Christmas is a time for getting in touch or meeting up with friends and family. This year, impress them by using a cúpla focal as Gaeilge. The Irish language is beautiful and rich and can make almost anything sound lovely. Whether you speak it or not, it can be easy to incorporate it into your Christmas festivities. Here are some Irish phrases to use this Christmas.
Nollaig Shona Duit
Firstly, this phrase is a must for your Irish language Christmas. It is the perfect one to use on Lá Nollag (Law Noll-ig or Christmas Day) as it means “Happy Christmas to you”. If you’re speaking to more than one person use Daoibh rather than Duit. Pronunciation is something you may need to get a hold of before the holiday, however. For this one, it’s “Null-ig Hon-nuh Ghwich” or “Null-ig Hon-nuh Jeev”.
Gurab Amhlaidh Duit/Daoibh
A phrase like this is good to prepare if you have a friend or family member that will use phrases like the above one to wish you a Merry Christmas. This one means “The same to you”. You’re guaranteed to shock and impress them with if you reply with this phrase. The Irish pronunciation is “Guh-Rin Ow-lig Ghwich/Jeev”.
Cá Bhfuil Mo Bhronntanaisí?
This is an excellent Irish phrase to use if you’re feeling a bit cheeky. It means “Where are my presents?” You’ll give those around you a good laugh if you ask this. Make sure to check under the crann Nollag (Crown Null-ig or Christmas Tree) for your presents, however. “Caw Will Moh Vron-tan-awsy?” is the pronunciation for this one.
Go Raibh Maith Agat
While this phrase is a good one to use any time of year, it’s handy to follow up on the above sentence with this one. When you get your bhronntanaisí, thank them with this Irish phrase. It’s pronounced “Guh-Rev Mah Ag-ut” and can be useful in almost any scenario around the holidays. You can even thank someone for the dínnéar (dee-nare).
Más É Do Thoil É
Another one to use in conjunction with the previous phrase. You’ll seem like not only the most polite but also the most intelligent person around the dinner table this Christmas. This phrase means please and is another one to use all year round. “Maw-sh Ay The Hul Ay” is the pronounciation.
Go mBeirimid Beo Ag An Am Seo Arís
Christmas is a time for giving thanks and raising a toast. Why not have this year’s toast in Irish? This phrase is a lovely one to use at dinner, in the pub with your pals, when you’re feeling sentimental over giving gifts or at any other point over the holidays. It means “May We All Be Alive At This Time Next Year”. It’s pronounced “Guh Meh-rim-eed Be-o egg Un Am Shuh Ar-eesh”.
Póg Faoin An Drualas
Finally, whether it’s at home or at a Christmas party, you’re more than likely going to come across some mistletoe around the festive period. The Irish word for this plant is Drualas. However, this is pronounced Drool-us, which makes it sound quite gross. A kiss is Póg, which is pronounced Poh-g and “Faoin” simply means under.
What Irish phrases do you like to use at Christmas? Let us know in the comments below!
