Irish Language For Tourists ✈️: Are you planning on a trip to go to Ireland? Or, are you already there? Either way, you must be prepared to at least learn a few Irish language phrases as a tourist to truly enjoy your time there. Read our blog to learn some of the most useful and common Irish phrases.

 

Irish language is certainly not dead as others say it is.

 

‘Gaeilge’ to the native speakers, ‘Irish’ or ‘Irish Gaelic’ to the non-natives/tourists – it is an important and fun language to learn when you are in Ireland.

 

A while back, I talked about learning some of the most common blessings you can utter in the Irish language. And now, to give you a more wonderful experience when visiting Ireland, we will introduce you to some of the most common Irish language phrases you can memorise and use.

 

Of course, if you have stay tuned to our blogs, you will already know by now that you can get by using the English language just fine in Ireland. After all, very few people learn the Irish language primarily, so you might not even find one native fluent enough in it. In addition, if you do find one who learned Irish as their first language, it might be a tad bit too much your linguistic abilities.

 

Why study?

 

With all of that said, it is still fun and helpful to learn some common words of the Irish language, especially when talking to the natives. It may even get you some praises from them as they will see your willingness to learn and talk using the Irish language.

 

Below, we present you with some of the most common Irish language phrases tourists can use – of course, without sounding too ‘over the top’. We do recommend to incorporate some Irish phrases – or even slangs – to change things up a bit and help you get endeared by the locals. Continue reading this blog to learn more.

 

 

>>Check out the latest podcasts on FluentIrish.com – and start improving!

 

For tourists, learn these Irish language phrases immediately!

 

Do take note that you do not need to go to Gaeltacht areas just to use some common Irish phrases. Even in non-Gaeltacht areas, you can do so. To get this out of the way, you do not even need to use it in Gaeltacht areas if you prefer. In fact, those who live in Gaeltacht can speak English fluently, so you do not have to worry about that.

 

For tourists, holidaymakers or simply visitors, here are some Irish language phrases to get you by!

 

Greetings

 

When you meet someone for the first time, common sense tells you to greet them by saying “hello”. Spice things up a bit and greet them in Irish by saying Dia duit.

 

Dia duit literally translates to “god be with you”. That is the best way to say your hellos to native Irish speakers in Ireland.

 

Next up is learning another one of the basic Irish phrases, which is the phrase “how are you?” Saying that is easy enough in Irish. You only need to utter Conas atá tú? This phrase literally means “how are you?”

 

When asking for a favour, it is a must to always say “please”. You can, of course, also say this in Irish. Always say Le do thoil when asking for a favour as this is a way of saying “please” in Irish. This Irish phrase translates to “with your will”.

 

If they do you the said favour, you can say your thanks to them in Gaeilge. Go raibh maith agat is the common Irish phrase you are looking for when saying your thanks. This phrase literally translates to “may you have goodness”, which, in my opinion, beats saying just a simple and bland “thanks” or “thank you”. Remember to always say these phrases as this is modern etiquette when asking for a favour.

 

And, after you have had a good time with the Irish-speaking person you talked to, make sure to say your farewell properly. You can use some basic Irish phrases such as Slán, Slán leat or Slán agat. Use Slán when you want to simply say goodbye. Now, if you are the one leaving, you can say Slán leat. If you are the one staying, say Slán agat.

 

More basic Irish language phrases tourists should know

 

There are other available common Irish phrases you can say when speaking to Ireland natives that primarily speak Gaeilge.

 

When you want to say “yes” or “no”, you can utter Tá or Níl, respectively. You can also utter simple Irish phrases for “good morning” and “good night”, which are Maidin mhaith and Oíche Mhaith, respectively.

 

Are you trying delicacies and/or common food places in Ireland?

 

Anywhere in the world, food equates to cultural identity. As a result, tourists will almost always taste common and popular cuisines in the country that they visit. As a tourist, you can try to impress the local food places – or just simply express your gratitude for welcoming you – that you go to by speaking common Irish language phrases.

 

For example, when you want to ask for the menu, you can state An biachlár, le do thoil. This directly transalates to “The menu, please”.  If you find yourself allergic to something, you simply say Tá ailléirge orm le + the food you are allergic to. This phrase simply means “I’m allergic to…”

 

When asking for the bill, instead of saying it in English, try to say it in Irish: An bhféadfaimis an bille afháil, le do thoil? This translates to “Can we have the bill, please?”

 

Finally, when you want to give a compliment, you can utter the following words: Bhí an béile ar fheabhas. The statement means “The meal was excellent.”

 

Irish language for tourists: recap of the words/phrases

 

To give you an easier time navigating, we have compiled and simplified some of the basic Irish language phrases you and other tourists, holidaymakers and/or visitors should definitely know here.

 

Hello – Dia duit

How are you? – Conas atá tú?

Please – Le do thoil

Thank you – Go raibh maith agat

Goodbye – Slán, Slán leat or Slán agat

Yes – Tá

No – Níl

Good morning – Maidin mhaith

Good night – Oíche Mhaith

The menu, please – An biachlár, le do thoil

I’m allergic to… – Tá ailléirge orm le…

Can we have the bill, please? – An bhféadfaimis an bille afháil, le do thoil?

The meal was excellent – Bhí an béile ar fheabhas

 

 

Learn Irish through Fluent Irish

 

Now that we have shared with you some basic and common Irish language phrases tourists can use to get by Ireland, we also want to discuss with you how we can help you in everything Irish-related.

 

ba mhaith linn plé leat freisin conas is féidir linn cabhrú leat i ngach rud a bhaineann leis an nGaeilge.

 

If you can understand simple Irish, you will want to improve. Fluentirish is here for you. Listen every day to get on with Irish.

Má tá tú ábalta Gaeilge shimplí a thuiscint – beidh tú ag iarraidh biseach a dhéanamh. Tá Fluentirish anseo faoi do choinne. Bí ag éisteacht gach aon lá chun a bheith ag gabháil ar aghaidh i nGaeilge.

We provide informative blogs and helpful podcasts that can help in your quest to learn the Irish language.

 

>>Which level?: Find out which level of spoken Irish you understand!