Although English is now the dominant language in Ireland, you may well come across an Irishman who speaks only Irish Gaelic… Ubiquitous, this language is still spoken everywhere in the country, whether by the local population or on road signs… Here’s a survival guide to getting by in Gaelic!
Irish Gaelic Survival Guide
Words in brackets are for pronunciation only.
Polite vocabulary
- Hello: Dia duit (djia ditch)
- Welcome: Fáilte (faultcha)
- Goodbye: Slán agat (slone agueute)
- To your health: Slainte (slauncha)
- Please: Le do thoil (yeu djau houill)
- Thank you: Go raibh maith agat (go rêve ma agueute)
- Yes: Tá (teu)
- No: Ní (ni)
- Pardon: Gabh mo leithscéal (gâ mâ lèche skéél)
Tourism
- National Tourist Office: Bord Fáilte (borde faultcha)
- Castle: Caisleán
- Manor house: Mainéar
- Lake: Lough
- Bay: Bay
- Mountain
- Hotel: Óstán
- Restaurant: Bialann
- Youth Hostel: Óige brú
- Coffee: Ní Chatháin
Public transport
- Airport: Aerfort
- Plane: Aerárthach
- Port: Farraige
- Ferry: Báid farantóireachta
- Railway station: Stáisiún
- Train: Traein
- Car: Chóiste (chouchtè)
- Bus: Bus (bouch)
- Bus stop: Stad bus (steut bouch)
- Cab: Tacsaí
- Rates: Rátaí
- Tickets: Ticéad
- Line: Líne
- Schedules: Sceideal
- Luggage: Bagáiste
Communications
- Telephone: Fón (fone)
- Public phone: Íocfón (oukfone)
- Internet: Idirlíon
- Mail: Ríomhphost
- Television: Teilifís
- Radio: Raidió
On the road
- Car: Carr
- Van: Van
- Truck: Trucail
- Motorcycle: Gluaisrothar
- Street: Sráid
- Road: Bóthar
- Highway: Mhótarbhealaigh
- Tollbooth: Dola
- Yield: Geill Slí
- Dead end: Uimh mórbhealach
- Service station: Statio seirbhíse
- Diesel: Díosal
- Unleaded: Gan luaidhe
- Engine oil: Inneall ola
- Out of order: Briste síos
- Accident: Tionóisc
- Works: Obair
Public places
- Toilets: Leithras (lairass)
- Police: Garda
- Hospital: Ospidéal
- Firemen: Roinn dóiteáin
- Post office : Oifig an Phoist (oufig ane fouicht)
- Downtown: An lár (ane laur)
- Square: Suare
- Store: Siopal
- Open: Oscailte
- Closed: Dúnta
- Forbidden: Toirmiscthe
So much more to discover...
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