Irish phrasebook

Irish is one of the three Goidelic languages, the others being Scottish Gaelic and Manx. This Goidelic branch together with the Brythonic branch (Welsh, Cornish and Breton) form the Celtic language family. These are spoken in parts of the Ireland, Britain and France.

Some common features of the Celtic languages which strike learners as odd are:

• 'mutations': sounds change, often at the beginning of words, as part of the grammar, e.g. cat 'cat', but mo chat 'my cat'
• the verb is usually at the beginning of the sentence
• prepositional pronouns that are conjugated, e.g. agam 'at me', agat 'at you', etc.

Pronunciation guide

There are three major dialects in Irish, named for the three provinces in the north (Ulster, major cities Derry and Belfast), west (Connacht, major city Galway) and south (Munster, major cities Cork, Limerick, Waterford) of the island. The eastern province, (Leinster, major cities Dublin, Kilkenny), no longer has its own distinct dialect. The Caighdeán Oifigiúl (kaigh-DAWN iffig-OOL, official standard) has been in place since the mid-20th century after spelling was 'regularised' (to an extent). This is the official Irish that appears in phrasebooks and in Government publications. It is largely the same as the Munster dialect, with a very few exceptions. There are great differences in pronunciation between the dialects, with Munster differing the most from the other two. For example 'tá go maith', 'yes indeed' is pronunced 'TAY guh MAIGH' in Ulster but 'TAW guh MAH' in Connacht and Munster. There are also differences in the phrases used in everyday speech. In the phrasebook below, the Munster phrase has been used except where indicated. The conjugation of verbs, too, differs from dialect to dialect. Munster uses a contracted form in the past and present first person and in the third person of all three tenses. For example 'tá mé' ('TAW MAY', I am) is 'táim' ('TAW'm') in Munster, and 'bhí mé' (VEE MAY, I was) is 'bhíos' (VEE-us) in Munster.

Vowels

These are the pronunciations of the vowels when stressed (stress with word-initial). Unstressed short vowels (not marked with an accent) are generally pronounced like an 'uh' sound.

a

like 'o' in "cod"

á

like 'aw' in "flaw"

e

like 'e' in "peg"

é

like 'ay' in "hay"

i

like 'i' in "tin"

í

like 'ee' in "heel"

o

like 'u' in "bud"

ó

like 'o' in "home"

u

like 'u' in "bud"

ú

like 'oo' in "cool"

note

vowel combinations/diphthongs in Irish (e.g. 'Gaeilge, 'seachtain) are slightly rounded and pronounced in the back of the mouth without using the lips at all. (e.g. 'Gaeilge' should not, strictly speaking, be pronounced with a w after the g.) Thus, correct pronunciation can be obtained only from imitating spoken Irish, but the pronunciation guide given here is an adequate enough approximation in that by using it, you will be perfectly understood by any Irish speaker.

Consonants

Consonant combinations with h are sometimes written with a dot (séimhiú, shay-VOO) on the letter instead of the h and are sometimes silent. All consonants have two versions called caol (narrow, palatalized) and leathan (wide, velarized) (except for h, which is neither palatalized or velarized); this is indicated in writing by adjacent vowels.

As a rule, if the nearest vowel is a, o, or u, the consonant is broad. If the nearest vowel is e or i, it is slender.

b

like bed

bh

like W sound when broad; like a V sound when slender

c

like kid when broad; like the ty in Hungarian when slender (does not occur in English)

ch

as in Scottish 'loch' when broad; as in German ich when slender

d

like dog but sometimes slightly softer, like the Icelandic ð or th in them, often like the English 'j' when followed by an 'e' or 'i'

dh

voiced h sound when broad, y when slender; sometimes vague gh sound (Munster dialect especially), always silent after long vowels

f

like fun

fh

silent (except in Ulster, where it's said like an h)

g

like go when broad; like the gy in Hungarian when slender (does not occur in English, with the closest approximation probably being the d in the French dure)

gh

see dh

h

like help

l

like lean

m

like mother

mh

same as bh but slightly softer

n

like nice

ng

like sing when broad and word initial (follow with a broad g otherwise); like onion when slender and word initial (follow with a slender g otherwise)

p

like pig

ph

like phone or whom

r

rolled or flapped

s

like soon when broad; like sheen when slender

sh

like hear

t

like th in 'the', or occasionally like t in 'tin', depending on its placement in the word; sometimes pronounced as the English 'ch' in China when slender

th

like hear

Common diphthongs

Diphthongs are generally irregular and can be learned only by experience. For example, 'ai' in "Corcaigh" (the city and county of Cork) is pronounced like the 'i' in "dig" but the 'ai' in "faic" (nothing) is pronounced like the 'a' in "hack", and the 'ai' in "haigh!" (hi!, transliteration of a loan-word) is pronounced like the 'i' in "high".

Phrase list

There are differences in the phrases used in everyday speech in the different provinces. In the phrasebook below, the Munster phrase has been used except where indicated. The conjugation of verbs, too, differs from dialect to dialect. Munster uses a contracted form in the past and present first person and in the third person of all three tenses. For example 'tá mé' ('TAW MAY', I am) is 'táim' ('TAW'm') in Munster, and 'bhí mé' (VEE MAY, I was) is 'bhíos' (VEE-us) in Munster.

Basics

Hello.

Dia dhuit (DEE-a GHWIT) [Shortened form of, 'Go mbeannaí Dia dhuit', literal meaning is, 'May God bless you']

the response to this greeting is

Dia is Muire dhuit (DEE-a iSS MWIRR-a Gwit) [literally (May) God and (The Virgin) Mary bless you]

How are you?

Conas atá tú? (CUNN-us a-TAW too?)

I'm well.

Táim go maith (TAW'm guh MAH)

What is your name?

Cad is ainm duit? (COD iss ANNim ditch?)

My name is ______ .

______ is ainm dom (_____ iss annim dum)

Nice to meet you.

Deas bualadh leat. (JAHSS BOO-loo lyaht)

Please.

Le do thoil (singular), Le bhur dtoil (plural). (LE do HULL, LE wur DULL)

Thank you/you (pl.).

Go raibh maith agat/agaibh. (GUH ROH MAH ug-ut/ug-iv)

You're welcome (in response to 'thank you'.

Go ndéanaí mhaith duit/daoibh (singular/plural). ("Goh nyae-nee wah ditch/dee-iv") or : Tá fáilte romhat/romhaibh. (TAW FOIL-chyeh ROWt/ ROW-iv)

Yes.

'Sea (SHAA; note that there is no real translation for yes and no in Irish - the words here literally mean 'it is'. People usually use the question verb again in their replies, in the positive or negative, in the same tense, voice and person as the question was asked.)

No.

Ní hea (Nee haa; literally, 'it is not'. See note for 'Yes'.)

Excuse me.

Gabh mo leithscéal. (Goh mah lesh-kyale)

I'm sorry.

Tá brón orm. (TAW BROHN urr-im)

Goodbye

Slán (Slawn)

I can't speak Irish [well].

Níl Gaeilge [mhaith] agam. (neel GWAYL-geh [wah] ug-um)

Do you speak English?

An bhfuil Béarla agat? (ahn will BAYR-la ug-ut?)

Is there someone here who speaks English?

An bhfuil Béarla ag éinne anseo? (ahn will BAYR-la egg AYN-ya on-SHUH?)

Help!

Fóir dom! (Fore dum!)

Look out!

Bí curamach (BEE KOOR-mukh!)

Good morning.

Maidin maith. (mah-jin mah)

Good evening.

Tráthnóna maith. (Trah-no-nuh my)

Good night.

Oíche mhaith. (EE-hah wah)

I don't understand.

Ní thuigim. (NEE HIGG-im)

Where is the toilet?

Cá bhfuil an leithreas? (CAW will ahn LEH-HER-as?)

Where are you from? (singular)

Cá as duit? (CAW oss ditch?) OR Cé as thú? ("K ahss hoo?")

(plural) Cé as sibh? ("K ahss shiv?")

Problems

Leave me alone.

Lig dom. (ligg dum)

Don't touch me!

Ná bain dom! (NAW bine dum!)

I'll call the police.

Cuirfidh mé fios ar na Gardaí!. (KIRR-EE may FISS air nah gard-EE!)

Police!

Gardaí! (guard-EE!) (The literal translation of Gardai is 'Keepers')

Stop! Thief!

Stad! Gadaí! (STODD! god-EE!!)

I need your help (singular).

Tá do chabhair de dhíth orm. (TAW doh KHOWER deh YEE urr-um) (KH is guttural, OWER is like English "tower")

It's an emergency.

Is éigeandáil í. (Iss AE-GUN-dall EE.)

I'm lost.

Táim caillte. (TAW'M kyle-cheh)

I lost my bag.

Chaill mé mo mhála. (KYLE may muh WALL-a)

I lost my wallet.

Chaill mé mo thiachog. (KYLE may muh HEE-UH-Hohg)

I'm sick.

Tá mé tinn. (Taw may chin)

I've been injured.

Táim gortaithe. (TAWM GORT-i-HAH)

I need a doctor.

Tá dochtúir a dhíobháil orm. (Taw DOCH-TOOR deh YEE urr-im) (dochtúir is guttural)

Can I use your phone?

An bhfuil cead agam do ghutháin a úsáíd? (ON will KYAD a-GUM duh ghuh-HAWN a OO-SOYD?)

Numbers

1

aon (Ayon)

2

dó (doe)

3

trí (tree)

4

ceathar (cah-har)

5

cúig (koo-igg)

6

sé (shay)

7

seacht (shokht)

8

ocht (okt)

9

naoi (nay)

10

deich (deh)

11

aon déag (Ayon DAYeg)

12

dó dhéag (doe yAYog)

13

trí déag (tree DAYog)

14

ceathar déag (cah-har DAYog)

15

cúig déag (coo-igg DAYog)

16

sé déag (shay DAYog)

17

seacht déag (shokt DAYog)

18

ocht déag (ukt DAYog)

19

naoi déag (nay DAYog)

20

fiche (fih-ha)

21

fiche h-aon (fih-ah hAyon)

22

fiche dó (fih-ah doe)

23

fiche trí (fih-ah tree)

30

triocha (truck-ah)

40

daichead (do-head)

50

caoga (KWAY-ga)

60

seasca (shas-ca)

70

seachto (shokt-oe)

80

ochto (UKT-oe)

90

nocha (noe-KA)

100

céad (kay-ahd)

200

dhá chéad (ghaw kay-ahd)

300

trí chéad (tree kay-ahd)

1000

míle (mee-leh)

2000

dhá mhíle (ghaw vee-leh)

1,000,000

milliún (mill-yewn)

number _____ (train, bus, etc.)

uimhir a _____ (iv-urr ah)

half

leath (lah)

less

níos lú (nee-uss loo)

more

níos mó (nee-uss moe)

Time

now

anois (ann-ish)

later

níos déanaí (nee-uss DAY-nee)

before

roimh (riv)

morning

maidin (moj-in)

afternoon

iarnóin (ear-NOE-inn)

evening

tráthnóna (tráthnóna)

night

oíche (EE-hah)

Clock time

one o'clock AM

haon a chlog ar maidin (HAY-ann ah klug err MOJ-in)

two o'clock AM

dó a chlog ar maidin (DOE ah klug err MOJ-in)

noon

nóin (noe-inn)

one o'clock PM

haon a chlog san iarnóin (HAY-ann ah klug san ear-NOE-inn)

two o'clock PM

dó a chlog san iarnóin (DOE ah klug san ear-NOE-inn)

midnight

meanoíche (mann EE-hah)

Duration

_____ minute(s)

_____ nóiméad (NOE-made)

_____ hour(s)

_____ uair (oor)

_____ day(s)

_____ la(ethanta) (lay(hint-ah))

_____ week(s)

_____ seachtan(na) (shokt-inn(ah))

_____ month(s)

_____ mí (mee)

_____ year(s)

_____ blian(ta) (BLI-an(tah))

Days

today

inniu (inn-yew)

yesterday

inné (inn-yay)

tomorrow

amárach (am-AW-rok)

this week

an seachtain seo (on shokt-inn shuh)

last week

an seachtain seo caite (on shokt-inn shuh cotch-ah)

next week

an seachtain seo chugainn (on shokt-inn shuh koo-inn)

Sunday

Domhnach (DOW-nok)

Monday

Luain (Loo-inn)

Tuesday

Máirt (MAWrt)

Wednesday

Céadaoin (KAY-deen)

Thursday

Déardaoin (dare-deen)

Friday

Aoine (EE-nah)

Saturday

Satharn (SAH-harn)

Months

In Ireland, spring starts on the 1st of February.

January

Eanair (ann-arr)

February

Feabhra (fyow-rah)

March

Márta (mawr-tah)

April

Aibreán (ab-rawn)

May

Bealtainne (byowl-tin-neh)

June

Meitheamh (meh-hiv)

July

Iúil (oo-ill)

August

Lúnasa (loon-assah)

September

Mean Fomhair (mann foe-arr)

October

Deireadh Fomhair (derr-ah foe-arr)

November

Samhain (SOW-inn)

December

Nollaig (null-igg)

Colors

black

dubh (duv)

white

bán (bawn)

gray

liath (LEE-ath)

red

dearg (dahrg)

pink

bándearg (bawn dahrg)

blue

gorm (gurm)

yellow

buí (buee)

green

glas (gloss)

orange

oráiste (urr-AW-ish-tah)

brown

donn (done)

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?

Cé mhéad atá ar thicéad go dtí _____? (kay VAYD ah-TAW air HICK-aid guh jee)

One ticket to _____, please.

Ticéad amháin go dtí _____, le do thoil. (TICK-aid ah-WAWN guh jee _____, leh duh hull)

Where does this train/bus go?

Cá rachaidh an traein/bus seo? (kaw ROCK-ee on train/bus shuh?)

Where is the train/bus to _____?

Cá bhfuil an traein/bus go dtí _____? (kaw will on train/bus guh jee _____?)

Does this train/bus stop in _____?

An stadfaidh an traein/bus seo i _____? (on STAWD-fee on train/bus shuh ih _____?)

When does the train/bus for _____ leave?

Cathain a fagfaidh an traein/bus go dtí _____? (CAW-hin ah FOG-fee on train/bus guh jee _____?)

When will this train/bus arrive in _____?

Cathain a bhainfidh an traein/bus amach i _____? (CAW-hin ah VAN-fee on train/bus ah-MOCK ih _____?)

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?

Cad é an bealach go dtí _____ ? (cod ay an BAHL-ock guh jee ______ ?)

...the train station?

...an stáisiún traenach? (on STAW-shoon TRAY-nock?)

...the bus station?

...an busáras? (on bus-AW-rass?)

...the airport?

...an t-aerfort? (on TAIR-fort?)

...downtown?

...lár na cathrach? (LAWR na CAW-rock?)

...the youth hostel?

...an brú óige? (on broo OH-geh?)

...the _____ hotel?

...an ostán _____? (on USS-tawn?)

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?

...an consalacht Meiriceánach/Ceanadach/Astrálach/Briotanach? (on KUN-sah-lockt merry-KAW-nock/KYANNY-dock/oss-TRAWL-ock/BRIT-in-ock?)

Where are there a lot of...

Cá bhfuil a lán... (kaw will a lawn...)

...hotels?

...óstáin? (USS-tawn)

...restaurants?

...bialanna? (BEE-ah-LAWN-ah)

...bars?

...beáir? (bor)

...sites to see?

...laithreáin a fheiceáil? (LAH-rawn a ECK-oil)

Can you show me on the map?

An dtaispeánfaidh tú dom ar an léarscáil? (on DASH-PAWN-ee too dum air on LAIR-shkawl)

street

sráid (shrawd)

Turn left.

Cas ar chlé. (coss air khlay)

Turn right.

Cas ar dheis. (coss air yesh)

left

clé (clay)

right

deas (jass)

straight ahead

díreach ar aghaidh (DEE-rock air eye)

towards the _____

chun an/na_____ (kun on/nah)

past the _____

thar an/na_____ (har on/nah)

before the _____

roimh an/na_____ (riv on/nah)

Watch for the _____.

Bí ag faire amach don/do na_____. (bee eg FAR-eh a-MOCK dun/duh nah)

intersection

crosbhealach (cross-VYAL-ock)

north

tuaisceart (TUSH-kyart)

south

deisceart (DESH-kyart)

east

oirthear (OR-har)

west

iarthar (EER-har)

uphill

i gcoinne an aird (ih GUN-yeh on orj)

downhill

ag bun an cnoic (egg bun on knuck)

Taxi

Taxi!

Tacsaí! (Tuhk-see)

Take me to _____, please.

thabhairt dom go dtí _____, le do thoil.(HOORt dum guh djee____, lehd HULL.)

How much does it cost to go to _____?

cé mhéad a chosnaíonn é a dhul go dtí _____? (kay vayd a HOHS-nee-uhn ay a ghul guh djee ____?)

Take me there, please.

Thabhairt dom ann, le do thoill. (HOOR-t dum ow-n)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?

An bhfuil aon seomraí ar fáil? (on will ayn show'm-ree air fawl)

How much is a room for one person/two people?

Ce mhead ata seomra le haighaidh duine amhain/ beirt daoine? (kay veyd atAW showmrah leh high din-na awAN/ bert dee-nee )

Does the room come with...

Does the room come with... (...)

...bedsheets?

...bedsheets? (...)

...a bathroom?

Seomra Folchta (show-mra ful-ka)

...a telephone?

Guthán (guh-HAWN)

...a TV?

Teilifís (Tele-feesh)

May I see the room first?

May I see the room first? (...)

Do you have anything quieter?

Do you have anything quieter? (...)

...bigger?

...bigger? (...)

...cleaner?

...cleaner? (...)

...cheaper?

...cheaper? (...)

OK, I'll take it.

OK, I'll take it. (...)

I will stay for _____ night(s).

I will stay for _____ night(s). (...)

Can you suggest another hotel?

Can you suggest another hotel? (...)

Do you have a safe?

Do you have a safe? (...)

...lockers?

...lockers? (...)

Is breakfast/supper included?

Is breakfast/supper included? (...)

What time is breakfast/supper?

What time is breakfast/supper? (...)

Please clean my room.

Glan mo sheomre le do thoil. (Glohn muh heomrah leh duh hul)

Can you wake me at _____? | Can you wake me at _____? (...)

I want to check out.

I want to check out. (...)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? (...)

Do you accept British pounds?

Do you accept British pounds? (...)

Do you accept credit cards?

Do you accept credit cards? (...)

Can you change money for me?

Can you change money for me? (...)

Where can I get money changed?

Where can I get money changed? (...)

Can you change a traveler's check for me?

Can you change a traveler's check for me? (...)

Where can I get a traveler's check changed?

Where can I get a traveler's check changed? (...)

What is the exchange rate?

What is the exchange rate? (...)

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?

Cá bfuil an pól an bhainc? (Kaw will on pull on vank?)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.

Bord do duine amháin/beirt, le do thoil (bord duh DINN-eh ah-WAWN/burtch, leh duh hull)

Can I look at the menu, please?

An féidir liom a féachaint ar an bhiachlár, le do thoil? (uhn FAY-duhr lyom uh FEE-uh-khunt uhr uhn vee-uh-KHLAWR, lehd-HULL)

Can I look in the kitchen?

An féidir liom a féachaint sa chistin? (uh FAY-duhr lyom uh FEE-uh-khunt suh KHISH-tin?)

Is there a house specialty?

An bhfuil speisialtacht an tí?(uh vwil spehsheeltkht uhn tee?)

Is there a local specialty?

An bhfuil speisialtacht áitiúil? (uh vwil spehsheeltkht aw-TYOO-il?)

I'm a vegetarian.

Is feoilséantóir mé (is fyohl-shayn-TOOR meh.)

I don't eat pork.

Ní ithim muiceoil. (nee IH-im MWIH-kyoll)

I don't eat beef.

Ní ithim mairteola. (nee IH-im MAR-toll-ah)

I only eat kosher food.

Ithim bia coisir amháin. (IH-im bee-ah kosher ah-WAWN)

Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)

Le níos lú saill, le do thoil? (leh neese loo sall, leh duh hull)

fixed-price meal

béile le luach seasta (BAY-leh leh LOO-kh SHASS-tah)

à la carte

à la carte (...)

breakfast

bricfeásta (BRICK-faw-stah)

lunch

lón (lone)

tea (meal)

tae (tay)

supper

suipéar (sip-AIR)

I want _____.

_____ atá uaim. (___at-AW wim)

I would like a dish with _____.

Ba mhaith liom baochas a mhias le _____(buh vah lyum BAY-uh-khas uh VEE-as leh _____)

chicken

sicín (shik-EEN)

beef

mairteola (mwir-TYOH-lah)

fish

iasc (eesk)

ham

liamhás (LEE-uh-vaws)

sausage

ispín (ispheen)

cheese

cáis (kawsh)

eggs

uibheacha (IV-ah-kah)

salad

sailéad (sai-LAYD)

(fresh) vegetables

glasraí (úr) (GLAHS-ree (OOR))

bread

arán (ah-RAWN)

toast

tósta (TOHS-tah)

noodles

núdail (NOO-dil)

rice

rís (reesh)

beans

pónairí (poh-NUH-ree...)

May I have a glass of _____?

An mbeidh gloine _____ agam? (uh meg GLI-neh...)

May I have a cup of _____?

An mbeidh cupán _____ agam? (un meg cuh-PAWN ____ uh-GUHM)

May I have a bottle of _____?

An mbeidh buidéal _____ agam? (un meg bi-DAYL ____ uh-GUHM)

coffee

caife (ka-feh)

tea (drink)

tae (tay)

juice

subh (soov)

mineral water

uisce mianraí (ISH-keh mee-uhn-REE...)

water

uisce (ISH-kah)

beer

beoir (bi-or)

red/white wine

Fíon dearg/bán (...)

May I have some _____?

An mbeidh roinnt _____ agam? (un meg rint ____ uh-GUHM?)

salt

sallan (...)

black pepper

piobar dubh(PI-burr DUH-v)

butter

im ('im')

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

Gabh mo leischeal, a fhreastalaí? (guh muh leh-SHKAYL, uh RAHS-tuh-lee?)

I'm finished.

Táim críochnaithe. (tawm KREEKH-nuh-hah)

It was delicious.

Bhí sé go blásta. (vee shay go BLAWS-tuh)

Please clear the table.

glan an mbord, le d'thoil. (GLAHN an MORD lehd HULL...)

Give me the bill, please.

Tobhair dom an bhille, le do thoil. (on VILL-eh, lehd HULL)

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?

An ndíolainn sibh achól? (...)

Is there table service?

An bhfuil seirbhís boird i bhfeidhm? (...)

A beer/two beers, please.

(insert ammount- ie. cup/glass/mug)beoir, le do thoil. (...)

A glass of red/white wine, please.

Gloinne fíon dearg/bán le do thoil. (...)

A pint, please.

Pionta, le do thoil. (...)

A bottle, please.

Buidéal, le do thoil. (...)

_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.

_____ agus _____, le do thoil. (...)

whiskey

uisce beatha (ISH-kaa baaha)

vodka

vodca (...)

rum

rum (...)

water

uice (ISH-kaa)

club soda

club soda (...)

tonic water

tonic water (...)

orange juice

sú oráiste (...)

Coke (soda)

Cóc (...)

Do you have any bar snacks?

An bhfuil aon sneaic beáir agat? (...)

One more, please.

Ceann amháin eile le do thoil. (...)

Another round, please.

Babhta eile, le do thoil. (...)

When is closing time?

Cathain a bhfuil sibh dúnta? (...)

a Toast - To Health or Life

Sláinte (Slawn-cha)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?

Do you have this in my size? (...)

How much is this?

How much is this? (Cé mhéad é seo)

That's too expensive.

That's too expensive. (Tá sé sin ró-dhaor)

Would you take _____?

Would you take _____? (...)

expensive

expensive (daor)

cheap

cheap (...)

I can't afford it.

I can't afford it. (...)

I don't want it.

I don't want it. (Ní theastaíonn sé uaim)

You're cheating me.

You're cheating me. (...)

I'm not interested.

I'm not interested. (..)

OK, I'll take it.

OK, I'll take it. (OK. Tógfaidh mé é)

Can I have a bag?

Can I have a bag? (An féidir liom mála a fháil)

Do you ship (overseas)?

Do you ship (overseas)? (...)

I need...

I need... (Is gá liom...)

...toothpaste.

...toothpaste. (...)

...a toothbrush.

...a toothbrush. (...)

...tampons.

...tampons. (...)

...soap.

...soap. (...)

...shampoo.

...shampoo. (...)

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)

...pain reliever. (...)

...cold medicine.

...cold medicine. (...)

...stomach medicine.

...stomach medicine. (...)

...a razor.

...a razor. (...)

...an umbrella.

...an umbrella. (...)

...sunblock lotion.

...sunblock lotion. (...)

...a postcard.

...a postcard. (cárta phoist)

...postage stamps.

...postage stamps. (stampai)

...batteries.

...batteries. (...)

...writing paper.

...writing paper. (páipéar)

...a pen.

...a pen. (peann)

...English-language books.

...English-language books. (...)

...English-language magazines.

...English-language magazines. (...)

...an English-language newspaper.

...an English-language newspaper. (nuachtán i mBéarla)

...an English-English dictionary.

...an English-English dictionary. (fóclóir Béarla-Béarla)

Driving

I want to rent a car.

I want to rent a car. (...)

Can I get insurance?

Can I get insurance? (An féidir liom árachas a fháil)

stop (on a street sign)

stop (Stad)

one way

one way (...)

yield

Géill slí (Gale shlee)

no parking

no parking (...)

speed limit

speed limit (...)

gas (petrol) station

gas station (stáisiún peitreoil)

petrol

petrol (peitreoil)

diesel

diesel (...)

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.

Ní dhéarna mé coir. (nee YAR-nah may kor)

It was a misunderstanding.

Ba mhíthuiscint é. (bah VEE-HISH-kint ay)

Where are you taking me?

Cá bhfuil tú ag tógail mé? (kaw will too ag TOWG-awl may)

Am I under arrest?

An bhfuil mé gafa? (on will may GOFF-ah)

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.

Is saoránach Meiriceánach/Astrálach/Briotanach/Ceanadach mé. (iss sayr-AWN-ock merry-KAWN-ock/ass-TRAWL-ock/BRIT-annock/KYANNY-dock may)

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.

Ba mhaith liom labhairt leis an ambasáid/consalacht Meiriceánach/Astrálach/Briotanach/Ceanadach. (bah wawh lum LOWR-t lesh on OM-bass-oyj/CUN-sill-ockt merry-KAWN-ock/ass-TRAWL-ock/BRIT-annock/KYANNY-dock)

I want to talk to a lawyer.

Ba mhaith liom labhairt le dlíodóir. (bah wawh lum LOWR-t leh DLEE-dor)

Can I just pay a fine now?

An féidir liom íocaíocht cáin amháin anois? (on FAY-jer lum EEK-ee-ockt koyn ah-WAWN ah-NISH)