Cúpla focal — literally “a couple of words” — is the phrase Irish people use to describe having just a little bit of the Irish language, and it’s genuinely appreciated whenever someone makes the effort, however small. You don’t need fluency to connect with Irish culture through language; a handful of well-used phrases goes a long way. Here’s a starting collection, with pronunciation guides included, since Irish spelling doesn’t always match how words actually sound to English speakers.
A quick note on pronunciation: Irish has regional dialects, so you may hear slight variations depending on the part of Ireland someone is from. The pronunciations below are general guides.
Greetings
Dia dhuit (dee-ah gwitch) — Hello. Literally translates to “God be with you,” reflecting the deep historical connection between the Irish language and Catholic tradition, still used today regardless of the speaker’s own faith.
Dia is Muire dhuit (dee-ah iss mwir-ah gwitch) — The traditional reply to “Dia dhuit,” meaning “God and Mary to you.”
Conas atá tú? (kun-ass ah-taw too) — How are you?
Maidin mhaith (mah-din wah) — Good morning.
Oíche mhaith (ee-ha wah) — Good night.
Thank You and You’re Welcome
Go raibh maith agat (guh rev mah a-gut) — Thank you.
Tá fáilte romhat (taw fall-cha row-at) — You’re welcome. This same phrase is also used as a greeting when welcoming someone into your home — a nice bit of dual purpose that reflects Irish hospitality.
Farewells
Slán leat (slawn lat) — Goodbye (said to one person).
Slán abhaile — Safe home, a warm way to see someone off.
The Essential Toast
Sláinte! (slawn-cha) — Cheers, or more literally, “health.” This is easily the most internationally recognized Irish word, used when raising a glass. If you only learn one word from this list, this is the one worth knowing.
Everyday Phrases
Céad míle fáilte (kayd mee-la fall-cha) — “A hundred thousand welcomes,” Ireland’s famously warm greeting, often seen on signs and used to welcome visitors.
Craic agus ceol (crack ah-gus kyole) — “Fun and music,” a phrase capturing the spirit of a good night out or gathering.
Le do thoil (leh duh hull) — Please.
Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin — “There’s no fireside like your own,” roughly equivalent to “there’s no place like home.”
A Note on Pronunciation
Irish contains sounds that don’t really exist in English, which is part of why it can feel tricky at first. The “dh” and “gh” combinations often create a soft, guttural sound from the back of the throat, and stress typically falls on the first syllable of a word (unlike English, where stress patterns vary more). Don’t worry about getting it perfect — the effort itself is what’s genuinely appreciated.
Curious about more Irish culture? Check out our guides to Trace your Irish Ancestry and Irish folklore.
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