How to Say Seven Key Gaelic Phrases
Whether you're going to Ireland or want to impress someone from the Old Sod, these words will come in handy. The trick is to master the pronunciation!
Up next in St. Patrick's Day Survival Guide (12 videos)
Get your Irish on and have a happy St. Patrick's Day with the ideas in this Howcast video series.
You Will Need
- Good memory
- Practice
Steps
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Step 1
Say hello
Give everyone you meet a pleasant, "Dia duit!" which means, "Good day!"
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Step 2
Exchange pleasantries
Respond to a greeting of "Dia duit," with "Dia is Muire duit," which means "God and Mary to you."
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Step 3
Be polite
Be polite by knowing how to say please – "le d'thoil" – and "thank you" – "go raibh maith agat."
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Step 4
Know how to say "yes" and "no"
Know how to say "yes" – ta – and "no" – nil.
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Step 5
Say "Cheers!"
Know how to say "Cheers!" in a pub; the word is "Slainte!"
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To add good health wishes to your toast, say: "Slainte chugat."
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Step 6
Say goodbye
Bid someone farewell with "slan."
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Step 7
Know where the action is
If someone mentions "craic agus ceol," put on your dancing shoes: It refers to Irish nightlife involving music.
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The Irish alphabet, a variant of the Roman alphabet that developed in the 8th century CE, only has 18 letters.
