Yes, no and the essentials in Irish
The small words that carry half of every conversation, and the ones that rescue it. Play the ten Irish words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Irish phrases in this lesson
- Seashah
- Yes
- Nílneel
- No
- Ceart go leorkyart guh LORE
- Okay
- Ní thuigimnee HIG-im
- I don't understand
- An bhfuil Béarla agat?un will BAYR-luh AH-gut
- Do you speak English?
- Abair arís é, le do thoilAH-bir ah-REESH ay, leh duh HULL
- Can you repeat that?
- Níos moille, le do thoilnees MWIL-eh, leh duh HULL
- Slowly, please
- Cad é seo?kod ay SHUH
- What is this?
- Teastaíonn ... uaimTASS-tee-un ... OO-um
- I need...
- An féidir leat cabhrú liom?un FAY-dir lat KOW-roo lum
- Can you help me?
Irish has no single universal word for "yes." Sea is the most common general affirmative, but technically the correct response echoes the verb of the question. In practice, sea works in most everyday situations and is what you'll hear most often.
Irish has no single word for no: you answer with the verb. Níl means "is not", the most common no. "Ní hea" (nee HA) is the other.
Literally "right enough," this is the standard Irish equivalent of "okay" or "fair enough." You'll hear it constantly in everyday Irish conversation. It can mean anything from enthusiastic agreement to a resigned acceptance.
Thuigim means "I understand" and Ní negates it. The "th" in thuigim is lenited to give a soft "h" sound. Pair this with a friendly look and most people will immediately switch to English to help you out.
Almost everyone in Ireland speaks fluent English, so this is more of a polite opener than a genuine question. The response will almost certainly be an enthusiastic yes followed by a helpful conversation in English.
Literally "say it again".
Literally "... is needed from me".