7 Must-Know Irish Phrases That Will Put You on Good Terms With the Locals

7 Must-Know Irish Phrases That Will Put You on Good Terms With the Locals

Are you thinking of heading over to the Green Isle for an upcoming vacation? Do you get the lovely chance to study abroad in this friendly and warm country? Or are you lucky enough to permanently move here through marriage or a long-term work visa?

Remains of the 12th Century trim Castle in County Meath – By Andrew Parnell – Trim Castle, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1589876

If so, there are certain phrases that you MUST learn to say so you can pretend like you are one of the locals! Although they will immediately be able to tell you are not Irish by your accent, they will appreciate the attempt to at least somewhat blend in with the flowy accents of Cork. lilting accents of Galway, and the tough accents of Dublin.

Let’s see the top seven must-know phrases that will not only put you on good terms with the locals, but make you feel like you’re a part of the community.

Slainte!

ODonoghue’s Pub Dublin Ireland – By The original uploader was Kglavin at English Wikipedia. – Self-photographed, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6068005

If you go out to have a ‘few’ pints with the locals and your new friends — which will absolutely not be just a ‘few’ pints — then you need to know “Slainte!”. The Irish version of an American “cheers’ ‘ or a Danish “skol”, Slainte is the best way to get everyone excited for the evening, bond with your new pals, and throw back a couple of Guinness like you’re Irish yourself. 

But first thing’s first, make sure you pronounce it right. Pronounced as “slaan-sha”, Slainte is best said while clinking glasses with your counterparts and making new friends in your foreign homeland. 

Craic 

St Patricks Day Parade in Dublin – By Miguel Mendez from Malahide, Ireland – St. Patrick’s Festival, Dublin, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25501834

No, we are not talking about crack. When foreigners head to Ireland, they may be surprised to hear the locals saying “Any craic?”. It can sound a bit jarring and it can be confusing – but this phrase really just means “what is going on?”

If you missed a night out on the town, you might ask your friend “What’s the craic?” and what you missed. It can also mean a form of what’s up, how are you, and what’s going on. This informal way of asking how someone is doing is often considered quintessential Irish. 

Want to really impress the locals? Answer with “divil a bit” (“not much”) to make your pals impressed with your jargon knowledge. 

On me tod

A pint of Guinness – By PDPhoto.org – http://www.pdphoto.org/PictureDetail.php?mat=&pg=8748, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18189480

Okay, we do not recommend going ‘on me tod’ too much when you are in Ireland for the first time. Going on me today means that you are going out to the bar alone and you are drinking by yourself. Sure, this can be really fun — Ireland is arguably the best place to make new friends, meet locals, and start brilliant relationships. 

However, doing this too often can make you a little TOO much for a  regular at the local watering hole down the street. 

We’re sucking diesel now

Ladies View – By Bob Familiar – https://www.flickr.com/photos/bobfamiliar/8330479170/in/photolist-oyLzoX-7pGpaV-egKx2D-pezy64-rQNucF-77NRMQ-dG8Ted-c29qib-ao5sQ8-peAqkw-rQFERw-ao6rPi-dG3sdF-5wgBYd/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=75142253

Did you get a promotion at your new job? Are you making tons of friends and you are kind of surprised? Maybe you are pleasantly happy with the way things are going with your new life, everything is falling into a palace, and it feels like you are exactly where you belong. In this case, “we’re sucking diesel now” means that you are doing extremely well and you have newfound success.

Sh*te in a bucket

Bloomsday Celebration Dublin – By No machine-readable author provided. Flapdragon assumed (based on copyright claims). – No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1634531

Okay, everyone knows the curse word, sh*t. But in Ireland, there is an ‘e’ added to the end that gives it a whole new accent and rhyming potential. You are going to hear this word a lot — and we mean a lot. The Irish have no problem with calling every little thing that they do not like “sh*te”. Honestly, with the accent, it is pretty endearing. 

If you add “in a bucket” on the end of this lovable curse word, it is the perfect thing to say while watching a hard-fought game on the telly. 

Christ on a bike

Gaelic football – By Ciaran McGuiggan – Flickr, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6791656

Okay, it is less than probable that you will see Jesus Christ cycling around Galway on a bicycle. But, this phrase is widely used. Although considered to be too outlandish and rude by some die-hard Christians in the Republic of Ireland, this common phrase is a great way of expressing your surprise at what you are seeing. 

Did you see an amazing play in the local Gaelic football match? Did someone do the ‘worm’ dance move while in the pub? Maybe you just saw a huge wave while searching at Lahinch. If so, saying “Christ on a bike!” is going to have the locals asking you if you are part Irish.

State o’ you

An alcohol bar in Dublin Ireland – By Oliver Gargan – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86968625

Now, the phrasing here and the pronunciation is the most important part. Please, if you want to appear Irish, please do NOT say “The state OF you”. This is the number one way that you can sound extremely American and foreign. If possible, try to say “state o’ya” without sounding like you are trying too hard to be a native Irish speaker. The Irish locals will live it, give you a little bit of grief for even trying, and then take you out to the local for a few pints. It’s a win-win situation.