Meeting people in Irish
How are you, what is your name, where are you from, I like it: the first five minutes. 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
- Conas atá tú?KUN-us ah-TAW too
- How are you?
- Tá mé go maith, go raibh maith agattaw may guh MAH guh ROV mah AH-gut
- I'm fine, thanks
- Agus tú féin?AH-gus too HAYN
- And you?
- Cad is ainm duit?kod iss AN-im ditch
- What's your name?
- ... is ainm dom... iss AN-im dum
- My name is...
- Cad as duit?kod as ditch
- Where are you from?
- Is as ... méiss os ... may
- I'm from...
- Is maith liom éiss MAH lum ay
- I like it
- Tá sé go hálainntaw shay guh HAW-lin
- It's beautiful
- FáilteFAWL-cheh
- Welcome
The standard "how are you" used with people you don't know well or in more formal settings. Atá is a form of the verb "to be." This is what you'd use with a shopkeeper or someone you've just met.
The standard polite response. Go maith means "good/well." You can shorten it to just "Tá mé go maith" (I'm well) or even "Go maith" on its own in casual conversation. Always paired with a thanks.
Literally "and yourself?".
Literally "what is a name to you?" Irish uses this indirect construction rather than "what is your name." The answer is "Is mise [name]" (iss MISH-eh, I am [name]). A warm conversation opener.
The name comes first: "Áine is ainm dom".
A very common question when meeting strangers in Ireland. The Irish are genuinely curious about visitors. Answer with "Is as [place] mé" (iss as... may, I'm from...). Expect a warm and interested follow-up.
On every sign into every town.