Irish Vocabulary

Essential Irish words with example sentences for daily conversation

lá
day
Example:
"Tá an lá go hálainn inniu."
The day is beautiful today.
time
gach
every
Example:
"Téim go dtí an scoil gach lá."
I go to school every day.
time
fós
still/yet
Example:
"Tá sé fós anseo."
He is still here.
time
riamh
ever
Example:
"Ní raibh mé riamh i Sasana."
I was never in England.
time
tar éis
after
Example:
"Tar éis an dinnéir, téim a chodladh."
After dinner, I go to sleep.
time
anseo
here
Example:
"Tá mé anseo."
I am here.
location
as an
out of the
Example:
"Tháinig sé as an teach."
He came out of the house.
location
idir
between
Example:
"Tá an leabhar idir an dá bhosca."
The book is between the two boxes.
location
leat
with you
Example:
"Tá mé leat."
I am with you.
pronouns
dom
to me
Example:
"Thug sé leabhar dom."
He gave a book to me.
pronouns
againn
with us
Example:
"Tá an t-am againn."
We have time.
pronouns
liom
with me
Example:
"Tá an leabhar liom."
I have the book with me.
pronouns
di
to her
Example:
"Thug mé an leabhar di."
I gave the book to her.
pronouns
duit
to you
Example:
"Tá rud éigin agam duit."
I have something for you.
pronouns
ort
on you
Example:
"Tá an t-éadach ort."
The clothes are on you.
pronouns
muid
we/us
Example:
"Tá muid anseo."
We are here.
pronouns
dóibh
to them
Example:
"Dúirt mé dóibh."
I told them.
pronouns
duine
person
Example:
"Tá duine anseo."
There is a person here.
people
fear
man
Example:
"Tá fear anseo."
There is a man here.
people
níl
is not
Example:
"Níl an t-am agam."
I don't have time.
verbs
beidh
will be
Example:
"Beidh mé anseo amárach."
I will be here tomorrow.
verbs
bíonn
is (habitual)
Example:
"Bíonn sé go maith."
It is usually good.
verbs
nach raibh
that was not
Example:
"Dúirt sé nach raibh sé anseo."
He said that he was not here.
verbs
bhí sé
he was
Example:
"Bhí sé anseo inné."
He was here yesterday.
verbs
tá sé
he is
Example:
"Tá sé go maith."
He is good.
verbs
agus
and
Example:
"Tá mé agus tú anseo."
I and you are here.
conjunctions
na
the (plural)
Example:
"Tá na leabhair ar an mbord."
The books are on the table.
articles
a bhfuil
that is
Example:
"An fear a bhfuil an leabhar aige."
The man that has the book.
relative
sé a
he that
Example:
"Sé a dúirt é."
He that said it.
relative
é a
it that
Example:
"É a chonaic mé."
It that I saw.
relative
cén
what kind of
Example:
"Cén t-am é?"
What time is it?
questions
mar a
as
Example:
"Tá sé mar a bhí sé."
It is as it was.
comparison
nua
new
Example:
"Tá teach nua againn."
We have a new house.
descriptions
ar fad
at all/entirely
Example:
"Níl fios agam ar fad."
I don't know at all.
intensifiers
freisin
also
Example:
"Tá mé anseo freisin."
I am here also.
addition
b
be (verb stem)
Example:
"Bí anseo."
Be here.
verbs
an
the
Example:
"Tá an leabhar ar an mbord."
The book is on the table.
articles
bí
be
Example:
"Bí anseo amárach."
Be here tomorrow.
verbs
ar
on/at
Example:
"Tá an leabhar ar an mbord."
The book is on the table.
prepositions
agus
and
Example:
"Tá mé agus tú anseo."
I and you are here.
conjunctions
is
is
Example:
"Is maith liom é."
I like it.
verbs
ag
at
Example:
"Tá mé ag obair."
I am at work.
prepositions
le
with
Example:
"Tá mé leat."
I am with you.
prepositions
na
the (plural)
Example:
"Tá na leabhair ar an mbord."
The books are on the table.
articles
do
to/for
Example:
"Tá rud éigin agam duit."
I have something for you.
prepositions
go
to/until
Example:
"Téim go dtí an scoil."
I go to school.
prepositions
de
of/from
Example:
"Tá leabhar de agam."
I have a book of it.
prepositions
sé
he/it
Example:
"Tá sé anseo."
He is here.
pronouns
sin
that
Example:
"Tá sin go maith."
That is good.
demonstratives
ó
from
Example:
"Tháinig sé ó Éirinn."
He came from Ireland.
prepositions
é
him/it
Example:
"Chonaic mé é."
I saw him.
pronouns
seo
this
Example:
"Tá seo go maith."
This is good.
demonstratives
cuir
put
Example:
"Cuir an leabhar ar an mbord."
Put the book on the table.
verbs
mar
as/like
Example:
"Tá sé mar a bhí sé."
It is as it was.
comparison
ach
but
Example:
"Tá mé anseo ach níl tú."
I am here but you are not.
conjunctions
déan
do/make
Example:
"Déan é sin."
Do that.
verbs
faoi
about/under
Example:
"Tá an leabhar faoin mbord."
The book is under the table.
prepositions
nó
or
Example:
"Tá mé anseo nó ansin."
I am here or there.
conjunctions
duine
person
Example:
"Tá duine anseo."
There is a person here.
people
tabhair
give
Example:
"Tabhair an leabhar dom."
Give the book to me.
verbs
féin
self
Example:
"Déan é féin."
Do it yourself.
pronouns
ní
not
Example:
"Níl fios agam."
I don't know.
negation
aon
any/one
Example:
"Níl aon fhios agam."
I don't have any knowledge.
quantifiers
as
out of
Example:
"Tháinig sé as an teach."
He came out of the house.
prepositions
chun
towards
Example:
"Téim chun na scoile."
I go towards the school.
prepositions
eile
other
Example:
"Tá leabhar eile agam."
I have another book.
adjectives
abair
say
Example:
"Abair é sin arís."
Say that again.
verbs
mé
I/me
Example:
"Tá mé anseo."
I am here.
pronouns
tar
come
Example:
"Tar anseo."
Come here.
verbs
cuid
part/share
Example:
"Tá cuid de agam."
I have part of it.
nouns
maith
good
Example:
"Tá sé go maith."
It is good.
adjectives
faigh
get
Example:
"Faigh an leabhar dom."
Get the book for me.
verbs
sí
she/her
Example:
"Tá sí anseo."
She is here.
pronouns
ná
than
Example:
"Tá sé níos fearr ná é sin."
It is better than that.
comparison
bliain
year
Example:
"Tá bliain nua againn."
We have a new year.
time
siad
they/them
Example:
"Tá siad anseo."
They are here.
pronouns
téigh
go
Example:
"Téigh anseo."
Go here.
verbs
nuair
when
Example:
"Nuair a bhí mé anseo."
When I was here.
time
iad
them
Example:
"Chonaic mé iad."
I saw them.
pronouns
amach
out
Example:
"Téim amach."
I go out.
direction
mo
my
Example:
"Tá mo leabhar anseo."
My book is here.
possessives
cé
who/what
Example:
"Cé hé sin?"
Who is that?
questions
nach
that not
Example:
"Dúirt sé nach raibh sé anseo."
He said that he was not here.
negation
bain
take/get
Example:
"Bain an leabhar as an mbord."
Take the book from the table.
verbs
ceann
one/head
Example:
"Tá ceann nua agam."
I have a new one.
nouns
gach
every
Example:
"Téim go dtí an scoil gach lá."
I go to school every day.
time
tú
you
Example:
"Tá tú anseo."
You are here.
pronouns
rud
thing
Example:
"Tá rud éigin anseo."
There is something here.
nouns
í
her/it
Example:
"Chonaic mé í."
I saw her.
pronouns
caith
spend/throw
Example:
"Caith an liathróid."
Throw the ball.
verbs
Gaeilge
Irish language
Example:
"Labhraím Gaeilge."
I speak Irish.
language
trí
through
Example:
"Téim tríd an bpáirc."
I go through the field.
prepositions
gan
without
Example:
"Tá mé gan airgead."
I am without money.
prepositions
féidir
possible
Example:
"Is féidir liom é a dhéanamh."
I can do it.
adjectives
lá
day
Example:
"Tá an lá go hálainn."
The day is beautiful.
time
chomh
as/so
Example:
"Tá sé chomh maith le é sin."
It is as good as that.
comparison
fear
man
Example:
"Tá fear anseo."
There is a man here.
people
isteach
in
Example:
"Téim isteach sa teach."
I go into the house.
direction
fad
length/duration
Example:
"Tá fad maith air."
It has a good length.
measurement
áit
place
Example:
"Tá áit mhaith anseo."
There is a good place here.
location
beag
small
Example:
"Tá sé beag."
It is small.
adjectives
am
time
Example:
"Tá am agam."
I have time.
time
chuig
to/towards
Example:
"Téim chuig an scoil."
I go to school.
prepositions
Éire
Ireland
Example:
"Tá mé i nÉirinn."
I am in Ireland.
places
obair
work
Example:
"Tá mé ag obair."
I am working.
nouns
céad
hundred/first
Example:
"Tá céad euro agam."
I have a hundred euros.
numbers
amháin
one/only
Example:
"Tá leabhar amháin agam."
I have one book.
numbers
taobh
side
Example:
"Tá sé ar an taobh eile."
It is on the other side.
location
anois
now
Example:
"Tá mé anseo anois."
I am here now.
time
céile
spouse
Example:
"Tá mo chéile anseo."
My spouse is here.
people
mac
son
Example:
"Tá mac agam."
I have a son.
people
feic
see
Example:
"Feicim é."
I see it.
verbs
níos
more
Example:
"Tá sé níos fearr."
It is better.
comparison
má
if
Example:
"Má tá tú anseo, fan."
If you are here, stay.
conditionals
teach
house
Example:
"Tá teach nua againn."
We have a new house.
places
ceart
right/correct
Example:
"Tá sé ceart."
It is correct.
adjectives
gur
that
Example:
"Dúirt sé gur maith liom é."
He said that I like it.
conjunctions
idir
between
Example:
"Tá sé idir an dá rud."
It is between the two things.
prepositions
scéal
story
Example:
"Tá scéal maith agam."
I have a good story.
nouns
tír
country
Example:
"Tá mé i mo thír féin."
I am in my own country.
places
saol
life/world
Example:
"Tá an saol go maith."
Life is good.
nouns
bith
world/existence
Example:
"Tá sé ar an mbith."
It is in the world.
nouns
roimh
before
Example:
"Bhí mé anseo roimh é sin."
I was here before that.
time
féad
can/able
Example:
"Is féidir liom é a dhéanamh."
I can do it.
verbs
ceist
question
Example:
"Tá ceist agam."
I have a question.
nouns
ansin
there
Example:
"Tá sé ansin."
It is there.
location
deireadh
end
Example:
"Tá deireadh leis."
It is finished.
time
bean
woman
Example:
"Tá bean anseo."
There is a woman here.
people
dóigh
way/method
Example:
"Tá dóigh mhaith air."
There is a good way to it.
nouns
dá
if
Example:
"Dá mbeadh tú anseo."
If you were here.
conditionals
fios
knowledge
Example:
"Tá fios agam."
I know.
nouns
uair
time/hour
Example:
"Tá an t-am anseo."
The time is here.
time
alt
article
Example:
"Tá alt maith sa nuachtán."
There is a good article in the newspaper.
nouns
te
hot
Example:
"Tá an tae te."
The tea is hot.
adjectives
pobal
community
Example:
"Tá pobal maith anseo."
There is a good community here.
nouns
comhairle
advice/council
Example:
"Tá comhairle agam duit."
I have advice for you.
nouns
éirigh
rise/get up
Example:
"Éirigh amach as an leaba."
Get up out of bed.
verbs
i
in
Example:
"Tá mé i mo theach."
I am in my house.
prepositions
aghaidh
face/front
Example:
"Tá aghaidh dheas air."
He has a nice face.
body
céanna
same
Example:
"Tá sé an rud céanna."
It is the same thing.
adjectives
arsa
said
Example:
""Tá mé anseo," arsa sé."
"I am here," he said.
verbs
súil
eye
Example:
"Tá súil dheas air."
He has a nice eye.
body
scoil
school
Example:
"Téim go dtí an scoil gach lá."
I go to school every day.
places
síos
down
Example:
"Téim síos an staighre."
I go down the stairs.
direction
fág
leave
Example:
"Fág an leabhar anseo."
Leave the book here.
verbs
nua
new
Example:
"Tá teach nua againn."
We have a new house.
adjectives
glac
take/accept
Example:
"Glac an leabhar."
Take the book.
verbs
roinn
divide/share
Example:
"Roinn an t-airgead."
Share the money.
verbs
arís
again
Example:
"Déan é arís."
Do it again.
time
maidir
regarding
Example:
"Maidir leis an scéal."
Regarding the story.
prepositions
teanga
language/tongue
Example:
"Labhraím an teanga."
I speak the language.
language
cás
case/situation
Example:
"Tá cás deacair againn."
We have a difficult situation.
nouns
úsáid
use
Example:
"Úsáid an leabhar."
Use the book.
verbs
leith
side
Example:
"Tá sé ar an taobh eile."
It is on the other side.
location
iarr
ask/request
Example:
"Iarr an leabhar air."
Ask him for the book.
verbs
tóg
take/build
Example:
"Tóg an leabhar."
Take the book.
verbs
óg
young
Example:
"Tá sé óg."
He is young.
adjectives
níor
did not
Example:
"Níor tháinig sé."
He did not come.
negation
anseo
here
Example:
"Tá mé anseo."
I am here.
location
thar
over/across
Example:
"Téim thar an droichead."
I go over the bridge.
prepositions
tuig
understand
Example:
"Tuigim é."
I understand it.
verbs
oíche
night
Example:
"Tá an oíche go hálainn."
The night is beautiful.
time
aire
attention/care
Example:
"Tabhair aire duit féin."
Take care of yourself.
nouns
baile
home/town
Example:
"Tá mé i mo bhaile."
I am in my home.
places
cad
what
Example:
"Cad é sin?"
What is that?
questions
lucht
people/group
Example:
"Tá lucht mór anseo."
There are many people here.
people
cúrsa
course
Example:
"Tá cúrsa maith againn."
We have a good course.
education
eolas
knowledge/information
Example:
"Tá eolas agam air."
I have knowledge of it.
nouns
imigh
go away/leave
Example:
"Imigh leat."
Go away.
verbs
méid
amount/size
Example:
"Tá méid mór air."
It has a big size.
measurement
leor
enough
Example:
"Tá leor againn."
We have enough.
quantifiers
lean
follow/continue
Example:
"Lean ar aghaidh."
Continue on.
verbs
fada
long
Example:
"Tá sé fada."
It is long.
adjectives
caint
speech/talk
Example:
"Tá caint agam leat."
I have a talk with you.
communication
leabhar
book
Example:
"Tá leabhar maith agam."
I have a good book.
objects
scríobh
write
Example:
"Scríobh an litir."
Write the letter.
verbs
acht
but/except
Example:
"Tá mé anseo acht níl tú."
I am here but you are not.
conjunctions
seachtain
week
Example:
"Tá seachtain mhaith againn."
We have a good week.
time
feidhm
function/use
Example:
"Tá feidhm mhaith air."
It has a good function.
nouns
lámh
hand
Example:
"Tá lámh mhaith air."
He has a good hand.
body
ceap
think/believe
Example:
"Ceapaim go bhfuil sé anseo."
I think he is here.
verbs
tarlaigh
happen
Example:
"Tharla rud éigin."
Something happened.
verbs
ais
back
Example:
"Téim ar ais."
I go back.
direction
mí
month
Example:
"Tá mí nua againn."
We have a new month.
time
léir
clear/obvious
Example:
"Tá sé léir."
It is clear.
adjectives
áirigh
count/consider
Example:
"Áirigh é."
Count it.
verbs
ábhar
subject/matter
Example:
"Tá ábhar maith againn."
We have good subject matter.
nouns
féach
look
Example:
"Féach anseo."
Look here.
verbs
bealach
way/path
Example:
"Tá bealach maith againn."
We have a good way.
nouns
ard
high/tall
Example:
"Tá sé ard."
It is high.
adjectives
páiste
child
Example:
"Tá páiste anseo."
There is a child here.
people
muintir
family/people
Example:
"Tá muintir mhaith againn."
We have good family.
people
airgead
money
Example:
"Tá airgead agam."
I have money.
nouns
béal
mouth
Example:
"Tá béal mór air."
He has a big mouth.
body
freisin
also
Example:
"Tá mé anseo freisin."
I am here also.
addition
bord
table/board
Example:
"Tá an leabhar ar an mbord."
The book is on the table.
objects
rialtas
government
Example:
"Tá rialtas nua againn."
We have a new government.
politics
uile
all
Example:
"Tá uile rud anseo."
Everything is here.
quantifiers
siúil
walk
Example:
"Siúil anseo."
Walk here.
verbs
bunaigh
establish/found
Example:
"Bunaigh an club."
Establish the club.
verbs
gabh
take/go
Example:
"Gabh an bealach seo."
Take this way.
verbs
diaidh
after
Example:
"Diaidh an dinnéir."
After dinner.
time
stát
state
Example:
"Tá stát nua againn."
We have a new state.
politics
ainm
name
Example:
"Cad é d'ainm?"
What is your name?
nouns
suas
up
Example:
"Téim suas an staighre."
I go up the stairs.
direction
athair
father
Example:
"Tá m'athair anseo."
My father is here.
people
dia
god
Example:
"Tá dia againn."
We have a god.
religion
fós
still/yet
Example:
"Tá sé fós anseo."
He is still here.
time
ár
our
Example:
"Tá ár dteach anseo."
Our house is here.
possessives
ea
yes/indeed
Example:
"Tá, ea."
Yes, indeed.
responses
seirbhís
service
Example:
"Tá seirbhís mhaith againn."
We have good service.
nouns
éigin
some
Example:
"Tá rud éigin anseo."
There is something here.
quantifiers
clár
program/board
Example:
"Tá clár maith ar an teilifís."
There is a good program on television.
nouns
talamh
land/ground
Example:
"Tá talamh maith againn."
We have good land.
places
buail
hit/meet
Example:
"Buail an liathróid."
Hit the ball.
verbs
riamh
ever
Example:
"Ní raibh mé riamh anseo."
I was never here.
time
muid
we/us
Example:
"Tá muid anseo."
We are here.
pronouns
focal
word
Example:
"Tá focal nua agam."
I have a new word.
language
tús
beginning/start
Example:
"Tá tús maith air."
It has a good start.
time
mise
I/me (emphatic)
Example:
"Tá mise anseo."
I am here.
pronouns
beirt
two people
Example:
"Tá beirt anseo."
There are two people here.
people
fiú
even
Example:
"Fiú má tá sé anseo."
Even if he is here.
intensifiers
linn
with us
Example:
"Tá an t-am linn."
We have time.
pronouns
fan
wait/stay
Example:
"Fan anseo."
Stay here.
verbs
dar
by/according to
Example:
"Dar leis an scéal."
According to the story.
prepositions
contae
county
Example:
"Tá mé i mo chontae féin."
I am in my own county.
places
foireann
team/crew
Example:
"Tá foireann mhaith againn."
We have a good team.
people
meas
respect/opinion
Example:
"Tá meas agam air."
I have respect for him.
nouns
measc
mix
Example:
"Measc an t-airgead."
Mix the money.
verbs
leag
lay/put down
Example:
"Leag an leabhar ar an mbord."
Lay the book on the table.
verbs
bóthar
road
Example:
"Tá bóthar maith anseo."
There is a good road here.
places
labhair
speak
Example:
"Labhair liom."
Speak to me.
verbs
clois
hear
Example:
"Cloisim é."
I hear it.
verbs
cónaí
live/reside
Example:
"Cónaím anseo."
I live here.
verbs
ceol
music
Example:
"Tá ceol maith againn."
We have good music.
nouns
bás
death
Example:
"Tá bás air."
He has death.
nouns

How to Use the Vocabulary

Practice with Examples

Each word comes with sample sentences showing real usage. This helps you understand context and proper grammar.

Focus on High-Frequency Words

These are the most commonly used words in Irish conversation. Mastering them will give you a solid foundation.

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