Greetings and Good Manners in Irish: Dia Duit, Go Raibh Maith Agat and More
The essential Irish greetings, the correct replies, and polite phrases such as please, thank you and sorry, with notes on their meaning.
Irish greetings have a warm, old-fashioned feel, and many carry a blessing. Learning them is the quickest way to start a conversation.
Hello and the reply
- Dia duit. — Hello (literally "God to you").
- Dia is Muire duit. — The reply ("God and Mary to you").
You can add a time of day, such as Dia duit ar maidin (good morning).
Times of day
| English | Irish |
|---|---|
| Good morning | Maidin mhaith |
| Good evening | Tráthnóna maith |
| Good night | Oíche mhaith |
How are you?
- Conas atá tú? — How are you?
- Tá mé go maith. — I'm well.
- Tá mé go maith, go raibh maith agat. — I'm well, thank you.
Saying goodbye
- Slán. — Goodbye.
- Slán leat. — Goodbye (said to someone who is leaving).
- Slán agat. — Goodbye (said to someone who is staying).
Slán leat is said to the person leaving, and slán agat to the person staying.
Please, thank you, sorry
| English | Irish |
|---|---|
| please | le do thoil |
| thank you | go raibh maith agat |
| thank you (to several people) | go raibh maith agaibh |
| you're welcome | tá fáilte romhat |
| sorry | tá brón orm |
| excuse me | gabh mo leithscéal |
Other useful phrases
- Fáilte. — Welcome.
- Sláinte! — Cheers! (literally "health")
- Go n-éirí leat. — Good luck.
- Comhghairdeas! — Congratulations!
Cultural note
Many Irish greetings include a blessing, and using them shows respect for the language and its speakers.
Tips
- Learn hello and the reply as a pair.
- Practise "go raibh maith agat", which is longer than it looks.
- Use the dictionary to check spelling.
English Irish Dictionary
Offline English–Irish (Gaeilge) dictionary with clear, accurate meanings
More about English Irish Dictionary
Body Parts and Feeling Unwell in Irish
Irish words for the body and common illnesses, and the natural Irish way of saying 'I have a headache' with the word orm.
Read article →Colours in Irish, and Why the Adjective Follows the Noun
Learn the Irish words for colours, how adjectives come after nouns, and how a feminine noun changes the start of the adjective.
Read article →Family Words in Irish: Máthair, Athair, Deartháir and More
The Irish words for family members, how to say 'my mother' with the correct mutation, and useful sentences for talking about your family.
Read article →Food and Drink in Irish: From Tae to Prátaí
Everyday Irish words for meals, food and drink, with phrases for being hungry, ordering tea and talking about what you like to eat.
Read article →