Last updated on February 18th, 2025 at 02:53 pm
Are you planning a trip to Ireland and want to learn some basic Irish phrases in Gaelic and funny Irish slang words before you arrive?
Happy Irish Wanderers are a proud Irish couple who are passionate about sharing all things related to Ireland. Therefore we have picked our favorite Irish phrases and slang words that are very easy to learn. First, we will teach you some basic Irish words in the Gaelic language such as “hello” to get you started. And then, we’ll explore funny Irish slang words and expressions that will help you connect with the locals making you blend right in.
Speaking basic Irish phrases in Gaelic and using Irish slang words will not only have you making new friends in no time, but it will also enhance your connection to Irish culture and heritage, whether you’re traveling in Ireland, exploring your ancestry, or simply interested in learning new phrases, words, and languages.
Furthermore, using Irish phrases in its native tongue and funny Irish words helps with deeper interactions with the Irish people, supports the preservation of the language, and of course a bit of craic as well. What is craic you ask? Well, continue to read this Ireland travel guide on to find out!
History of the Gaelic language
Before we delve into learning basic Irish phrases and words, let’s first tell you a bit about Ireland’s native language, Irish. You may be surprised reading this, but the majority of Irish people don’t speak Irish. This is because for hundreds of years, Ireland was under British rule and the Irish language was actively suppressed by British tyranny.
Laws and policies made it forbidden for Irish people to use the Irish language in education, government, and every day life. Instead, the English language was forced as the primary language.
After Ireland gained independence, Irish schools were reformed to focus on teaching the Irish language. However, many students viewed speaking Irish as a chore rather than something enjoyable. Fortunately, the Irish language is making a strong comeback these days, partly thanks to popular cultural influences like the Irish band Kneecap who rap in Irish, and are pretty class in doing it!
Today, Irish (As Gaeilge pronounced “Os Gwail Ga”) is spoken in various regions across Ireland, these areas are known as Gaeltacht regions (Pronounced Gwail Tockt”). These Irish-speaking areas are predominantly found in the Counties Galway, Kerry, Mayo, Donegal, and Irish communities in the North of Ireland.
Are Irish and Gaelic the same?
Many people think that Irish and Gaelic language are the same thing, but there is a difference.
Gaelic is the broader term that encompasses the language and cultural traditions of the Gaelic-speaking peoples in Ireland and Scotland. Gaelic languages are a group of Celtic languages spoken in these regions. In this sense, Irish (also known as Irish Gaelic) is a Gaelic language.
Irish (Irish Gaelic) specifically refers to the language spoken in Ireland, which is a member of the Gaelic language family. Irish is one of two official language spoken in the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland.
Scottish Gaelic is the Gaelic language spoken primarily in Scotland. Although it sounds similar, there is a difference in certain Gaelic words and pronunciation.
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Speak Irish Phrases Like a Local
The Irish are famously known for having the “gift of the gab,” thanks to their poetic and charismatic nature. From the countless sayings, we’ve chosen the best Irish phrases and words for you. So, are you ready to dive into the world of Irish expressions? Let’s go for it.
Basic Irish Phrases In Gaelic
The following Irish words and phrases in Gaelic cover basic greetings, expressions of gratitude, and common conversational needs, making them useful for interacting in Irish. You may be bewildered with the spelling of Irish words, so we have included the correct pronunciations to help you.
After learning basic Irish phrases in the Irish language, we will move onto funny Irish words and saying that are in the English language.
“Dia dhuit” (Dee-ah gwith) – Hello (literally “God be with you”)
“Slán” (Slawn) – Goodbye (literally “safe”)
“Conas atá tú?” (kun-uhs ah-taw too?) – How are you?
“Tá mé go maith,.” (taw may guh mah, guh rev mah ah-gut) – I’m fine.
“Go raibh maith agat” (guhra mah ah-gut) – Thank you (literally “May you have goodness”)
“Sláinte” (slawn-chuh) – Cheers (literally “health”)
“Le do thoil” (leh duh hull) – Please (literally “with your will”)
“Gabh mo leithscéal” (gav mo lehs-kayl) – Excuse me (literally “take my apology”)
“Is maith liom” (ish mah lum) – I like (literally “is good with me”)
“Céad míle fáilte” (kayd mee-lah fawl cha) – A hundred thousand welcomes
“An bhfuil Gaeilge agat?” (on wil Gwail-ga ah-gut?) – Do you speak Irish? (literally “Is Irish with you?”)
“Tá sé go hálainn” (taw shay guh haw-lin) – It’s beautiful (literally “It’s lovely”)
“Go n-éirí an bóthar leat” (guh nyree on bo-har lat) – Good luck (literally “May the road rise with you”)
“Craic agus ceol” (crack ah-gus key-ol) Fun and music
Making a small effort to use these easy Irish phrases and words will mean a lot to Irish people, it is nice to be nice after all!
Now that you have gathered some knowledge of the Irish language to set you up, let’s check out some common Irish phrases that are used everyday.
Common Irish Phrases + Words Spoken In English
The following list of funny Irish slang words and phrases are not necessarily in the Irish language, however, these Irish words are very unique to Ireland.
“Craic“ – Fun
“Craic” is the most common Irish word you will hear everywhere in Ireland. The word “craic” is pronounced as “crack.” It means having a good time or enjoying yourself. You might hear someone say “What’s the craic?”, which is the equivalent of asking “What’s up?” or “Any news?”. If someone says “That was great craic,” they mean they had a lot of fun.
“Feck” – Expletive
A milder alternative to more vulgar expletives. Often used to express frustration or surprise but in a nicer way. For example, “What the feck?” means “What the heck?
“I will yeah“ – No
If you ask someone to do something and they respond “I will Yeah” Don’t expect them to do it. This is a sarcastic Irish phrase that means “no way.”
“Slagging” – Teasing
Irish people like making fun of someone in a light-hearted or joking manner. For example, “We were slagging each other all night” means “We were teasing each other all night.” It is a form of fun banter that could be had between friends and strangers.
“Bleedin“
This is an Irish expression mainly used in the Dublin region as an intensifier, like “bloody” in the English language. That was a bleedin’ good match last night, wasn’t it?
“Banjaxed“ Unfixable
Our next Irish word means broken beyond repair – “The car’s banjaxed.”
“Sesh” – Out drinking
In Ireland, a sesh is a day or night out in the pub with lots of drinking! A Sunday sesh is always good craic!
Irish Slang Words Used As Insults
The following Irish words can be used in a teasing or playful manner (slagging), but some may also be considered offensive depending on the tone.
“Eejit“ – Idiot
In Irish slang, an “eejit” is another word used to describe someone who did something foolish, silly, or a bit dim-witted. Calling someone an “eejit” is similar to how you might say “idiot” in standard English but with a more playful and lighthearted tone. It’s often used to tease someone in a friendly way, rather than as a serious insult.
“Gowl” – Fool
An informal term for someone who’s acting foolish or annoying. For example, “Stop being a gowl” means “Stop acting like a fool.”
“Gobshite” – An annoying person
The meaning of “a gobshite” is someone who talks nonsense or behaves foolishly. It’s a mix of “gob” (mouth) and “shite” (a more vulgar term for excrement).
“Muppet” – Harsher word a foolish person
This Irish phrase is a bit harsher than the word “eejit.” It describes someone who’s acting silly and not particularly liked. For example, “I don’t like Ryan, he is a muppet.”
“Cute hoor“ – A smart person
Although this Irish slang word may sound insulting, it is actually a compliment! Someone called a cute hoor is a clever person who pulled of a great trick but in perhaps a sneaky way.
“Melter“ – A head wrecker
Sometimes you get stuck sitting next to somebody who is talking non stop rubbish and nonsense. That person is known as “melter” because they are “melting” your brain away!
“Away with the fairies“ – Someone who is a bit crazy
Fairies play a significant role in Irish mythology. In ancient folklore, there were tales of people being kidnapped by fairies for what seemed like a few hours, only to return and discover that years had passed. Often, those who were taken would come back as completely different people and they were no longer with reality.
“Yoke” – Thing
An Irish slang word used to refer to something whose name is forgotten or not known. For example, “Pass me that yoke over there” means “Pass me that thing over there.”. The word “yoke” can also be used as an insult when referring to somebody – The state of that yoke.
“Wanker” – A very unlikeable person
Arguably the worst insult to be called is the word “wanker. ” This is a highly offensive insult used both in Ireland and the United Kingdom for someone very unpleasant, However, among friends, it can sometimes be used in a more casual, joking way, pretty confusing, right? (Just don’t go around calling strangers a wanker!)
“Culchie” – Country person
A “Culchie” is an Irish term used by people from Dublin City and refers to anyone not from Dublin and from rural Ireland. In response, everyone from rural Ireland refers to people from Dublin as “Dubs” or “Jackeens”
“Langer“ – Jerk
Although the Irish word “langer” is strongly associated with County Cork, it’s a word that can also be heard in other parts of Ireland. A “langer” is an informal term used to describe someone who is not a nice person and a jerk. For example, “What is he like?” – Ah he’s a langer!
Irish Phrases For Drunk
Ireland is well known for being a drinking nation, which also means there are plenty of Irish phrases for being drunk.
“Langers” –Very Drunk
This Irish phrase can be a bit confusing, as it’s not the same meaning as the previously mentioned word “Langer.” Adding the letter “S” changes the meaning entirely. “Langers” is an Irish slang term for someone who is very drunk. This can be yourself, a friend, or a stranger. For example, Paddy is langers in the corner, or I was langers last night!
“Scuttered“ – Very Drunk
Joe was scuttered again last night.
“Locked “ – Very Drunk
We were locked after a few too many pints
“Ossified “ – Very Drunk
Sharon got completely ossified at the party.
“Polluted “ – Very Drunk
“You should’ve seen Eddie falling out the door, he was polluted”
“Rubber “ – Very Drunk
This is an Irish phrase mostly used in Dublin. “Damo was rubber by lunchtime”
“Baloobas “ – Very Drunk
Lastly, the Irish slang term “Baloobas“ also means very drunk, but with a darker twist. It describes someone who is not just drunk but completely out of control and being a mess. “Connor was baloobas and wrecked the place” The term originates from the Baluba tribe in the Congo, who ambushed an Irish UN patrol in the 1960s, tragically killing and mutilating the soldiers’ bodies.
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Irish Slang Words Used For Feelings
“Grand” – Fine
The word “grand in Ireland is used for anything positive. Used to indicate that something is okay or satisfactory. For instance, “I’m grand” means “I’m fine.”
“Gas” – Funny
Irish slang for “gas” has nothing to do with propane or farts! What the word “gas” means in Ireland is someone or something hilarious or entertaining. For example, “That was gas” means “That was very funny!” Or, he’s a gas man, he is very funny.
“Deadly” – Awesome
In this context, the Irish phrase for “deadly” means something is really great or impressive. For example, “That gig was deadly!”
“Lush” – Nice or attractive
Used to describe something or someone that is very appealing or attractive. For example, “That dress is lush!”
“Manky” – Dirty or unpleasant
An Irish phrase used to describe something that is filthy or disgusting. For example, “The kitchen is manky.” Someone who has manky habits, is known as a “mank”
“Ride” – Attractive person
In Irish slang, this term refers to someone who is very attractive. For example, “She’s a right ride.”
“What’s the damage?“ – How much does it cost?
Nobody enjoys paying bills, and this Irish phrase is commonly used when asking for the bill, referring to the damage being done to one’s wallet or purse.
Irish Slang Words Used For Places
“The Local” – A Pub
A common Irish word used to refer to your regular pub. “Heading down to the local for a pint.
“Jacks” – Toilet
Not a person but an Irish term for the bathroom. For example, “I need to use the jacks” means “I need to go to the toilet.”
“Gaff” – House or place
An Irish term for someone’s home. For example, “We’re heading to his gaff later.”
“Kip” – A mess or bad place
Our last Irish slang word refers to a messy or unpleasant place. For example, “The place is a kip” means “This place is a dump.”
Read more Ireland Travel tips below.
- Unique Ireland Getaways – Enchanting Irish Stays
- Ireland Travel Tips
- Funny Ireland Facts: A Guide To Your First Ireland Visit
- Greatest Irish Symbols
- Favorite Irish Blessings.
Whether or not you master the art of the Irish language, having knowledge of these Irish phrases and Irish slang words in English will have you as Irish as can be, trust us! These funny Irish expressions reflect the playful and expressive nature of Irish people who are well known for good Craic!
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Enjoy the Irish Hospitality!
We truly believe that learning some (if not all!) of these Irish phrases and words will make your trip to Ireland even more memorable.
In fact, you will be leaving quite an impression on the locals when you pull some of these funny Irish phrases out of the bag. Just watch the mouths drop around you in surprise. Whether you’re using local Irish words or just engaging in some light-hearted banter, your efforts will be both noticed and appreciated. And, most definitely you will be bought a pint!
Irish people are known for their welcome and we are certain you will feel nothing but Irish kindness from such encounters. We just hope you are ready for it, Irish hospitality is in a league of its own – although we may be a tad biased!
BY sharing these Irish phrases allows us to honor our heritage while bringing positivity into the lives of others. Win, win!
We hope you learned some new Irish phrases and expressions, or at least, had a giggle or two!
Which are your favourite Irish phrases? Are there any other Irish words you would add to the list? If we have left anything out please let us know. We would love to hear from you.
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Slán go fóil
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