Ní bhíonn in aon rud ach seal.
- Nothing lasts for ever.
Ní dhéanfaidh an saol capall rása d’asal.
- The world would not make a donkey a racehorse.
Is minic ciúin ciontach.
- The quiet ones are often guilty.
I ndiaidh a chéile a thógtar na caisleáin.
- Rome was not built in a day.
Imíonn an tuirse is fanann an tairbhe.
- Tiredness goes away and the benefit remains.
Aithnítear cara i gcruatan.
- It is in hardship that a friend is recognised.
Maireann croí éadrom i bhfad
- A light heart lives longest.
Ní bhíonn uasal ná íseal, ach thuas seal thíos seal
- Noble and poor are both up and down a while.
Ní féidir an dubh a chur ina gheal, ach seal
- You can only deny the truth, for a while.
Ní mar a shíltear a bhítear.
- Things are not always as they seem.
Ní neart go cur le chéile.
- There is no strength without unity.
Ní thagann ciall roimh aois
- Sense does not come before age.
Níl aon leigheas ar an ngrá, ach pósadh.
- The only cure for love is marriage.
Soitheach folamh is mó torann
- Empty vessels make the most noise.
Is maith an scéalaí an aimsir.
- Time is a good messenger.
Taithí a dhéanann máistreacht.
- Experience brings perfection.
Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam.
- A country without a language, is a country without a soul.
Tús maith leath na hoibre.
- A good start is half the work / well begun half done.
Beatha teanga í a labhairt.
- The life of a language is to speak it.
An té a bhíonn siúlach, bíonn sé scéalach.
- Travellers have tales to tell.
Is fearr cara sa chúirt, ná punt sa sparán.
- Better a friend in court, than a pound in the purse.
Ní sheasann sac folamh.
- An empty sack will not stand.
An té nach bhfuil láidir, ní mór dó a bheith glic.
- He who is weak needs to be clever.
Ná mol agus ná cáin tú féin.
- Neither praise nor criticise yourself.
Buail an t-iarann te.
- Strike when the iron is hot.
Ní thagann ciall roimh aois.
- Sense doesn’t come before age.
Múineann gá seift.
- Necessity is the mother of invention.
Ní fhanann trá le héinne.
- Time and tide awaits no man.
Is binn béal ina thost.
- Silence is golden.
Ná tabhair breith ar an chéad scéal.
- Never judge on first opinions.
Ag tuileadh agus ag trá a chaitheann an fharraige an lá.
- The tide spends the day going in and out.
Oíche aerach is maidin bhrónach.
- A lively night and a sad morning.
Ar scáth a chéile a mhairimid.
- We all exist in each others’ shadow.
Go n-éirí an bóthar leat is do chosán cóngair.
- May your journey, long or short be a success.
General Phrases
Dia Duit
- Hello
Dia’s Muire duit
- Hello (reply to Dia duit)
Cén chaoi a bhfuil tú?
- How are you?
Tá mé go maith
- I’m fine
Go raibh míle maith agat
- Thank you very much
Slán go fóill
- Goodbye
Dia duit, Máire anseo
- Hello, Mary here
Dia ‘s Muire duit
- Hello (reply to Dia duit)
Coinnigh an líne le do thoil
- Hold the line please
An féidir liom teachtaireacht a thógáil?
- Can I take a message?
Níl sí anseo faoi láthair
- She is not here at the moment
Go raibh maith agat
- Thank you
Slán
- Goodbye
Dia Duit, Seán anseo, níl mé ar fáil faoi láthair le do ghlaoch a thógáil. Fág teachtaireacht, go raibh maith agat.
- Hello, Séan here, I am not available at the moment to take your call. Please leave a message, thank you.
Tá mé as an oifig
- I am out of the office
Beidh mé ar ais san oifig ar an…
- I will back in the Office on the…
Bain taitneamh as do chuid laethanta saoire
- Enjoy your holidays
Beidh mé i dteagmháil leat tar éis an dáta sin
- I will be in touch with you after this date
Ba mhaith liom tuilleadh eolais a fháil faoi…
- I would like some more information about…
An féidir liom mo ghnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge?
- Can I do my business through Irish?
Cén praghas atá ar seo?
- What price will that be?
Cad iad na roghanna eile atá agaibh?
- What other options do you have?
Tá sé ina mhargadh!
- It’s a deal!
Céard é an bealach is fearr le tabhairt faoi?
- What’s the best way to go about it?
An féidir liom mo thicéad a cheannacht uait anseo?
- Can I buy my ticket here?
Ba mhaith liom coinne a dhéanamh do thráthnóna Dé Luain, an bhfuil tú saor ag an am sin?
- I would like to make an appointment for Monday afternoon, are you free then?
A Chara
- (Dear) Sir/Madam
A Eagarthóir, a chara
- Dear Editor
A Dhuine Uasail
- Dear Sir
A Bhean Uasal
- Dear Madam
A Bhainisteoir, a chara
- Dear Manager
A Phádraig, a chara
- Dear Pádraig
A Mháire, a chara
- Dear Máire
A Aire, a chara
- Dear Minister
Is mise, le meas
- (I am) yours respectfully
Is mise, le hArdmheas
- (I am) with highest regard (Signing off with this greeting means you hold the person in question in high esteem)
Le gach dea-ghuí
- With every good wish
Le dea-mhéin
- With kind regards
Slán go fóill
- Bye for now
Ádh Mór
- Good Luck
Special Days
Lá Fhéile Vailintín Sona duit
- Happy Valentine’s Day
Do mo Ghrá Geal
- For my Loved One
Le Grá
- With Love
Mo Ghrá Geal
- My Love
Amhrán Grá
- Love Song
A Stóirín!
- Darling!
Mo Mhuirnín
- My sweetheart
Grá mo chroí
- Love of my heart
Cuisle mo chroí
- Pulse of my heart
Is tú grá mo chroí
- You’re the love of my life
Thaitneodh bláthanna liom!
- I would like flowers!
Níl aon leigheas ar an ngrá ach pósadh
- The only cure for love is marriage
Giorraíonn beirt bóthar
- Two shorten the road
Lá na Máithreacha
- Mothers' Day
Beannachtaí Lá na Máithreacha oraibh go léir
- Happy Mothers’ day to all
Tabhair aire di
- Take care of her
Is lá speisialta é, Lá na Máithreacha
- Mothers' day is a special day.
Bain sult as Lá na Máithreacha
- Enjoy Mothers' Day
Is duine speisialta í do mháthair
- Your Mother is special
Lá Fhéile Pádraig
- Saint Patrick’s Day
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh
- St. Patrick’s Day blessings upon you
Paráid Lá ‘le Pádraig
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Bain sult as Lá Fhéile Pádraig
- Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day
Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Duit!
- Happy St. Patrick’s Day! (Singular)
Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh!
- Happy St. Patrick’s Day! (Plural)
Is Éireannach mé!
- I’m Irish!
Seamróg
- Shamrock
Caith do sheamróg ar Lá Fhéile Pádraig
- Wear your shamrock on St. Patrick’s Day
Déan ceiliúradh ar Lá Fhéile Pádraig
- Celebrate on St. Patrick’s Day
Sláinte agus táinte!
- Health and wealth!
Go raibh maith agat
- Thank you
Tá fáilte romhat
- You’re welcome
Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam
- A country without a language, a country without a soul
An Cháisc
- Easter
Beannachtaí na Cásca ort/oraibh
- The Blessings of Easter on you /on ye
Cáisc Shona duit/ daoibh!
- Happy Easter to you/to ye
Laethanta Saoire na Cásca
- Easter Holidays
Seachtain na Cásca
- Easter Week
Coinín na Cásca
- Easter Bunny/Rabbit
Domhnach Cásca
- Easter Sunday
Ubh Chásca
- Easter Egg
Oíche Shamhna Shona
- Happy Halloween
Oíche Shamhna
- Halloween
Bain sult as Oíche Shamhna
- Enjoy Halloween
Taibhse
- Ghost
Fia-Chailleach
- Witch
Damhán Alla
- Spider
Cnámharlach
- Skeleton
Culaith Bhréige
- Fancy Dress
Scéal Taibhsí
- Ghost Story
Bairín Breac
- Barm Brack
Puimcín
- Pumpkin
Bob nó Bia
- Trick or Treat
Tabhair féirín dom, nó buailfidh mé bob ort!
- Give me a gift, or I’ll play a prank on you!
Milseáin
- Sweets
Úlla
- Apples
Oráistí
- Oranges
Cnónna
- Nuts
Nollaig Shona
- Merry Christmas
Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi Mhaise
- Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Beannachtaí na Nollag
- Christmas Greetings
Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi mhaise dár gCustaiméirí go léir
- Happy Christmas & a Healthy & Prosperous New Year to all our Customers
Beannachtaí an tSéasúir
- Season’s Greetings
Nollaig faoi Shéan ‘s faoi Mhaise
- Christmas Greetings
Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi Shéan is faoi Mhaise Duit
- Wishing You Peace and Happiness for Christmas and the New Year
Ba mhaith le (ainm an chomhlachta) Nollaig Shona agus Beannachtaí na hAthbhliana a ghuí ar ár gcuid Custaiméirí go léir
- (The Company name) wish all our customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Fáilte chuig Rásaí na Gaillimhe
- Welcome to the Galway Races
Spraoi agus Spleodar ag Rásaí na Gaillimhe
- Enjoyment and fun at the Galway Races
Lá na mBan
- Ladies Day
An hata is fearr
- Best Hat
An Fhéile Rásaíochta is cáiliúla sa tír!
- The most popular Racing Festival in the country!
Capall Breá
- Great Horse
Jacaí breá
- Great Jockey
Aon mholtaí?
- Any Tips?
Agus tá siad imithe!
- And they’re off!
Síos leo le fána
- Over the hill they go
Amuigh chun tosaigh
- Ahead of the posse
Bua iontach
- Great win
Cuir geall
- Put on a bet
Gach bealach
- Each Way
Rogha na Coitiantachta
- Favourite
An corrlach ar
- The odds on
Cárta na rásaí
- Race card
Pláta na Gaillimhe
- The Galway Plate
Bhuaigh sí €30 ar na capaill
- She won €30 on the horses
Chuir mé airgead ar
- I put money on
Sláinte!
- Cheers!
Go n-éirí leat
- Good Luck
Social Media
Dia Daoibh
- Hello (plural)
Dia Daoibh ar maidin
- Hello (ar maidin)
Bíodh lá maith agaibh
- Have a good day (iolra)
Cén chaoi a bhfuil sibh inniu?
- How are you (plural) today
Lá breá samhraidh anseo i nGaillimh
- A lovely summer’s day here in Galway
Slán go fóill
- Bye for now
Oíche Mhaith
- Good night
Sin é
- That’s it
Bíodh tráthnóna/deireadh seachtaine maith agaibh
- Have a good evening/weekend
Coinnigh súil amach
- Keep an eye out
Bí linn
- Join us
Buail isteach
- Drop in
Fáilte go dtí mo bhlag
- Welcome to my blog
Déan nasc liom
- Connect with me
Cad é bhur dtuairimí?
- What is your opinions?
Bí linn
- Join us
Buail isteach
- Drop in
Ádh mór ar fhoireann Rugbaí Chonnacht
- Best of luck to the Connacht Rugby team
Ádh mór ar fhoireann Sacair na hÉireann
- Best of luck to the Irish Soccer Team
Tá an deireadh seachtaine linn
- It’s the weekend
Bain sult as do bhéile
- Enjoy your meal
Mias an lae
- Dish of the Day
Bain sult as do bhriseadh linn
- Enjoy your break with us.
Bia blasta an lae
- Tasty food of the day
Blas na Gaillimhe ar fáil anseo
- The taste of Galway available here
Lig do scíth agus buail isteach
- Take a break and call in
Comórtas na seachtaine/na míosa
- Competition of the Week/Month
Dinnéar do bheirt sa bhialann
- Dinner for two in the Restaurant
Tairiscintí Speisialta
- Speical offers
Branda nua sa siopa inniu
- A new brand in our shop today
Táimid oscailte go dtí 9 a chlog anocht, fáilte isteach!
- We are open until 9 pm this evening, welcome in!
Buail isteach le haghaidh ár dtairiscintí speisialta atá ar fáil inniu
- Call in for our special offers.
Lascaine 50% ar fáil inniu
- 50% discount available today
Gaeilge sa Ghnó
The "Irish in Business" Service is designed to give companies a service in which they are guided through the process of adapting some or all of their business to bilingualism.
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