50 Basic Irish Phrases with Pronunciation: Greetings, Thanks, Daily Use
These are the Irish phrases you'll actually use. Greetings, introductions, ordering food, expressing opinions, and getting through social situations. Each phrase includes a pronunciation guide in parentheses.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Irish has sounds that don't exist in English. But these will get you close enough to be understood. For deeper grammar behind these phrases, see our Irish grammar beginner's guide.
Natural Usage: Singular vs. Plural and Cultural Responses
Irish greetings and polite formulas change depending on whether you are speaking to one person or multiple people, and traditional greetings require specific reciprocal replies:
Greeting Singular vs. Plural
Address one person with Dia duit (lit. “God to you [singular]”). To two or more people, always say Dia daoibh (lit. “God to you [plural]”).
Traditional Reciprocal Replies
While some contemporary speakers simply repeat Dia duit, the traditional and culturally rich reciprocal reply is Dia is Muire duit (“God and Mary to you”), or Dia is Muire daoibh to a group.
Thank You Singular vs. Plural
Say Go raibh maith agat to an individual (prepositional pronoun agat = at you). When thanking multiple people, say Go raibh maith agaibh (agaibh = at you all).
Departure Roles: Slán leat vs. Slán agat
If you are staying and the other person is leaving, say Slán leat (health with you). If you are leaving, say Slán agat (health at you) to the person remaining.
Practice basic Irish greetings and daily phrases:
Jump to greetings practice drill ↓Greetings
| Gaeilge | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| dee-a gwit | Hello (lit. "God to you") | |
Dia is Muire duit | dee-a iss mwir-a gwit | Hello (response) |
Dia daoibh | dee-a deev | Hello (to a group) |
Dia is Muire daoibh | dee-a iss mwir-a deev | Hello (response to a group) |
Haigh | hi | Hi (casual) |
| maj-in wah | Good morning | |
Tráthnóna maith | traw-no-na mah | Good afternoon/evening |
Conas atá tú? | kun-us ah-taw too | How are you? |
Cén chaoi a bhfuil tú? | kayn kwee will too | How are you? (Connacht) |
Cad é mar atá tú? | cuh-day mur ah-taw too | How are you? (Ulster) |
Introductions
| Gaeilge | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
... is ainm dom | ... iss an-im dum | My name is ... |
Cad is ainm duit? | cod iss an-im dit | What is your name? |
Tá mé as ... | taw may ass ... | I'm from ... |
Cad as duit? | cod ass dit | Where are you from? |
Tá áthas orm bualadh leat | taw aw-hus ur-um boo-la lat | Nice to meet you |
Please, Thank You, and Sorry
| Gaeilge | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| guh rev mah ah-gut | Thank you (one person) | |
Go raibh maith agaibh | guh rev mah ah-giv | Thank you (group) |
Le do thoil | leh duh hull | Please (singular) |
Más é do thoil é | maws ay duh hull ay | If you please (formal) |
Tá brón orm | taw brone ur-um | I'm sorry |
Gabh mo leithscéal | gov muh leh-shkale | Excuse me / Pardon me |
Opinions and Feelings
| Gaeilge | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
Tá mé go maith | taw may guh mah | I'm well |
Tá mé go breá | taw may guh braw | I'm great |
Níl mé go maith | neel may guh mah | I'm not well |
Is maith liom ... | iss mah lum ... | I like ... |
Ní maith liom ... | nee mah lum ... | I don't like ... |
Is breá liom ... | iss braw lum ... | I love ... |
At the Pub and Restaurant
| Gaeilge | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
Pionta, le do thoil | pyun-ta, leh duh hull | A pint, please |
| slawn-cha | Cheers (lit. "health") | |
Sláinte mhaith | slawn-cha wah | Good health (toast) |
An bhfuil biachlár agaibh? | un will bee-a-clahr ah-giv | Do you have a menu? |
Ba mhaith liom ... | buh wah lum ... | I would like ... |
An bille, le do thoil | un bill-eh, leh duh hull | The bill, please |
Social Situations
| Gaeilge | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
An bhfuil Gaeilge agat? | un will gale-ga ah-gut | Do you speak Irish? |
Tá beagán Gaeilge agam | taw byug-awn gale-ga ah-gum | I have a little Irish |
Tá mé ag foghlaim Gaeilge | taw may egg fow-lim gale-ga | I'm learning Irish |
Cén scéal? | kayn shkale | What's the story? (casual greeting) |
Aon scéal? | ayn shkale | Any news? (conversation opener) |
Go hiontach | guh hee-un-tach | Wonderful / Great |
Farewells
| Gaeilge | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| slawn | Goodbye (said by the person leaving) | |
Slán leat | slawn lat | Goodbye (said to the person leaving) |
Slán agat | slawn ah-gut | Goodbye (spoken by leaver to stayer) |
Slán go fóill | slawn guh foe-ill | Goodbye for now |
Feicfidh mé thú | fek-ee may hoo | I'll see you |
| ee-ha wah | Good night |
Useful Responses
| Gaeilge | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| taw | Yes (answering "is/are" questions) | |
| neel | No (answering "is/are" questions) | |
| shah | Yes (copula, "it is") | |
Ní hea | nee ha | No (copula, "it is not") |
Tuigim | tig-im | I understand |
Ní thuigim | nee hig-im | I don't understand |
Tips for Using These Phrases
Irish doesn't have a single word for "yes" or "no." Instead, you echo the verb from the question. The responses above (Tá / Níl, Sea / Ní hea) are the most common patterns, but different verbs have different answer forms. Don't worry about getting this perfect at first. People will understand you.
Pronunciation varies by dialect. These guides are based on a general standardised pronunciation. In Munster, Connacht, and Ulster, you'll hear variations. All are correct.
The best way to get comfortable with these phrases is to practise them in short daily sessions. Start with the five most useful: Dia duit, Go raibh maith agat, Slán, Tá mé go maith, and Sláinte. Those five cover most basic social interactions. Once they're automatic, add more.
If you want to go beyond phrases and understand the grammar behind them (why go raibh maith agat literally means "may there be good at you"), blas. breaks down every construction systematically with spaced repetition so you remember what you learn. And for seasonal phrases perfect for March, see our Seachtain na Gaeilge phrase guide.
Practice Irish Greetings
Test Dia duit, Go raibh maith agat, and core social phrases.
What does 'Dia duit' literally mean word-for-word?
Dia duit
Frequently asked questions
How do you say hello in Irish?
"Dia duit" (dee-a gwit), literally "God to you." The response is "Dia is Muire duit" (dee-a iss mwir-a gwit). In casual settings, many people simply say "Haigh" (hi).
How do you say thank you in Irish?
"Go raibh maith agat" (guh rev mah ah-gut) for one person. For a group: "Go raibh maith agaibh" (guh rev mah ah-giv). Literally "May there be good at you."
How do you say cheers in Irish?
"Sláinte" (slawn-cha), literally "health." This is the standard toast. You might also hear "Sláinte mhaith" (slawn-cha wah) meaning "good health."
How do you introduce yourself in Irish?
"[Name] is ainm dom", literally "[Name] is name to-me." For example, "Seán is ainm dom" (shawn iss an-im dum). To ask someone's name: "Cad is ainm duit?" (cod iss an-im dit).
Editorial notes
- Review methodology
- This guide is checked against the linked language authorities and first-party resources. The editorial review checks terminology, links, and whether statements are clearly distinguished from blas. product information.
- Sources
- Teanglann.ieFoclóir.ie
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