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Basic Irish Greetings and Everyday Phrases

Learn how to greet, introduce yourself, thank, apologize, and say goodbye in Irish, with easy pronunciation guides.

Dia duit (JEE-ah gwitch) — Hello

Literally "God to you" — a traditional greeting; the customary reply is "Dia's Muire duit" (JEE-ahs MWIR-eh gwitch, "God and Mary to you").

Maidin mhaith (MAH-jin wah) — Good morning

Used during the morning hours.

Conas atá tú? (KUN-ass ah-TAW too) — How are you?

The most common way to ask how someone is doing.

Tá mé go maith (taw may guh mah) — I'm fine (reply)

The standard reply to the question above.

Go raibh maith agat (guh rev mah AH-gut) — Thank you

Literally "may there be good at you" — the standard way to say thanks.

Le do thoil (leh duh hull) — Please

Added at the end of a sentence when politely asking one person for something.

Gabh mo leithscéal (gauv muh LESH-kayl) — Sorry / Excuse me

Used to apologize or to politely get a stranger's attention.

~ is ainm dom (iss AN-im dum) — My name is ~

Literally "~ is name to me" — fill in the blank with your own name.

Cad is ainm duit? (kod iss AN-im gwitch) — What is your name?

Used to ask someone else's name.

Oíche mhaith (EE-ha wah) — Good night

Said when parting ways before bed.

Slán (slawn) — Goodbye

The general, everyday way to say goodbye.

Slán abhaile (slawn ah-WAL-yeh) — Safe home (to someone leaving)

Literally "safe home" — said by the person staying behind to the person who is leaving.

Irish Is One of Europe's Oldest Written Languages

Irish (Gaeilge) is a Celtic language with one of the oldest vernacular literary traditions in Western Europe. While English is spoken by virtually everyone in Ireland today, Irish remains the country's first official language and is taught in schools nationwide.

Many Everyday Phrases Trace Back to Religious Roots

Expressions like "Dia duit" and its reply reflect Irish's long history of blending everyday speech with religious phrasing — a pattern that shows up throughout the language even in casual, secular conversation today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do people in Ireland actually speak Irish day to day?

English is the dominant everyday language for most of the country, but Irish remains the first official language, is taught in schools, and is spoken as a primary community language in designated Gaeltacht regions.

Is Irish related to Scottish Gaelic?

Yes, both belong to the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages and share substantial similarities, though centuries of separate development mean they are not fully mutually intelligible today.